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Thompson, William (fl. 1802) [Warrant to the Sheriff of Halifax County to hold Robin, a slave, until 1 May trial, and to summon two witnesses]

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC06338.15 Author/Creator: Thompson, William (fl. 1802) Place Written: Halifax County, Virginia Type: Document signed Date: 26 April 1802 Pagination: 2 p. : docket ; 19.2 x 16 cm. Order a Copy

Warrant signed by Thompson, a justice of the peace, ordering the sheriff to safely keep Robin until the trial of Abram; both men are the property of William Smith. Abram is to be tried at the County Court of Halifax of Oyer and Terminer for his role in the Easter Plot. Thompson signs an additional two orders on verso; one directing the sheriff to summon Daniel Perkins as a witness on behalf of "the within named prisoner"; the other directing him to summon Samuel Hubboards as a witness for the "within named Abraham." An additional note, signed by [illegible]Edwards, deputy of W. Bennett (possibly Walter Bennett), states "[Estd ?] as to Robin & Daniel Perkins not [time ?'] to [Saco ?] as to Hubbards Jack.

Related to the Easter Plot, also known as Sancho's Rebellion. Sancho, an earlier participant in Gabriel's Rebellion of 1800, instigated the Easter Plot, intended to take place on or around Good Friday 1802. The ferment spread through southern Virginia (including Halifax County), and northeastern North Carolina, resulting in the hanging of Sancho and four other participants.

Thompson, William, fl. 1802
Bennett, Walter, 1745-1812
Hubbard, Samuel, 1756-1820
Sancho, d. 1802

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