Snow Hill School

Article: "Melancholy Case"--September 25, 1847

"MELANCHOLY CASE"

Raleigh Register, September 25, 1847

"We are pained to record a case of poisoning which occurred at a wedding in Greene County week before last. On Thursday, the 19th ult., we learn that a wedding took place at the residence of the late JOHN W. TAYLOR, formerly Sheriff of that County. On that day several gentlemen met at the house without any knowledge of the wedding, to transact some business in relation to the estate of the deceased. 

Having finished their business, several of them upon the polite invitation of the family, consented to remain at the wedding. Among them Messrs. JAMES G. EDWARDS, HENRY HOLMES, and we believe a MR. BRIGGS. The company was small, and at an early hour after supper they returned home. Boiled custard was one of the delicacies partaken of by most of the company, as well as the negroes of the family. 

The next morning we understand MR. EDWARDS, MR. HOLMES, MR. BRIGGS, the bride and other whites, besides sixteen of the family negroes in fact every one who ate of the custard, were taken violently ill, with excessive perking and purging, and an insatiable thirst. Medical aid was immediately called in, and every effort was used by the physicians which happily proved successful, except in two instances. MR. HOLMES lingered for several days enduring great suffering, and in the early part of the following week sunk in the arms of death. A negro of the family also died. Several others we are told have narrowly escaped with their lives. 

The death of MR. HOLMES is deeply lamented by the citizens of that county and indeed all of his acquaintance. He was a noble specimen of human nature - modest, sober, industrious, honest, full of the milk of human kindness, and withal a Christian. His last moments were full of comfort, and he died in the hope of a blessed immortality.

Occurrences of this kind are exceedingly rare in this section. We learn no investigation has been had, which is certainly blamable. No one pretends to account for it, or to charge any one with the foul deed; though it has been said that one of the physicians thought they had been poisoned by arsenic. We incline to the opinion that a thorough investigation would throw some light on the subject, and correct that suspicion. It may be that some poisonous substance was without the knowledge of the cook, in the vessel in which it was prepared, or that some ingredient was improperly but innocently put in the article while in the process of making. We trust the true state of the case will be soon developed."

Last Will and Testament: William Bryant MOORING (1839-1911)

Know all men by these presents that I, Bryant Mooring of the State of North Carolina, and County of Greene, being of sound mind and memory, but weak in body and considering to the uncertainty of this life, do make, declare and publish this my last will and testament.

 1. That my Executor hereinafter named shall collect all debts due me at my death, and pay all funeral expenses, preparing for my body a decent burial, and pay all my just debts to whomsoever owing, out of the first moneys that may come into his hands.

2. I give and bequeath and devise to my beloved wife, Pennie Mooring, all of my real estate and personal property so long as she may live, and then to be divided as follows between my children:

3. I have deeded to my son, Henry Mooring, all the land that intended for him to have.

4. I give and bequeath and devise to my beloved son, Wyley Mooring, the following piece or parcel of land:  BOUNDED AND DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS:  BEGINNING at a stake, the corner of Henry C. Mooring land, and the George W. G. Beaman land, and runs with the line of the Beaman land, N. 621/2 West 22 poles to a stake;  thence South 34 1/4 West a line parallel with H. C. Mooring's line to the road, a stake;  thencewith the road to Henry C. Mooring's corner, a stake;  thence with the line of H.C. Mooring, the beginning containing 25 acres, more or less, and known as Lot Number Two in a plat made by B.E. Beaman made for Bryant Mooring, dated May 3rd, 1904, to have so long as he lives, and then to go to his children.

5. I give and bequeath and devise to my grand-daughter, Bertie Hill, the following piece or parcel of land bounded and described as follows:  BEGINNING at a stake _________ containing 20 acres, more or less, and being known as Lot Number Three in a plat made by B.E. Beaman for Bryant Mooring dated May 3rd, 1904, to her so long as she should live, and if no children, then to her brother, Frank Hill..

6. I give and bequeath and devise to my daughter, Victoria Eason, the wife of Abner Eason, the following described tracts or parcels of land __________ containing 35 acres, more or less.  I tax her lot with $50.00 wigh I want to be paid to my son, J.I. Mooring, to her as long as she may live, and then to her children.

7. I give and bequeath and devise unto my son, L.D. Mooring, so long as he should live, and then to his bodily heirs, the following piece of land, described as following ________ containing 30 acres, more or less.  I tax his lot with the sum of $100.00, which I want to be paid to John I. Mooring.

