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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Minutes of a Special Court of Oyer and Terminer of North Carolina
North Carolina. General Court
August 25, 1726
Volume 02, Pages 663-665


North Carolina—ss.
Att a Speciall Court of Oyer and Terminer held at Edenton on the twenty fifth day of August Anno Dni one thousand seven hundred and twenty six.
Present
The Honoble Christopher Gale Esq: Chief Justice
Thomas Lovick Esqr Assistant
Henry Bonner Esqr Assistant
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An Order of Councill impowering the sayd Chief Justice and his Assistants to hold a speciall Court for the Tryall of George Senneka being read in these Words Vizl


North Carolina—ss.
At a Council held at the Council Chamber in Edenton the twenty fifth day of August Anno Dni one thousand Seven hundred & twenty six
Present
The Honoble Sr Richard Everard Baront Govr &c.
Christopher Gale Esqr Member of the Councill
John Lovick Esqr Member of the Councill
Edwd Moseley Esqr Member of the Councill
Francis Foster Esqr Member of the Councill
Thos Harvey Esqr Member of the Councill
Edmd Gale Esqr Member of the Councill
John Worley Esqr Member of the Councill
[SEALE]

The Honoble the Governor informing this Board that the Maherrin Indians had deliverd up to him an Indian Man belonging to them for killing an English Woman & two Children who he com̄itted close prisoner to Goal which this Board having Considerd and to prevent the sayd Indian from making his Escape do hereby Order that the Chief Justice do imediately call a Speciall Court of Oyer & Terminer for the Tryall of the sayd Indian the Maherrin Indians having had notice to attend And that a Copy of this Signd by the Honoble the Governor under the seale of ye Colony and Countersignd by the Secretary shall be a sufficient Authority to the sayd Chief Justice & his Assistants.

Signd
RICHd EVERARD
Sub Signd
J. Lovick Secry

And the following persons were impannelld & Sworne of the Grand Jury Vizl

Mr Geo. Allen
Mr Robt Hicks
Mr John Charlton
Mr Thos Hopkins
Mr Thos Mathews
Mr Cha: Wilkins
Mr Orlando Champion
Mr Thos Hoath
Mr Thos Betterley
Mr Edw: Standing
Mr Saml Patchett
Mr Fra: Branch
Mr John Crispe
Mr John Jones
Mr Const. Luton

Who being chargd with the facts comitted by the sayd George and mentiond in the aforesayd Order withdrew and upon their return made presentment of the following Bill Vizl

A Bill of Indictment against the sayd George Seneka for feloniously murdering Catherine Groom the Wife of Thos Groom of Bertie precinct planter & two infant Children the Daughters of the aforesayd Thomas & Catherine in these words Vizl

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North Carolina—ss.

To the Honoble Christopher Gale Esq: Cheif Just: & the rest of the Justices for holding a Speciall Court of Oyer & Terminer for the sayd province on the ye twenty fifth day of August one thousand seven hundred and twenty six.

The Jurors for our Sovereign Lord the King on their Oath do present that George Seneka an Indian Man of Bertie precinct not having the fear of God before his eyes but movd by ye instigation of the Devil & his own Cruel feirce & Savage nature Vizl in Bertie precinct aforesayd on or about ye twenty fifth day of July one thousand seven hundred & twenty six by force & Arms an Assault did make upon one Catherine Groom the Wife of Thomas Groom of Bertie & on two Infant Children Daughters of the sayd Thomas & Catherine Groom & with an Axe of the value of two shillings which in his hand he then hand he the sayd George feloniously Voluntarily and of malice forethought in Bertie precinct aforesaid Struck & barbarously wounded the sayd Catherine on the head & also the sayd two Infants with the sd Instrument then & there in like manner did wound so that of the sayd Cruel wounds the sayd Catherine & the sd two infants did then & there instantly dye & so the Jurors aforesayd on their sayd Oath do say that the sayd George on the sayd twenty fifth day of July in the sd precinct of Bertie ye aforesd Catherine Groom & the sayd two female children in manner aforesayd & of malice forethought feloniously & voluntarily did kill & murder against the peace of our Sovereign Lord the King that now is his Crown & dignity &

Signd
Wm LITTLE P Duo Rege Atto Genl

To which Indictment the sayd George Senneka upon his Arraignment pleaded Guilty

Judgement to be hangd

and then the Court adjourned

C. GALE C. J.
By order of the Cheif
Justice and his Assistants
W. Badham Cler Cur Gen