The Trial and Execution, for Petit Treason, of Mark and Phillis, Slaves of Capt. John Codman - Part 4
Library

Part 4

_An._ No. I did not.

_Q._ What did you do with them?

_Ans._ Phoebe had the first; and she sent Phillis for the second and I gave it to her.

_Qu._ When & where did you give Phoebe the first Paper of that Powder?

_An._ In our Garret; the same night I brought it over.

_Qu._ Was any Body there when you gave it to her?

_An._ No.

_Qu._ What did she do with it?

_An._ She took it & put it upon the Table.

_Qu._ Did you give her the whole of the Powder you had of Robbin the first Time?

_An._ Yes. I gave her the Paper with all the Powder in it, as I received it of Robbin.

_Qu._ Did you tell her what was in the Paper?

_An._ No. She knew what was in it; for she told me what to get.

_Qu._ What did she tell you to get?

_An._ Something to kill three Pigs.

_Qu._ Did Robbin give you any Directions how to use that Powder, and tell you what Effect it would have?

_Ans._ He told me to put it into about 2 Quarts of Swill or Indian meal, and it would make 'em swell up.

_Qu._ Did you tell her how she must use the Powder? or what Effect it would have?

_Answr._ yes I told her as Robbin told me.

_Qu._ Do you know whether she used that Powder or any Part of it?

_Answr._ no otherwise than as Phoebe & Phillis told me Since my master's Death.

_Qu._ Who did you give the Second Paper of Powder to?

_An._ To Phillis.

_Qu._ When & where did you give that Paper of Powder to Phillis?

_Ans._ In the little House; She came to empty a Pot over the Wharffe, and I gave it to her, The Monday before my sd. Master died, after Breakfast in the Forenoon.

_Qu:_ Did you then give her all the Powder you recd. of Robbin the Second Time?

_Ans._ Yes. I took off the brown Paper and gave it to her in the white Paper, that it was in, when Robbin gave it to me.

_Qu._ What did she do with it?

_Answr._ She caried it into the House to Phoebe as Phillis told me, She came to me & told me Phoebe sent her for that Thing that She sent me for, and thereupon I gave Phillis the Paper.

_Qu:_ How was your Master poisoned with these Powders?

_Answr._ Phoebe & Phillis told me that they used them for that End.

_Qu:_ When did they tell you this?

_Answr._ The next Day after my master died.

_Q:_ Were they together when they told you So?

_Answr._ No, Phillis told me of it first, and said that Phoebe used all that I brought first, that Way; and that the last was used so too by her and Phoebe; and then I went to Phoebe and ask'd her about it, and She denyed it at first but when I told her that Phillis had told me all about it, then she owned it.

_Quest._ Had you no Reason before your sd. master dyed to think that the Powders you had of Robbin were given to your master or that he was poison'd therewith?

_Answr._ No other Reason than hearing Phoebe the Sat.u.r.day night before master died ask Phillis, if she had given him enough, to which she replyed, yes. I have given him enough, and will stick as close to him as his shirt to his back; but who she meant I did not then know, nor untill after master died.

_Quest._ Was there no Discourse had between you Phoebe & Phillis about getting more Poison, after you had the first, of Robbin?

_Answ._ The Fryday before my master died Phoebe told me that she had lost that stuff that I had brought to her from Robbin, and desired me to get her some more. I told her I wou'd when I went over to Boston; this was in the Forenoon, when she was washing in the back yard.

_Quest._ Did you get her any more of Robbin?

_Ansr._ Yes, and that was it which I gave to Phillis

_Quest._ When did you go over to get the last Poison?

_Ans._ on the Sat.u.r.day night before my master died; I went over after Sunset; I went directly to Robbin; & told him I wanted some of the same I had of him before for that was lost, Robbin was then at the Corner of his master's House out in the street, he told me he could not get any then, but if I wou'd come on the Sabbath Day night he would let me have some, and I went to him on the Sabbath Day night after Candle Light, and he then gave it to me.

_Quest._ Was there any Body with you on the Sat.u.r.day night when you ask'd for the Poison, or do you know whether any Person saw you & Robbin together that Evening?

_Answr._ No, n.o.body was there, and I dont know that any Body saw us together that Evening.

_Quest._ How long was you with Robbin at Mr. Harris's Work house?

_Answr._ I made no tarry there, but left him at the Pot house, and he and the young man that was with him followed me and overtook me a little below Mr. Waite's Slaughter house; And they went with me into the Lane leading from the market Place to the long Wharffe near Mrs. Shearman's, while I went into Mrs. Shearmans and got a mug of Toddy, in the mug I brought from Mr. Harris's Work house, and I carried it to them and they both drank with me.

_Quest._ Had you any Discourse with Robbin in private or between you and him alone that Day?

_Ansr._ No, none at all.

_Quest._ Where did you drink the Toddy?