NC, Craven, Court, New Bern District Court Records 14
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New Bern District Court Records
DSCR 206.326.3
Folder: 1794
Information: Summons "as heretofore" for Mary WELCH, Nathan FULLER, & 
Wm. FISHER to answer to a plea by Richard Dobbs SPAIGHT, Esq., Governor 
that they render unto him £500 which they owe and unjustly detain. [Back: 
William FISHER not to be found].
Date: 19 Mar 1794
Date of: Summons
County: Carteret

Folder: 1794
Information: Summons for Mary WELCH, Nathan FULLER, Wm. FISHER to answer 
to a plea by Richard Dobbs SPAIGHT, Esq., Governor that they render unto him 
£500 which they owe and unjustly detain. [Back: William FISHER not to be found].
Date: 29 Sept 1793
Date of: Summons
County: Carteret

Folder: 1794
Information: There are 3 actions on this piece of paper: [Front]: 1. Motion 
for arrest in judgement against Cormick HIGGINS. [I.e., appeal of verdict of guilty]. 
[Back] 2. State vs. John GEORGE: Burglary, plea not guilty, verdict guilty. 3. State vs. 
Thomas SHAW: Misdmr. utter of counterfeit dollars, plea not guilty, verdict guilty. 
Sentence: Gaol without bail for 3 months. On the 2nd day of next term, he stand in the 
Pillory 2 hours, between the hours of 12 & 4:00, and that on the 3rd day be carted around 
the town. At the end of jail term, pay fees and give security for good behavior for 12 
months and 1 day.
Date: March term 1793
Date of: All 3 actions of court
County: Not stated

Folder: 1794
Information: Order stating that Nathan COBB brought suit against Jeremiah POWELL & 
Nathan POWELL. The verdict passed against COBB, and he appealed to the Superior Court. 
William EARPE was bondsman for COBB in the appeal. COBB did not appear to prosecute the 
appeal, and it became a non-suit. Costs of court were assessed against him. He has not 
paid the costs, so this order is to take him and EARPE into custody, to appear and show 
costs why costs should not be paid.
Date: 19 Mar 1798
Date of: Order
County: Johnston

Folder: 1794
Information: The State vs. Cormick HIGGINS} Grand Larceny. "The prisoner was discharged 
by proclamation Condition'd to pay fees."
Date: March Term 1794
Date of: Verdict
County: Not given

Folder: 1794
Information: Order to jailer of New Bern stating that Carmick HIGGINS was discharged by 
proclamation Conditioned to pay fees. Having taken the oath of insolvent debtors. Should 
now be discharged from jail. [Back: reiterates above].
Date: 10 Apr 1794
Date of: Order
County: Not given

Folder: 1794
Information: Arrest warrant for William WORLEY on a charge of murder.. [Back: Not to be 
found].
Date: 19 Sept 1794
Date of: Warrant
County: Johnston

Folder: 1794
Information: Oath of Elizabeth [X] STRICKLEY that her absence from court was not due to 
contempt, but to the belief that her presence was unnecessary, since the person she was to 
testify against had not been taken. STRICKLEY lives 70-80 miles from court and had no way 
of coming except by travelling on foot.
Date: Sept term 1794
Date of: Oath
County: Not given.

Folder: 1794
Information: Stephen GRICE vs. Samuel GODWIN} "By consent of parties the same is 
referred to Robert GULLY Esquire and Thomas WOODARD, who have liberty to choose an Umpire 
whose award to be a Rule of Court."
Date: March term, 1795
Date of: Agreement
County: Not given

Folder: 1794
Information: Verdict by Robert GULLY and Thos. WOODARD, and Wm. HOLLIMAN in case of 
Stephen GRICE vs. Samuel GODWIN in favor of plaintiff £20 & costs.
Date:2 May 1795
Date of: Verdict
County: Not given

Folder: 1794
Information: Appearance bond for Ralph MOSSE,  Joseph BRIDGER (younger), Elizabeth 
STRICKLAND, Robert GURLEY, William WORLEY junior, and Britten PATISON to appear and 
testify against William WORLEY, charged with the murder of Charles HOOD.
Date: 26 Dec 1793
Date of: Bond
County: Johnston

Folder: 1794
Information: Indictment of William WORLEY, yeoman, for murder of Charles WOOD. States 
that WORLEY  did strike, beat, and kick HOOD with his hands and feet in and upon the head, 
breast, back, belly, sides and other parts, and did cast and throw him on the ground, 
rendering him several mortal wounds. [Witnesses listed on back: Joseph BRIDGES, Eliz. 
STRICKLAND, Robt. GURLEY, Britten PATTERSON, Wm. POWELL, Ralph MASSEY].
Date: 25 Dec 1793 
Date of: Event
County: Johnston

