NC, Craven, Court Records, New Bern District Court Records 
=========================================================

USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information 
on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as 
this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may 
NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other 
persons or organizations.

Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other 
than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor, 
and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The 
submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file 
permanently for free access.

This file was contributed by Sue Guptill, February  2001.

==========================================================

New Bern District Court Records Part 5


New Bern District Court Records
DSCR 206.326.1

The District Court was the precursor to District Superior Courts. The New Bern 
District covered Ccarteret, Craven, Beaufort, Hyde, PItt, Dobbs, Jones, and 
Duplin. When Dobbs county was split and then abolished, the new counties were also 
in the New Bern District.

The following are abstracts of Box 1. Dates when not otherwise noted are the 
date of the event (e.g., the date that an assault took place).

Christine Fuller abstracted Box 2, which are also posted. 

Folder: 1779 
Information: Scrap of paper says, 3Evidences for the Suit2 then lists: SPEIGHT, 
Aust LEECH, a comission, Jas SMITH, Thos. SMITH, John SMITH, Richd. FOSKEY, 
Thos. STEVENS, Casandra LINDOR
Date: None
County: None

Folder: 1779 
Information: Oath by David MILES that the 15 dollar bill annexed No. 4031 the 
Regt. of William MILES is good money. [Attached is a piece of paper that is 
about 3 inches wide and 2 inches long printed 3N. Carolina currency, No. 4031, 
Fifteen dollars, by Authority of Congress at Halifax Apris 2d 17762 It is signed 
Maywood WEBB.] On back says that William MILES made oath that the fifteen dollar 
bill he recd. of ?James MILLS with a request to deliver it to David MILES
Date: 12 Aug 1779
County: Dobbs

Folder: 1779 
Information: Arrest warrant for Thomas MCLIN on 2 bills of indictment; one for 
petit larceny and the other for an assault and battery and false imprisonment 
of Elisha VENTERS.
Date: 23 Nov 1779 (date of warrant)
County: Craven

Folder: 1779 
Information: Deposition of Nancy WALKER of Beaufort, who said that a mulatto 
named Peter SMITH belonging to the Spitfire, broke into her house and then by 
force ravished and carnally had knowledge of her body.
Date: 21 Feb 1779
County: Carteret

Folder: 1779 
Information: Back of sheet only: The sstate vs. E. Vvas. DANIEL} Ind. for 
misprision of treason 
Date: Nov term 1779
County: None

Folder: 1779 
Information: Letter from magistrate saying that when Hamption SELEVENT & 
William RADFORD entered into recognizant to testify against Thomas HARRISON that he 
bound them to appear on the 20th rather than the 15th by mistake, and directed 
that the tryal be delayed until then. States he has sent down articles to use as 
evidence, which supposedly taken from Mrs. MCDONALD by HARRISON. Says, 3You 
will please call upon John FLEETWOOD and Benjamin HARRISON to give an account of 
how they came by one pair of dutch blankets & one pocketbook.2
Date: Nov. 14 1779 (date of letter)
County: Not given.

Folder: 1779 
Information: Summons for James WILSON and John TUTLE to testify against Solomon 
DOUGHTY on a charge of treason.
Date: 15 May 1779 (date of summons)
County: Dobbs

Folder: 1779 
Information: Summons for Richard FLANAHAN, Senior, Beneaman LEE John LEE John 
PRESCOT junior to appear and testify for the state 3on a certain bill of 
indictment.2
Date: 15 Nov 1779 (date of summons)
County: Beaufort

Folder: 1779 
Information: Appearance bond for Richarad FLANAHAN, William BARROW, Lediah 
BARROW, Volator HARVEY, Jederiah MAXON, Robert BOND and Francis WARNER to appear 
and testify against John BOND, Senr., charged with keeping a bawdy house, or a 
woman of lewd and base character in his house and under his protection and 
maintainance.
Date: 14 Apr 1779 (date of bond)
County: Beaufort

Folder: 1779 
Information: Indictment of John CATO, yeoman, for breaking, entering and 
stealing $2500 and other property from the house of William RADFORD. Also assaulted 
William RADFORD.
Date: 29 May 1779, about the hour of 11 in the night
County: Dobbs

Folder: 1779 
Information: Indictment of Andrew BLAND, yeoman, for theft of a gelding from 
John HERRITAGE.
Date: 6 Aug 1779
County: Dobbs

