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Homicides of Adults in Augusta County, Virginia

BGAZ 12/10/1759 (M): WAR in VA: Augusta Co. dtl Williamsburg, 11/9: informed from Carr's creek in Augsuta Co, that on 10/10, a party of Indians with 2 Frenchmen appeared in that neighborhood. "They murdered, with shocking Barbarity, ten Persons, men Women, and Children, took 11 Prisoners, burnt six Farms, killed the Cattle, and carried off all the Horses, loaded wiith the Goods of the People killed and captivated."

Candid Review (Staunton, VA) 6/28/1805: MISSING PERSON / POSS HOM ROBBERY in VA: Augusta Co.: Sat., 6/1, Mr. James Hood, a laboring man working for some time past with Mr. Alexander Crawford, about 12 mi. from Staunton, came to town on busi., left, & not seen since. Feared a hom. or sui. Not in debt; left 3 horses & other stock at AC's. A man seen by some negroes to have been riding the horse on which JH rode into town, but the man fled into the woods & escaped. Had visited the tailor shop for some clothes he was having made & found they were not ready; asked that they be sent home the next week w/ AH, who was to visit town then.

LG 8/24/1838: HOM in VA: Augusta Co.: Mr. Frederick M. Pittman of Staunton k. at the White Sulphur Springs, a few days since, "in a recountre with" a man named Watson. W & P "were quite intimately acquainted, and some days before the murder the lie had jestingly passed between them" in the dining room of one of the boarding houses at the Springs. W accused P of having insulted him. P replied "that he was not conscious of having done so, but that if he had unintentionally injured his feelings, he begged his pardon. W. rejoined, that that would not do--he must have satisfaction. P. remarked that he would give him any satisfaction he wished." W then drew a pistol "and inflicted a mortal wound." Apprehended & jailed. P a young man, a saddler by profession, "possessed many good traits of character." Ed. -- "We trust that the law may be rigidly enforced. . . . Murder is becoming very common, and need an example to check it. It is the common opinion, and we fear it is but too correct, that if a man has money, he may commit any crime he pleases with impunity, unless the case comes within the jurisdiction of Judge Lynch--and then the innocent are as apt to suffer as the guilty."

LG 6/10/1852: HOM in VA: Augusta Co.: a young man, Norman, d. on 5/1 from a gunshot wound inflicted by another named Barry.

LG 2/19/1857: FALSE REPORT of HOM / AIK in VA: Augusta Co.: Lindsey Fay jailed on W last for stabbing Simon Sheets. SS has since d. "The parties lived at, or near Fisherville." No particulars heard yet. Staunton Vindicator. LG 2/26/1857: "NOT DEAD.--Simon Sheets, who was wounded in an affray with Payne in Augusta county, last week, is not dead as reported. The fight occurred at the Tunnel."

LG 8/29/1861: HOM DOM WIFE in VA: Staunton Spectator: "Mr. E. C. Randolph killed his wife at Middletown, in this county on Saturday night last by stabbing her in the abdomen and in the arm. She died on Sunday Monring.--

E. C. Randolph is the same person who was tried here some time since as a spy, who a few weeks since stabbed Dr. McChesney, and who accidentally shot Mr. Jacob Prubeck last week. He is a very unfortunate or a very bad man."

LG 2/11/1892: HOM in VA: AUGUSTA COUNTY: from the Staunton Vindicator: motion to set aside verdict was heard by Judge Houston, F morning. Charles Johnson had been sentenced to10 years for shooting & killing J. F. Lotts “in an affray near Mt. Carmel.”

“Capt. James Bumbgardner, for the prisoner, contended that no combination had been proven. It had only been showen [sic] by the prosecution that Simma Brown, the man beaten by Lotts had gone back to the church and that several parties at the church were on their way home when they met Lotts and the fight ensued. It had been proven that Lotts and Weeks started from the point of first collision to seek a further difficulty and expressed that as their purpose. As it stood it was only just this—that a party having declared an unlawful purpose met a party against whom no unlawful purpose had been proved.”

The judge declared that there was no basis in law for overturning the decision of the jury. Capt. Bumbgarden said he would appeal to a higher court.

LG 11/8/1894: HOM MANSL in VA: Augusta Co.: dtl Staunton, 11/10: C. W. Jones, a merchant of Tom’s Brook, VA, tells of the death of his father, W. W. Jones, at the Western State Hospital in Staunton. Father (62) a patient for several years. ON Th, “terribly scalded in a bath-tub by a fellow patient, a young man named Magruder. M & J were in the bathroom & they “got into a dispute,” & M “plunged” J into the bathtub & he was “drenched with scalding water. The suffering man yelled lustily, and the floor attendant, rushing to the rescue, relived the old gentleman.” Fearful scalds on neck & back. “deeply regretted by everybody; but it seems to be one of those accidents which could not possibly have been foreseen and prevented.”

Augusta County

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1742, Dec. 18 Augusta Co.

Class: do not count

Crime: WAR ENGLISHMEN by INDIANS and VICE VERSA

Rela: NONDOM

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WAR: French & Indians v. English settlers. Indians lost 8 or 10 men; English lost Capt. McDowell (of the Augusta Co. militia) & 8 or 9 men.