Folder: 1794
Information: Order to make known to John HOLIDAY to appear at the next court to show 
cause why he should not forfeit his recognizance for William WILLIAMS, who failed to 
appear.
Date:19 Sept 1794
Date of: Order
County: Glasgow

Folder: 1794
Information: Indictment of John HYSON, schoolmaster, for the murder of Jesse SMITH. 
HYSON did assault SMITH with his hands and feet, kicking, beating, and stamping him, and 
did cast and pull him down. HYSON with his right fist struck SMITH upon the left side of 
the neck, which along with the other injuries and bruises killed SMITH.
Date: 1 Mar 1794
Date of: Event
County: Jones

Folder: 1794
Information: Appearance bond for John HYSON, schoolmaster, with Lemuel HATCH, Durant 
HATCH, John HATCH, and Edmund HATCH to appear and answer a charge in the death of Jesse 
SMITH.
Date:17 Mar 1794
Date of: Bond
County: Jones

Folder: 1794
Information: Appearance bond for Thomas GIBSON (Onslow Co.), John MORRIS (Jones Co.), 
and Urbain FRAZAR (Jones Co.) to appaer and testify against John HYSON.
Date: 17 Mar 1794
Date of: Bond
County: Onslow/Jones

Folder: 1794
Information: Order to notify Abraham HARDY that he appear at the next court to show 
cause why he should not forfeit his bond for failing to appear.
Date: 19 Sept 1794
Date of: Order
County: Pitt

Folder: 1794
Information: Order to notify Thomas HENBY that he appear at the next court to show 
cause why he should not forfeit his bond for failing to appear.
Date:19 Sept 1794
Date of: Order
County: Glasgow

Folder: 1794
Information: Indictment of William BARFIELD, yeoman, and Asa BARFIELD in the murder of 
Thomas BARFIELD. States that William BARFIELD did strike Thomas BARFIELD with an ax on the 
left breast, yielding a mortal wound. Also, states that Asa BARFIELD was present and was 
aiding, helping, abetting, comforting, assisting, and maintaining William BARFIELD in the 
crime.
Date: 6 Sept 1793/March term 1794
Date of: Event/Verdict
County: Glasgow

Folder: 1794
Information: Summons for James GLASGOW to appear and testify in a case in which 
Benjamin SHEPPERD is plaintiff and Thomas SHARPE is defendant.
Date: 19 Mar 1794
Date of: Summons
County: Glasgow

Folder: 1794
Information: Summons for William BARFIELD to appear and testify on behalf of Thomas 
SHARPE in case where Benjm. SHEPPERD is plaintiff and William BARFIELD is defendant. 
[Note: This is probably a mistake. Should be Thomas SHARPE as defendant].
Date: 19 Sept 1794
Date of: Summons
County: Craven

Folder: 1794
Information: Summons for William SPEIGHT Esquire to appear and testify on behalf of 
Benjamin SHEPPERD in Benjamin SHEPPERD vs. Thomas SHARP.
Date: 19 Mar 1795
Date of: Summons
County: Glasgow

Folder: 1794
Information: Document with a series of entries: 1. Complaint by John DEN against 
Richard FEN. States that on 10 May 1791 Benjamin SHEPPERD had granted a 10-year lease to 
DEN for a piece of property in Glasgow Co. on the NS of Great Contentnea Cr. (gives 
description). Land originally granted to Benjamin CASWELL on 10 Nov 1762, and by sundry 
conveyances came to be the property of SHEPPERD. Lease began on 31 Mar "last past" to last 
for 10 years. On 10 May Richard FEN with force and arms entered the tenement and drove out 
and moved John DEN from the form.. DEN suing FEN for £100. 2. Order to Thomas SHARP to act 
as defendant on behalf of Richard FEN. [Note: This is a legal mechanism in ejectment 
cases. 
The names "DEN" and "FEN" are aliases. The true case is Benjamin SHEPPERD vs. Thomas 
SHARP. SHARP is the tenant being ejected by the property owner, SHEPPERD]. 3. Mar 4 1794: 
To Mr. Thomas SHARP tenant in possession of the premises or some part thereof: I John 
HOLLIDAY of Glasgow maketh oath...that the declaration and notice of ejectment was served on 
SHARPE and unless he appears there would be a judgment against him by default and he would 
be turned out of possession.
Date: Mar 1794
Date of: Last date given in document
County: Glasgow