Folder: 1779 
Information: Indictment of Daniel DESHAN, mariner, for assault of Jesse GUION, 
Esq.
Date: 18 Nov 1780
County: Craven

Folder: 1779 
Information: Appearance bond for Martin FERNS and Edwd. RICE (£200 each) to 
testify against Gilbert BROWN Henry TUCKER William HASKET George BURGOIN and 
William SMITH.
Date: 9 July 1779 (date of bond)
County: Carteret

Folder: 1779 
Information: Appearance bond for John SHEPHARD, John MONCRIEF, Edward FULLER 
and William FISHER (£100 each) to testify against Gilberet BROWN Henry TUCKER 
William HACKET and George BURGOIN
Date: 9 July 1779 (date of bond)
County: Carteret

Folder: 1779 
Information: Testimony against Joseph KILLET for horse stealing. (Hard to 
read). Horse allegedly belonged to Jos. WINDFIELD. Jas. DANIEL also testified. 
Date: 2 July 3last2 (probably 1779)
County: Not given

Folder: 1779 
Information: Appearance bond for William KILLET to appear and answer a charge 
of petit larceny. (Witnesses: James DANIEL, Jesse WARD).
Date: 21 October 1779
County: Duplin

Folder: 1779 
Information: The confession of Joseph KILLETT:Thos HARRISON & Jno CATO robbed 
Wm. RADFORD of currency & property; HARRISON stole a mare of Hampton SYLLAVAN, 
and HARRISON and CATO and KILLET & David LAWHORN robbed Peter LEE on a mare and 
other porperty and money; he beleives that LAWHON sold the mare to Jno 
HONEYCUTT upon the waters of Deep River; that HARRISON & KATO stole of Jno. EDWARDS a 
horse & mare & KILLET saw them on the horses and they sold the horses either to 
Jas. FARR,, Cap. JOESON or Jno. ARTHUR between Jones1s Creek & Temptson1s 
Creek; HARRISON stole Jno. Roache1s horse and he heard him say he would shoot the 
horse as soon as he took him to Neuse R.; on Tuesday 27 of this Instant [July 
1779-sbg] he saw LAWHON with 2 mares which he said he borow1d the white one of 
Robt. KEY & the Dark Bay of David RAINER; on Thursday 28th KILLET and LAWHON went 
to Mr. WINKFIELD where they stole a gray horse which he was to let Jno. COLE 
have to carry to Salisbury to sell for halves; that he hired Jno. VICK to take 
his place as soldier and returned him to Liet MCNES under the name of Jno. 
MITCHEL and as he and VICK were going to Kingston they called at James MILES1S and 
VICK stole a pair of leather breeches out of MILES1S house; the following persons 
harbour and assist both thieves and deserters: Saml. STRICKLEN, Tho. DAUGHTY, 
Andrew KILLET Sen. William KILLET Junr. (Dobbs Co.), Robt. KEY, Kinchen CITCHER, 
Isaac WHEELER, Jno. MILES, David MILES, Wm. MCLAN, Joel JOINER, Ben JOINER, 
Geo. LASSITER, Geo. CATO, Jno. BAREFOOT, Peter LEE & Selah THORNTON (Duplin Co.).

[On back]: Deposition of David RAINER: On 27th of this instant [July 1779-sbg] 
he had a bay mare stolen from him.

Deposition of Joseph WINKFIELDS: On the night of the 28th of this instant he 
had one gray horse stolen out of his pen.

Depositions of Michael KING, James W. DONAL, Asha PIPKIN, Jesse PIPKIN, Joshua 
CARAWAY, Bryan MCCULLIN, David COGDELL, and John ROACH: Say that on the nnight 
of the 28th they saw Joseph KILLET and one other man unknown to them who had in 
their possession the above horse and a mare & one other gray mare; that Joseph 
KILLET and the other person made their escape.
Date: 30 July 1779 (date of all testimony)
County: Duplin/Dobbs

Folder: 1779 
Information: Indictment of John KING, ship1s carpenter for assault on Henry 
?(can1t read-looks like PURSA), constable who was performing his duty as constable 
in attempting to serve a process.
Date: 6 Oct 1778
County: Craven

Folder: 1779 
Information: Indictment of: Edward VAN DANIEL, Michael WOOLARD, James 
CONGLETON, Appelson SQUIRES, John HARRIS, Benjamin ROSS, Elijah ROSS, Levi WINDLEY, 
Aaron WINDLEY, Israel WINDLEY, Israel WINDLEY son of Aaron WINDLEY, Joseph COAN, 
Thomas HODGE, James CONGLETON the younger, Arthur VAN DANIEL, James VAN DANIEL, 
Francis ROSS, Benjamin HARRIS, Thomas GARNETT, John WOOD, Jesse HOWLAND, John 
VAN DANIEL, William HARRIS, and William MARTIN son of Joel MARTIN, yeomen, for 
stirring up and exciting a tumult and disorder, opposing the measures in support 
of the freedom of the USA, and violently forcing the key from the gaoler and 
freeing Willis HODGES, a deserter from the regiment of the state.
Date: 10 Nov 1779
County: Carteret

Folder: 1779 
Information: Arrest warrant for William SHORE, carpenter, for burglary
Date: 22 Nov 1779 (date of warrant)
County: Craven

Folder: 1779 
Information: Appearance bond for Nancy WALKER (£40) with bondsmen John 
HENDRICKSON and Isael BELL (£20 each) to appear and testify against Peter SMITH charged 
with assaulting and ravishing Nancy WALKER.
Date: 22 Feb 1779 (date of bond)
County: Carteret

Folder: 1779 
Information: Appearance bond for Hampton SILLAVENT, labourer (£10,000) with 
bondsmen Wm. SASSER and James HANDLEY, planters (£5,000 each) to appear and 
testify against Thomas HARRISON, charged with stealing a mare from SILLAVENT.
Date: 30 July 1779 (date of bond)
County: Dobbs

Folder: 1779 
Information: Indictment of Levi FULCHER for theft of 4 sheep from Benjamin LEE.
Date: 20 April 1777
County: Beaufort

Folder: 1779 
Information: Appearance bond for Letia RADFORD (£10,000) with Burwell MORING & 
Thomas BURK, planters, bondsmen (£5,000 each) to appear and testify against 
Thomas HARRISON, charged with robing William RADFORD.
Date: 20 July 1779 (date of bond)
County: Dobbs

Folder: 1779 
Information: Appearance bond for William RADFORD Labourer (£10,000) with 
bondsmen Wm. SASSER & James HANDLY, planters (£5,000 each) to appear and testify 
against Thomas HARRISON for robing RADFORD.
Date: 28 July 1779 (date of bond)
County: Dobbs

Folder: 1779 
Information: Indictment of William SAVAGE gentleman, for assault on Frances 
BACHELOR [noted on side that 3him2 was crossed out and 3her2 inserted in reference 
to Frances BACHELOR before the bill sent to the Grand Jury-sbg].
Date: 5 Nov 1779
County: Beaufort

Folder: 1779 
Information: Indictment of William SHORE, carpenter for breaking and entering 
and burglarizing the home of Mrs. Hannah EMERY.
Date: 20 Sept 1779 3about the hour of 12 in the night.2
County: Craven

Folder: 1779 
Information: Indictment of William SAVAGE gentleman for assault on Frances 
BACHELOR. This is exactly the same as the one earlier, except that the date and 
county are different.
Date: 10 Nov 1779
County: Craven

Folder: 1779 
Information: Indictment of Thomas MCGLIN, yeoman, for theft from Elisha VENNERS
Date: 1 Aug 1779
County: Craven

Folder: 1779 
Information: Appearance bond for David MILES and William MILES (£1000 each) to 
appear and testify against John MILES
Date: 12 Aug 1779
County: Dobbs

Folder: 1779 
Information: Indictment of Joseph KILLET yeoman for theft of a horse and other 
property from Patience TEMPLES
Date: 25 July 1779
County: Dobbs

Folder: 1779 
Information: Indictment of John HILL for theft of a horse in possession of 
Robert WHITE Quartermaster of the state regiment
Date: 7 Sept 1779
County: Dobbs

Folder: 1779 
Information: Indictment of Joseph KILLET for theft of a horse and money from 
Joseph WINDFIELD
Date: 28 Jul 1779
County: Dobbs

Folder: 1779 
Information: Indictment of Joseph KILLET for theft of a horse and money from 
David RAINER
Date: 20 July 1779
County: Duplin

