Murder in the Family (and no, it wasn't me)

My 9x Great Grandmother, Rebecca Briggs Cornell was the victim of murder... a trial in October 1673 determined her death to be at the hands of her son, Thomas.
First, let's get the family connection:
Rebecca and Thomas Cornell were the parents of
Elizabeth Cornell, born January 15, 1637 in Saffron Walden Essex England. Her daughter was
Elizabeth Almey Morris, born September 29, 1663 in Tiverton, Rhode Island. Her daughter was
Elizabeth Thompson, born in 1680 in Passage Point, New Jersey. Her daughter was
Rebecca Clayton, born July 22, 1725 in Freehold, New Jersey. Her son
Cornelius Clayton, born 1746 in Monmouth, New Jersey. His son
John Clayton, born April 19, 1774 in Monmouth, New Jersey. His daughter
Deborah Ann Clayton, born May 31, 1816 in Monmouth, New Jersey. Her son
Elias M. Gant, born August 1, 1843 in Osbourneville, New Jersey. His son
Theodore S. Gant was born December 16, 1884 in Osbournville, New Jersey. His son
Bruce B. Gant was born in 1924 and his son, my dad, was born September 21, 1949, in Atlanta, GA.

The transcription below was taken from http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~rinewpor/Cornell.html 
It's long and the language is difficult but it's interesting. There is also a book that has been published about this story "Killed Strangely: The Death of Rebecca Cornell" by Elaine Forman Crane. http://www.cornellpress.cornell.edu/book/?GCOI=80140100409080  I might just buy this book~!

Records of the General Court of Trials 1671-1704; Newport Court Book A; October 1673
Transcribed verbatim by Jane Fletcher Fiske, 1998

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Trial of Thomas Cornell for the murder of his mother, Rebeca Cornell

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[Bold Numbers in brackets refer the page numbers in the original book.]At the Generall Court of Tryalls Held for the Collony at Newport the: 12^th of May 1673

Mr Nicholas Easton Governor Mr William Coddington Dept Goverr Mr Walter Clarke — Asistant Mr Daniell Gould — Asistant Mr John Easton — Asistant Mr William Harris Asistant Mr Thomas Harris Asistant Mr Thomas ffeild Asistant Mr Joshua Coggeshall Asistant Mr John Tripp Asistant Mr Walter Todd — Asistant Mr Job Almy — Asistant John Sanford Recorder James Rogers Genl Serant Mr Peter Easton Genrl Treasurer Mr John Easton Genrl Aturney

Gran Jurriors Engaged Lt Joseph Torrey foreman Mr Robert Stanton Mr William Case Mr Thomas Clifton Mr Thomas Burge Mr Gidion Freeborne Mr John Clarke Lt ffrancis Brayton Mr Phillip Eades Mr William Hiscox Mr John Odlin Mr Henry Lilly

