Fourth Generation Inclusive

Historical Documents of Genealogical Interest to Researchers of North Carolina's Free People of Color

Tag: rape

Two trials.

Superior Court. – On Thursday, the 7th instant. Negro Ephraim, the property of Dr. Simmons J. Baker, of Martin county, was tried before the Superior Court of this county, for killing Francis W. Anderson, a free boy of color, by throwing at, and striking him on the head with a stone, which occasioned his death, after lingering a few days. He was convicted of manslaughter, and sentenced to receive 39 lashes.

On the following day, the trial of a young man, of mixed blood, though, to all appearance, a white man, & having a white woman for his wife, charged with attempting to commit a rape upon a white girl of about 12 years of age, took place. The jury retired about eight o’clock in the evening, and, in three of four minutes after, returned with a verdict of Not Guilty.

The North Carolina Star (Raleigh), 15 April 1825.

The Carroll brothers hang.

Raleigh, April 1. – We understand that a free boy of color, named Ned Carroll, was tried at Johnston Superior Court last week, for an assault upon a white female, with an intent to commit a rape. The case was clearly made out to the Jury, who bro’t in a verdict of Guilty. He is sentenced to be hung on the 25th instant. – Register.

North-Carolina Free Press (Halifax), 11 April 1828.

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Supreme Court. – On Thursday, the case of HENRY CARROLL, a free boy of color, indicted for an attempt to commit a rape upon a young woman, in the county of Johnston, was taken up, having been removed here for trial. The charge was made out on behalf of the State, with great clearness, by the Attorney General SAUNDERS. The Prisoner was defended by Messrs. MANLY and GEO. W. HAYWOOD, with great ingenuity, considering the utter hopelessness of the task assigned them by the Court. The Jury remained out but a few minutes, before they returned with a verdict of GUILTY, on Friday, after a suitable address to the pronounce sentence of DEATH against him, to be carried into execution, on Friday the 6th of May next. It is a singular and melancholy coincidence, which ought to be stated, that a brother of this boy’s was hung in Johnston county, only a year or two ago, for a like offence! This startling fact illustrates more forcibly the uselessness of Public Executions, than whole columns of argument. Ral. Reg.

Roanoke Advocate (Halifax), 21 April 1831.

Acquitted of rape of 80 year-old woman.

Wake Superior Court.

On Wednesday, Jones Kiff, a free boy of colour, about 21 years old, was tried on an indictment for Rape, committed on a free woman of colour, supposed to be 80 years of age. Verdict of acquittal.

Tarboro’ Press, 16 April 1836.