Southampton Oyer and Terminer Trials
Full Trial Records
Individual Trials
Aug. 31, 1831
Sept. 1, 1831
Sept. 2, 1831
Sept. 3, 1831
Sept. 5, 1831
Sept. 6, 1831
Sept. 7, 1831
Sept. 8, 1831
Sept. 19, 1831
Sept. 20, 1831
Sept. 21, 1831
Sept. 22, 1831
Sept. 28, 1831
Oct. 18, 1831
Nov. 5, 1831
Nov. 21, 1831
Trial of Nelson (slave of Benjamin Blunt estate)
September 28, 1831 – Discharged
At a Court of Oyer and Terminer summoned and held for the County of Southampton on the 28th day of September 1831 for the trial of Nelson a negro man slave belonging to the Est. of Benjamin Blunt and charged with conspiring to rebel and make insurrection—
Present—Carr Bowers, Benjamin Drewry, James D. Massenburg, James Trezvant & Orris A. Browne. Gent.
The Court being thus constituted the Attorney prosecuting for the Commonwealth filed an information against the said Nelson and the said Nelson was set to the bar in custody of the Jailor of this County, and the Court doth assign James S. French Counsel for the prisoner in his defense, and the prisoner being arraigned of the premises pleaded not guilty to the information and sundry witnesses being sworn and examined on behalf of the Commonwealth the Court after hearing the testimony and from all the circumstances are of opinion that the prisoner is not guilty as in pleading he hath alleged & proclamation being made as the manner is and nothing further appearing or being alleged against the prisoner it is ordered that he be forthwith discharged from custody. The Court allows to James S. French the sum of ten dollars as a fee for defending Nelson and it is ordered that Silas Summerville Admin. of Benjamin Blunt pay the same.