The Trial and Execution, for Petit Treason, of Mark and Phillis, Slaves of Capt. John Codman: Who Murdered Their Master at Charlestown, Mass., in 1755; for Which the Man Was Hanged and Gibbeted, and the Woman Was Burned to Death. Including, Also, Some Account of Other Punishments by Burning in Massachusetts — John Shaqi
The Trial and Execution, for Petit Treason, of Mark and Phillis, Slaves of Capt. John Codman: Who Murdered Their Master at Charlestown, Mass., in 1755; for Which the Man Was Hanged and Gibbeted, and the Woman Was Burned to Death. Including, Also, Some Account of Other Punishments by Burning in MassachusettsGoodell, Abner Cheney
History
The Trial and Execution, for Petit Treason, of Mark and Phillis, Slaves of Capt. John Codman: Who Murdered Their Master at Charlestown, Mass., in 1755; for Which the Man Was Hanged and Gibbeted, and the Woman Was Burned to Death. Including, Also, Some Account of Other Punishments by Burning in Massachusetts
_Answr._ I set it on fire, but it was thro' Mark's means, he gave
me no rest 'till I did it.
_Quest._ How did you Set your Master's Work House on fire?
_Answr._ I threw a Coal of Fire into some Shavings between the
Blacksmith's Shop & the Work House, and I went away & did not see it
kindle.
_Quest._ Who put the Shavings there?
_Answr._ Mark did.
_Quest._ Was any Body concern'd in the burning the Work house
besides Mark and you?
_Answr._ Yes, Phoebe knew about it as well as I.
_Quest._ Where was Phoebe & Mark when you put the Coal of Fire into
the Shavings?
_Answr._ The were up Garret in bed.
_Quest._ Who first proposed the Setting the Workhouse on fire? and
what reason was given for doing it?
_Answr._ Mark first proposed it, to Phoebe and I; and the Reason
he gave us was that he wanted to get to Boston, and if all was burnt
down, he did not know what Master could do without selling us.
_Quest._ Why did you, when Phoebe pour'd Some of the Water out of
the Vial into the Chocalate tell her, "her hand was heavy?"
_Answr._ I thought she pour'd in too much, more than she should I
felt ugly and I wan't willing she shou'd put in so much and that he
should be kill'd so quick. Mark's orders were to give it in two Doses,
that was the Directions Robbin gave to Mark, as Mark told me, and Mark
Said Robbin told him there was no more taste in it than in Cold Water.
_Quest._ Why did you not tell your Master or some of the Family that
Phoebe had poisoned the Chocalate, and thereby prevent your Master's
eating it?
_Answr._ I do not know why I did not tell.
The mark of X Phillis.
[_Examination of Mark._]
MIDDLESEX ss:
The Examination of Mark a Negro Servant of John Codman late of
Charlstown deceased taken by Edmund Trowbridge & Thaddeus Mason
Esqrs. at Charlstown in the County of Middlesex the ---- Day of
July Anno Dom: 1755.
_Quest._ What is your name?
_Answr._ Mark.
_Quest._ Are you a Servant or Freeman?
_Answr._ A Servant. Mr. John Codman decd: was my master.
_Quest._ How long was you his Servant?
_Answr._ For several Years before & untill his Death.
_Quest._ Do you know what occasion'd your sd. Master's Death?
_Answr._ He was poisoned.
_Q._ What was he poisoned with?
_A._ With Poison that came from the Doctor's.
_Q._ What Doctor?
_Answr._ Doctr. Clark that lives at the North End of Boston.
_Q._ What sort of Poison was that?
_A._ It was a White Powder put up in a Paper.
_Q._ How do you know that that Powder came from Doctr. Clark's?
_A._ Robbin the Negro Fellow that belongs to Doctr. Clark gave it
to me.
_Q._ When & where did Robbin give you that Powder?
_An._ A Week Day night, at his Master's Barn.
_Qu._ Was there any Person present with you when Robbin gave you that
Powder?
_An._ No. The first Time, the negro man his fellow Servant called him
out, it was in the Evening near 9 o'Clock.
_Qu._ How many Times had you such Powder of Robbin?
_An._ Twice only.
_Qu._ When was the last Time you had any such Powder of him?
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