Territory of Arkansas County of Lawrence: of the United States of America
An inquisition intended taken at Polly Hilhouses[sic] in the county of Lawrence
on the 13th day of July before me Thomas McCarroll a justice of the peace
acting in the plase[sic] of the coroner[sic] for this County. In taken and holding an inquisition
when the body of Polly Hilhouse then and there lying dead upon the oaths of
Benjamin Perkins, Nathanial McCarroll, Edward Ritchardson[sic], Eli Sheckley,
William Heron, Jarrett Woods, Washington Cooper, William MnKnight Senior,
James McKnight, William McKnight Junior, Miles Williams, Samuel
Raney, Samuel D. Gibson, Willis Phillips, James A Steedman, Joseph
Ware, William King, Drew Ritchards[sic] good and lawful one[?] householders
of the Township of Strawberry of the said county who being sworn and charged
diligently to inquire and trice[sic] presentment[sic] make how, in what manner and
by whom the said Polly Hillhouse came to her death upon there[sic]
oaths do say, that Polly Hillhouse was wilfuly[sic] and intentionly[sic] murdered
with a rifle shot through we believe the ball enterd[sic] under the right
should and come through her right breast which instantly caused her
death which murder we do believe from every sircomstance[sic] was committed[sic]
by her negro boy[sic] Jarrett.
In witness whereof as will the aforesaid coronor as the jurors aforesaid have
to this inquisition out their seals at the place on the 14th day of July
A.D. 1831
Papers for the circuit court in the case United States vs Jarrett a negro[sic] for murder Proceedings held before Tho. McCarroll Esq. Filed Nov 21st 1831