Folder: 1794
Information: Summons to Benjamin SHEPPERD to appear and show cause why he should not 
forfeit his recognizance for the appearance of Wm. WILLIAMS.. 
Date: 19 Sept 1794
Date of: Summons
County: Glasgow

Folder: 1794
Information: Summons for Willoughby WILLIAMS and John MARTIN to appear and testify on 
behalf of Benjamin SHEPPERD in State vs. Benjamin SHEPPERD..
Date: 19 Sept 1794
Date of: Summons
County: Glasgow

Folder: 1794
Information: Summons for Benjamin SHEPPERD to appear and show cause why he should not 
forfeit his recognizance for failing to appear.
Date: 19 Sept 1794
Date of: Summons
County: Dobbs

Folder: 1794
Information: Indictment of Treat DIXON and William [smeared-could be Willis-sbg] DIXON 
for carrying a Negro slave named Gorman, valued at £50, the property of James A. GLASGOW.
Date: 10 Feb 1792
Date of: Event
County: Glasgow

Folder: 1794
Information: Summons for Thomas BIZZELL to appear and show cause why he should not 
forfeit his recognizance for the appearance of Abraham HARDY. [On back: "Not found. Said 
to live in Waine County."]
Date: 19 Sept 1794
Date of: Summons
County: Pitt

Folder: 1794
Information: Summons for Thomas ARMSTRONG to appear and show cause why he should not 
forfeit recognizance for the appearance of John ONEAL. States that William BLACKLEDGE  was 
another bondsman. Case was against John ONEAL and others. [Back: "Not found."]
Date: 19 Sept 1798
Date of: Summons
County: Pitt

Folder: 1794
Information: Summons for Thomas ARMSTRONG to appear and show cause why he should not 
forfeit recognizance for the appearance of Wm. BOWERS. [Back: "Executed in presence of 
William BUCK].
Date: 19 Sept 1794
Date of: Summons
County: Pitt

Folder: 1794
Information: Summons for Jesse AYCOCK to appear and show cause why he should not 
forfeit his bond for failing to appear. [Back: Executed in presence of Rice PRICE and Jas. 
DEAN].
Date: 19 Sept 1794
Date of: Summons
County: Glasgow Wayne

Folder: 1794
Information: Indictment of William ALDRIDGE, bricklayer, for the murder of Jesse 
FARMER. States that ALDRIDGE stabbed FARMER with a knife in the left side of the belly 
near the groin. FARMER languished with this wound from the 23rd to 29th of Dec., then 
died.
Date: 23 Dec 1793
Date of: Event
County: Lenoir

Folder: 1794
Information: Summons for John STANLY to testify on behalf of William ALDRIDGE.
Date: 19 Mar 1794 (smeared)
Date of: Summons
County: Wayne

Folder: 1794
Information: Summons for William ALDRIDGE to appear and show cause why he should not 
forfeit his recognizance for the appearance of Buckner WILSON. [Back: Noticed in presence 
of Jonah SUGG and Fred. JONES].
Date: 19 Sept 1791
Date of: Summons
County: Dobbs

Folder: 1794
Information: Summons to the wife of William ALDRIDGE, Sr. to give evidence against 
William ALDRIDGE, Jr. on an information made against him by John GARLAND.
Date: 20 Nov 1788
Date of: Summons
County: Dobbs.

Folder: 1794
Information: Indictment of William ALDRIDGE, bricklayer, for assault on John HOLMES. 
[Back: Not a true bill].
Date: 1 Oct 1784
Date of: Event
County: Dobbs

Folder: 1794
Information: Summons for Thos. GATLIN, John CREECH, William TUCKER, & Jno. CREECH to 
appear and testify for the state against William ALDRIDGE, junior.
Date: 20 Apr 1782
Date of: Summons
County: Dobbs

Folder: 1794
Information: Summons for Isaac CROOM, Nathan BIRD, Thomas BIRD, & Richard BIRD to 
appear and testify for the state against William ALDRIDGE, junior 
Date: 20 Apr 1782
Date of: Summons
County: Dobbs

Folder: 1794
Information: Oath by William ALDRIDGE that he was bound to appear and prosecute a bill 
of indictment against Walter CANNADY and Groves SHARP, but since SHARP was not taken or 
brought into court, ALDRIDGE did not think there was a reason for him to remain throughout 
the term. Was later called and cited for failing to appear.
Date: Sept 1792
Date of: Oath
County: Not given

Folder: 1794
Information: Arrest warrant for Jesse ALDRIDGE and Drury ALDRIDGE.
Date: 19 Mar 1794
Date of: Warrant
County: Glasgow

