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Testimony of a Resident of Elizabeth Routt as Requested by Abner Tate.
The author of this written statement is illegible. It appears that the first name of the author may be Francis but it being so faded, is difficult to discern. The author does state that he was living with Elizabeth Route at the time and managing her plantation, during which he became aquainted with Daniel H. Bingham. The written statement, recorded as the author was "called upon by Mr. Tate to state what my testimony was upon his trial...", details the interaction of the author with Bingham, who wished to marry Mrs. Routt, and Mrs. Routt, beginning in March 1854 through 1855. -
Statement of William W. Sanders addressed to Abner Tate.
In his statement, William W. Sanders details the day Mrs. Hazel claimed to have seen Sawyer's body being burned by Abner Tate's slaves. He tells of how she told the story to him and that he was surprised when she relayed everything to him. Sanders ends by stating he believes Mrs. Hazel charged a "man of excellent character". -
Statement of Sarah Pool.
The statement of Sarah Pool tells of her encounter with Mrs. Hazel in 1845 in Mississippi. She details the "strange stories" told by Mrs. Hazel and how she accused Mrs. McDavid of stealing and had "opened her bundle," a reference made in William Conner's letter to Abner Tate, that supposedly contained some medicines. Mrs. Hazel then asked Sarah to convey the story to Mrs. McDavid to which Sarah said Mrs. McDavid acted surprised at the accusations. Sarah also tells how Mrs. Hazel spoke of Mr. Tate and his right hand man involved in the murder of a man who she could not name. -
Statement Letter of D. H. Bingham.
This is the statement of Daniel H. Bingham taken in December of 1855 regarding a murder that occurred in Alabama that occured in 1842. In his statement, D. H. Bingham accuses Abner Tate of the murder of one Jonathan K. Rier of Tuscaloosa. He also accuses Tate's slave, George Cabiness, of aiding and abetting in the committing of the crime. Following Bingham's statement, a statement of support is taken from Barbara Hazel placing a "stranger" in the home of Abner Tate the night of the murder. The next page is a second statement given by D. H. Bingham regarding the murder of Charles B. Sawyer of Coffee County, Tennessee and accusing Abner Tate and his slave, George Cabiness of the crime. His statement is followed by the witness, Barbara Hazel's statement that placed the victim in the home of Abner Tate. -
Partial statement of John P. Pool.
In these pieces of John's statement, John corroborates that which his wife Sarah said in her statement. The small pieces of paper detail the strange stories told by Mrs. Hazel that were out of character and not representative of the people she spoke of. He also mentions what she stated of the murder of the man she cannot name and how a Mrs. Jones assisted by covering the "offensive smell." He also writes of Mrs. Hazel's accusations of Mrs. McDavid stealing her money and medicines. In the larger piece, John Pool brings up the porch location that she supposedly witnessed the murdered man from. -
Partial deposition and court questions.
This page is most likely missing a few pages. The front details someone's statement, though the author is unknown. It tells of phrases spoken by Abner Tate that were overheard by Mrs. Hazel. The botton of the page inquires what the author/interviewee would think if they heard such phrases. The last line appears to have the initials S. D. G. that may be the author of the page. The back side includes questions 13 through 18 that were most likely asked in court. -
Note to Moore's Statement.
The Note to Moore's Statement was signed A.T., alluding to the possibility that Abner Tate wrote this. The note discusses the testimony of Mrs. Willis and Colonal Sheid regarding a search for Sawyer, one of the murdered men. It traces Sawyer's known whereabouts prior to him going missing. The note claims that A.T. had never heard of Sawyer or Rein, the second victim, until August 1855. -
Letter to James M. Adams, C. C. Clay, and William Acklen from Abner Tate.
This letter, written on September 4, 1855, contains information regarding several murders the occurred at the [sic] House between 1841 and 1846, as reported by D. H. Bingham. He further details the arrest and imprisonment of a Mr. John Gordon in relation to the murders, and his appearing in court. Possible information regarding the burial of the murdered men are offered in the letter as well. The letter ends with Abner Tate discussing the validity of certain confessions as many "delight" in "destroying the reputations of others." -
Letter to Abner Tate.
The letter to Abner Tate addresses the testimony of Barbara Hazel, confirming some parts but refuting more of it. It is clear that pages of the letter are missing as it ends in the middle of a sentence and has no author's signature on any page. Note: This could be Moore's statement which would match with the Note to Moore's Statement. -
Letter to Abner Tate from William Conner.
This letter is William M. Conner's statement as written to Abner Tate. In this statement, Conner refutes Mrs. Hazel's testimony stating that he has never threatened to "cow hide" anyone. Furthermore, Conner writes that his wife "says most positively" that Mrs. Hazel never requested her to "examine her bundle the day before she left her mother's."