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African American Griots
Jefferson Co., Mississippi Probate Court Records Contributed by: Ann Geoghegan
1802-1813; Minutes, 1822-1835
Coordinator of Jefferson Co., MSGenWeb.
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Jefferson County Mississippi - Court Records, 1802-1813; Minutes, 1822-1835 Family History Library Film # 893057, Salt Lake City, Utah
Page 32 County Court, July 31, 1824
At a Special Court begun and held in the town of Greenville and for the County of Jefferson for the trial of slaves agreeably to the act of the General Assembly of the state of Mississippi in such case made and provided this thirty first day of July A. D. eighteen hundred and twenty four were present the Honorable James G. Wood and John L. Irwin. Phillip Dixon clerk of the county & Circuit Court – The sheriff returned a list of freeholders to serve as Jurors to this court.
The State vs. Charles, a Negro man, the property of Washington Burch
Levin L. Cartwright, Esq. appears for the accused and ordered by the court that W. G. Metcalfe, Esq. be appointed to prosecute in behalf of the State in this cause. The prisoner charged with having murdered two infant children of Alexander Bolls also with having conspired the murder of said infant children and for administering medicine to same infant children with intent to kill. Plea of not guilty & issue. Ordered that a Jury be empanelled (sic) in this cause whereupon there came a Jury to wit: 1. Stephen Terry 2. Moses Odom 3. Thomas G. Vaughn 4. Parker Collins 5. Thomas Hinds 6. Charles Riley 7. Robert Farley 8. James Stuart 9. Joseph Slater, Senr. 10. Abner Marble 11. John Dobbs 12. Walter Sellars who being empanelled tried and sworn to well and truly try the issue between the parties aforesaid upon their oaths do say we of the Jury find the prisoner not guilty. Ordered that the court adjourn for half an hour. Court met pursuant to adjournment.
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Jefferson County Mississippi - Court Records, 1802-1813; Minutes, 1822-1835 Family History Library Film # 893057, Salt Lake City, Utah
Page 33 County Court, July 31, 1824 Case 12
The State vs. Dinah, a Negro woman, the property of Stephen Cornplow(?) Ordered that A. G. Metcalfe, Esquire be appointed to prosecute the cause in behalf of the State and L. L. Cartwright appear on the part of the accused. The prisoner charged with having committed murder upon two infant children of Alexander Bolls, also of having conspired the murder of the same infant children and of having administered medicine to them with intent to kill. Plea not guilty & issue. Ordered that a Jury be empanelled in this cause whereupon there came a Jury, to wit, same Jury as last before when upon their oaths do say “we of the Jury find the prisoner not Guilty.”
Case 13 State vs. Going, a free man of colour Ordered that a nole prosque be entered in this case. (My Note: Nolle prosequi is an entry on the record of a legal action denoting that the prosecutor or plaintiff will proceed no further in an action or suit either as a whole or as to some count or as to one or more of several defendants.)
Case 14 The State vs. Lewis, a Negro – same order
Case 15 The State vs. Jacob, a Negro – same order
Case 16 The State vs. Nat, a Negro man – same order
Case 17 The State vs. Amy, a Negro woman – same order
Case 18 The State vs. Harry, a Negro man – same order
Ordered that A. G. Metcalfe Esquire the prosecuting attorney in the foregoing case be allowed twenty dollars. Ordered that Phillip Dixon clerk be allowed three dollars for his per dieum – (note: per diem means per day or daily) Ordered that the court adjourn sine dine. (note: sine die means indefinitely) Certificate to Col. Wood for 4 days attendance in the county court of Jefferson up to August. 24th, 1824. Certificate issued to Ch. Jordan for Jno. L. Irwin for three days up to and including August Term 1824 for $9.00.
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Page 56 Special County Court 29 May 1826 At a Special county court summoned by the Sheriff agreeably to the Statute in such case made and provided for the trial of slaves being held at the Town of Fayette this 29th day of May 1826. Present the Honorable J. Remson(?) Holmes presiding Justice & John L. Irwin Esquire associate Justice. Charles H. Jordan Esq. Sheriff Isaac Pipes Clerk of the County Court
State vs. Matt a Negro man slave the property of N. Selser Ordered that Putnam L. Williams Esquire be appointed to prosecute for and in behalf of the State in this case, and L. L. Cartwright Esq. appear on behalf of the accused. The prisoner charged with the murder of William a Negro slave the property of Samuel Marley(?). The prisoner arraigned and pleads not Guilty. The Sheriff returned to the court a list of twenty four persons summoned in this case out of which the following persons were empanelled and summoned to wit – 1. Thomas Grafton 2. Stephen Terry 3. Henry Platner 4. Neal Torrey 5. Joseph Parmalee 6. John Osborne 7. P. O. Hughes 8. H. B. Harrison 9. John Pickins 10. F. G. Turnbull 11. Charles Trefoe 12. Daniel Perry who being empanelled tried and sworn to will and truly try the issue between the parties aforesaid. Ordered that the court adjourn till tomorrow morning 8 o’clock. Tuesday May 30, 1826 court met
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Page 57 Ordered that the court adjourn till 12 o’clock. Court met pursuant to adjournment. The State vs. Matt a Negro The Jury empanelled and sworn in this case, appeared and (?) the following verdict to wit, we of the Jury find the prisoner not Guilty of murder – but find him Guilty of manslaughter & therefore it is ordered considered and abridged by the court now tried that the prisoner at the bar Matt do receive on his bare back thirty nine lashes, and it is further considered Ordered and adjudged by the court aforesaid that the said Matt be branded in the hand with the letter M and that the Sheriff execute the foregoing sentence forthwith in open court which is accordingly done. Ordered that the sum of twenty dollars be allowed Putnam L. Williams Esquire for prosecuting in behalf of the State in the case against Matt a Negro. Ordered that the sum of six dollars be allowed Isaac Pipes for his per dieum in attending on said court as clerk. Ordered that the account of Charles H. Jordan sheriff against the county amounting to twenty four dollars be allowed. Ordered that the account of John Terry, Jaoler (sic) against the county amounting to six dollars twenty cents be allowed. Ordered that the court adjourn sine dine.