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Council, 12/31/1742: a body of Indians with some white men (supposed French) killed & carried off the settlers horses. Militia mustered. Came up on them & sent forward a man "with a signal of Peace which man they killed on the Spot & fired on the white People which they returned." 45 minute battle. Council orders mobilization of militias in Orange & Fairfax counties, relief to the widows of the slain, etc. (112-113)

Wilmer L. Hall, ed., Executive Journals of the Council of Colonial Virginia (Second Edition), v. 5: Nov. 1, 1739-May 7, 1754 (Richmond: Virginia State Library, 1967), 112-113.

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1746, Aug. Augusta Co.

CT

Class: probable

Crime: HOM MANSL

Rela: [NONDOM]

Motive: UNK

Intox?:

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HOM: John Elswick m. William Cape

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Indictment: no

Term: SE 8/20/1746

Court proceedings: HOM MANSL: 75: John Elswick charged with murdering William Cape. fNG of murder, "but killed by chance." acquitted.

Legal records:

Aug. Co. COB 1, 1745-1748: 75.

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Accused: John Elswick

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Victim: William Cape

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1751, Feb. Augusta Co.

CT

Class: certain

Crime: HOM WHITE by WHITE

Rela: NONDOM

Motive: JUSTIFIED / LAW ENFORCEMENT

Intox?:

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HOM: John Harrison m. William Young

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Indictment: no

Term: SE 2/27/1751

Court proceedings: HOM JUST: John Harrison petitions to be reimbursed out of estate of Wm Young, who was killed in attempting to rob John Harrison. Granted.

Legal records:

Aug. Co. COB 2, 1747-1751: 522.

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Accused: John Harrison

Ethnicity: [English]

Race: w

Gender: m

Age: adult

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Victim: William Young

Ethnicity: [English]

Race: w

Gender: m

Age: adult

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Occupation: robber / thief

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1751, Oct. Augusta Co.

CT

P

Class: certain

Crime: HOM WHITE by WHITE

Rela: HHLD MASTER by SERVANT

Motive: UNK

Intox?:

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HOM: Day Thoroughgood m. James Connerly (his master)

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Indictment: murder

Term: SE 10/1/1751

Court proceedings: Day Thoroughgood on suspicion of the murder of his master, James Connerly. confessed. sent for trial before the Gen. Ct. // at General Court: HOM: Day Throughgood m. his Master, James Conerly. fG. Death. Executed.

Legal records:

Aug. Co. COB 3, 1749-1753: 198.

Newspaper:

VGaz, 12/12/1751:32 Execution for murder in Williamsburg, VA: "At the Court of Oyer and Terminer, held the 10th, 11th & 12th of this Instant, the following Criminals were brought to their Trial, viz. Day Thoroughgood, from Augusta, for the Murder of his Master James Conerley, guilty. Death."

VGaz, 1/10/1752:32 Execution for murder in Williamsburg, VA: "This Day Peter Bateman for Felony, and Day Throughgood for Murder, condemned at the Court of Oyer and Terminer in December last, were executed in this City."

Robert K. Headley, Genealogical Abstracts from 18th-Century Virginia Newspapers (Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1987). OHS MURDER: James Conerly, murdered by his servant Day Thoroughgood of Augusta Co., who was executed 1/10/1752. VG 12/12/1751, 1/10/1752

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Accused: Day Thoroughgood

Ethnicity: [English]

Race: w

Gender: m

Age: adult

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Occupation: servant of James Connerly

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Victim: James Connerly

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1752 Augusta Co.

CT

Class: certain

Crime: HOM WHITES by WHITES

Rela: NONDOM

Motive: JUSTIFIED / LAW ENFORCEMENT

Intox?:

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HOM: John Harrison & Reuben Harrison m. two robbers (who were affiliated with Ute Perkins)

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Court proceedings: SE 2/19/1752: HOM: COURT OF CLAIMS: pet. of John & Reuben Harrison for a reward for killing two persons under the command of Ute Perkins, "who were endeavoring to rob them." Certified. The Harrisons lived in the northern part of the county, now Rockingham.

Aug. Co. COB 2, 1747-1751: SE 11/28/1750: ROBBERY / HORSE THEFT: Ute Perkins & others were perpetrating robberies in 1750. Probably horse thieves. A saddle & other property supposed to belong to UP or his followers was turned over to the coroner. Annals, 73.

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Aug. Co. COB 3, 1749-1753.

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Accused 1: John Harrison

Ethnicity: [English]

Race: w

Gender: m

Age: adult

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Accused 2: Reuben Harrison

Ethnicity: [English]

Race: w

Gender: m

Age: adult

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Victim 1: ___

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Race: w

Gender: m

Age: adult

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Occupation: robber / thief affiliated with Ute Perkins / laborer

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Victim 2: ___

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Race: w

Gender: m

Age: adult

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Occupation: robber / thief affiliated with Ute Perkins / laborer

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1753, Aug. Augusta Co.

CT

Class: certain

Crime: HOM MANSL

Rela: NONDOM

Motive: [QUARREL]

Intox?:

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HOM: Peter Hoult m. Nicholas Trout

Weapon: gun

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Indictment: no

Term: SE 8/15/1753

Court proceedings: MANSL: CALLED Court: Peter Hoult tried & acquitted of murdering Nicholas Trout who was killed by accident "in a scuffle." NT "was kill'd by the mere accident of a Gunn going of in a small struggle between the decd and the Prisoner wherein no malice or ill will appeared, but on the Contrary a great deal of Friendship." Not to be sent to Wmsb for further trial: disch.

Legal records:

Aug. Co. COB 4, 1753-5: 8.