Upon Indictment by the Generall Aturny M^r John Easton in the behalfe of our Soverreigne Lord the King against Thomas Cornell now prissoner ffor that on the Eveninge of the Eight day of ffebruary last in the 25th yeare of his Maj^ties Reigne Ann^o 1672 the said Thomas did murther his mother Rebecca Cornell or was aydeinge or abettinge thereto. The said Thomas Cornell beinge cald for and brought forth into Court, and his charge Read, and demanded of whether Guilty or Not Guilty — pleads Not Guilty, and Referrs himselfe for Tryall to God and the Cuntry. After all Lawful Liberty granted by the Court as to Exceptions The Jurriors were sollemnly Engaged on the case and sent forth.
Jurriors on the case [listed in margin]
M^r Henry Palmer foreman Daniell Greenell
James Man William Allin
John Read John Spencer
Richard Dunn John Rogers
Serj^t Clement Weaver John Bliss
John Strainge John Crandell jun^r
The Jurry Returne their Verdict publickly to him declared. Guilty. Thereupon theCourt doe pass this followinge centance to the Prissoner.
[11] Whereas you Thomas Cornell have been in this Court Indicted and charged for murthering your mother M^rs Rebecca Cornell Widow. and you beinge by your peers the Jurry found Guilty. Know and to that end prepare your selfe, that you are by this Court Centanced to be Carried from hence to the Com[m]on Goale, and from thence on fryday next which will be the twenty thre day of this instant month May about one of the clock to be carried from the said Goale to the place the Gallowes — and there to be Hanged by the neck untill you are dead dead.
The Centance beinge pronounced and to him openly declared The said Thomas Cornell is Remitted to the Generall Serjants Custody safely to be kept till the day of Exicution.
A warrant ordered and granted to seize the Estate of Thomas Cornell and make Returne thereof to this Court.
Ordered that a strict Watch be kept in and about the prisson untill the day of the Execution of Thomas Cornell, and that the said Thomas Cornell shall be manacled and surely fastned to the great chaine — And ordered that James Clarke and James Browne cunstables in Newport are Authorized and desired to Asist the Generall Serjant in settinge and orderinge the watch for secureinge the said prissoner, which watch are to be Eight in the Night time and four in the day time.
Those following are Testimonys Concerning Thomas Cornell Murdering of  [12] his Mother Rebeca Cornell: which was ordered to be Recorded.
Thomas Cornell the son of Rebeca Cornell, being inquired of us the Coroners Inquest, doe declare y^t in the eveninge before twas darke, came into the roome and satt downe & discoursed with his Mother Rebeca for y^e space of about one houre and a halfe; and then went forth into the next Roome, where he stayd about Threequarters of an houre, then his Wife sent his son Edward into the roome to his Grandmoth^r to know whether shee would have some milke boyled for her supper; the Child coming in to the roome saw some fire in the roome upon the floore, and the Child came back unto us, and fetcht the candle to see what fire it was, Henry Straite went Presently into the roome, my selfe and the rest followed in A Huddle, Henry Straite coming in saw some fire, and stooped, and with his Hands raked fire upon the floore, supposing it to be and Indian that was Drunke, and Burnt, soe he layd hold of the Arme, my selfe Immediately following, by the light perceived it was my Mother, and Cryed out, Oh Lord it is my Mother.
Taken upon oath this Present 9^th Day of February 1672/3
Before me William Baulston Assist. & Coroner.Henry Straite being Examined upon Oath before the Coroner, Testifies, that he knows nothing how Rebeca Cornell came to Her untimely Death, onely sayth that Edward Cornell being sent in unto his Grand mother to Know what shee would have for Her supper, and comeing into the roome, saw fire in the floore, and came out unto us, and tooke the Candle to see what fire twas, he the sayd Henry rann, the Boy with the Candle followed, and Thomas Cornell, he the sayd Henry comeing into the roome, saw fire upon the floore, he stooped down; and with his hand raked fire that was upon the floore, and tooke hold of an Arme, and spake Indian, supposeing it was an Indian, Drunke and Burnt; Thomas Cornell following, and by the Light deserned & called out, and sayd, Oh Lord it is my Mother.
Taken upon oath the yeare and Day above written.
Before me William Baulston Assist. & Corroner.Wee the Coroners Inquest for his Majestie being Impanelled, and Engaged this Present 9^th Day of ffeb^ry 1672/3 by M^r William Baulston Assist^t and Coroner for his Ma^tie in the Towne of Portsmouth in Rhod-Island in the Colony of Rhod-Island and Providence Plantations in New-England, have and by these presents doe declare; That being brought to the place where the Dead Body of Rebeca Cornell was Presented, and Inquiry by us made before the Coroner & M^r Joshua Coggeshall one of the Assistants of the s^d Towne, and alsoe Coroner. The Body of the sayd Rebeca we found dead upon the floore, her Clothes very much Burnt by fire, and Her Body very much scorched and burnt by fire, And after dilligent Inquirie and Examination of Wittnesses, wee the sayd Coroners Inquest caused the sayd Body of Rebeca Cornell Widdow to M^r Thomas Cornell of Portsmouth to be stripped of the Residue of Clothes upon it (unburnt) turned and Handled, and searched to the best of our Judgments and understandings, doe finde and declare, That upon the Evening after the Eight Day of Febvruary 1672/3 the sayd Rebeca being in or about the age of 73 yeares, was brought to her untimely death by an Unhappie Accident of fire as Shee satt in her Rome, the time afore specified.
That this is our Verdict as the Coroners Inquest, wee give
under our hands this Present 9^th Day of February 1672/3.

William Dyer fforeman Edward Lay John Sanford Thomas Brook Georg Lawton Hugh Parsons

John Albro Peter Talman John Anthony senr ffrancis Brayton Thomas Wood William Wilbore