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Page 62 Special County. Ct. 16th Sept. 1826 At a Special Court for Jefferson County summoned by the sheriff agreeably to the Statute in such case made and provided for the trial of slaves this 16th day of September 1826 - Present the Honorable J. R. Holmes presiding Justice & John L. Irwin Esquire associate Justice. Charles H. Jordan Esq.. Sheriff Isaac Pipes Clerk of the County Court Ordered that the court adjourn to the house of John Buell Esquire.
The State of Miss. vs. Tom a Negro man slave the property of Agnes Irvine
The Sheriff returned a list of Jurors summoned in this case – Ordered by the court that C. Jefferson Esquire be appointed to prosecute in behalf of the State in this case, and that P. T. Williams on the part of the accused. The prisoner charged with an assault and battery on the body of Agnes Irvine with intent to kill and murder this the said Agnes Irvine. The prisoner placed at the bar by the sheriff arraigned and on arraignment pleads not guilty and issue by consent. Ordered by the court that a Jury be empanelled and sworn, as the law directs, in this case, whereupon there came a Jury to wit –
Page 63 – continued Ordered that the court be adjourned for one hour. Court met pursuant to adjournment. Ordered that the court adjourn till Monday morning nine o’clock. Monday September 18, 1816, Court met pursuant to adjournment.
The State vs. Tom a Negro man slave The Jury empanelled in this case on Saturday last returned to the court now here the following verdict to wit “we of the Jury find the prisoner at the bar guilty in manner and force as charged – And on motion & on reasons filed by his attorney aforesaid for a new trial, it is ordered, considered and adjudged that a new trial be granted to be holden (held) at the next regular Term of the county court on the first Monday in October next – And that a new Jury be awarded to be summoned by the Sheriff as the law directs, and that the prisoner be remanded to Jaol (Jail). Ordered that the account of the Sheriff against the county amounting to fifteen dollars be allowed. Ordered that the sum of six dollars be allowed Isaac Pipes – clerk for his per dieum, in attending on this court two days. Ordered that the court adjourn sine dine. Signed J. Remson Holmes
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Jefferson County Mississippi - Court Records, 1802-1813; Minutes, 1822-1835 Family History Library Film # 893057, Salt Lake City, Utah
Page 68 Special County Court 29th Nov. 1826 At a Special Court for the trial of slaves summoned by the sheriff agreeably to the act of the Assembly, begun and holden at the court house in & for said county this 29th day of November 1826 – Present the Honorable J. R. Holmes presiding Justice & John L. Irwin Esquire associate Justice. Charles H. Jordan Esq. Sheriff Isaac Pipes Clerk of the County Court
The State of Miss. vs. Mary Ann a Negro slave of James Surgets Ordered that Putnam T. Williams be appointed to prosecute on behalf of the State in this case – And A. B. McLeod Esq. on the part of the accused. Ordered that the court adjourn to one o’clock. Court met pursuant to adjournment. The State of Miss. vs. Mary Ann a Negro slave of James Surgets The prisoner charged with an attempt to kill & murder James Lee by poisoning. The prisoner brought into court, arraigned and pleads not Guilty. Owing to the States witness, James Lee being absent, on account of sickness and unable to attend, therefore ordered that the court adjourn till Wednesday the 20th day of December next –
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Page 69 Special County Ct. 18th Dec. 1826 At a Special County court for the County of Jefferson, summoned by the Sheriff agreeably to law for the trial of slaves this 18th day of December 1826. Present the Honorable J. Remson Holmes presiding Justice & John L. Irwin Esquire associate Justice. Charles H. Jordan Esq. Sheriff Isaac Pipes Clerk of the County Court
The State of Miss. vs. Jacob a Negro man slave Ordered that Levin L. Cartwright Esq. be appointed to prosecute in behalf of the State in this case, and that Putnam T. Williams be appointed on the part of the defense. The prisoner charged with burglary in breaking and entering the house of James Folkes in the night time & taking there out a trunk containing one hundred & ninety five dollars in Mississippi bank Bills, also one case of razors, value of $4.50, a Razor Strop value $1.00, one breast dirk value $7.00, and one hundred and ninety five dollars in cash, also one Spanish dirk knife value $1.00. I pr. pantaloons value $6.00. one clothes brush value $2.00. The prisoner brought into court and on arraignment pleads not Guilty & issue. Ordered that a jury be empanelled in this case whereupon there came a Jury to wit – Peter Emerick, John Berry, Philip Dixon, Chas. Trefoe, Seth Cocks, Mark Valentine, Hiram Baldwin, George Robinson, John Pickins, A. Hamberlin, James Dunbar, James Stuart, who being empanelled tried and sworn to well and truly try the issue between the parties aforesaid upon their oaths do say we of the Jury find the prisoner at the Bar not Guilty of Burglary, but we find him guilty of having received stolen goods, knowing them to have been Stolen. Page 70 Ordered that the court adjourn till tomorrow morning 10 o’clock. Tuesday Dec. 19th Court met pursuant to adjournment. Ordered that the court adjourn till tomorrow morning 10 o’clock.
