Nansemond County Virginia USGenWeb Archives Court.....Freeman, Richard B., 1867 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/va/vafiles.htm ************************************************ Freedmen's Bureau records, re: Richard B. FREEMAN - 22 Dec 1863, killed Mary (Mrs. Anthony) HOLLAND - 16 Sep 1867, charged with murder - 5 Oct 1867, arrested - 25 Oct 1867, escaped from jail - 28 Oct 1867, died at home Freedmen's Bureau Field Office Records, Virginia, 1865-1872. Suffolk (assistant subassistant commissioner) Roll 176, Letters received, vol 1-2, Mar 1867-Dec 1868 [image 10 of 51; p.] 13 [margin notes] Brief on Letter on LB.19. Bureau R. F. and A.L. Office Agent 3rd. Div, 1st. Sub District Va. Suffolk Va. Sept 16th. 1867 Barnes J.W. Agent, Reports the killing of Mary Holland (Cold) by Richard Freeman (White) in Dec 1863, and requests to have him arrested and tried by the Military Authorities, as the Civil Authority have failed to Notice the Case, ____________________ [image 13 of 78; p.] 19 Bureau R. F. and A.L. Office Agent 3rd. Div, 1st. Sub District Va. Suffolk Va. Sept 16th. 1867 Lieut E. Murphy Military Commissioner Nansemond & Isle of Wight Co. Va. Lieut I have the honor to report the following case of a Wilful Murder committed in the County of Nansemond on or about the 22nd. day of December 1863, by one Richard Freeman, now residing in this County, and of which Civil Authorities have failed to take any notice of, though well known to them. The facts of the case are as follows, On the 22nd. day of December 1863, Mary Holland (Cold.) wife of Anthony Holland, was sitting in her husbands house with her two children, Sophia Ann Holland, (Now Faulke), and Nancy, engaged in her usual household duties, when Freeman came riding by, on the premises of the said Anthony Holland, when the dog of Anthony barked at Freeman, when he, (Freeman) told of Mary Holland, that, if she did not take the dog away that he would kill her, (Mary), when she replied, "the dog is at home," Freeman then replied "God d_ n you, if you repeat those words again I will come there and kill you," which she Mary did, then Freeman got off his horse, and went in the house of the said Anthony Holland, and picked up a butcher knife which belonged in the house, and which was laying near by, and then stabbed and cut Mary Holland until she died; this was done in the presence of the two children above named, who were then of age to be competent witnesses. Ann Hare (Cold.) wife of (over) [image 14 of 78; p.] 20 Dempsey Hare of this County, saw Freeman leave the house, as she was going there on a visit, and the children came running and crying and saying Freeman had killed their Mother, and when she got in the house Mary was dead. William Byrd of this County who was in the Vicinity, went in search of a Magistrate, and found one Dempsey C. Parker, who happened to be at the house of Freeman killing hogs. Byrd wanted Freeman arrested, but Parker the Magistrate would take no notice of the request. Freeman ha got home by this time, and asked Byrd if the D_ n B- h was dead, and said if she was not that he would go back and kill the whole d_ n family. I would respectfully request that he may be arrested and tried by a Military Commission, as a trial by Civil Authority at this late day would be a farce, and he would be acquitted. I am very respectfully Your obedient Servant J.W. Barnes Agent Bureau, R. F. & A L, ~ Forwarded Sept 16th. 1867. [in different hand/pen] Freedmen's Bureau Field Office Records, Virginia, 1865-1872. Norfolk (assistant subassistant commissioner) Roll 148, Registers of letters received and endorsements sent and received, vol 1-2, Mar-Nov 1867 [table spread across pp. 14-15; image 91 of 137] 14 15 B [column headings, p. 14] When Rec'd | Name & Rank of Writer | Date and purport of Letter | Sept 17th. 67 | Barnes J. W. | Bureau R. F. and A. L. | 1 | Agent | Office, Agent 3rd. Div. 1st. Mil. Dis't Va.