[13] John Brigs of the Towne of Portsmouth Aged sixty foure yeares or thereabouts, being According to Law Sworne and In[g]aged befor the Councell, Testifieth That on the Twelfth Day of this Instant month ffebruary in the night as this Depon^t lay in his Bedd, he being in A Dreame of M^rs Rebeca Cornell Deseased, and being betweene Sleepeing and Wakeing, as he thought he felt something heave up the Bedclothes twice, and thought some body had beene coming to bed to hime, where upon he Awaked, and turned himeselfe about in his Bed, and being Turned, he perceived A Light in the roome, like to the Dawning of y^e Day, and plainely saw the shape and Apearance of A Woman standing by his Bed side where at he was much Afrighted, and Cryed out, in the name of God what art thou, the Aperition Answered, I am your sister Cornell, and Twice sayd, see how I was Burnt with ffire, and shee plainely Apeered unto hime to be very much burnt about the shoulders, fface, and Head.
Taken before the Deputy Gov^r and Councell mett the 20^th day
of ffebruary 1672/3 As Atest John Sanford Secretary.M^r John Russill of the Towne of Dartmouth in the Colony of New-Plymouth Aged 65 yeares or thereabouts, being According to Law sworne and Engaged before the Councell, Testifieth, that this Deponant, lately haveing some speech with Georg Soule Cunstable of the sayd Towne of Dartmoth. The sayd Soul sayd to this Depon^t, you being my Anchant ffrind, I have someting to tell you w^ch I would desire you to be Secret in, and the sayd Soul sayd, he once comeing to M^rs Rebeca Cornells House in Portsmouth, the sayd M^rs Rebeca Cornell sayd to the sayd Soul, that Shee intended in the spring of the yeare, to goe and Dwell with her son Samuell, but shee feared Shee should be made away before that time. And this Relation of the sayd Georg Souls to this Deponant was since the sayd M^rs Rebeca Cornells Decease.
Taken before the Deputy Gov^r and Councell mett the 20^th day
of ffebruary 1672/3. As Atest John Sanford Secretary.We whose names are under subscribed being on the second inquiry after the untimely death, or decease of M^rs Rebeca Cornell of the Towne of Portsmouth, desired to make Dilligent search whether any wound might be found on Her. Doe thus Affirme that wee found A Suspitious wound on her in the upper-most part of the Stomake, Wittness our hands y^e 20^th day of ffebruary 1672/3.
Henry Greenland Chyrⁿ     Simon Cooper ChyrⁿI doe Atest to y^e above Written and declare it to be my Judgment, Wittness my hand the Day & yeare above written John Cranston Dept^y Gov^r
The above Premised Henry Greenland & Simon Cooper did both upon their Oaths affirme to the above Premised, Evidence or written, to be truth before John Cranston Dep^ty Gov^r & Practioner in Phisick & Chyrurgery
We whose names are hereunto subscribed being by the Dep^ty Gov^r & major part of the Councell of this his Majesties Colony of Rhod-Island and Providence Plantations, appointed and Empanneled A Coroners Inquest on the Body of M^rs Rebeca Cornell (Widdow to y^e deceased M^r Thomas Cornell of Portsmouth) who came to an untimely, and uncertaine Death, in the night ffollowing the Eight day of this Instant month ffebruary, who this Instant Day, for A Second Inquire, was taken out of Her Grave, upon severall Suspitious reasons Rendered to the Gov^r, Dep^ty Gov^r, and sayd Councell. And the Corps of the sayd Rebeca, being Dilligently searched by Chyriurgions in our view, and in their search, as under their hands appeares, they findeing A Suspitious wound in the Body of the sayd Rebeca Cornell in the uppermost part of her Stomake. And wee alsoe finding that the Body was much Burnt and Scorched by fire wee doe declare, and returne our Verdict to be, That wee Conceive and Judg, to the best of our understandings, that by the aforesayd Suspitious wound, and fire, shee the sayd M^rs Rebeca Cornell came bye her Death. In witness whereof wee have sett o^r hands y^e 20^th day of ffeb^ry 1672/3.

John Sanford foremn Georg Lawton John Albro Thomas Wood Edward Lay Thomas Brooke Hugh Persons Francis Brayton senr

William Wilbore James Barker Peter Easton Joseph Torrey Weston Clarke Samuell Hubbard Stephen Mumford Edward Greenman

Phillip Edes Caleb Carr Daniell Gould Henry Bull Lawrance Turner Thomas Nicolls Thomas Dungin Thomas Burg

[14] Thomas Cornell sen^r of Portsmouth being Examined concerneing the untimely and uncertaine death of his Mother Rebeca Cornell, w^ch happened on the 8^th of ffebruary 1672/3 in the Evening of the same Day: sayth, he coming in to the House from his Occations: a little after sunsett went to visett his Mother, his son Thomas being then with Her, and satt and discoursed with Her in her roome where shee keept, about one houre and halfe, and then Left her and went to Supper, haveing salt-mackrill for Supper, which his Mother cared not for because shee used to say it made her Dry, and haveing supt, his Wife sent his son Edward to his Mother, to know whether shee would have milke boiled for her supper, or what else shee desired, which might be about Three quarters of one houre, from the time he left her, he being the Last that was with Her; the sayd Edward called, Grandmother, Grandmother, and noebody Answering, and perceaving fire in the roome; came out, and sayd lett me have the Candle to see what fire that is in the other roome, whereupon wee all rann in, in hast, and Henry Straite ran in ffirst, and Rakeing the fire with his Hands, tooke hold of his Mothers Arme, thinkeing it had been A Drunken Indian, and spake Indian to her; at last sayd here is A Drunken Indian Burnt to Death; But the sayd Thomas Cornell, coming in last, perceaved by Her shoose which he saw by the light of the Candle, that it was his Mother, and sayd, Oh Lord, it is my Mother, and tooke up her head in his Armes to see if any life were in Her; findeing her burnt, lyeing along upon the floore with her head towards the fire, her Cloths burnt of on her below and some above, and the Valins of the Bed burnt, and the upper part of the Curtaines where he Judged Shee stood when Shee was on fire; before Shee fell, her Apron & one of her Petty-coats being Cotton and Wooll, and Judged that her Clothes tooke fire from A Cole that might fall from Her Pipe as shee satt Smoaking in Her Chaire, and haveing seene her in that Condition, as above related, sent out and called in some of the Neighbours liveing neare; which is all that he knows of the Death of his Mother abovementioned; not Judging any one were Instrumentall in any Measure to procure her Death.