Wednesday Dec. 20. Court met pursuant to adjournment. The State of Miss. vs. Jacob a Negro slave of Charles Lewis Ordered that Putnam T. Williams be allowed the sum of twenty five dollars for defending as attorney in this case, and it is considered and adjudged by the court here that he do recover the said sum against Charles Lewis the owner of said slave. Ordered that the court adjourn sine dine. (Signed) J. Remson Holmes
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Page 71 Special County Court 19th Dec. 1826 At a Special County Court for the trial of slaves summoned by the sheriff agreeably to the Statute, begun and holden at the court house in & for said county this nineteenth day of December 1826 – Present the Honorable J. R. Holmes presiding Justice & John L. Irwin Esquire associate Justice. Charles H. Jordan Esq. Sheriff Isaac Pipes Clerk of the County Court
The State of Miss. vs. Edmund alias Jordan a Negro man slave Ordered that Levin L. Cartwright Esq. be appointed to prosecute on behalf of the State in this case, and A. B. McLeod Esq. on the part of the accused. The prisoner charged with Burglary for having on the night of the 30th of November last broken and entered the mansion house of James Folkes of the County of Jefferson and State aforesaid and taking there out one small trunk of the value of $2.00 containing one hundred & ninety five dollars in Mississippi State Bank Bills of the value of one hundred & ninety five dollars, also one case of razors, value $4.50, one Razor Strop of the value of $1.00, one breast dirk of the value of $7.00, one Spanish dirk knife value $1.00, I pair of pantaloons of the value of value $6.00, one clothes brush of the value of $2.00. The prisoner brought into court and on arraignment pleads not Guilty & issue. The Sheriff having returned a list of persons summoned in this case the following persons names were drawn, empanelled and sworn to serve as Jurors, to wit – Abijah Clark, William Stevenson, John Buell, Abram Frisby, William Kelly, Jacob Segrist, ---- Foreman, D. Wilson, James Lombard, James Boll, Church Dixon, James Jones, Jr. who being empanelled,
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Page 73 Special County Court 19th Dec. 1826 At a Special Term of County Court for Jefferson County begun and holden at the court house in & for County of Jefferson summoned by the sheriff agreeably to law for the trial of slaves this 19th day of December 1826 – Present the Honorable J. Remson Holmes presiding Justice & John L. Irwin Esquire associate Justice. Charles H. Jordan Esq. Sheriff Isaac Pipes Clerk of the County Court
The State of Miss. vs. Mary Ann a Negro slave Ordered that Ordered that Levin L. Cartwright Esq. be appointed to prosecute on behalf of the State in this case, and Putnam T. Williams on the part of the accused. On a charge of being accessory before the fact in feloniously inciting procuring moving & aiding and abetting a certain Negro man slave by the name of Edmund to do and commit the crime of Burglary and entering the mansion home of James Folkes on the night of the 3rd November last with an intent to commit a felony. And also on a charge of being an accessory after the fact in feloniously receiving harboring assisting comforting and maintaining the said Negro man slave named Edmund well knowing the said Edmund to have done and committed the said crime of Burglary as aforesaid. The said Mary Ann brought into court and on arraignment pleads not Guilty & issue and ordered that a Jury be empanelled in this case wherein now there came a Jury to wit – Daniel Stevens, James Dunbar, James Stuart, Neal Torry, George Robinson, James Jones, William Kelly, Jacob Segrist, John Pickins, D. W. Wilson, James Kelly and Peter C. Goosey – who being empanelled tried and sworn upon their oaths do day we the Jury find the prisoner at the bar not guilty of accepting before nor after the fact – but we find her guilty of petit Larceny. Ordered by the court that the prisoner receive thirty nine lashes on her bare back, and that the Sheriff execute this Order. The State of Miss. vs. Mary Ann a Negro slave Ordered by the court that Putnam T. Williams be allowed the sum of twenty five dollars for defending said slave & it is considered & adjudged by the court that he recover said sum against Allen Jones the owner of said slave. Ordered that the court adjourn sine dine. (Signed) J. Remson Holmes
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