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From:
Subject: [SCMARION-L] Some Inquisitions
Date: Sun, 24 Dec 2000 12:59:00 EST

In my tradition of sending Christmas presents to the list, I offer my
abstracts of some documents found in a bundle in the records of the Marion
County, South Carolina Clerk of Court. They're not all pleasant, and there
may be some unwelcome surprises here. But they were ours, right? Warts and
all.

Enjoy.

Jo Church Dickerson
December, 2000

Marion County Coroner’s Inquisitions

Dead body of ~ Hardy Lambert ~
Date of Inquisition: 1 Jan 1807
Inquisition held near Hardy Lambert’s, before Thomas Godbold J. of Q. Hardy
Lambert ‘s death was accidently occasioned by the fall of a tree falling
across his body. Upon the oaths of (Jurors) John Smith, Gabril Glaze, Thomas
Godbold Sr., David Godbold, Willis Conner, Nathan Evans, Bennett Flowers,
Henry Gasque, Absolem Gasque, Samuel Gasque, Zacceriah Godbold.

Dead Body of ~ Mrs. Elizabeth Turbeville ~
Date of Inquisition: 23 May 1843
Inquisition held at house of James Turbeville. She was found dead in her bed
on the morning of 22 May 1843. Jury finds Mrs. Elizabeth Turbeville came to
her death by the visitation of God. (Did not copy names of jury.)

Dead Body of ~ Anna/Anny Lee ~
Date of Inquisition: 20 Apr 1841
John Lee Jr., her husband testified. She was too sick to suckle her infant.
John awoke and found her dead. Phebe Rowell and Mrs. Martha Taylor assisted
in dressing her - saw no signs of violence. Testimony before H. Moody,
Magistrate. Jury finds that Anna Lee came to her death by natural disease
inflicted by Almighty God. Jury: Hugh Campbell, John X Lee, Jonas X
Baily, Wm. Rogers, William Taylor, Hugh Moody Magst. acting as Coroner,
Malcolm Stafford, Foreman, John Man(ning), Jesse Lee, David (Platt?),
Christopher X Lee, Alexander Campbell
Joel Coward, Samuel Lane, Wilson X Coward

Dead Body of ~Dempsey/Demsey Campbell ~
Date of Inquisition: 5 Oct 1843
William Norton was called on by Leve Campbell saying his father Demsey
Campbell was dead or had taken a fit. No signs of violence. Others saw a
swollen eye and neck. Nancy Rogers was sent for by (Milly?) Campbell who
stated that
his (sic) poor old father was dead or had fainted. She (Nancy Rogers) washed
him. Mrs. Campbell told her that his son Levi had whipped him 5 times since
they had been at the place where they resided. Levi Campbell testimony:
admitted he hit his father and drew blood once, about eighteen months back.
Mary Campbell, wife of Demsey Campbell, testified she was there when he died.

Jury finds Dempsey Campbell came to his death by the visitation of God. (Did
not copy names of jury.)

Dead Body of ~ Mary Townsend ~
Date of Inquisition: 21 Nov 1845
Rebecca Rogers, Jane Harrelson, Hugh Harrelson, and Sarah Harrelson found her
body on 20 Nov 1845 in the Boggy Branch. Their oaths sworn before Dougal
Carmichael, Magst. Jury finds Mary Townsend died suddenly by an act of
Providence. Jury: David S. Edwards, Wm. S. Lewis, Lewis H. Harrelson,
Stephen Smith, Lewis Harrelson, Jonathan Lewis, Jesse (L.?) Huggins, Matthew
(?.) Martin, A. Cribb, John Rogers, Willis Huggins, Gadi Campbell.

Dead body of ~ Elias Adams Jr. ~
Date of Inquisition: 7 Mar 1847
Jury finds Elias Adams came to his death by volunteerily hanging himself with
a rope to the limb of a bay tree near his plantation. (Did not copy names of
jury.)

Dead Body of ~ Hardy Lewis ~
Date of Inquisition: 29 Jul 1847
Inquisition held at the residence of the late Hardy Lewis. Personally came
Dicy Lewis, Joel Lewis and Margaret Lewis before me and made oath that on 29
Jul 1847 they found the body of Hardy Lewis dead on the main road that leads
from
Marion Courthouse to Gilchrist, near his former residence, lying on his side
with one arm under him. Sworn to before me, D. Carmichael, Magist. Signed:
Dicy X Lewis, Joel Lewis, Margaret X Lewis. Jury finds Hardy Lewis came
to his death by the Act of God. Jury: Daniel Gilchrist, Charles Reaves, Wm.
X Hugins, Henry X Price, Meredith X Hartsfield, William Lewis, W.H.
Hodges, Geo. W. Reaves, John Price, John X McDaniel, Wade H. Grice, Evan
Bryan.

Dead body of ~ Peter, a stranger ~
Date of Inquisition: 26 Oct 1851
On board Steamer Marion, now lying just above the mouth of Jeffries Creek as
it runs into the Great Pee Dee River. Coroners Jury to meet to enquire upon
the view of a body then and there of a certain person there lying dead how he
came to his death... Peter, a stranger, one of the hands on board the Steamer
Marion. Jury finds Peter came to his death by accidental drowning. (Did not
copy names of jury.)

Dead body of ~ Jno./John R. Turbeville ~
Date of Inquisition: 3 Jan 1858
Cause of death: Taking and over charge of spiritious liqor and he died last
knight abot 10 oclock on said (illegible?) of Myers Bay. Jury: James Poston,
Foreman, J.H. Poston, M.M. Poston, Josiah W. Poston, A. Broach, Joel R.
Broach, Wm. E. Keefe, Josiah Poston, John Flowers, J.W. Coleman, Job Prosser,
Wm. Belflower.

Anonymous Poet:
Poor John! he
too added another
name to the list of
inebriates - he was
worthy of much that
was good
- a soldier in the Florida
War - But at times
too often “He took upon the
wine when it was red, when
it gave colour on the cup
- at last it bit him like
a serpent and stung him
(torn)...”

Dead Body of ~ Martha Altman ~
Date of Inquisition: 18 May 1859
Testimony of Hannah Harrelson: Martha was beaten with a rake by Sarah
Harrelson. Jury recommended that the court investigate Sarah Harrelson. (Did
not copy names of jury.)

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