David MtGomery Esqr being Sworn saith That Negro Abram was charged of having harbored a Negro man of his when lying out that he was brought to his Hous to see if any thing could be proven against him Suppose he had been at his House about an hour and half when Mr. Bennet took him (Abram) to the Maschine[?] Hous[?] to confine there for some time for the purpose of preventing any communication with the oither Negros thinks he had been there about an hour & a quarter when Witness in company with James Manon[?] & Steven P. Bennet went up to the Maschine[?] House for the purpose of liberateing him * (Witness observed that Bennet told him when he return'd from the [?] House that he had fastened him so that he was compelld to stand on his feet as he was not to be confined but a short time though the Negro requested the liberty of lying down)* when they entered the House where the Negro was confined they found him dead hanging between a Chain & rope which Chane[?] had been fastened round his neck & to the wall on one side & the rope to his hands tied to a post before him for the purpose of not letting him get his hand to chane to let himself loose With his head about two feet from the floor or two & half Witness thinks Abram came to his death by the weight of the chain pressing against his throat and consequently stopped respiration, used all exertion for the purpose of bringin him to life but faled. Obseres[?] Benet did not use any threats against the Negro but was in good humour returned Smiling after he had confined him has no reason to believe that he intended any Injury to the Negro thinks he [?] [?] man more surprised and mortified James Manon[?] Sworn [?] Bennet was Testifies to the very same facts that the former winess has done and further observes that heard Bennet saying when he returned from confining the negro that had fastened him with[?] a[?] chain round his neck to the wall behind him & a rope tied to his hands & a post before him so that he could not lie down Patrick Branan[?] Sworn Saith He seen Bennet taking the Negro to confine him appeared in perfect good humour heard him observe the same when he returned that Mr. Manon[?] did respecting manor of confining him When the Negro was found dead witness thought Mr. Bennet was so much troubled that there was dange[?] of through himself into fits Charles Ball Charles Bell Esq has [?] in my hand a warrant State v. Stephen P. Bennet for killing a negro and from [?] [?] [?] [?] 1826 C. Edw Pearson