Person:William Robe (4)

On October 20, 1790, William Robe of Monongalia County petitioned the Virginia State Legislature for an act empowering him with Josiah Robe to to make sale and convey three tracts of land belonging to his son William Robe Jr., "who is deprived of his reason." Reel 127, Box 164, Folder 31; includes act.

"At a Caled court held in Monongalia county the 1st day of August 1798 for the Examination of Milley a Slave the property of David Robe commited to the Jail of this county on Suspision of having burned her masters barn and having attemted to murder William Robe Jun'r and for preparing medicine and exhibiting and Administring the same and other felonious crimes--Present David Scott William John James Scott John Dent & Enoch Evans Gent. Justices--" "The prisoner being set at the bar and it being demanded of her whether she was guilty of the felony wherewith she stands charged or not guilty she says She is guilty of Striking William Robe Jun'r with a hammer on the head and the other charges denies but confesses there were poison prepared to be administered on the Said William Robe Jun'r.-The court Assigns Noah Linsly Esquire council for the prisoner Whereupon several witnesses were Sworn and Examined upon Whose testamony and the confession of the prisoner at the bar the Court are of opinion that she the said Negro Milley is guilty of the felony wherewith she stands charged is Sentence her to be hanged by the neck untill she is dead & C and the Execution of this Judgment be perfored by the Sheriff on the 1st day of September next between the hours of ten in the fore noon & two O'clock in the Afternoon - and the Said court Vallues said negro Milley to be worth Seventy five pounds--"
"At A cald court held in Monongalia county the 1st day of August 1798 for the examination Will a slave the property of Barsheba Fergusson commited to the Jail of this county on Suspicion of having been accessary to the burning of the barn of William Robe and Other [felonies is crossed out] wherewith he Stands charged--Present David Scott William John James Scott John Dent & Enoch Evans Gent. Justices--"
"The prisoner being set at the bar and it being demanded of him whether he is guilty of the felony wherewith he stands charged or not guilty he says he is not guilty whereupon Several witnesses were sworn and examined upon Whose testamony and the circumstances attending the same The Court are of opinion that the Said Negro Will the property of Bersheba Fergusson is guilty of petty Larcenary and is ordered to be burnt in the hand and receive thirty Lashes on his bare back well laid on and then the Court arose--" "At a court held for Monongalia County the 13th day of August 1798 Present David Scott John Dent John Fairfax Edward Jones Nathan Springer Jonathan David Dudley Evans Stephen Hargen [?] George Greenwood & Asa Dudley Gent. Justices" "At a special examining court held the 16 August 1798 at the court house of this county for the examination of Milly a Negro Woman commited to the Jail of this county under Sentence of death--"
"Present Dudley Evans William Tingle Alex'r Haawthorn Asa Dudley & Lemuel John Gent. Justices--"
"The said Milley being set at the Bar and being asked what reason She had to alledge why the sentence of death should [not] be executed upon her according to the Judgment of the Examining court in that behalf before caled, that she is enseint with a quick child, and thereupon it is considered by the court that the Sheriff of this county do Instantly Summon and Impannel a Jury of twelve discreet women to enquire into the truth of the fact--Whereupon came a Jury of women (towit), Catherine Evans Mary McNeely Sarah Forster Ann Beck Mehatable Melrose Susanah McCrea Susanah Maderia Mary Baltsel Sarah McKinley - Catherine McIntire Sarah Laidley and Mary Gandy all discreet women who being Elected tried and sworn a true report to make as to the said fact alledged, after retiring to examine the said fact returned their report in these words, We the Jury do find that the prisoner at the bar is not quick with child and thereupon the said Milley being further demanded what she had to alledge why the said sentance of death should not be executed upon her at the time appointed by the said Judgment, alledged no cause thereupon it is Considered by the court that she be remanded to Jail under her said former Sentance--" 8 Oct 1798 p. 223 (original p. 250): "Ordered that Frederick Reed be allowed 34 cents per day for keeping Robert Minnis in jail 24 days also 25 cents per day for keeping Negro Milley 33 days also 25 cents per day for keeping William Woods a prisoner 10 days." p. 224 (original 251): "Ordered that Thomas Evans be allowed four dollars for making a coffin for Negro Milley who was executed and finding plank"

one version of his death is given in the Robe Family History of Sarah Robe (David Robe's granddaughter) in the Descendants of Mary Currey Barker and John Baldwin. States that "When he was 22 years old, he left his father's home on Monday to give five miles away to do some plowing on a tract of land, about the end of the week he came home entirely insane and did not seem to know anything. Some persons went to see about the team, it was found hitched to a plow feeding in the field. He had plowed some, chopped some rail timber, supposed after he went crazy. The only cause that could be given, there had been a thunder storm, there was a tree struck in the field. He was said to be a bright young man. At one time he went about three miles from home as he had done before. He was advised to go home as it was getting dark and was cold. He started in that direction but was never seen again, it was supposed he wandered off into the mountains and perished."