Taken before us the 21th of ffebruary 1672/3

Nich Easton Govr Jon Cranston Depty Govr ffrancis Brinley Assistt John Easton Assistant Joshua Coggeshall Assistant

April y^e 10^th 1673
Sarah Cornell the Wife of Thomas Cornell of Portsmouth, being Examined Concerning the Death of her Mother in Law Rebeca Cornell, sayth, y^t y^e evening her sayd Moth^r was found dead in y^e House, about one houre or more, or such a quantity of time; before shee was soe found, her Husband Thomas Cornell was with her to see how shee did, hereing that shee was not well, & tooke A Quill of yarne in his hand to winde, after he came out, he winded halfe a Quill of yarne, & then went to Supper, & one of y^e Boies was sent to her sayd Moth^r, to know what Shee would have for Supper, upon opening of the dore, y^e Great Dogg being in her roome, Leaped out over y^e Boy, & y^e Boy came out in hast, & desired A Candle to see w^t fire y^t was in y^e roome, whereupon most in the House ran in & found her sayd Mother Rebeca Cornell lyeing dead in the floore, being Burnt, but how it came shee knows not, nor can Imagine, but Lookes at it as A wonderfull thing, & the more in regard, part of her Clothes being Cotton and wooll, y^e wooll was burnt & y^e Cotton Remained whole, which John Gould, John Spencer, & Job Hawkins afterwards saw, comeing to y^e House for y^t Purpose: ffurther sayth, wⁿ Georg Lawton & John Albro, being sent for, went into the roome, they smelt y^e scent of the Burning of the Clothes, & none before, & when Henry Straite went in first he thought it had beene an Indian y^t lay there Dead.
Taken before us.     Nich~ Easton Gov^r

