Homicides of Adults inMaryland, 1708-1724
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1708, July 5ANN ARUNDEL
CT
Class of death: certain
Class of crime: HOM
Relationship: [NONDOM]
Motive: UNK
Intoxication?:
Day of week:
Holiday?:
Time of day:
Days until death: 0
SUSPECT(s):William Maunditz [Maumetz? Manndox? Manndes? Manndow?]
VICTIM(s):Edward Selby
Cause of death: [blunt] did “beat and wound” and with gun (used as a club) gave him “Divers Mortall blows wounds and bruises upon the Head and ___.” Died 14 hours after the assault.
Circumstances:
Inquest:
Indictment: murder, malice aforethought
Term of court: Prov. Ct., 10/1709
Court proceedings: pNG. Trial postponed. Ordered to post bond to appear & for good behavior. [np]
Legal records:
Provincial Court Judgements, 1709-10. Liber P. L. no. 3, v. 12
SE 10/1709 (5-103)
82-4: MURDER: William Maunditz [Maumetz? Manndox? Manndes? Manndow?] of Ann Arundel Co., laborer, on 7/5/1708 at Annapolis, malice aforethought, on Edward Selby, planter, did “beat and wound” and with gun (used as a club) gave him “Divers Mortall blows wounds and bruises upon the Head and ___.” Died 14 hours after the assault. True bill. pNG. Jury empanneled, but a problem [illegible] with one of the jurors – trial postponed. Ordered to post bond to appear & for good behavior.
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Suspect: William Maunditz [Maumetz? Manndox? Manndes? Manndow?]
Ethnicity:[German]
Race:w
Gender:m
Age:adult
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Occupation:laborer
Town:Ann Arundel Co.
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Victim: Edward Selby
Ethnicity:
Race:w
Gender:m
Age:adult
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Occupation:planter
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1710, May 8Chesapeake Bay, ANN ARUNDEL
CT
NOTE: Was this an accident? Or manslaughter?
Class of death: possible
Class of crime: HOM
Relationship: [NONDOM]
Motive: UNK
Intoxication?:
Day of week:
Holiday?:
Time of day:
Days until death: 16
SUSPECT(s):Thomas Macnamara & Jonathan Marshall
VICTIM(s):Thomas Graham
Cause of death: [handgun] with swords, daggers, ___, & pistols. TM, with a pistol, shot TG. One mortal wound in the left shoulder, 1” wide & 2” deep. Died 5/24.
Circumstances: on board a certain sloop called the ____ of Maryland in Chesapeake Bay in Ann Arundel Co.
Inquest:
Indictment: TM: murder, malice aforethought. JM aided & abetted.
Term of court: Prov. Ct., 7/1710
Court proceedings: TM: pNG. fNG murder. fG of homicide by chance medley. TM pled benefit of clergy. To be burnt on left hand with an M.
Legal records:
Provincial Court Judgements, 1709-10. Liber P. L. no. 3, v. 12
SE 7/1710 (231-381)
231-4: MURDER: Thomas Macnamara & Jonathan Marshall of Annapolis, gentlemen, malice aforethought, 5/8/1710, on board a certain sloop called the ____ of Maryland in Chesapeake Bay in Ann Arundel Co., with swords, daggers, ___, & pistols, m. Thomas Graham. TM, with a pistol, shot TG. One mortal wound in the left shoulder, 1” wide & 2” deep. Died 5/24. JM aided & abetted. True bill. Two witnesses: 1st illegible, 2nd M____ Lloyd. pNG. fNG of murder. fG of homicide by chance medley. On 7/14/1710 TM & JM “pray time to produce their pardon which is Granted them and time Given.” Released on bonds: TM 50 l. for his appearance (Baptista Carberry & Christopher Smithers, sureties) & JM 10 l. for good behavior for three months, & TM 200 l. & JM 50 l. (Charles carroll and Cornelius White, sureties for both).
SE 10/1710 (398-90): TM & JM appeared. TM pled benefit of clergy. To be burnt on left hand with an M. Appears, however, that TM & JM were bound over again.