Folder: 1794
Information: Appearance bond by Jesse ALDRIDGE with bondsmen Crawford FULLER and 
Burwell WESTBROOK to appear and answer a charge against him.
Date: 6 Sept 1794
Date of: Bond
County: Glasgow

Folder: 1794
Information: Summons for Thomas COLE, John JONES, and Abraham HILL to appear and 
testify for the state against Jesse ALDRIDGE
Date:19 Mar 1794
Date of: Summons
County: Glasgow

Folder: 1794
Information: Summons for Willliam ALDRIDGE to show cause why he should not forfeit his 
recognizance for failing to appear and prosecute a case against Groves SHARP and Major 
HARDY. [Back: noticed in presence of Jonah SUGG and Fred. JONES].
Date: 19 Sept 1791
Date of: Summons
County: Dobbs

Folder: 1794
Information: Indictment of Jesse ALDRIDGE and Drury ALDRIDGE for theft of a duck, cart, 
& [can't read-sbg] from Willliam LEWIS. [Back: A true bill as Jesse ALDRIDGE; not a true 
bill as to Drury ALDRIDGE].
Date: 6 Sept 1793
Date of: Event
County: Glasgow

Folder: 1794
Information: Summons for William BOWERS to appear and show cause why he should not 
forfeit his recognizance for failing to appear. [Back: Servis in presence of Peter MAYO & 
Lancer DANIEL].
Date: 19 Sept 1794
Date of: Summons
County: Pitt

Folder: 1794
Information: Summons for William ANDREWS, planter to appear in Glasgow Co. Court of 
Pleas and Quarter Sessions to answer a charge by Saderick ALFORD of trespass.
Date: 12 Mar 1793
Date of: Summons
County: Glasgow

Folder: 1794
Information: Summons for John HOLIDAY to appear and show cause why he should not 
forfeit bond for Thomas HENBY's failure to appear.
Date:19 Sept 1794
Date of: Summons
County: Glasgow

Folder: 1794
Information: Summons for George FALCONER to appear and show cause why he should not 
forfeit bond for Abraham HARDY's failure to appear.
Date: 19 Sept 1794
Date of: Summons
County: Pitt

Folder: 1794
Information: Notice to sheriff: Nathan COBB previously brought suit for the state 
[i.e., criminal charges-sbg] against Jeremiah POWELL and Nathan POWELL, which was adjudged 
against him. He appealed to the New Bern District Court, and William BRIDGERS was his 
security for the case. He did not appear and prosecute the suit, so he was fined the cost 
of court, which he has not paid. William BRIDGERS has since died. His executors, Samuel 
SMYTH and John ALLEN are summoned to show cause why the costs should not issue against the 
state. Account for the costs of court attached. [9 copies of this are in the folder-sbg].
Date: 19 Mar 1794
Date of: Notice
County: Johnston

Folder: 1794
Information: Nathan COBB by Matthias HANDY his attorney charges Jeremiah and Nathan 
POWELL with bringing a Negro slave girl into the state and failing to enter this with the 
county. The fine is $100, half of which goes to the state and half to the person who 
reports this. The POWELLs by their attorney Thomas GRAY deny that they owe this fine. Jury 
finds in their favor. COBB, dissatisfied with this verdict appeals to New Bern District 
court, and gives William BRIDGERS and William EARP as his securities. 
Date: November 1798
Date of: Original trial and granting of appeal
County: Johnston

Folder: 1794
Information: State and Nathan COBB vs. Jeremiah & Matthew POWELL: Jury finds for the 
defendants and COBB prayed for an appeal.
Date: November 1789
Date of: Verdict
County: Johnston

Folder: 1794
Information: Bond by Nathan COBB with bondsmen William BRIDGERS and William EARP for 
COBB to present his appeal in his case against Jeremiah & Matthew POWELL to New Bern 
District Court.
Date: 4 Dec 1789
Date of: Bond
County: Johnston

Folder: State vs. Jacob Briley: Forgery 1794
Information: Indictment of Jacob BRILEY for forging a will of John JONES. Allegations 
brought by Benjamin ROGERS and his wife Mary. Allegedly forged will names following 
heirs: 1) Olivia Savage: 1 ac. land where she now lives. 2) Tabatha CHERRY: bed, 
furniture, cow yearlinng. 3) Daughter Mary ROGERS: 5 shillings. 4) Joseph BRILEY, senior: 
land I [JONES-sbg] live on (150 ac.), Negroes Jack, Bet, Azor, & Lot, all personal 
property. Date: December 26th 1793. Witness: Tabbitha X Chearea. Signed John X JONES. [2 
copies of this in folder. Faded and stained-sbg].
Date: March 1796
Date of: Indictment
County: Pitt