Sussex- Trial of Squire, Sept. 12, 1831

At a Called Court of Oyer and Terminer held for Sussex County at the Courthouse on Friday the 2nd day of September 1831 for the trial of Solomon a negro man Slave the property of Nancy Sorrley of the County, Preston and Nicholas negro men slaves the property of Hannah Williamson of the County, Jim and Isaac negro men slaves the property of Samuel Champion of this County, Fed and Shadrack negro men slaves the property of Ann Key of this County, Boson and Frank negro men slaves the property of William Peters of this County, Booker a negro man slave the property of Samuel A. Raines of the County and Squire a negro man slave the property of George Goodwyn of this County charged with having uttered, used and spoken seditious words and threats to conspire and rebel and to assist and aid the blacks to murder the whites of this Commonwealth.

Present William Parham, William Thornton, Henry L. Harrison, Robert Eldridge, & Robert Key, Gent. Justis.

For reasons appearing to this Court the trials of the aforesaid prisonsers are adjourned to Monday the twelveth day of the present month.

William Parham, J.P.

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[September 12]

Squire a negro man slave the property of George Goodwyn of this County was led to the bar in custody of the Jailer of this County and having William H. Brodnax Esquire assigned as Counsel to defend him in this behalf pleaded not guilty to the charge and for trial putteth himself upon God and the County. Whereupon sundry witnesses were charged, sworn and examined on behalf of the Commonwealth and on the part of the prisoner to wit.

Beck a negro slave the property of Solomon D. Parker a witness for the Commonwealth says that a conservation took place between the prisoner and herself on the day the Richmond troop came here about the insurrection of the negroes. The prisoner said that when they got here he mean to join them for he did not mean to do George Goodwyn much more good. That the white people need not come here for safety for they were not safe. Prisoner had come into the kitchen to get a blanket for one of the Richmond troop and eat a few mouthfuls and out of a [illegible] and went out.

George Goodwyn a witness for the prisoner says the Richmond troops arrived about 4 o’clock on Monday. He had only four servants to attend to the horses including the prisoner and they were much engaged. Prisoner went to the kitchen door late in the evening to get a bag to go to mill. Does not think that he was there at any other time.

George a slave the property of Thomas Dillard a witness for the prisoner was on the lot with the Horses with the prisoner; did not miss the prisoner from the Stable lot until he went to mill. None of the servants had time to leave the stable to get dinner. There were different stables for the servants to attend to – prisoner got a piece of Blanket out of the saddle house in the stable yard for use of the troopers. Was never more busy than on that day.

Andrew a slave the property of George Goodwyn a witness for the prisoner. Was one of the servants in the lot when the troops arrived. There were the prisoner Jimmy, Andrew himself, and two boys attending to the horses. Prisoner did not leave the lot while witness was there but he (witness) was sent off in the evening to a blacksmith shop with one of the Horses.

Jim Parham a free negro – cannot say whether prisoner did or did not go to the kitchen – did not miss him – prisoner went to mill about three quarters of an hour by sun as well as he recollects does not know any thing of the blanket.

Patience the property of George Goodwyn a witness for the prisoner was cook in the kitchen – prisoner was not in the kitchen – at any time from the morn when he killed a pig untill [sic] he came to go to mill late in the evening. She is the mother of the prisoner.

Cilla The property of George Goodwyn a witness for the prisoner was in the kitchen all day from the time the troops came until night and says that the prisoner during the time till night was not in the Kitchen. She is the sister of the prisoner.

John Chappell a witness for the prisoner superintended the Stables the day the troops were here. Prisoner was one of the hands at the stable. Does not know whether prisoner was at any time absent or not. Has no recollection of missing him. Meal was carried to some of the horses sometimes by the troops themselves and sometimes by the servants but he does not know by which of them. There was considerable bustle and confusion on the lot.

Thomas Potts a witness for the Commonwealth says prisoner went with him into the kitchen for some meal for the horses. Does not think that he had any conversation while he saw him there – does not know whether prisoner was in the kitchen at any other time or not.

The Court after hearing the evidence and maturely considering the same and the prisoner being heard in his defense by and through his Counsel is of opinion that the prisoner Squire is guilty of the offense of which he was charged and so sentence him to be hanged by the neck until he be dead and its agreed that he be remanded to Jail there to be safely kept until Friday the 23rd day of the present month and its further ordered that the Sheriff of this County do then between the house of ten o’clock in the morning and two o’clock in the afternoon carry the aforesaid sentence into execution.

The Court appraise the value of the said Slave Squire to four hundred [253] and fifty dollars.

Ordered that George Goodwyn pay William H. Broadnax ten dollars for defending his Slave Squire this day condemned to be executed.