Browse Items (24 total)

• 

  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.
• 

  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.
• 

  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.
• 

  Desposition of T. O. Gill

  The deposition of T. O. Gill. In his statement, Gill calls for a retrial at this document certifies that despite Mrs. Hazel's statement, Abner Tate's kitchen could not be seen from any part of the porch. The statement further details other areas of the house pertaining to the witness's statement.
• 

  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.
• 

  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.
• 

  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".
• 

  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.
• 

  Depositions of Daniel Curry and Polly Curry.

  The depositions include the questions asked and the answer. Daniel Curry's deposition is first. The questions regard Elizabeth Routt and her husbands, particularly her third, Alexander Jeffries, whom Daniel Curry knew well. He details his death, claiming he saw him the day he died and he did not appear sick at that time. Later questions interrogate Curry about Routt's character and ability to murder her husbands. Polly Curry was asked the same questions as her husband. Her responses were similar. She stated that Routt was well thought of prior to the death of her third husband, Jeffries, the lost her good standing after that. Polly adds that she heard Routt say that she was glad her second husband was dead following his death and that she wished her last husband, Mr. Routt, was also dead so she could "live in peace." She also includes the rumors that Mrs. Routt was "too intimate" and charged with sleeping with two of her slaves, and had stolen cotton previously.
• 

  Deposition of Dr. Gabriel S. Davies.

  As a witness for the defendant, Abner Tate, Dr. Davies' deposition includes a list of the questions asked and the corresponding answers on the blue document. Davies is asked about Elizabeth Routt and her husbands, particularly Alexander Jeffries. Dr. Davies is asked his professional medical opinion about the cause of death to which he states was believed to be from "inflamation of the stomach and perhaps the bowels." Dr. Davies also states that he believed him to have been sick approximately six to eight weeks. He also compares the symptoms of Jeffries and Brown, Routt's fifth husband.