Upson County GA Court Case-Testimony reSlaves Accused of Arson/Robbery-1856

Upson County, Georgia, Court Case in Four Parts. About midnight on August 23, 1856, a grocery located on the property of James Adams was broken into, robbed and set on fire. Clues found at the scene pointed to Anderson and Barney, Slaves, the property of U. These are the court papers of the testimony of the trial of Anderson and Barney.

Anderson and Barney, Slaves and the property of U. Evidence for the State: James Adams testifies in great detail from the moment the fire was discovered, through the dogs following the tracks, to bringing the slave Anderson back to the scene to compare footprints. Cross examination by the Defense. Robert Bradley testifies that he assisted in the tracking and search. Greene testifies of his participation and knowledge of the case.

Clean and in very good condition. Barney, a Slave, Indictment in Upson Superior Court on the charge of Arson. Evidence for the State: James Adams, sworn, states the details of the robbery and burning of his grocery store, and the tracking and searching for those who committed the crime. Also, testimony of Robert W. Alfred and Peter, all Slaves. Evidence for the Accused: Testimony of A. Walker; Jerry, a Slave; U. Tiguor; Caroline, a Slave; Bob, a Slave; Mrs. Sarah Walker; Robert Leonard; Simon King; James Harrel; M. The last page is detached but present. Indictment for Arson, Upson Superior Court, November term. Evidence for the State: John Adams, sworn, relates in great detail what occurred from the time he was awakened by the fire call, to the tracking with the hounds, and the capture and return of slave Anderson. Bradley testifies and is cross-examined.

Greene, sworn, tells how he took his dogs to Adams's place on Saturday morning to run the tracks and assisted in the check of Anderson's footprints. Says he belongs to George Fouche, and saw slave Anderson pass his house between two and three hours before day headed for the campground.

Jones, sworn, says he went with others to examine Negro houses at the liquor plantation. There was a bottle of liquor found by Mr. Bradley, but he did not see it found. Evidence for the Prisoners: U.

Tiguor, sworn, says he saw Anderson between nine and ten o'clock on the road between the campground and his place. Smith, sworn, says he saw some tracks and searched the area for three or four days and found some papers that came from fancy candy. Rebecca, a Slave of Richard Minifee, sworn, says Anderson came to her house on Friday night and spent the night with her.

She says she loves Anderson as a wife ought to love a husband. A Slave of Richard Minifee, sworn, says she didn't see Anderson on Friday night, but she heard him talking with Rebecca and her sister between nine and ten at Rebecca's house.

Sarah, a Slave of Richard Minifee, says she saw Anderson on Friday night between nine and ten at Rebecca's house. She got up at five to get some firewood and when she went to Rebecca's door it was fastened, and Anderson got up and opened the door. Simon, a Slave of Richard Menifee, got up two hours before day on Saturday by order of his Master to killl some meat to carry to the campground. Old Uncle Ben Harris helped him kill the hogs. Eady, a slave, says she saw Anderson on Saturday morning at Rebecca's house.

Says he has seen Anderson's foot and noticed that one of his toes growed on top of the others. He has seen one other Negro belonging to James Leonard with the same type of left foot. Evidence for the prisnors closed. Evidence for the Defense (Continuation of Part 3).

Beccy, a Slave of Richard Menifee, testifies that Anderson came to her at nine or ten in the evening and they spent the night together. She says that Anderson has been her husband for four years and they had four children, two of whom survive.

Sarah, a Slave, says she saw Anderson at Beccy's house between nine and ten in the evening. Simon came to kill hogs for camp meeting, and when she went to Beccy's house for fire, she saw Anderson and it was two hours before light. A Slave of John T.

Walker, says he say Barney Friday night two hours before day. States that he was smoking his pipe and his appearance was natural and he did not appear to have been running. Richard Minifee testifies he knows Anderson and he is easily alarmed.

Tiguor testifies he saw Anderson on the road between nine and ten in the evening and saw Barney at home about ten. Walker testifies she saw Barney at the Tiguor tent at the camp ground about one o'clock in the morning.

June, a Slave testifies she saw Barney Friday night at her master's house. Matilda, a Slave belonging to Mr. Liguor, says she saw Barney on Friday night after the moon came up. He wanted the keys to the kitchen so he could get his clothes. Lewis, a Slave belonging to Mr. Fouche, says he saw Anderson passing on the road two or three hours befoire day. Tom, a Slave, says Barney came to his house about midnight and woke him up. He says Barney had not been drinking. Dick, a Slave, says he saw Barney on Saturday morning, about an hour by sun, and heard him say that the grocery at the ferry had been broken open. Abner Abercrombie swears he went to Mr. Adams on Tuesday to arrest prisoners. Found Anderson had his feet in stocks. Examined Negro and found no marks of whipping. Listened to Anderson's confession. Confession of the prisoners while in confinement offered into evidence and ruled out by the court.

Alfred, a Slave belonging to T. Freeman, says Barney came to his door and woke him up and asked for a watermelon. When told he had none, Barney, left.

David, a Slave, says he heard that Mr. Adams' grocery had burned and saw the hounds running. Jones asked him about burning the grocery. 7.5 x 12.5.

Printed partial transcripts included as shown. A total of 76 pages of testimony. The item "Upson County GA Court Case-Testimony reSlaves Accused of Arson/Robbery-1856" is in sale since Sunday, February 22, 2015. This item is in the category "Books\Antiquarian & Collectible". The seller is "socrates349" and is located in Hancock, New Hampshire.

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• Subject: Americana
• Special Attributes: Manuscript
• Topic: Law
• Original/Facsimile: Original