William B. Kiff sworn. I oversee for the owner of this plantation and live on the place; says that sometime between 9 and 10 o'clock on Sunday morning November 4th 1855, the negro woman Fanny was in the yard, and I told her to come into her house, which she did; after she came in she was standing near a window with her hand on the pail of water; when dropped on the floor pulling the pail of water over on herself. When she fell her daughter named Rachael caught her and put her on the bed, where she lived about an hour and not more. I have several times shook my hand at her to make her behave herself, but did not strike her this morning; there were no other negroes in this yard at time that I remember of. As soon as I thought it necessary I sent for Doctor Thomas W. Salmond who did not come but doctor L.H. Deas came. W. B. Kiff

L.H. Deas M.D. sworn. I was sent for this morning to a negro woman Fanny but hearing on my arrival that she wa dead did not go in here she was to see her. L.H. Deas, M.D.

Tho. W. Salmond M.D. sworn. I have known Fanny a long time. For several years she has been subject to attacks of insanity. Whilst in an attack she is very passionate and easily excited. T.W. Salmond, M.D.

Wm. B Kiff recalled & sworn. By a juror. I came into the house of Fanny. She was making a fire or sweeping I do not remember which. I was in the yard when I told her to come in, and she came. I stepped in awhile after her to see that she had all safe in her house, which I usually do; I am certain I did not strike her this morning; I do not recollect that I laid my hands on her at all. The pail will hold about three pecks. She was sweeping in the yard when I told her to come in, she showed no anger when I spoke to her; I did not speak passionately to her. She sometimes carries fire about the house. I could not have been in the house much over a minute when she fell & the pail on her, and was picked up and laid on the bed by her daughter. About two months ago I slapped her very lightly. No one else has to my knowledge used any violence towards the woman Fanny. W.B. Kiff

Rachael a slave called. Fanny is my mother. She was well as usual this morning and was talking to me and scolding me which she was sweeping the yard. She was not complaining this morning. I told her to come in the house off the damp ground. She did not answer me. Mr. Kiff then came up and told her to come in the house. She made him no answer. Mr. Kiff brought her to the door; I was in the other side of the house. I heard him tell her to come in, and I heard her come in. When I cam in Mother's house she was lying in the corner and the water on her, the pail was on a table in the other corner when I came in. I raised her up and put her on the bed. I then called her but she could not speak to me. I came when my sister Margaret called me, but she was not in the house when I raised mother up. Mr. Kiff had her by the arm when he brought her to her door. When I came in here Mr. Kiff was in the house where lives; never saw mother have a fit; she looked this morning as she usually doesn't.

Margaret a slave called. Says Fanny is her mother. Was not sick this morning. She was out sweeping the yard this morning. Mr. Kiff was in his house eating his breakfast. Did not hear Mr. Kiff speak to her. She was before the kitchen door sweeping the yard when Mr. Kiff came up to her and knocked her in the back. She did not get angry when he done her so; he did not tell her to come in the house. He fetched her to the steps but his hands were not on her. He was walking behind her when she came to the steps she could hardly get in the house. No one helped her in. When she came in she went to the window opposite. Then she came back to the window on the side of the house where she first entered and fell down under the window. I was not in the house at the time. She did not speak to me. I spoke to her. She went to the pail to get some water to drink. Before she fell she drank some but could hardly swallow. She fell backwards under the window. She caught hold of the pail of water before she fell and pulled the pail down on her. I did not go to take her up. I was scared. Sister Rachel picked her up and put her in the bed. I was in the house with them. Mr. Kiff was in his house at the time.

At my request Doct. L.H. Deas and Doct. Thos. W. Salmond examined the body carefully and finding nothing that would warrant the idea that any vilence was used towards the deceased by any one, and the further declaration of Doct. Salmond that he would not be surprised at any moment to hear of her sudden death, the Jury agreed upon the verdict annexed hereto. F.I. Destay.