8. I give to my son, Marcellous Mooring, all of my property that I had for him.

9. I give and bequeath to my beloved wife, Pennie Mooring, all my personal property that I may have at the time of my death, to sell and use at her own option such as money, notes and other property.

10. I do nominate and constitute and appoint my beloved wife, Pennie Mooring, the sole Executor of this my last will and testament.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I hereunto set my hand and seal, and publish and decree this to be my last will and testament in the presence of witnesses named below, this October 24th, 1910.



                   (seal) of Bryant Mooring

Moses HART Sr. (1726-1785)

Moses HART was born about 1726 in Surry County, VA, to William HART and Mary WASHINGTON, and was their fourth son. He is named in his father's will, probated 18 July 1744, being given 240 acres of land located on the Nottaway River, and a negro.

Moses HART can be found two more times while living in Virginia, the first in 1756 and the second in 1758.

While living in Nansemond County, Virginia, he married and had children. His wife's name may have been Mary.

Moses HART Sr. and Mary had the following children:
1. William HART, b. abt 1745
2. Micajah HART, b. abt 1747
3. Watkins HART, b. abt 1750
4. Moses HART Jr., b. abt 1755
5. Robert HART, b. abt 1756
6. Barrom HART, b. abt 1757
7. Zachariah HART, b. abt 1758
8. John HART, b. abt 1760

These children are listed based on speculation concerning census and tax records.

At about the age of 45, Moses HART is found living in Pitt County, North Carolina.

On 31 December 1771, Moses HART Sr. purchased two tracts of land in Pitt County, NC from William STAFFORD. The first tract of land was 161 acres for 60 lbs., located adjacent to Moses TYSON and Edmund TYSON Jr. The second tract was 220 acres for 65 lbs. They were located on the south side of the Tar River.

On 19 February 1774, Moses HART sells 70 acres to George TISON.

On 19 March 1774, Moses HART sells 100 acres to William HART.

On 16 October 1776, Moses HART sells 50 acres to Watkins HART.

On 9 February 1780, Moses HART sells 300 acres to Robert HART.

Some time after this, Moses HART leaves Pitt County and moves to neighboring Dobbs County. He is mentioned in the Dobbs County deed book on 4 April 1785, living next to land owned by Robert HART.

The last time Moses HART Sr. is mentioned is on 4 January 1786, in a deed for Melus BROOM, who owned land adjoining John POPE and Moses HART's. This record states that Moses HART is now deceased, so he must have died after April 1785 and before January 1786.

Jesse HART (1795-1850)

Jesse HART was born about 1795, possibly in Tyrrell County, NC.

His parentage is unknown, though there is speculation that his father's name may have been Barrum Hart. I have not yet found a record stating the names of his parents or siblings.

Jesse Hart came to Greene County, NC some time before 1820, because he is first found living there in the 1820 census. By this time, he is married and has a son. He also has another male about his same age living in his household, quite possibly a brother. A female slave is also living with the family.

We know his wife to be Mary Polly SPIVEY, daughter of Ephraim SPIVEY and Margaret.

Jesse and Mary had the following children:
1. Elias HART, b. bef. 1820
2. Elizabeth HART, b. 1821
3. Barram HART, b. 1824
4. Mary M. HART, b. 1826
5. Martha HART, b. 1828
6. Susan R. HART, b. 1830
7. Zelota HART "Lottie", b. 1832
8. Jesse E. HART, b. 1834
9. Alexander C. HART, b. 1836
10. Daughter HART, b. 1838

Jesse Hart died in December 1849 in Greene County, NC.

Sources:

• 1820 United States Federal Census: He is living in Greene County with his wife, a son, and another male his age, possibly a brother. One female slave, between the ages of 26-44, is also living in the household.
• 1830 United States Federal Census: He is living with his wife, a son between the ages of 5-9 and a son and three daughters all under the age of 5. Three slaves are also living in the household: a male and a female, between the ages of 24-35, and a male, under the age of 10. 
• 1840 United States Federal Census: He is living with his wife, a son and a daughter between the ages of 15-19, a son and three daughters between the ages of 10-14, a daughter between the age of 5-9, and a daughter and two sons under the age of 5. Also in the household are three slaves: a female, between the age of 36-54, and a female and male between the ages of 10-23.