ffrancis Brinley Assistant

At a meeting of y^e Dep^t Gov^r M^r ffrancis Brinley, M^r John Easton & M^r Joshua Coggeshall Assistants, Held at M^r Joshua Coggeshalls House in Portsm^o y^e 22^th of Feb^y 1672/3.Henry Straite being brought before y^e Dep^t Gov^r & the sd Assist^ts & Examined w^t he could say and relate concerning the late Deceased Rebeca Cornells death. Answered y^t y^e night that y^e sd M^rs Rebeca Cornell lost her life, he was some part of y^e night, at M^r Georg Lawtons & came not to M^r Thomas Cornells (where he Diated & Lodged) untill supper time, & wⁿ he came in, some part of y^e supper was upon y^e Table, & they were gooing to Supper, & sitting downe to Supper. M^rs Rebeca Cornell, who usialy used to be at Supper with us, not being there, this Examinate saith he inquired where y^e sd M^rsCornell was, & why shee was not at supper w^th them, M^r Tho^s Cornell Answered, we haveing nothing but mackrill to supper, my Moth^r will not eate any, for shee saith it makes her dry in the night. The Examinate further saith, y^t as soone as they had supped, Tho[m] Cornells wife sd to one of y^e boys, by name Edward, goe to yo^r Grandmother, & ask her whether shee will have any milke for supper; the Ladd going, Emediately returned, and askt for A Candle to see what fire y^t was, y^t was in his Grandmoth^rs roome, whereupon they all ran, & this Examinate came  [15] first to the dore, & into y^e roome, & espieing fire on y^e floore, he clapt his Hands upon it, and raked away y^e fire w^th his hands, and then thought it had beene an Indian, & tooke hold on y^e Arme, and shakt her, speakeing Indian; whereupon M^rTho[m] Cornell clapt his hands & cryed out, Oh Lord, it is my Mother. And this Examinate also saith, y^t there was noe fire in the Curtaines, nor about y^e Bedsted when he came in, yett y^e Curtins & Valliants at y^e foote of the Bedsted was burnt. And alsoe saith y^t y^e Body lay w^th the head towards y^e Southmost Dore, & y^e feete towards y^e other Dore, in w^ch roome we were & y^e Back lay towards y^e Bedsteadd y^e face towards y^e Westmost Window, & lay on y^e left side; Also the said Examinate saith y^t at other times when they have had Mackrill for Supper, y^e sd M^rs Rebeca Cornell used to be called, & did use to come & supp with y^e rest in M^r Thomas Cornells roome.
Taken upon Oath.James Moills, being Examined w^t he can relate concerneing y^e Death of M^rs Rebeca Cornell. Answered that y^e night y^t y^e said M^rs Cornell lost her Life: The Examinate & Hen~ Straite were at M^r Georg Lawtons, in y^e evening & came not to M^r Tho[m] Cornells till about seven A Clocke, when they came in, part of y^e Supper was upon y^e Table, & after Supper, Tho[m] Cornells Wife bidd one of y^e Boys, by name Edward, goe to his Grandmoth^r, and ask her w^t shee would have for supper; y^e ladd goeing in, came Imediately out & askt for A Candle, saying there was fire in his Granmothers roome, upon which every one there Hastened to see what it was. This Examinate, wⁿ he came into y^e Entry, was goeing out of dores to see if there were not fire on y^e outside of y^e House, but before he gott out, hereing Hen~ Straite say here is A Drunken Indian burnt to Death, he returned & went into y^e roome, & there he saw, the sd M^rs Rebeca Cornell lyeing on y^e floore, w^th fire about Her, from Her Lower parts neare to y^eArmepits and saith, he knew it to be her by her Shoes, & saith, y^t y^e Curtins & Valants at y^e foote of y^e Bedd were burnt, yett y^e fire about y^e Bedstead was out. And alsoe this Examinate saith, y^t he haveing being A Servant, as now he is, to y^e sd M^r Tho[m] Cornell, hath observed, y^t y^e sayd M^rs Rebeca Cornell (except not well) did usually be at Meales w^th Her son Thomas &c. and w^t the Reason was, y^t shee was not y^t night at Supper w^th them, he knows not. This Examinate also saith, y^t at other times in y^e Evening it was Usiall, & sildome otherwise, y^t one or more of y^e Children, were in ye roome w^th their gran-mother, but knows not y^e Reason they, nor any of them were not w^th her then. This Examinate also saith, y^t he was in y^e roome w^th M^rs Cornell y^t Morneing before her death, and then shee said shee was not well, & at noone goeing in to see her, shee said shee was something better. This Examinate also saith, y^t wⁿ he went into y^e roome the night y^e sd M^rs Cornell deceased, he saw A peece of her Garment, being Cotton and woollen lyeing upon A Brand on the fire. He alsoe saith shee lay on Her Left side.
Taken upon Oath.Thomas Cornell (the son of M^r Tho[m] Cornell) Aged 18 yeares or there abouts, being Examined what he can relate Concerneing y^e_ Death of his Gran-Moth^r M^rs Rebeca Cornell. Answered and sayth, y^ty^e Evening his Gran-mother dyed, he was in y^e roome w^th her, & stayd but A Litle while, but went out againe,and did Leave his ffather in the roome w^th her, who stayd w^th her about an houre, or an houre & an halfs time, & then in A litle time after his comeing out, went to Supper, & after Mother was not at Supper w^th them, though at other times shee usially used, neither was Shee sent for as at other times, y^eReason was, there being Mackrill to Supper, was A dyet Shee did not like because it used, as Shee sayd, to make her very dry. The Examinate also saith, y^t it was formerly usiall for some of them to be in the roome w^th their Gran-Mother in the night times, but was not y^t night. He alsoe saith, y^t wⁿ they went into y^e roome, Shee lay on her Left side, w^th her Head towards y^e fire. And further saith, y^t part of y^eCurtin & Valants about y^e Bedstead was Burnt, but wⁿ they went in, y^e fire about the Bedsted was quite out.
Taken upon Oath.Stephen, Edward, & John Cornell, y^e Sons of M^r Tho~ Cornell, being Examined w^t they know Concerneing y^e Death of their Gran-Mother M^rs Rebeca Cornell. They all being severally Examined, sayd they know not how shee came to Her death, & alsoe said, their ffather was y^e Last Person they know of, y^t was w^th their Gran-Moth^r. They further said, that none of them were y^t night w^th their Gran-Mother, as at other times they use to be.]