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Accused: Peter Hoult

Ethnicity: [English]

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Gender: m

Age: adult

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Victim: Nicholas Trout

Ethnicity: [English]

Race: w

Gender: m

Age: adult

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1754, Sept. Augusta Co.

CT

NOTE: found guilty, but then found not guilty, so probable

Class: probable

Crime: HOM

Rela: UNK [NONDOM]

Motive: UNK

Intox?:

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HOM: Murty [Marty?] Waters m. a negro man slave of Valentine Sevier

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Indictment: no

Term: SE 9/5/1754

Court proceedings: MURDER: CALLED Court: Murty [Marty?] Waters on suspicion of his murdering a negro man slave of Valentine Sevier. Depositions. fG "but no witnesses appearing," ordered jailed until another exam court can be held. SE 9/13/1754 (3217): fNG.

Legal records:

Aug. Co. COB 4, 1753-5: 317.

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Accused: Murty [Marty?] Waters

Ethnicity: [English]

Race: w

Gender: m

Age: adult

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Victim: ___

Ethnicity:

Race: b

Gender: m

Age: adult

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Occupation: slave of Valentine Sevier

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1755, Jan. Augusta Co.

CT

P

Class: probable

Crime: HOM WHITE by WHITE

Rela: UNK

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Intox?:

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HOM: Robert Hamilton m. James Kachell [Rachel?] [Kastrell?]

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Indictment: [mansl]

Term: SE 1/23/1755

Court proceedings: HOM: EXAM Court: Robert Hamilton to be tried by Gen. Ct. on suspicion of having killed James Kachell [Rachel?] [Kastrell?]. Wit. bound: John Anderson, John King, Robert Poagy [?], & David Bell. // at General Court: fNG.

Legal records:

Aug. Co. COB 4, 1753-5: 375.

Newspaper:

VGaz, 4/18/1755:22 Trial for murder in Williamsburg, VA: "On Wednesday and Thursday last, the following Criminals were brought to their Trials, viz. . . .

Robert Hamilton, from Augusta, for Murder, acquitted."

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Accused: Robert Hamilton

Ethnicity: [English]

Race: w

Gender: m

Age: adult

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Victim: James Kachell [Rachel?] [Kastrell?]

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Gender: m

Age: adult

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1755 Augusta Co.

CT

Class: certain

Crime: HOM WHITES by WHITE: 3 adults

Rela: NONDOM

Motive: JUSTIFIED / LAW ENFORCEMENT

Intox?:

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HOM: John Harrison m. "some Robers" [prob. three or more]

Weapon:

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Inquest:

Indictment: no, justified

Term: SE 11/19/1755

Court proceedings: MURDER: to John Harrison "for burying some Robers by him kild & for Expenses" & to Dr. Lynn for dressing the wounds of one of them & to JH for going for a coroner. MORE ROBBERS KILLED.

Legal records:

Aug. Co. COB 4, 1753-5:

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Accused: John Harrison

Ethnicity: [English]

Race: w

Gender: m

Age: adult

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Victim 1: ___

Ethnicity:

Race: w

Gender: m

Age: adult

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Occupation: robber / thief

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Victim 2: ___

Ethnicity:

Race: w

Gender: m

Age: adult

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Occupation: robber / thief

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Victim 3: ___

Ethnicity:

Race: w

Gender: m

Age: adult

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Occupation: robber / thief

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1758, Nov. Augusta Co.

CT

Class: possible

Crime: HOM MANSL

Rela: NONDOM

Motive: UNK

Intox?:

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HOM: John Thompson m. James McKee

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Court proceedings: SE 11/22/1758: MURDER: John Thompson for "feloniously killing" James McKee. fNG. disch.

Legal records:

Aug. Co. COB 6, 1757-1761: 234.

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Accused: John Thompson

Ethnicity: [English]

Race: w

Gender: m

Age: adult

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Victim: James McKee

Ethnicity: Scots-Irish

Race: w

Gender: m

Age: adult

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1759, Oct. Augusta Co.

CT

Class: possible

Crime: HOM

Rela: NONDOM

Motive: UNK

Intox?:

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HOM: Wm Williams m. Terence McGuire

Weapon:

Circumstances:

Inquest:

Indictment: no

Term: SE 10/24/1759

Court proceedings: MURDER: Wm Williams suspected of murdering Terence McGuire. fNG.

Legal records:

Aug. Co. COB 6, 1757-1761: 312. SE 10/24/1759: MURDER: Wm Williams suspected of murdering Terence McGuire. fNG.

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Accused: William Williams

Ethnicity: [English]

Race: w

Gender: m

Age: adult

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Victim: Terence McGuire

Ethnicity: Scots-Irish

Race: w

Gender: m

Age: adult

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1761, Dec. Augusta Co.

CT

Class: probable

Crime: HOM MANSL

Rela: NONDOM

Motive: UNK

Intox?:

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HOM: Thomas Murray m. James Boreland

Weapon:

Circumstances:

Inquest:

Indictment: felonious killing

Term: SE 12/12/1761

Court proceedings: MURDER: Thomas Murray charged with felonious killing of James Boreland. To be tried at Gen. Ct. Jailed. Wit bound: Wm Patton, George Wilson, Mary Lucas, Jos. Gamble, George Givens.

Legal records:

Aug. Co. COB 7, 1761-3: 150-1.

