State of North Carolina Burke County, deposition of William W. Erwin, Esqr. in town of Morgantown 4 May 1821. Stated. “Acquainted with William Bradshaw the elder, now deceased. Said Wm. Bradshaw was married by this deponent to Miss Elizabeth Harper a maiden lady and sister of John Harper, that previous to her marriage with Wm. Bradshaw she had a daughter, which believe named Prudence Harper, said Prudence married Wm. Beach the reputed grandson of Wm. Bradshaw the elder. Said Wm. Beach and wife lived in the yard and on the plantation of Wm. Bradshaw the elder and acted as overseer or manager of said Wm. Bradshaw. The deponent sold to William Beach or Wm. Bradshaw 100 acres land adjoining Wm. Bradshaw’s plantation and said deposent made title to Wm. Beach and Wm. Bradshaw paid said deponent for said land, the said Wm. Beach being unable to pay for it. William Beach continued to live with said Bradshaw for several years and said deponent was in the house several times and always supposed Wm. Beach was dependent on his grandfather William Bradshaw for his subsistance. William Bradshaw the elder was a man of considerable property, land, slaves, cattle, horses, hogs. His wife, Mrs. Bradshaw appeared to have considerable influence over him (her husband Wm. Bradshaw) and this deponent believes she intended to vest the property of William Bradshaw her husband in to hands of her daughter and son-in-law Wm. Beach. William Bradshaw the elder applied to him to prevent it. He believes this applicatior made by the sons who lived in the neighborhood of William Bradshaw residence. Sometime before William Bradshaw removed from Burk to Lincoln. The opinion in the neighborhood that William Bradshaw was induced to move from Burke to Lincoln that his wife and her son- in-law Wm. Beach might more easily manage Wm. Bradshaw in obtaining transfer of property of said William Bradshaw old and inform age between 80 and 90. Wm. Beach is a bad character. Signed Wm. W. Erwin. Sworn before James Avery. J. P. Deposition of Robert Grarty (Grasty ?). He stated that he knew Bradshaw and Beach, also Mrs. Bradshaw. William Beach is a grandson of William Bradshaw the elder. Had none or little property and lived with his grandfather Wm. Bradshaw while in Burke. William Bradshaw the elder moved to Lincoln County. There is mention of Josiah Bradshaw as a son of William. Discovered Mrs. Bradshaw, wife of said William, endeavored to prevent her husband from having any conversation with his son Josiah Bradshaw. Previous to said William Bradshaw moving to Lincoln, William happened at his son Josiah’s house where deponent heard Josiah ask his father why he did not rent him and go among his children like he formerly did. The old man said he disliked to have disturbance and if he went among his children as formaly and appeared friendly to them he would have constant quarrelling in his own house and get no peace. Josiah told his father “no woman should have influence over him as he supposed his wife to influence and govern him. Signed Robert (X) Grasty --4 May 1821. Burke County, NC deposition of Elizjah Largent, age 45 years and Isaac Beach about 33 years of age. Elijah Largen deposition at courthouse in Burke County, 5 May 1821. Stated that he was acquainted with Wm. Bradshaw and his second wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Harper and was acquainted with defendants earliest infancy until about three years ago and she was a woman of infamous character and had a Bastard or Base born child. She had little or no property before her marriage. Knew William Bradshw from marriage to Elizabeth Harper who was at that time about 70 years old. She knew him eight or ten years before Wm. Bradshaw left the county. She knew William Beach the grandson married Wm. Bradshaw etc. William Beach married the daughter of Mrs. Bradshaw, wife of William Bradshaw the elder. William Beach was entirely destitute of property and depended on his grandfather for support of himself and family. William Beach married Mrs. Bradshaw’s daughter Prudence Harper. Mrs. Bradshaw asked deponent if she could hold all property of William Bradshaw from his heirs and he told her that she could not. Soon after William Bradshaw sold a large portion of his negroes and moved out of Burke into Lincoln County where he lived for several years. After which he moved to Wilkes County and this deponent was at the house of said William Bradshaw while he lived in Wilkes County, at which place Mrs. Bradshaw informed this deponent that there was a Bill of sale or deed of gift of all negroes which said Wm. Bradshaw possessed made by her husband to William Beach, and asked numerous questions about if William Beach could hold them or not. Said William Bradshaw moved to Tennessee and deponent hearing of his death obtained from Josiah Bradshaw son of William a power of attorney and a verbal permission to Tennessee to make demand of five shears of said negroes to said Wm. Beach, who was then Administrator and he claimed as his own the property. William Beach was totally destitute of the truth. Deposition of Isaac Beach, a brother of William Beach and William at times had cattle, etc. and he also knew William Bradshaw the elder. Signed Isaac (x) Beach. North Carolina Wilkes County, Wm. Lenorr a J. P. 30 April 1821. Depositions of Lewis Carlton, Elizathe Carlton, Benjamin Beach, George Helm agent for complainant. Lewis Carlton, Stated he knew William Bradshaw twelve or fifteen years ago. He purchased a tract of land from Joshua Story adjoining his own land and settled there. They became friends. He was there three or four years. William Beach came to live with him and on same tract of land. Beach talked to him about getting Mr. Bradshaw’s property and Carlton advised a deed of gift. “I moved William Beech from Lincoln County to this neighborhood in my waggon and he had little property not over forty or fifty dollars in value. Saw William Bradshaw’s wife put arms about her husband kiss and etc. in public places.” At Rev. William Dodson’s where they sat down to dinner, Mrs. Bradshaw directed the plate before Mr. Bradshaw be taken away and said they had already eat together off of one plate.