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Suspect 1: Thomas Macnamara
Ethnicity:[Irish]
Race:w
Gender:m
Age:adult
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Occupation:gentlemen
Town:Annapolis
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Suspect 2: Jonathan Marshall
Ethnicity:
Race:w
Gender:m
Age:adult
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Occupation:gentlemen
Town:Annapolis
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Victim: Thomas Graham
Ethnicity:[Scots]
Race:w
Gender:m
Age:adult
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1710, Aug. 22TALBOT
CT
Class of death: certain
Class of crime: HOM
Relationship: UNK
Motive: UNK
Intoxication?:
Day of week:
Holiday?:
Time of day:
Days until death: 0
SUSPECT(s):Henry Sutton
VICTIM(s):Richard, a negro slave belonging to Nicholas Low of Talbot Co., gentleman
Cause of death: [blunt] With a hand staff of a flayle – malice aforethought – two mortal wounds b/w his shoulders & the hinder part of his head. Died instantly.
Circumstances:
Inquest:
Indictment: murder, malice aforethought
Term of court: Prov. Ct., 10/1710
Court proceedings: pNG. fG of manslaughter. HS has no “Lands goods or Chattells.” Pleads benefit of clergy. Granted. To be burnt on the left hand with the letter M.
Legal records:
Provincial Court Judgements, 1709-10. Liber P. L. no. 3, v. 12
SE 10/1710 (383-531)
384-6: MURDER: Henry Sutton of Talbot Co., cooper on 8/22/1710 in Talbot Co. with “swords fists and staves” on a negro slave called Richard belonging to Nicholas Low of Talbot Co., gentleman. With a hand staff of a flayle – malice aforethought – two mortal wounds b/w his shoulders & the hinder part of his head. Died instantly. True bill. Witnesses: Jno. Brice, Darby Barrard, Charles Knowles, Jno. Robeson, Timothy Macrearlee, Dennis Farrards. pNG. fG of manslaughter. HS has no “Lands goods or Chattells.” Pleads benefit of clergy. Granted. To be burnt on the left hand with the letter M.
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Suspect: Henry Sutton
Ethnicity:
Race:w
Gender:m
Age:adult
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Occupation:cooper
Town:Talbot Co
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Victim: Richard
Ethnicity:
Race:b
Gender:m
Age:adult
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Occupation:a negro slave belonging to Nicholas Low of Talbot Co., gentleman
Town:Talbot Co.
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1711, June 26Sporlitio Hundred, BALTIMORE
CT
Class of death: certain
Class of crime: HOM
Relationship: UNK
Motive: UNK
Intoxication?:
Day of week:
Holiday?:
Time of day:
Days until death: 2
SUSPECT(s):Negro Montillion and Negro Hector, property of Master Aquila Para
VICTIM(s):Zachariah Brown
Cause of death: [shotgun] with “Gunns Swors Clubbs and Staves” -- & Negro Montillion with “a Certain Long hand gunn” filled with “High & Low Swan Shott” – the shot caused two mortal wounds to the back of ZB’s head, 1 finger wide & 5 fingers deep – languished & died on the evening of 6/28.
Circumstances: at Sporlitio [?] Hundred
Inquest:
Indictment: M: murder, malice aforethought. H: aided and abetted.
Term of court: Prov. Ct., 4/1712
Court proceedings: Hector: pNG. fG. DEATH. To hang.
Legal records:
Provincial Court Judgements, 1711-12. Liber T. P. no. 2, v. 13
SE 4/1712 (329-492)
439-40: MURDER; Negro Montillion and Negro Hector, property of Master Aquila Para of Baltimore Co. – 6/26/1711 at Sporlitio [?] Hundred in Baltimore Co. – malice aforethought – a. Zachariah Brown with “Gunns Swors Clubbs and Staves” -- & Negro Montillion with “a Certain Long hand gunn” filled with “High & Low Swan Shott” – the shot caused two mortal wounds to the back of ZB’s head, 1 finger wide & 5 fingers deep – languished & died on the evening of 6/28. Hector aided and abetted. Witness: Lidia Harry [sp?] tb. Hector pNG. fG. DEATH. To hang.