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Accused: Thomas Murray

Ethnicity: Scots-Irish

Race: w

Gender: m

Age: adult

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Victim: James Boreland

Ethnicity:

Race: w

Gender: m

Age: adult

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1763, Sept. Augusta Co.

CT

Class: certain

Crime: HOM

Rela: HHLD MASTER by SLAVE

Motive: UNK

Intox?:

Time of day:

Days to death: 0

HOM: Tom (a negro man slave of John Harrison) m. John Harrison

Weapon: gunshot. Gun, shot with bullet in his back, 2" deep, d. 12 hrs.

Circumstances:

Inquest:

Indictment: murder

Term: SE 11/9/1763

Court proceedings: MURDER: O&T: Tom, a negro man slave of John Harrison, dec., in Sept. 1763, m. JH, malice aforethought, fG. DEATH. to hang Sat, 11/19. SE 1/2/1764: AID & ABET & ASSISTING MURDER: O&T: Farmer, a negro man slave of John Harrison, dec., for "helping comforting and assisting" Tom in committing the murder. fNG. acq.

Legal records:

Aug. Co. COB 8, 1763-4: 324-6.

Newspaper:

Census:

Genealogy:

Accused: Tom

Ethnicity:

Race: b

Gender: m

Age: adult

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Children:

Occupation: slave of John Harrison

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Victim: John Harrison

Ethnicity: [English]

Race: w

Gender: m

Age: adult

Literate:

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Occupation: slaveowner [poss planter]

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1764, Jan. Augusta Co.

CT

Class: possible

Crime: HOM MANSL

Rela: NONDOM

Motive: UNK

Intox?:

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HOM: Paul Armstrong m. Thomas Hicks

Weapon:

Circumstances:

Inquest:

Indictment: no

Term: SE 1/2/1764

Court proceedings: MURDER: EXAM Court: Paul Armstrong charged with "Felonious Killing" of Thomas Hicks. fNG. acq.

Legal records:

Aug. Co. COB 8, 1763-4: 384.

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Accused: Paul Armstrong

Ethnicity: [English]

Race: w

Gender: m

Age: adult

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Victim: Thomas Hicks

Ethnicity: [English]

Race: w

Gender: m

Age: adult

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1764, March Augusta Co.

CT

Class: probable

Crime: HOM

Rela: NONDOM

Motive: UNK

Intox?:

Time of day:

Days to death:

HOM: Christian Godfrey Milliron m. John Mathews

Weapon:

Circumstances:

Inquest:

Indictment: no

Term: SE 3/20/1764

Court proceedings: MURDER: Christian Godfrey Milliron, bound to appear in court to answer complaint. Suspected of "the Murder" of John Mathews. "the fact is not fully proved against him yet by some Circumstances they have reason to suspect him." Therefore ordered to post 100 l. bond to appear at next March Court to answer any pros. agst. him for the murder. James Gilmore & Jos. Lapoley, sec.

Legal records:

Aug. Co. COB 8, 1763-4: 392-3.

Newspaper:

Census:

Genealogy:

Accused: Christian Godfrey Milliron

Ethnicity: [English]

Race: w

Gender: m

Age: adult

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Victim: John Mathews

Ethnicity: [English]

Race: w

Gender: m

Age: adult

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1765, May 8 Augusta Co.

GOVT

P

Class: certain

Crime: HOM CHEROKEES by ENGLISHMEN / ENGLISHMEN by CHEROKEES

Rela: NONDOM

Motive: REVENGE

Intox?:

Time of day:

Days to death:

HOM: Englishmen m. one Cherokee chief & Choconante (a young fellow, son of the Standking Turke, who was for some time chief of the Cherokee Nation) & 4 other Cherokees, near Staunton, in the morning.

HOM RETALIATION: a few days later, two of the surviving Cherokee m. an old blind man & his wife near Staunton.

Weapon:

Circumstances: outhouse on the plantation of John Anderson / victim's home

Inquest:

Indictment: no

Term:

Court proceedings: escaped from custody / fled

Legal records:

John Pendleton Kennedy, ed., Journals of the Burgesses of Virginia, 1761-1765 (Richmond, 1907), xx-xxiv.

Scott, Criminal Law in Colonial Virginia, 90-1.

Evidence:

Letter from Col. Andrew Lewis to Governor Francis Fauquier, d. Augusta Co., 5/9/1765: On 5/5 a party of Chrokees came from "our frontiers" to Staunton, "some of them I was perfectly acquainted with." Told AL they intended to go to Winchester & asked for a pass, "as they were from thence to go to war against the Ohio Indians, and was to meet some other warriors beyond Fort Cumberland. The want of an Interpreter prevented my making them sensible that their travelling thro' our country, even with a pass, where they might not be known, would be attended with danger on their part. However on finding them determined to go, after they had refreshed themselves two nights, they were provided with proper colours and a pass.. There was ten in number their two principal men's names was Nocoknowa and Chocanantee. They marched about five miles and lodged in an outhouse on the plantation of one John Andersons. Yesterday morning as soon as it was light a party of villianous bloody minded rascals, notwithstanding they knew they were Cherokees and had a pass, attacked them in the most treacherous manner, killed their Chief and four more on the spot, and wounded two more." The five who escaped have "taken the woods" and are doubtless returning home. AL sent a letter via Col. Chiswell to the Over the Hill Towns (from which the party came) asking the Cherokee not to go to war & promising them "that your Honour will undoubtedly take every just means to give them satisfaction by ordering the murderers to be apprehended and put to death, and desire them to take no rash steps.