Taken before

John Cranston Dept Govr ffrancis Brinley Assistt

John Easton Assistt Joshua Coggeshall Assistt

Mary Cornell wife to John Cornell of Plymouth Colony in New-England, Aged 28 yeares or thereabouts, Apeared before mee y^e 3^d Day March 1672-73 & upon Her sollemn Engagm^t, declareth as followeth. That about 3 or 4 yeares past, shee this Depon^t, being at her Moth^r in Laws House M^rs Rebeca Cornell of Portsm^th on Rhod-Island, Widdow, & now dead, or Deceast. This Depon^t saith that her Mother in Law M^rs Rebeca Cornell, haveing beene in Her Orchard, returneing into y^e House, tould this Depon^t, y^t shee had beene run[n]ing after Piggs, & said shee being weake, & had noe help, & shee being disregarded, shee thought to have stabd A Pen-knife in her Heart, y^t shee had in her hand, & then shee should be ridd of Her Trouble. But it came in her minde, Resist y^e Devill who will [illegible] shee sd shee was well satisfied, & further saith not. Taken upon Oath y^e [illegible] March 1672/73 before [illegible].
[16] George Soule Aged 34 yeares or thereabouts being Engaged, saith y^t he being at M^r Tho~ Cornells House on Rhod-Island y^e same day Mathew Allins House was Burned in the Winter, last, and this Deponant speaking w^th M^rs Rebeca Cornell, shee said shee would goe live w^th her son Samuell y^e next spring. This Depon^t urging her y^t shee was better where shee was; shee said y^t A differance was arisen between her & her son Thomas, about rent. This depon^t sayd shee spoke unadvisedly to say shee would remove. Shee Replyed: w^t doth this tend too. Shee said he would have the Hundred Pound bond out of her hand. And this Deponant saith, shee said shee would goe live w^th her son in the spring, if shee was not otherwise disposed of, or made away. and further this depon^t saith not.
Taken this first day of March 1672/3.
This Depon^t further saith he Judged M^rs Rebeca Cornell to Be in a Passion.

Nich Easton Gov^r
Rich^d Smith Assistant

Mary y^e wife of M^r John Almy of y^e Towne of Portsmouth Aged Thirty three yeares or thereabouts, being According to Law Engaged & Sworne, Deposeth & Testifieth y^t shee hath severall times observed an Undutyfull-ness in Tho~ Cornell towards his Mother M^rs Rebeca Cornell, & saith y^t shee hath severall times spoke of it to others. And further saith, y^t y^e sayd M^rs Rebeca Cornell told this Depon^t y^tshee was much neglected, & y^t shee was forced in y^e Winter season, in y^e cold wether to goe to her Bed unmade, & unwarmed, & was therefore forced to procure some woollin Cloth to wrapp her selfe in, before shee went to her could bedd. And alsoe y^e sd M^rs Rebeca Cornell, told this depon^t, y^t if shee could not Eate as all y^e foalkes of y^e House could, & at their times of Eateing, shee must fast, for there was nothing brought in for Her to Eate; ffurther this Depon^t testifieth, y^t Anthony Shaws wife of Portsmouth (since y^e aforesayd Tho Cornell was Imprisened) told this Depon^t, y^t Tho Cornells Wife coming to y^e prison to her Husband, they Desired some time of Privacy, & soe went together into A Private roome, & whilst they were together, y^e sd Tho~ Cornell and his Wife had those Expretions each to other, y^t if you will keepe my Councell I will keepe yo^rs, & soe they spake each together, & then y^e Dore of y^e roome in which they were was opened.Taken before y^e Dep^t Gov^r & part of y^e Gen^ll Councell. y^e 11^th of Aprill. 1673.

John Sanford, Secretary.

Elizabeth y^e wife of Hugh Persons of y^e Towne of Portsmouth, Aged sixty yeares or thereabouts being According to y^e Law Engaged, & sworne, Deposeth, & Testifieth y^t shee being w^th Goodwife Earle, desired to lay forth y^e Body of the Deceased M^rs Rebeca Cornell, they on y^e Sabath Day towards night, Accordingly layd forth the Body of the s^d Deceased, & saith y^t then there was noe Apeareance of Blood about y^e Corps, but comeing thether on y^e Munday there had beene in the roome where y^e Corps lay, Thomas Cornell w^th Wm. Hall to measure y^e Corps for y^e makeing A Coffin to interr Her in, & some saying y^e corps did purge, this depon^t went to see whether y^e corps did purge or not, & found y^t y^e corps did not purge, onely saw y^t shee had bled fresh Blood at y^e Nose; and ffurther saith not.Taken before y^e Dep^t Gov^r & part of y^e Gen^rll Councell, the 11th day of Aprill 1673.

John Sanford Secretary

Hugh Persons of y^e Towne of Portsmouth Aged 60 yeares, or thereabouts, being According to Law Engaged & sworne: Deposeth & Testifieth that y^t night M^rs Rebeca Cornell lost Her Life, this Depon^tcomeing to y^e House: went in to y^e Roome where shee lay, & M^r Coggeshall goeing in before this Depon^t, Emediately M^r Coggeshall went to y^e outward Doore opening to y^e Southward, to see whether it were fast bolted. And this depon^t heard M^r Coggeshall say y^t Doore was fast Bolted. And further this Depon^t saith, y^t upon y^e hearth there was burnt sinders lay in A traine, & almost covered y^e floare in such A manner as if shee had beene drawne thether.Taken before y^e Dep^t Gov^r and part of y^e Genll Councell the 11th Day of April 1673.