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Suspect: Negro Montillion and Negro Hector
Ethnicity:
Race:b
Gender:m
Age:adult
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Occupation:slave, property of Master Aquila Para
Town:Baltimore Co.
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Victim: Zachariah Brown
Ethnicity:
Race:w
Gender:m
Age:adult
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1713, Sept. 5QUEEN ANNE
CT
Class of death: certain
Class of crime: HOM
Relationship: [HHLD SERVANT by MISTRESS]
Motive: UNK
Intoxication?:
Day of week:
Holiday?:
Time of day:
Days until death: 0
SUSPECT(s):Sarah Tracey [Traney?]
VICTIM(s):Mary Fitzpatrick
Cause of death: divers mortal blows to the head [with blunt instrument, illegible, probably staves]. Died instantly.
Circumstances: on the plantation of TT in Queen Anne Co.
Inquest:
Indictment: murder, malice aforethought
Term of court: Prov. Ct., 10/1713
Court proceedings: pNG. fG. DEATH. To hang.
Legal records:
Provincial Court Judgments, 1713-16, Liber V. D., no. 1, v. 15
SE 10/1713 con’t (1- 38)
18-20: MURDER: Sarah Tracey [Traney?], wife of Tymothy Tracy of Queen Anne Co, laborer, otherwise wife of TT, late of Ann Arundel Co., planter: 9/5/1713 – on the plantation of TT in Queen Anne Co., malice aforethought, on Mary Fitzpatrick, spinster, divers mortal blows to the head [with blunt instrument, illegible, probably staves]. Died instantly. Witnesses: Richard Griffen, Moses Griffen, Moses ___ton, Thomas Tomlins [?], Jonathan Farrington {?} True bill. pNG. fG. DEATH. To hang.
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Suspect: Sarah Tracey [Traney?]
Ethnicity:
Race:w
Gender:f
Age:adult
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Marital Status: m. Tymothy
Children:
Occupation:planter’s wife
Town:Queen Anne (formerly Ann Arundel)
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Victim: Mary Fitzpatrick
Ethnicity:[Irish]
Race:w
Gender:f
Age:adult
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Marital Status: s
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Occupation:[servant]
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1716, Mar. 14St. James Parish, ANN ARUNDEL
CT
Class of death: certain
Class of crime: HOM
Relationship: HHLD SLAVE by MASTER
Motive: UNK
Intoxication?:
Day of week:
Holiday?:
Time of day:
Days until death: 0
SUSPECT(s):William Smith
VICTIM(s):Negroe Judith, his slave
Cause of death: [phys] beat & wounded with “a very thin rope” – struck her on the side of the head, then stomped on her with his feet while she was on the floor. “striking Stompning and bruising” “divers mortall blows.” “instantly dyed.”
Circumstances:
Inquest:
Indictment: [manslaughter]
Term of court: Prov. Ct., 5/716
Court proceedings: pNG. fNG. Discharged, but ordered to post 50 l. bond.
Legal records:
Prov. Ct. Jgts. 1716-17. Liber V. D. no. 2, v. 16
SE 5/1716 (con’t) (1-62)
10-11: MURDER: William Smith of St. James Parish, Ann Arundell Co, planter 3/14/1716 (1st year of reign) a. Negroe Judith, his slave – beat & wounded with “a very thin rope” – struck her on the side of the head, then stomped on her with his feet while she was on the floor. “striking Stompning and bruising” “divers mortall blows.” “instantly dyed.” Witnesses: Emeline Brooke, ______. True bill. pNG. fNG. Discharged, but ordered to post 50 l. bond.
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Suspect: William Smith
Ethnicity:
Race:w
Gender:m
Age:adult
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Occupation:planter
Town:St. James Parish, Ann Arundell Co.