From what I can learn the number of the villians [sic] that committed this murder is between 20 and 30; the names of the two ringleaders is William Cunningham and John King; one of the party was wounded by an arrow, to wit James Clendening; he was taken & afterwards rescued by the others before he reached the goal. No doubt but it will be your Honour's pleasure that those fellows may be brought to justice, and will send me instructions what steps to take, with warrants signed by your Honour. Inclosed you have a copy of the ltter I sent to the Chiefs of the Over Hill Towns." (xx)

Letter from Gov. Francis Fauquier to Col. Andrew Lewis, d. Williamsburg, 5/14/1765: re: "your letters containing the melancholy account of the barbarous attack on the Cherokee Indians . . . ." Laid them immediately before the Council & House of Burgess, who were then sitting. "You can better conceive than I describe the shock they received at the news, and the abhorrence and detestation they expressed of so inhuman an action. They dread bad consequences and have taken all possible measures in their power to avert them. If this is the conduct of hyour young men, with what face can they complain of Indians who are more than Indians themselves? Can they produce greater instances of brutality and perfidy among the most barbarous Nations? Yet I imagine if any Indians should appear on our frontiers they would be among the first to call for protection, and by militia to put this Colony to the expence of twenty or thirty thousand pounds to defend them. I would ask themselves whether they deserve protection? and if hereafter they should be left to fight their own quarrels with the Indiand without the lower parts of the Colony interfering in their disputes, they have no one to blame but themselves. I wish your County were made sensible of the risque they run of losing their property if not their lives by following and permitting these atrocious practices. But it is time to quit the disagreeable part of this affair, and see what is to be done to stop the impending dangers which threaten us." Supports the "prudent measures" AL has taken -- tells him to "spirit up all the other Magistrates to use theirs" to apprehend "the rest of these villians, and when an examining Court (as the law directs) has been held upon them, to raise and arm as many men as you can safely depend upon, and as are necessary to escorte them down to this gaol, to prevent a risque." Asks AL to disperse (distribute) the Gov's proclamation & the Resolve of the House of Burgresses. Gov. has sent Abraham Smith with an express letter to the Cherokees. Tells AL to tell the high sheriff of the county, Silas Hart, that it is the Governor's "earnest desire that he would himself impannel a jury to try these Criminals, out of the Gentlemen of the County which are most distinguished by their property knowledge impartiality and integrity; and not leave it to the Under Sherif, who may probably summon ignorant men who have little property or no property to lose, and of course hav less reason to dread as they have less ability to foresee consequences." Obliged to AL for the "zeal" he has "exerted on this occasion." (xxi)

Gov. Francis Fauquier to the Cherokees, sent express, d. Williamsburg, 5/16/1765: expresses sympathy, promises action. (xxii)

Col. Andrew Lewis to Gov. FF, d. Augusta Co., 6/3/1765: Editor says: AL had arrested 3 of the suspects, but one was rescued & the other 2 were given their freedom by the jailor, in whose custody they were entrusted.

AL says he had taken James Clendening and Patrick Duffy, but JC was rescued before he reached the prison. PD was in prison 3 nights, but on the 4th "not less than one hundred armed men posted themselves round the prison, some of them entered the house of the gaoler and demanded the key of the prison; it being refused them, they, after using some violence and many threats, with axes broke the Prison door and carried off the said Duffy, declaring . . . that they had most of the County to back them, and that they would never suffer a man to be confined or brought to justice for killing of Savages."

Depositions taken. Have identified some of those involved in the murders: William Cuninghame & John King were the "ringleaders"; William Young, James Cledening, Alexander Robertson, Patrick Duffy, Charles Baskins, Hugh Baskins, & William Anderson were among the party. Warrants made out, but says he must jail suspects directly at Wmsb, because he can't hold them in jail in Augusta Co.

Near the place of the murder, another Cherokee found dead: a young fellow called Choconante, son of the Standking Turke, who was for some time chief of the Cherokee Nation. Fears the Cherokee will look for satisfaction "in their own way." "However in justice to the people that live on our frontiers I must say they had no hand in it. When they first discovered the Indians they collected some armed men, whoe went to the Indians, and on their finding them to be by all likelyhood Cherokees, they not only suffered them to pass to Staunton, but sent from place to place a white man with them.

Some days after the murder was committed, a poor unhappy blind man and his wife was killed by two of the Indians that made their escape. This indeed is noi more than what I expected, that they would behind them a mark of resentment."

A proclamation issued by the "Augusta Boys" on June 4, 1765, offering a reward of 1000 l. for the arrest of Col. Andrew Lewis, & claiming the murders were justified, since the victims were not Cherokee, but Shawnee & Delaware.

" We Augusta Boys in heart are and do profess ourselves His present Majesty's (King George the Third) true and leige subjects, and unhappy we being on this very verge of His Majesty's Dominion, have, by the unparalleled deceit of an infidious and ruel heathen enemy been repeatedly distressed, and find it impracticable to maintain the legal rights granted us by HIs Majesty, and think it expedient to act in the offensive when any of those our known enemies presumes under the pretence of friends (without a warrantable pass) to pass among us." Claims that some of the party of ten they recently attacked was "known and proved to be" Shawnee & Delaware."

Offer 1000 l. to bring Col. Andrew Lewis to justice; 500 l. each for Dr. William Fleming & Capt. Wm Crow of Staunton. "And we do further offer a pardon to Lieut Michael Thomas and Luke Bowyer if they, each for himself provide a string of beads &c. that they may live as formerly without depending alone on the smiles of Col. Lewis, otherwise let them instantly repair out of our Sovereign's Dominions to that of their desired French King.

Our hearts are true unto our Kings.

And means all rebels down to bring." (xxiv)

Editor: (xxiv): Gov. Fauquier wrote to the Board of Trade on 6/14/1765 admitting that the Colony did not possess the strength to enforce the law in Augusta Co. He further stated that [in ed's words] "the wiser course to pursue was to be extremely prudent, rather than attempt vigorous action in Augusta County." A nearly universal feeling in that section that the presence of the Indians was intolerable; & the Gov. noted that the Paxton Boys of Pennsylvania had sent a message to the people of Augusta Co. saying that if they were not strong enough to rescue the persons arrested for murdering Indians, that assistance would at once be forwarded from Pennsylvania. The conflict did not end until 1775, when all the disputed territory became Crown lands.

John Pendleton Kennedy, ed., Journals of the Burgesses of Virginia, 1761-1765 (Richmond, 1907), xx-xxiv.

"Fearing the political consequences of an unwarranted acquittal," Gov. Fauquier asked the high sheriff to impanel a jury composed of 'Gentlemen of the County who are most distinguished by their property knowledge impartiality and integrity.' Feared 'ignorant men who have little or no property to lose, and of course have less reason to dread as they have less ability to foresee consequences.'

Scott, Criminal Law in Colonial Virginia, 90-1.

Council, Minutes, 5/13/1765: Letter from Col. Andrew Lewis "giving a relation of some Cherokees being murderd by our people etcetera." Reward for capture of the "promoters" of the said murder & for those "aiding therein." (683)

Proclamation, 5/13/1765: The victims were members of a party of Cherokees murdered on their way from Staunton (in Augusta Co.) to Winchester. Had received a pass from Col. Lewis for that purpose. Proclamation uses strong language to condemn the murders. (600)

Benjamin J. Hillman, ed., Executive Journals of the Council of Colonial Virginia, v. 6: June 20, 1754-May 3, 1775 (Richmond: Virginia State Library, 1966), 600, 683.

Newspaper:

CC, 6/17/1765: dtl Philadelphia, 6/6: HOM in VA: hear from Virginia that a party of Cherokee Indians had arrived at Stanton, in Augusta Co., on their way to Winchester, having a pass from Col. Lewis. On their way thither, attacked by upwards of 20 men: their chief, with 4 more Indians, were killed, & 2 others wounded. Proclamation: reward offered for murderers.

Census:

Genealogy:

Accused: unknown Englishmen & Indians

Ethnicity:

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Victims: 6 Cherokees and 2 Englishmen (an old blind man & his wife)

Ethnicity:

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1768, Nov. Augusta Co.

CT

P

Class: certain

Crime: HOM

Rela: NONDOM

Motive: UNK

Intox?:

Time of day:

Days to death:

HOM: Robert McMahon [McMachen] m. Robert Reaburn

Weapon:

Circumstances:

Inquest:

Indictment: murder

Term: SE 11/26/1768

Court proceedings: HOM: CALLED Court: Robert McMahon [McMachen] m. Robert Reaburn. to be tried at O&T in Wmsb in Dec. Wit: Thomas McMahon, John Reaburn, James Murray, Hugh Donaho, Robert Patterson. // at General Court: 4/1769t: fG of murder. Death. Executed.

Legal records:

Aug. Co. COB 13, 1768-9: 71-2.

Newspaper:

VGaz, 4/20/1769:23 R Trial for murder in Williamsburg, VA: dtl Wmsburg: HOM: at General Court, Robert McMahon [McMachen] from Augusta Co., for murder, guilty. VGaz, 5/11/1769:s33 PD (& R 32): Death. VGaz, 6/ 1/1769:23 PD (& R 31) Executed.

HOM: Robert McMachan of Augusta Co., fG of murder, exec. F last near Wmsbg. Virginia Gazette (Rind) 6/1/1769; New York Post Boy 6/19/1769.

Census:

Genealogy:

Accused: Robert McMahon [McMachen]

Ethnicity: Scots-Irish

Race: w

Gender: m

Age: adult

Literate:

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Children:

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Victim: Robert Reaburn

Ethnicity: Scots-Irish

Race: w

Gender: m

Age: adult

Literate:

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Children:

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Birthplace:

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1770, Aug. Augusta Co.

CT

Class: probable

Crime: HOM

Rela: NONDOM

Motive: UNK

Intox?:

Time of day:

Days to death:

HOM: Jesse Townsend m. Noah Roundtree

Weapon:

Circumstances:

Inquest:

Indictment: murder

Term: SE 8/25/1770

Court proceedings: HOM: CALLED Court: Jesse Townsend for murder of Noah Roundtree. fG. to be tried at Oct. Gen. Ct. in Wmsb. Wit: John Skidmore, Michael Mallow, John Davis, Michael Athier, George Waldsum.

Legal records:

Aug. Co. COB 14, 1769-1773: 124.