John Sanford Secretary

Joane Coggeshall y^e wife of Joshua Coggeshall aged about 38 yeares being Engaged According to Law, affirmeth y^t being at the Widdow Cornells House about A yeare & halfe since; as neere as shee can Remember; shee y^e sd Cornell Complained to Her, y^t Her son Tho Cornell, carryed himselfe very unkindely to Her, detaineing Her Rent from Her, and would pay Her none, & was soe High & soe Crose, y^t shee durst hardly speake to hime; & y^t shee intended to gett men to speake to hime aboute it, & did nominate W^m Baulston, John Easton & Walter Clarke; & further sayd, y^t her son Tho^~Cornell told her, Her name did stinke about y^e Island, or Country, And shee y^e sd Widdow Cornell, desired Her y^t shee would not speake of w^t shee told Her, for shee should live A sadd life, w^th Her sd son, if he should heare of it.Taken this 14th of Aprill 1673, before us.

John Cranston Dept Govr Richd Smith, Assist

Francis Brinley Assist.~ John Easton Assist.~

 Patience Coggeshall y^e Wife of John Coggeshall, aged about 33 years, being Engaged According to Law, afirmeth, y^t shee and Her Sister Wait Gould, & her Sister Joan Coggeshall, being with y^eWiddow Rebeca Cornell about 2 1/2 yeares since, in Her orchard under a Damzen Tree; shee related to y^m y^e sad Condition of Life shee lived w^th her son Tho^~ Cornell, w^ch shee declared w^th much weepeing, & sayd, y^t he would not keepe her A mayd, though he was Engaged to it, as to find her Diett, & y^t her son Thomas & his wife, y^t now is, were very cross to her; & this depon^t asked Her how y^echildren carryed y^mselves towards her, shee replied; how could they carry it kindly to Her wⁿ their ffather was soe cross; & y^t shee was afrayd there would be mischiefe don, Her Daughter in Law was of such a Desperate Spirit, for not long since, sayd shee, shee ran after one of y^e Children of his ffirst Wife, w^th an Axe, into Her House; but shee prevented Her strikeing y^e child; & y^t shee did not live w^th any of her other children, because shee had made over her Estate to Her Son Thomas; & y^t if shee had thought her son Thomas first Wife would have dyed before Her, shee would not have made it over to hime.
Waite Gould being Engaged According to Law, affirmeth to y^e truth of y^e Premises.
Taken this 14th of Aprill 1673, before us.

John Cranston Dept Govr Richd Smith, Assist

ffrancis Brinley Assistt. John Easton Assistt.

 Nicholas Wild of Newp^t aged 73 yeares or there abouts, being According to Law Engaged, & Deposed, Testifieth y^t about a yeare agoe M^rs Rebeca Cornell came to this Depon^ts House, & there Complained of Her son Thomas Cornell; y^t he was [torn] Agreemt to pay her yearely (as neere as this Depon^t Remembers Shee sayd) Six pound a yeare, & Diet for A maide Servant, w^ch shee sayd he refused to pay, & did w^th hold it; & further shee sayd, y^t he tould Her, if shee would release hime of y^t Hundred Pound he was Engaged to pay her, yⁿ he would pay y^e six pound A yeare, & A Maide should have her Diet, as was Promised. ffurther y^e sd M^rs Cornell told this Depon^t, y^t her son Told her he must Build, & required y^e Hundred pound toward it, but shee sayd shee could not, unless she should wrong her other Children, for shee thought he had Enough; shee alsoe told this depon^t, y^t her son told her shee must pay y^e Rates; Shee alsoe sayd, y^t shee hath been forced to goe out in y^e snow for Wood, & hath falne w^th y^e Wood under Her, when they have beene in y^e House & saw it all, w^ch shee sayd was such A griefe & Trouble to her, y^t shee hath beene afraide of being Provoaked, & hath prayed to y^e Lord aga^t it; & ffurther shee sayd y^t Her son Thomas told Her, y^t if shee would forgive y^e Hundred pound he would yⁿ pay y^e Rent, alow Diet for A Maide for Her, & pay y^e rates, & this shee Declared, w^th great griefe & Trouble of Spirit, w^th weepeing Teares.
Taken before y^e Dep^t Gov^r & part of y^e Gen^ll Councell y^e 14^th of Aprill 1673.

John Sanford Secretary.

