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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Petition from David Pollock concerning injuries sustained as jail keeper in Wilmington
Pollock, David
November 21, 1771
Volume 09, Pages 53-54

To his Excellency the Governor the honorable council and the members of the house of Representatives of North CarolinaThe Petition of David PollockHumbly sheweth

That your petitioner being keeper of the prison in Wilmington on the fifth day of August last opened the prison-door in order to

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put a negroe woman slave then in the passage into one of the rooms. That in the night the said negroe had unbolted a door where one of the prisoners (to wit Robert Green) then was—That Thomas Clarke another prisoner was in a seperate apartment the lock of which was almost taken to pieces and as your petitioner was informed by the negroe was done by Robert Green That upon your petitioner's opening the prison door Thomas Clarke who was prepared rushed out with a knife in one hand and a razor in the other and wounded your petitioner in the belly so that part of his bowels came out of the wound—Your petitioner then left the Jail, locking the prisoners in the yard, and went with great difficulty to inform Mr Young the Coroner, under whom he acted. The people about him observing his dangerous and dreadful situation sent for every doctor that could be found, who came in a short time—Doctor Richard arrived first and reduced your petitioners bowels and with his hand closed the wound upon Doctor Parker's arrival, the wound was stitched. That your petitioner continued under care upwards of two months during which time he was attended by the said doctors who constantly visited him and dressed his wound.

Your petitioner therefore humbly requests that as he has received so great an injury and been put to so large expences, & lost so much time in the service of the public you would be pleased to make him such compensation as shall be deemed adequate thereto and your petitioner as in duty bound shall pray &c

DAVID POLLOCK

Sworne to Before me this 21st day of November 1771
William Robeson J P