- The best I could figure out about this incident is Ophelia is the wife of John Via mentioned below, and Anderson Via would be John's Uncle. I don't understand what their part in the proceedings were, it looks like they were standing with the slaves Jack and Jane. I don't know enough about how these things worked to say. A number of slaves, Stephen, belonging to Elizabeth Via, Jack, belonging to Frances Via and Anderson, belonging to Edward Cockram, who was later found not guilty, attacked John Via, aka John Boyd and beat him to death. If anyone has any other info on this story or has a better understanding of the events, please let me know!Order Book 1860-1865
Page 494 Stephen a slave the property of Elizabeth Via charged with a felony by him committed in this that he did on the night of the 27th day of December 1864 in the County of Franklin did arm himself with a stick and pursue John Boyd alias John Via Jr with the intent to kill him the said John Boyd or alias John Via, Jr. The said Stephen was led to the bar in custody of the jailor of this county and there upon on his motion and for reasons appearing to the court this cause is continued until the 1st day of the next term.Ophelia Via and Anderson Via, Jr. for Jack a slave belonging to Frances Via, and John A. Newberry for Jane a slave belonging to Charles Rakes appeared in Court and acknowledged themselves indebted to the commonwealth of VA, the said Anderson Via Jr. for himself and for the said Jack a slave as aforsaid in the sum of $200 each, to be levied of their respective goods and chattels lands and tenements to the use of the said commonwealth yet upon this condition that if the said Anderson Via, Jr. Ophelia Via the said Jack and the said Jane shall personally appear before the CountyFebruary, 1865 Page 480Present Peter Saunders Jr., Thomas H. Bernard, Frances S. Hutcherson, John I. Saunders and Daniel G. Peters, General Justices, sitting as a Court of Order and for the trial of Jack, a slave belonging to France Via, for a felony committed by him in this, that he did on the night of 27th December 1864, in Franklin Co assault and beat John Boyd alias John Via Jr, with a stick unmercifully with intent to murder and did kill said John Via Jr though not instantly, of which wounds he languished about 24 hours and died. The said Jack was led to the bar in custody of the jailor of this county and thereupon the said Jack pleaded not guilty to the charge. The Court preceded to examine witnesses as well on behalf of the Commonwealth as of the prisoners. Court adjourned until tomorrow.
Page 482 Present Peter Saunders Jr., Thomas H. Bernard, Frances S. Hutcherson, John I. Saunders and Daniel G. Peters, General Justices, sitting as a Court of Order and for the trial of Anderson a slave the property of Edward Cockram charged with felony (same as above). The said Anderson was again led to the bar and the court further examined witnesses. Upon consideration where of it is the opinion of the Court that said Anderson is not guilty of the charge aforesaid and doth therefore order that he be acquitted and discharged.
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1832 - 1864 (32 years)