Sarah y^e wife of Nicholas Wilde Aged 61 yeares or thereabouts, being According to Law Engaged & deposed, testifieth to y^e Truth of all y^t is above Testified by Her Husband. And further testifieth, y^t M^rsRebeca Cornell told this depon^t y^t Her Son Thomas, one time being Angry w^th her, lookt very firce upon Her, & nasht, or sett his Teeth at her, & sayd shee had beene A Cruell Mother to hime. She told hime shee had not beene cruell, but A [torn] & sayd his Carrige & Expressions therein was A great Trouble, or Terror to Her. This depon^t askt M^rs Cornell how shee was able to beare such Afflictions. Shee answered y^t shee should not be Able to beare it, but y^t [17] God did support her, & in Her griefe shee had Scriptures come into Her mind y^t did much quiet her.Taken before y^e Dep^t Gov^r & part of the Genll Councell y^e 14th of Aprill 1673.

John Sanford Secretary

The Deposition of Rebeca Woollsey is y^t wⁿ shee was last at Rhod-Island with Her Mother M^rs Rebeca Cornell falling in discourse one with Another, the Depon^ts Mother tould her Daughtour Woollsey that shee looked very poorly and the Depon^t told her Mother shee had cause soe to doe; her mother did Aske her why; the Depon^t told her Mother, y^t shee had, had the smal pox, and y^t shee was very much Afflicted and Troubled in mind, and y^t shee was sometimes Perswaded to Drowne her selfe, and sometimes to stabb her selfe. Soe the Depon^ts Mother told her Daughter that shee must pray to God, and he would helpe Her. The Depon^t told Her Mother, shee did often call upon God, and he did here her, soe wⁿ the Depon^t had done with this Discorce, the Deponants Mother told her Daughter that shee had beene divers yeares possest with an evill spirit, and that shee was divers times Perswaded to make away with Her selfe, and yett the Lord was pleased from time to time to preserve her. The Depon^t told her Mother, that shee would tell her Brother Thomas of it, and her Mother charged her not to tell hime, soe shee did not tell hime: And further sayes not.ffloshin 10 Aprill 1673 — This Testimony taken before me

Robert Coe Justice of Peace

John Pearce of the Towne of Portsmouth Aged 41 yeares or there abouts being According to Law Engaged, Testifieth, that since the Decease of M^rs Rebeca Cornell, this Deponent being at the house of [torn - Wm ?] Wood, there was Thomas Cornell, and his Wife, and Thomas Cornell sayd, that his Mother in her life time had A desire to have A good fire, and further sayd, that he thought God had answered her ends, for now shee had it.Taken the 7th of May 1673 (in the morneing) before me.
Joshua Coggeshall Assistant.Lift^t Joseph Torrey of Newport being According to Law Engaged, Testifieth, That on y^e Day the Corroners Inquest satt upon the Corps of M^rs Rebeca Cornell deceased (on the second inquiry) comeing to the House of Thomas Cornell, and Inquireing whether the outmost dore were shutt, of the sayd M^rs Cornells Roome that night shee Dyed, M^r Thomas Cornell made Answer, that the dore was not Lockt, neither was there ever any Lock upon the Dore, but sayd he, the Dore was fastned with A Barr upon the Latch, and showed this depon^t in what man[n]er it was.Taken the 16th of May 1673 in Court As Attests John Sanford Record^r
Mr. Phillip Eds of Newport being According to Law Engaged, Testifieth to the truth of what is above Testified by Lift^t Joseph Torrey.
Taken in Court, y^e 16th of May 1673. As Attests John Sanford Record^r
I Present and Indict Thomas Cornell of Portsmouth now Prisoner in his Maj^ties Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations Senr. That against the feare of God, the Honour of our Soveraigne Lord the Kinge, and the Law and peace of this Colony, on the Evening of the 8th Day of Feb^ry in the 25^th yeare of the Reigne of his Maj^tie Charles the Second Annoque Domin. 1672. The sayd Thomas Cornell did violently Kill his Mother, Rebeca Cornell, Widdow, or was ayding or Abetting thereto, in the Dwelling House of his sayd Mother in the foresayd towne of Portsmouth, which act of his is Murder, and is against the Hono^le Crowne and Dignety of his Majesty the Laws and peace of this Colony.
Dated at A Gen^ll Court of Tryalls held y^e 12th May 1673
John Easton Gen^ll Aturney.Passed by leave of y^e Court to y^e Grand Jury As Attests John Sanford Reco^r. Grand Jury returne [blotted] Bill. Petty Jurys returne. Guilty.Whereas you Thomas Cornell have beene in this Court, Indicted, and Charged for Murdering your Mother M^rs Rebeca Cornell Widdow, and you being by your Peers the Jurry found Guilty, Know, and to that end, prepare your selfe, that you are by this Court sentenced to be carryed from hence to the Common Goale, and from thence on ffryday next which will be the 23^th Day of this instant month May, about one of the Clocke, to be carryed from the sayd Goale to the place of Execution, the Gallows, and there to be Hanged by y^e neck untill you are Dead Dead.—

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Excerpt provided by Jane Fletcher Fiske from her book, September 2002, for use on this website.