Newspaper:

Census:

Genealogy:

Accused: Jesse Townsend

Ethnicity: [English]

Race: w

Gender: m

Age: adult

Literate:

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Children:

Occupation:

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Birthplace:

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Victim: Noah Roundtree

Ethnicity: [English]

Race: w

Gender: m

Age: adult

Literate:

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Occupation:

Town:

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Organizations:

1772, Apr. Augusta Co.

CT

Class: certain

Crime: HOM

Rela: NONDOM

Motive: UNK

Intox?:

Time of day:

Days to death:

HOM: Jacob & Aaron (two negroes, property of Michael Bowyn, gent.) m. Thomas Manneon

Weapon:

Circumstances:

Inquest:

Indictment:

Term:

Court proceedings: SE 4/11/1772: HOM of MASTER by SLAVES: O&T: Jacob & Aaron, two negroes, property of Michael Bowyn, gent., for murdering Thomas Manneon. Confessed. Wit: John Minnis. fG. DEATH. to hang 4/13 b/w 12pm & 2pm. Since it appears "that they had plotted . . . to do the murder some time before it was done," their heads are to be severed & affixed to poles, one between Augusta near the road at the "rocks" [?] & the other near the road leading from William Mitchell to Staunton. Both slaves valued at 100 l.

Legal records:

Aug. Co. COB 14, 1769-1773: 362.

Newspaper:

Census:

Genealogy:

Accused 1: Jacob

Ethnicity:

Race: b

Gender: m

Age: adult

Literate:

Marital Status:

Children:

Occupation: slave of Michael Bowyn, gent.

Town:

Birthplace:

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Organizations:

Accused 2: Aaron

Ethnicity:

Race: b

Gender: m

Age: adult

Literate:

Marital Status:

Children:

Occupation: slave of Michael Bowyn, gent.

Town:

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Victim: Thomas Manneon

Ethnicity:

Race: w

Gender: m

Age: adult

Literate:

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1774, Aug. Augusta Co.

CT

Class: probable

Crime: HOM

Rela: NONDOM

Motive: UNK

Intox?:

Time of day:

Days to death:

HOM: Jonathan Hunter m. Jacob Peoples

Weapon:

Circumstances:

Inquest:

Indictment: no

Term: SE 8/22/1774

Court proceedings: MURDER: CALLED Court: Jonathan Hunter m. Jacob Peoples. fNG. but "it appearing to the Court by Witnesses that there is some reason to suspect him." to post 100 l. bond to be of good beh. for 1 yr (Wm Armstrong & John Caldwell, sec.)

Legal records:

Aug. Co. COB 16, 1774-9: 14-15.

Newspaper:

Census:

Genealogy:

Accused: Jonathan Hunter

Ethnicity: [English]

Race: w

Gender: m

Age: adult

Literate:

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Victim: Jacob Peoples

Ethnicity: [English]

Race: w

Gender: m

Age: adult

Literate:

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1778, Apr. Augusta Co.

CT

Class: certain

Crime: HOM

Rela: MARITAL WIFE by HUSBAND

Motive: UNK

Intox?:

Time of day:

Days to death:

HOM: Andrew Wilson m. Jane Wilson (his wife)

Weapon:

Circumstances:

Inquest:

Indictment:

Term:

Court proceedings: SE 4/14/1778: MURDER: HOM WIFE: Andrew Wilson suspected of murdering his wife, Jane. fG. to be tried at next Gen Ct in Wmsb. jailed. Wit: Nicolas Elsey, Mary Elsey (NE's daughter), Edward Erwin (& his wife, Mary Erwin), James Magill, & CHristopher Hand. SE 9/15/1778: NE & ME too poor and in too ill health to travel to Wmsb. County to pay for their trip & sheriff to provide them with horses to ride to Wmsb & back.

Legal records:

Aug. Co. COB 16, 1774-9: 280.

Newspaper:

Census:

Genealogy:

Accused: Andrew Wilson

Ethnicity: [English]

Race: w

Gender: m

Age: adult

Literate:

Marital Status: m. Jane Wilson

Children:

Occupation:

Town:

Birthplace:

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Victim: Jane Wilson

Ethnicity: [English]

Race: w

Gender: f

Age: adult

Literate:

Marital Status: m. Andrew Wilson

Children:

Occupation:

Town:

Birthplace:

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Organizations:

1780, Apr. 24 Augusta Co.

CT

Class: certain

Crime: HOM

Rela: NONDOM

Motive: UNK

Intox?:

Time of day:

Days to death:

HOM: John Wilfong m. Sebastian Hover [?], Jr.

Weapon:

Circumstances:

Inquest:

Indictment: murder

Term: SE 12/4/1780

Court proceedings: MURDER: CALLED Court: John Wilfong "who delivered himself up for Tryal" for murder of Sebastian Hover [?], Jr. who was killed 4/24/1780. fG to be tried at the March Gen. Ct. Wit: Phillip Ekert & John Snider.

Legal records:

Aug. Co. COB 17, 1779-1783: 321.

Newspaper:

Census:

Genealogy:

Accused: John Wilfong

Ethnicity:

Race: w

Gender: m

Age: adult

Literate:

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Victim: Sebastian Hover [?], Jr.

Ethnicity: [English]

Race: w

Gender: m

Age: adult

Literate:

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Children:

Occupation:

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Birthplace:

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Organizations:

1783, March Augusta Co.

