Case Against Benjamin Cawthorn/Cothran, 1782 - Bedford Co. VA Bedford County, VA Order Book 6, 1774-1782 Aug. 8, 1775 "Ordered that the Church Wardens bind Benjamin Cawthorn to John Ewing as there--------" (unreadable). Bedford Co. Order Book 7, p 3. September 2, 1782 "At a court held at the courthouse on Monday, the second day of September, 1782 for the examination of Benjamin Cothran on suspicion of horse stealing. Present Peter Ewing, William Mead, William Leftwich, and William Trigg Gentleman. The prisoner being led to the bar in custody of the sheriff of this county and it being demanded of him whether he was guilty of the felony aforesaid said he was not guilty. Whereupon the court proceeded to the examination of sundry witnesses and the prisoner heard in his defense. On consideration whereof it is the opinion of the court that the said Benjamin Cothran ought to be tried for the same before the general court to be held in the town of Richmond October next. Whereupon it is commanded the sheriff that he remove the said Benjamin Cothran to the jail of this county and from thence to the public jail in order to his trail accordingly. Elijah Gates, William Ward, Stephen Do---? acknowledge themselves bound to the commonwealth in the sum of 100lbs. each for their personal appearance before the next General Court on the first day thereof as witnesses against the said benjamin Cothran - to be -------? Court dessolved Robert Ewing. At a court held before Bedford Co. at the court house the 23rd day of September 1782. " ***************** From Calendar of Virginia State Papers, Vol. 3, p. 361 At a General Court held at the courthouse in the City of Richmond the 26th day of October 1782. The following criminals were sentenced to be hanged by the Sherif of Henrico County, on the 29th day of November next, for Crimes set against their names, to wit: Maurice Wheeler, late of the County of Lancaster, for Murder Albridgton Holland, late of the County of Nansemond, for Treason Levy Moore, late of the same County, for Treason Demsey Butler, late of the same County, for Treason Henry Norfleet, late of the same County, for Treason Robert Hudgings, late of Dinwiddie County, for Horse Stealing William Gordon, Late of Mecklenburg County, for Horse Stealing Benjamin Cothran, late of Bedford County, for Horse Stealing Stephen Allen, late of Halifax County, for Horse Stealing. * * * November 1st Richmond. P. Carrington, B. Dandridge, Peter Lyons and James Mercer enclosing to the Executive a list of criminals; and recommending the pardon of Robert Hudgings and Benjamin Cothran two youths of only seventeen years of age, etc." * * * From Campbell County Order Book 1, page 243 October 1783 -- Ordered that the Church Wardens of Russell Parish bind out George Cohorn (who was formerly bound to Alexander Dobbins) to Christopher Griffith according to S-----------(unreadable). Submitted by Bob Foster **************************************************************** USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. Files may be printed or copied for personal use only. ****************************************************************