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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 Nancy Whitaker.
Nancy Whitaker acted as a witness for the defendant, Abner Tate. Nancy responds to questions about Alexander Jeffries, her father, and Elizabeth Routt. She expresses her belief that her father was poisoned by Routt though she was not present until the morning after he died. Nancy details the dark color of her father's body and how it was swollen and "unnatural" in appearance. She also includes the rumors she has heard regarding several charges brought against Routt. She concludes by stating that it is her opinion that Routt is guilty in the case of her father's death. -
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. -