CT

Class: certain

Crime: HOM & AIK

Rela: NONDOM

Motive: ROBBERY

Intox?:

Time of day:

Days to death:

HOM: Phillip (a negro man slave of Henry Garrett & formerly the property of Major Thomas Johnston of Louisa Co.) m. Alexander Hunter & a. the wife of Samuel Henry

Weapon:

Circumstances:

Inquest:

Indictment: murder

Term: SE 3/18/1783

Court proceedings: MURDER / AIK / THEFT: O&T: Phillip (a negro man slave of Henry Garrett & formerly the property of Major Thomas Johnston of Louisa Co.) m. Alexander Hunter of Augusta Co., wounded the wife of Samuel Henry, & stole a quantity of bread from SH. fG. DEATH. to hang 4/16. Value: 65 l.

Legal records:

Aug. Co. COB 18, 1783-5: 5.

Newspaper:

Census:

Genealogy:

Accused: Phillip

Ethnicity:

Race: b

Gender: m

Age: adult

Literate:

Marital Status:

Children:

Occupation: slave of Henry Garrett & formerly the property of Major Thomas Johnston of Louisa Co.

Town:

Birthplace:

Religion:

Organizations:

Victim 1: Alexander Hunter

Ethnicity: [English]

Race: w

Gender: m

Age: adult

Literate:

Marital Status:

Children:

Occupation:

Town: Augusta Co.

Birthplace:

Religion:

Organizations:

Victim 2: ___ Henry

Ethnicity: [English]

Race: w

Gender: f

Age: adult

Literate:

Marital Status: the wife of Samuel Henry

Children:

Occupation:

Town:

Birthplace:

Religion:

Organizations:

1786, Jan. Augusta Co.

CT

Class: possible

Crime: HOM

Rela: NONDOM

Motive: UNK

Intox?:

Time of day:

Days to death:

HOM: Thomas Torst & Sophia Torst m. William McCutchen

Weapon:

Circumstances:

Inquest:

Indictment: no

Term: SE 1/2/1786

Court proceedings: HOM: CC: Thomas Torst & Sophia Torst m. William McCutchen. Murder. Wit: Andrew Herron, Samuel Malwin, Samuel McCutchen. fNG. "out not to be tried" by the Gen. Ct. disch.

Legal records:

Aug. Co. COB 19, 1785-6: 273-4.

Newspaper:

Census:

Genealogy:

Accused 1: Thomas Torst

Ethnicity:

Race: w

Gender: m

Age: adult

Literate:

Marital Status:

Children:

Occupation:

Town:

Birthplace:

Religion:

Organizations:

Accused 2: Sophia Torst

Ethnicity:

Race: w

Gender: f

Age: adult

Literate:

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Children:

Occupation:

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Victim: William McCutchen

Ethnicity: Scots-Irish

Race: w

Gender: m

Age: adult

Literate:

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Organizations:

1796, Nov. 15 Augusta Co.

P

Class: probable

Crime: HOM

Rela: NONDOM

Motive: ROBBERY

Intox?:

Time of day:

Days to death: 0

HOM: unk. person [alias Hall Lee] m. Jacob Steely

Weapon:

Circumstances: .5 mi. from Greenville, a small town. His mare & saddlebags taken. [road]

Inquest:

Indictment:

Term:

Court proceedings: fled

Legal records:

Newspaper:

Boston Gazette, 12/19/1796: dtl Staunton, 11/18: murderer: slender, black hair, wearing sailor's jacket. Had a short gun & a pistol & on the end of the ramrod of the gun is a piece of harn. Has passed by the name of Hall Lee, but prob. fictious

HOM ROBBERY in VA: AUG: Jacob Steely, merchant of Wythe Co., on his way northward, m. on 11/15 w/in half mile of Greenville in Augusta Co. The murderer supposed to be from Surry Co, North Carolina, & passed by the name of Hall Lee. Staunton disp. of 11/18. BVCG 11/25, VIRGINIA ARGUS 11/26, Republican Citizen and Farmer (Fredericksburg) 12/14/1796.

Census:

Genealogy:

Accused: ___

Ethnicity:

Race: w

Gender: m 70"

Age: adult

Literate:

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Children:

Occupation: [possibly a sailor]

Town: Surry Co., North Carolina

Birthplace:

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Organizations:

Victim: Jacob Steeley

Ethnicity: [English]

Race: w

Gender: m

Age: adult

Literate:

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Children:

Occupation:

Town: merchant

Birthplace: Wythe Co.

Religion:

Organizations:

1797, Nov. Augusta Co.

CT

Class: certain

Crime: HOM

Rela: NONDOM

Motive: UNK

Intox?:

Time of day:

Days to death:

HOM: John Malony [aka Miller] m. ___ Staley

Weapon:

Circumstances:

Inquest:

Indictment: murder

Term: SE 11/7/1797

Court proceedings: HOM: CC: John Malony [aka Miller] m. ___ Staley on ___. fG. to be tried at next District Court at Staunton. Wit: Joseph Dilliard, John Holderman, John Johnston, Charles McCollister. Court denies him bail, unless he can "procure satisfactory testimony that he cannot possibly be the person who committed the murder," which testimony "is to be adjudged" by any two of the magistrates who sat on the called court.

Legal records:

Aug. Co. COB 24, 1796-9: 234.

Newspaper:

Census:

Genealogy:

Accused: John Malony [aka Miller]

Ethnicity: Irish

Race: w

Gender: m

Age: adult

Literate:

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Victim: ___ Staley

Ethnicity: [English]

Race: w

Gender:

Age: adult

Literate:

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Suspect(s

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