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Victim: Negroe Judith
Ethnicity:
Race:b
Gender:f
Age:adult
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Occupation:slave of William Smith
Town:St. James Parish, Ann Arundell Co.
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1717, Aug. 14DORCHESTER
CT
Class of death: certain
Class of crime: HOM
Relationship: [NONDOM]
Motive: UNK
Intoxication?:
Day of week:
Holiday?:
Time of day:8pm
Days until death: 0
SUSPECT(s):Abraham Johnson
VICTIM(s):Mathew O’Neale
Cause of death: [phys] did beat wound & evilly entreat with his feet & left hand. Did kick and strike the body” & “casting down” – languished until 3am on 8/15/1717. and then “dyed.”
Circumstances:
Inquest:
Indictment: murder, malice forethought
Term of court: Prov. Ct.,
Court proceedings: pNG. fG of homicide by chance medley. Find that AJ has no goods or chattels. Discharged paying fees. “Thereupon time is given to the said Abraham Johnson to sue out his Garden.” [meaning?] Ordered that Mr. John Stevens post bond for “the delivering up of the said Abraham Johnson is Servant” to the justices of Dorchester Co. “at the Expiration of his time of Servitude in Order to make Satisfaction for the payment of his fees.”
Legal records:
Prov. Ct. Jgt. 1717-18, Liber V. D. No. 3, v. 17
SE 9/1717 (116-218)
198- 9: MURDER: Abraham Johnson of Dorchester Co., laborer (aka Malatto Abraham Johnson of Dorchester Co., planter) on 8/14/1717 at 8pm with “Swords fists feet and Staves” Malice forethought at Dorchester Co. on Mathew O’Neale of Dorchester Co., planter – did beat wound & evilly entret with his feet & left hand. Did kick and strike the body” & “casting down” – languished until 3am on 8/15/1717. and then “dyed.” True Bill. Witnesses: The Coroner’s Inquisition. pNG. fG of homicide by chance medley. Find that AJ has no goods or chattels. Discharged paying fees. “Thereupon time is given to the said Abraham Johnson to sue out his Garden.” [meaning?] Ordered that Mr. John Stevens post bond for “the delivering up of the said Abraham Johnson his Servant” to the justices of Dorchester Co. “at the Expiration of his time of Servitude in Order to make Satisfaction for the payment of his fees.”
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Suspect: Abraham Johnson
Ethnicity:
Race:mulatto
Gender:m
Age:adult
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Occupation:indentured servant of Mr. John Stevens
Town:Dorchester Co.
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Victim: Mathew O’Neale
Ethnicity:[Irish]
Race:w
Gender:m
Age:adult
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Occupation:planter
Town:Dorchester Co.
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1719, Apr. 6PRINCE GEORGE
CT
Class of death: certain
Class of crime: HOM
Relationship: NONDOM
Motive: UNK
Intoxication?:
Day of week:
Holiday?:
Time of day:
Days until death: 0
SUSPECT(s):John Duvall
VICTIM(s):Thomas Clark
Cause of death: handgun – loaded with a “Bullet” hit in the left pap 1 mortal wound, 0.5” wide, 6” deep. Instantly dyed.
Circumstances:
Inquest:
Indictment: murder, malice aforethought
Term of court: Prov. Ct., 4/1719
Court proceedings: pNG. fG. DEATH. To hang.
Legal records:
Prov. Ct. Jgt., 1718-19, Liber P. L., no. 4, v. 18
SE 4/1719 (241-411)
281-3: MURDER: John Duvall of Prince George Co., planter, malice forthought, 4/6/1719 at Prince George Co. a. Thomas Clark of Prince Goerge Co., planter – handgun – loaded with a “Bullet” hit in the left pap 1 mortal wound, 0.5” wide, 6” deep. Instantly dyed. Witnesses: Samuel Farmer, Sarah ___, John Farmer, Elizabeth Clark, Van Sweringon, Mary Field. True bill. pNG. fG. DEATH. To hang.