Folder: 1779 
Information: Appearance bond for David RAINER, Joseph WINKFIELD, Michael KING, 
James MCDONAL, Asha PIPKIN, Jesse PIPKIN, Joshua CARROWAY Bryan MCULLIN, David 
COGDEL & John RAOCH (£10,000 each) to appear and testify against Joseph KILLET 
Date: 30 Jul 1779 (date of bond)
County: Dobbs

Folder: 1779 
Information: Appearance bond for Solomon DAUGHTY (£1000) with bondsmen John 
COART and Armwell HEARON (£500 each) to appear and answer charges of insurection, 
muntincy, misprision of Treason &c.
Date: 4 Sept 1779 (date of bond)
County: Dobbs

Folder: 1779 
Information: Appearance bond for Theoophilus MAN (£100) with David MARSHALL and 
Stephen BROOKS (£50 each) to appear and answer charge of treasonable 
expressions
Date: 6 Oct 1779 (date of bond)
County: Craven

Folder: 1779 
Information: Indictment of Solomon DAUGHERTY for traitorous speech, 
discouraging people from inlisting in the service of the state, stirring up a tumult and 
disorder, opposing and endeavoring to prevent the measures in support of the 
USA, and encouraging others to resist the draught.
Date: 5 Nov 1778
County: Dobbs

Folder: 1779 
Information: Indictment of Theopohilus MANN for seditious words as follows, 
3Good luck to George our King;2 and that if he must fight, he would be damned if 
he did not fight against the Continent.
Date: 25 Sept 1779
County: Craven

Folder: 1779 
Information: Indictment of Edward VAN DANIEL, Appelton SSQUIRES, Benjamin ROSS, 
Elijah ROSS, Arthur VAN DANIEL, James VAN DANIEL, Francis ROSS, Thomas GARRET, 
John VAN DANIEL, Benjamin HARRIS, and William HARRIS along with a great number 
of other traitors and rebels whose names are not known, for being arrayed in a 
warlike manner with guns, clubs, and other weapons, waging war against the 
state, building a fortification in military form and defending themselves therein 
and maintaining it as an asylum for deserters and for the purpose of avoiding 
paying taxes.
Date: 10 Nov 1779 and several days thereafter
County: Beaufort

Folder: 1779 
Information: Summons for Levin DICKERSON to appear and testify against Amos 
OVERTON on a charge of horse stealing
Date: 17 Nov 1779 (date of summons)
County: Craven

Folder: 1779 
Information: Arrest warrant for John KING ship carpenter for assault on a 
constable in the execution of his duties and for tearing the warrant of a 
magisterate.
Date: 15 Nov 1779 (date of warrant)
County: Craven

Folder: 1779 
Information: Indictment of John MILES yeoman for counterfeiting a $15 bill and 
passing it to William MILES
Date: 1 Aug 1779 
County: Duplin

Folder: 1779 
Information: Indictment of Thomas MCGLIN yeoman for assault on Elisha VENTERS 
and for falsely imprisoning him for 10 hours.
Date: 25 July 1779
County: Craven

Folder: 1779 
Information: Appearance bond for John KING with bondsmen David MARSHAL & John 
Harvey HILL (£500) to appear and answer charge of assault on a constable and 
tearing a warrant of a magistrate
Date: 20 April 1779 (date of bond)
County: Craven (torn)

Folder: 1779 
Information: Indictment of Lawrence DONAVAN, yeoman, for theft of 30 gallons of 
rum and 100 pounds of sugar from His Excellency Richard CASWELL
Date: 1 June 1779
County: Craven

Folder: 1779 
Information: Indictment of Thomas HARRISON yeoman for assault on William 
RADFORD and theft of money and property from him
Date: 9 May 1779
County: Dobbs

Folder: 1779 
Information: Indictment of Amos OVERTON yeoman for theft of a horse and money 
from Job TYSON
Date: 27 Dec 1778
County: Pitt

Folder: 1779 
Information: Oath by Edward TINKER that an action has been brought against him 
by Henry CHADS for the recovery of certain negro slaves-a woman named Sarah & 2 
boys Tom & Henry; states that he bought these negroes at a public sale by the 
commissioners of confiscated property for £2540 and he has a bill of sale and 
receipt dated 20 Aug 1779. He has been advised that an act of Assembly at the 
last session declared all suits like this one illegal, and he asks that it be 
dismissed.
Date: May 1780
County: Not given