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Evidence adduced against Solomon the property of Thomas Henry Prosser in his trial on the 11th September 1800 Ben
the property of Tho H Prosser being charged and sworn Deposed- That
the prisoner at the Bar made a number of swords for the purpose of
carrying into Exctn the plan of an Insurrection which was planned by
Gabriel a Negro Man the property of said Prosser and that the said
Solomon was to be Treasurer- In the first place Mr Prosser and Mr
Johnson were to be killed and their Arms seized upon them they were to
resort to and Kill all the White Neighbours.
this plan to be executed on the the Saturday Night on which there
was 2) Pharah the property of Philip Sheppard. That the prison at the Bar on Saturday the 30th Augt inquired of this Deponent whether the lighthorse of Richmond were out he being them from Richmond who informed him that he had seen some at Colo. Goodalls Tavern the prisoner remarked that the business of the Insurrection had so far advanced that they were compelled even if discovered to go forward with it that he had 4 Swords then to finish which he must Complete by the time of his Company meeting that Evening which would consist of 1000 Men to wit Negroes- Will the property of John Mosby Senior Ben the property of Th H Prosser- That the prisoner brought two Scythe blades to Gabriel for the purpose of having them made into Swords and that 4 Swords were made out of them by Solomon at request of Gabriel that the said Will acknowledged in the presence of the Deponent in Conversation with Gabriel that he was concerned in the Conspiracy & Insurrection & that he wanted the appointment of Capt of the foot but this being refused him he was to act as attaseman that the Whites were to Murdered & Killed indiscriminately excepting French Men none of whom were to be touched Toby property of Jno. Holman That the prisoner proposed to join and fight the Whites that he had joined and had to carry two scythe Blades to Solomon to be made into Swords he was determined to kill his Master that he had his Masters sorrel horse set apart for him to act upon as a Horseman that there was to be a great meeting of the Negroes near Prossers from whence they were to proceed & take the Town that 5000 blacks were to meet the prison at the Bar and that all the blacks who did not join would be put to death That he intended to kill his master on Saturday Night the 30th Augt last that the prisoner had in appointment as Capt but was turned out being undersize 3) Witnesses against John the property of Mary Jones of Hanover County Daniel property of Jno. Williamson That the Deponent who at that time worked at the Penitentiary and was passing by being at plough at home the prison[er] invited him to come to a great Barbacue which was to be made by the Negroes at Half Sink and [ ] being informed that the purport of the Barbacue was to concert measures for raising an Insurrection and murdering & killing the Whites Making the County of which he had no doubt as Gabriel Solomon & himself being being a Capt being at the head of the Business that the said John said he had a number of Men at the Penitentiary & was going up to Caroline where he expected to raise several hundred. That they intended to Seize upon the arms at the Penitentiary & that all Negroes who did not join in the insurrection would and should be put to death. That the Whites were to be put to death indiscriminately Charles property of William Winston That about 3 Weeks ago the prisoner gave this Deponent an Invite to a Barbacue to be a Mr Moores School house which was made on a particular occasion but was not made knowing to him the Deponent which Invitation this Deponent refused to accept 4) Isaac the property of William Barton Ben
the property of Thomas H Prosser- that on the the prisoner Danl
the property of William Barton The
prisoner informed the Deponent on Friday the 29th Augt last that he the
prison had been informed by Nanny Wife to Gabriel that 1000 Men were to
meet said Gabriel near Prossers Tavern the ensuing night and that he
also was to be one of them for the purpose of Murdering the White
Citizens that the Governor had in some measure got an alarmed of this
Business and had Caused the Arms which had been Kept at the Capitol to
be removed to the penitentiary- That they should not mind the Guards
which were placed over the Arms as they determined to rush through them
and take both them & the Magazine
That he Communicated this Information to the Overseer that an
Army of Negroes were raising against the Whites with an Insurrection to
the said Overseer to keep the Communication [
] the blacks were determined to Kill every black who should not
aid in join them in the Insurrection
The prisoner was much intoxacated at the time of the Conversation
and information above |