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Suspect: John Duvall
Ethnicity:
Race:w
Gender:m
Age:adult
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Occupation:planter
Town:Prince George Co.
Birthplace:
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Victim: Thomas Clark
Ethnicity:
Race:w
Gender:m
Age:adult
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Occupation:planter
Town:Prince George Co.
Birthplace:
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1719, Oct. 30Sposnty Hundred, BALTIMORE
CT
Class of death: certain
Class of crime: HOM
Relationship: [NONDOM]
Motive: UNK
Intoxication?:
Day of week:
Holiday?:
Time of day:
Days until death: 0
SUSPECT(s):Owen Syllyvan
VICTIM(s):John Franks
Cause of death: [blunt] with a pair of fire tongs. Mortal wound to upper part of head “unto his brains” – died a quarter hour later.
Circumstances:
Inquest:
Indictment: murder, malice aforethought: ignoramus
Term of court: Prov. Ct., 9/1723
Court proceedings: Discharged, but to post 50 l. bond for good behavior for 1 year. James Carroll and Col. John Dorsey, sureties.
Legal records:
PCJ 1722-4. Liber P. L., no. 7, v. 20
SE 9/1723 (269-380)
299-300: MURDER: Owen Syllyvan of Sposuly [?] Hundred in Baltimore Co., planter, malice forethought, 10/30/1719 at Sposnty Hundred in Balt. Co. a. John Franks of Baltimore Co., laborer, with a pair of fire tongs. Mortal wound to upper part of head “unto his brains” – died a quarter hour later. Witnesses: Coroner’s inquisition, Sarah Spoors [?]. Ignoramus. Discharged, but to post 50 l. bond for good behavior for 1 year. James Carroll and Col. John Dorsey, sureties.
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Suspect: Owen Syllyvan
Ethnicity:[Irish]
Race:w
Gender:m
Age:adult
Phys char:
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Children:
Occupation:planter
Town:Sposnty Hundred, Baltimore Co.
Birthplace:
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Victim: John Franks
Ethnicity:
Race:w
Gender:m
Age:adult
Phys char:
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Occupation:laborer
Town:Sposnty Hundred, Baltimore Co.
Birthplace:
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Personal history:
1720, Jan. 31CHARLES
CT
Class of death: certain
Class of crime: HOM
Relationship: [NONDOM]
Motive: UNK
Intoxication?:
Day of week:
Holiday?:
Time of day:
Days until death: 6
SUSPECT(s):John Walker
VICTIM(s):John Ching
Cause of death: [phys] “with head hands and feet” struck & beat JC who languished until 2/5 and died. “feloniously and willfull did Kill and Murder.”
Circumstances:
Inquest:
Indictment: manslaughter: ignoramus.
Term of court: Prov. Ct., 10/1721
Court proceedings: Discharged.
Legal records:
Prov. Ct. Jgt., 1719-22, Liber W. G., no. 1, v. 19
SE 10/1721 (487-630)
534: MANSL: John Walker of Charles Co., carpenter on 1/31/1720 (6th year) a. John Ching of Charles Co., innholder at William & Mary Parish in charles Co. “with head hands and feet” struck & beat JC who languished until 2/5 and died. “feloniously and willfull did Kill and Murder.” [no malice forethought] Witnesses: Robert Taylor, Hugh Moo [?], James Throne, Mary Maccormick. Ignoramus. Discharged.
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Suspect: John Walker
Ethnicity:
Race:w
Gender:m
Age:adult
Phys char:
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Children:
Occupation:carpenter
Town:Charles Co.
Birthplace:
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Victim: John Ching
Ethnicity:
Race:w
Gender:m
Age:adult
Phys char:
Literate:
Marital Status:
Children:
Occupation:innholder
Town:William & Mary Parish, Charles Co.
Birthplace:
Religion:
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Personal history:
1720, Aug. 19QUEEN ANNE
CT
Class of death: certain
Class of crime: HOM
Relationship: UNK
Motive: UNK
Intoxication?: