Northampton County, NC - Court - Spencer Dew Hanging ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Transcribed by Sloan Mason, from the website of Mark Murphy, with his kind permission. The Cape Fear Mercury Wednesday, September 22, 1773, Numb. 190. The Confession of Spencer DEW, lately Executed at Duplin, taken by Felix KENAN, Esq.; Sheriff of said County, and signed by the said Spencer DEW, at the Gallows, in presence of a large concourse of people. It is published at the request of Mr. KENAN from the original now in his hands. I am about thirty-eight years of age, I was born in North-Hampton County in this Province of honest Parents. I was first induced to Steal Cattle and Horses by George DUKES then joined in partnership with Tom and Michael ROGERS, and we Stole six Horses, and Passed? To the amount of One Thousand Pounds Conterfeit Money, but the greatest part thereof was Virginia Currency, which the said Tom and Michael made themselves. In the Year 1771, I joined in partnership with Ephraim and George LANE; and George LANE and myself Stole two Horses and a Mare, and Ephraim LANE bore our expences whilst we were in search of the said Horses, and he drew one third of the money we got for them. Then Ephraim LANE and myself Stole eight head of fat Hogs, and he said he had taken more before, and that they were the property of John TURNER. After this, Thomas HUNTER and myself broke open a House of Joseph PRICE on Roanok River, and took a finall? Trunk with some money in it, and a large Shot Gun. In the Year 1772, I joined with William and Pearson LANE, and we Stole six Horses and two Mares; we also unlatched the Door of Sarah HUNTER, went into the House, and lighted a candle, took a Key out of a Boy's pocket, unlocked the Store door, and went in, and took about Four Pounds in Proclamation Money, and about Fifty Pounds in Goods. I was also in partnership with Thomas ORMOND, and we Stole three Horses and a Mare, and about seventeen or eighteen Pounds Virginia Money from John HILL in Craven County, in South Carolina. Then with Ludowick OUTLAW we passed about Four Hundred Pounds Conterfeit Proclamation Money that one Captain JOHNSTON made; he lives on Thomsons Creek in South Carolina; afterwards ORMOND, Joseph CLARK, William JOHNSTON and myself, broke open the Store of Thomas COLLINS on Broad River; and Stole about One Hundred and Fifty Pounds Virginia Money, and Twenty Pair Of Blankets. Then with Drury GOODWIN, and Samuel LANE, we passed about Three Hundred Pounds Conterfeit Gold, Silver, and Virginia Money, John Nicholas SMITH and myself Stole from John MCINTOSH, a Horse and a Mare, and about Forty Shillings Cash; and from William WHITE in South Carolina about Thirteen Pounds Virginia Money. About the first of March last we were all apprehended in Hillsborough, and Samuel LANE made his escape; but having had notice given us, we hid our Counterfeit Money under the head of a bed, and when we were searched, finding none about us, we were Discharged. I was in combination with J---s D-V-S, P-t-r in NewBern, and received him Three Hundred Pounds Proc. Which I saw him make to Pass, and I was to give him one half of what I got for it; and in 1773, he also gave me Eight Hundred Pounds ore of his own make on the same terms, which I left in the possession of William MARSAULT?, I have seen Ja-s C---R, receive from said D-V-S, a 1/2? The full amount of Two Thousand Pounds Conterfeit, to Pass, and I verily do believe that John & George KENNEDY, are in Confederacy with said DAVIS. William MARSAULT and myself Stole from Joseph HOLT, nine barrels of Pitch; three barrels of Tar from Mr. CORNELL, and two barrels from Mrs. SMITH. In January or February, 1772; Robert MCLEAN and myself Stole from Mr. CORNELL, two barrels of Pork out of a Boat that came down Neuse River, and attempted to Steal another, but were discovered, I knocked down a man, and we both made our escape. About a Month ago William STRINGER got from J---S D-V-S (James DAVIS) One Hundred and Fifty Pounds Conterfeit to Pass on the same terms that I had mine. Since I broke custody after my Condemnation, I broke open Thomas SMITH'S House, on Neuse River in Dobbs County, and stole a Surtout? Coat, a Beaver Hat, a pair of Leather B----, ------ Jacket, a pair of thread Stockings, a Knife, ---------- Chissel, --- --- Powder, ------- ---- Meat and Shoulder of Pork. William MARSAULT and myself Stole from Samuel PARSONS, thirty eight pound of Bacon; and from Samuel CORNELL, two barrels of Corn. We made an attempt to break open John GREEN'S Store, but were prevented by feirce door? It has been maliciously reported, and industriously spread about that Felix KENAN, Esq. High Sheriff of Duplin County received a Bribe from me, when I was left in his Custody, to favour my Escape. I now Declare before GOD and the WORLD, as I hope for SALVATION, that neither he the said Felix KENAN, nor any other Person, ever received any Bribe or Reward from me for that Purpose; nor was the said Felix KENAN privy to the means byt which I made my Escape. Signed: Spencer (X) DEW Spencer DEW was Condemned last June, and Executed the sd. Of August following. ___________________________________________________________________ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Sloan Mason ___________________________________________________________________