A CORONER’S INQUEST
Was held yesterday, by JOHN C. WOOD, Esq., Coroner, over the body of a free colored boy named THOMAS ALLEN, who was drowned on Thursday, whilst bathing in the river. The verdict of the jury was “accidental drowning.”
The Tri-Weekly Commercial (Wilmington), 5 August 1848.
Harris Milton, a free man of color was killed by a blast in a mine at Gold Hill on Thursday the 15th ult.
The Charlotte Democrat, 2 March 1855.
In the 1850 census of Gold Hill, Rowan County: Ann Bird, 28; Harris Milton, 28, laborer.
Coroner Wood held an inquest yesterday over the dead body of a free colored man, named Jordan Howard, employed at the Wilmington & Weldon Railroad, who came to his death from the effects of a shot from a pistol, accidentally discharged, on Saturday last, while in the hands of Mr. Strouse, who keeps a store above the Railroad. The man died on Monday.
The verdict of the jury completely exonerates Mr. Strouse from any blame in the matter.
Wilmington Journal, 2 May 1856.
Coroner’s Inquest.
On Sunday, 16th inst., a jury of inquest was held upon the dead body of Caroline Alfonzo, a free colored woman: the evidence proved her to be a drudge laborer about town. At her will, she was the wife of Ned, a superannuated slave, formerly the property of John W. Guion, dec’d. On Saturday, the 15th inst., at 3 o’clock, P.M., she parted company with Ned in good health and went to the house of Mrs. Emily Jane Fulford to fulfill an engagement with her. She left Mrs. Fulford’s about 1 ½ hours before night-fall, and took with her a tray of plates containing sausages and pigs feet to sell for Mrs. Fulford – she was under the influence of liquor at the time, — she did not return to her husband nor her employer as was her custom to do. Sunday morning Caroline was found dead in the road leading to Pembrook near the South-West part of the town: on examination there was traces of blood from where she lay to a ditch about thirty yards distant; a smooth deep cut on her right cheek was the only mark of violence found on the body. By request of the Jury, Dr. R.S. Primrose examined the wound and pronounced it insufficient to produce death and stated that it might have been the result of accident. The clothes of the deceased were wet and frozen; the ditch had water in it about 3 ½ feet deep, and showed that it had been recently disturbed; a tray, some crockery and plates, etc. lay near the body. In her pockets was ninety cents, in silver and copper coin, a snuff-box, &c.
Verdict of the Jury was: “The deceased came to her death by intemperance and exposure.”
Newbern Weekly Progress, 18 December 1860.
Drowned. – The body of a free negro by the name of Starkey Smith was found yesterday in Smith’s Creek, near Bailey’s brick yard. Coroner Jones has summoned a jury and an inquest will be held this afternoon.
Wilmington Daily Herald, 1 May 1860.
DEATH BY FIRE – A Coroner’s Jury was called, Saturday at noon, to view the body of SALLY POTTS, a colored woman, who was burnt to death on Friday night, by her clothes taking fire, either from her own act or of some other person. The Jury had not been able to decide upon the case when our paper went to press. Her clothes had been impregnated with Spirits of Turpentine, and she was so dreadfully burnt that she died on Saturday. – Wil. Commercial
Raleigh Register, 5 December 1849.
Coroner Wood held an inquest yesterday over the dead body of a free colored man, named Jordan Howard, employed at the Wilmington & Weldon Railroad, who came to his death from the effects of a shot from a pistol, accidentally discharged, on Saturday last, while in the hands of Mr. Strouse, who keeps a store above the Railroad. The man died on Monday.
The verdict of the jury completely exonerates Mr. Strouse from any blame in the matter.
Wilmington Journal, 2 May 1856.
A free negro by the name of Wm. Jones, was run over and killed near Goldsboro’, on the Central Railroad, a few days ago.
Asheville News, 4 October 1855.
DISTRESSING. – A free colored man named Hugh Cherry, a carter, left this place with a horse and buggy on Wednesday last, for Williamston, for the purpose of brining a person home; but finding that the person had not arrived there, determined to return home that evening. The evening was stormy and an immense quantity of rain fell. Next morning he was found about twelve miles from this place dead in a ditch, and the horse upon him. The horse was blind and it is supposed, the man being unable to guide him in the excessive darkness, that the horse plunged into the deep ditch, which gave the buggy a sudden jerk, throwing the man forward and breaking his neck in the fall, plunging him into the ditch. The horse in his scuffle to get out got upon the man, and their [sic] remained until he was found next morning. Strange to say the horse and buggy were not injured. – Washington Dispatch.
North Carolina Argus (Wadesboro), 8 September 1859.
From the Weldon Patriot.
…
ANOTHER. __ On Sunday last an affray occurred in the neighborhood of Gaston, between mulattoes, Dick Graham and Bob Carter, both Boatmen, which terminated in the death of the latter. Graham has been taken and confined in jail.
FATAL ACCIDENT. – On Monday evening last, Betsey Douse, a free woman of color, attempted to cross the Rail Road on Quankey Bridge as the Wilmington train of cars for this place was approaching, when she fell and was caught under the wheels, and so seriously injured that her life is despaired of. Betsy was no doubt, at the time, afflicted with “tangle legs.”
Weekly Commercial (Wilmington), 25 April 1851.
Fourth Generation Inclusive 