| | | Suffolk Va. Sept 16th. 1867. | | | Reports the Killing of Mary Holland (Col'd) by | | | Richard Freeman (White) in December 1863, and | | | requests to have him arrested and tried by the | | | Military Authority, as the Civil Authority have| | | failed to notice the case. | | | | ŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻ|ŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻ|ŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻ| [column headings, p. 15] | [no heading] | Endorsement and Memorandum | J.W. Barnes | Respectfully returned and information requested, whether | Agent. | or not this case was brought to the notice of the civil | Suffolk Va. | Authorities of Nansemond Cty, and if so what action was | | taken by them, giving the names of the authorities, | | Who refused to act in the matter | | E.D.Murphy | | 1st. Lieu't V.R.C. | | Military Commissioner | | |ŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻ|ŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻŻ Virginia, Freedmen's Bureau, Field Office Records, 1865-1872. Norfolk (subassistant commissioner, 1st district) Roll 136, Press copies of letters sent, vol 6-7, May 1868-Jan 1869 [index] [image 512 of 850] Chalfin, S.F. Bvt. Col. A.A.G. Reports that Richard B. Freeman died on 28th Oct [p.] 244 [image 513 of 850] Ely William. Sheriff Nansemond Cty Va. Orders arrest and Confinement in Jail of Richard Freeman (White) for the murder of Mary Holland (Col'd [p.] 198 [image 721 of 850; p.] 198 September 21st ; Mr. William Ely Sheriff, Nansemond Cty Va. Sir:~ You will arrest and confine in jail until the orders of the Com -manding General in his case are Known, Richard Freeman (White) of Nansemond County, charged with the wilful murder of Mary Holland (Col'd) of Same County committed on or about the 22nd. of December 1863. E.D.Murphy 1st. Lieut V.R.C. Military Commissioner [image 753 of 850; p.] 231 October 29th 7 Col. S.F. Chalfin A.A.G. 1st Mil. Dist. Colonel, I have the honor to inform you that Richard B. Freeman who was, after having been examined by me, a report of which was forwarded on 7 inst. confined in the jail of Nanse mond County, for the killing of Mary Holland (Cold.) escaped from said jail on 25th inst. On investigating the case I can find nothing con- necting the jailer with his escape. He probably picked the lock, which was a poor one with a nail or some such instrument. The Jail itself is not secure it being much damaged during the war. Freeman is now at home and confined to his bed. I enclose herewith certificates from the Physicians attending him who state that in all probability it would Cause his death to remove and again confin [sic] him in jail. In view of his condition I instructed the Sherriff of the County, that if [image 754 of 850; p.] 232 Measures could be taken to secure him without putting him in jail, such might be taken, but that the Sherriff himself must be responsible for his Safe keeping until the question of his being bailed is decided by the Comdg General. I respectfully request to be informed whether or not my action in the case is approved. I am, Colonel, Very respectfully Your Obdt Servant E.D.Murphy ,2 Enclosure, 1st Lieut. V.R.C. Mil. Comr. Thrd Hd Qrs Sub Dist Fort Monroe Va [image 761 of 850; p.] 239 October 31st Bvt Brig Gen O. Brown Asst. Comr. General In compliance with circular No. 12 C.S. from Headquarters Asst Comr. Virginia, I have the honor to report that on 5 inst I arrested and confined in the Jail of Nansemond County Va., Richard B. Freeman (white) of Nansemond Co. Charged with the wilfull murder of Mary Holland (Col'd) Same County, Committed on the 22nd. day of December 1863. The Evidence in the Case has been forwarded to the General Commanding the District. I am General Very respectfully Your obdt Servant. E.D.Murphy Thrd Hd Qrs 1st Sub Dist. 1st. Lieut VRC Asst Sub Ass't Comr. [image 767 of 850; p.] 244 November 1st 7 Col. S.F. Chalfin A.A.G. 1st Mil. Dist. Colonel, I have the honor to inform you, that Richard B. Freeman, who was confined in the jail of Nansemond County, for the murder of Mary Holland, and who escaped thereof on the 25th ult, died at his residence, on the 28th ult, Very respectfully Your obdt Servant E.D.Murphy Thrd. Hd Qrs 1st Lieut. V.R.C. Sub Dist Ft Monroe Mil. Comr. Richard B. FREEMAN, Nansemond Co. farmer, 16 Sep 1867 - charged with the murder of Mary (Mrs. Anthony) HOLLAND, 22 Dec 1863, 25 Oct 1867 - escaped from jail d. 28 Oct 1867, at home, age circa 35 "Virginia, Freedmen's Bureau Field Office Records, 1865-1872," database with images, FamilySearch.org A short, sympathetic death notice ("Alexandria Gazette," Nov. 4, 1867) is posted at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/nansemond/obits/f655r1ob.txt Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by by File Manager Matt Harris (zoobug64@aol.com). file at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/nansemond/court/f655r1fb.txt