Law Case File 1900
Francis Giltner v Charles Gorham et al
October 19, 1848
Chatham, Ontario

Said Nancy Reid being carefully examined cautioned and duly sworn to testify the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth said That she is 36 years of age . . . resides in the village of Marshall thus resided there for two years past. Knows the defendants with the exception of Dr. Comstock but does not know the plaintiff. Knew the Crosswhite family who resided in Marshall in January 1847. Recollects the occurrence in that winter of an attempt by some Kentuckians to take away the Crosswhites. Witness lived at that time about a quarter of a mile southwest from the Courthouse in Marshall. First heard of the transaction by a coloured man who came to her house that morning to tell her husband what was going on. Witness started sometime after hearing of the affair to go to the Crosswhites, first heard of it between daylight and sunrise. In going to the place she went in company with Mrs. White. First up the street from her house to National then up Main street—While coming up main street and nearly opposite the intersection of the street leading from the Depot. Met the oldest Crosswhite boy John going down Main street. Further up the street near the last side of the square in front of the Marshall house she met 4 strangers whom she took to be Southern men coming down street west. Took particular notice of a larger man among them with a white speck in his eye with a blue blanket overcoat on as she thinks, with a broad brim much worn fur hat on another of the four she observed had sandy whiskers. They looked pretty hard at witness as she passed and she said to them immediately after passing. "You need not look so sharp at me for you can't get me." To this they made no answer—

A little distance further on she met Adam Crosswhite—Proceeding on further-about half way between John B. Whites house and Crosswhites just as she was going through the hollow she met Mrs. Crosswhite coming toward the village with Hackett—on meeting with them witness turned about and came down with them to Hacketts house. Found on arriving at Hacketts house two of the younger Crosswhite children. Mrs. Crosswhite and the two children remained there at Hackett's    the witness left about one o'clock in the afternoon. The coloured man who came to notify her husband on the morning of the   as above mentioned was Thomas Winfrey.

her
Nancy X Reid
Mark

Go back to this lesson plan:

• Many Sides of the Law
• Who Am I?

Updated 01/30/2007

Michigan Historical Center, Department of History, Arts and Libraries
Use and Reproduction Information [PDF]
Contact us with your question or comment about this page.