When my mother and her siblings were taken from their mother for being abused it ws the Humane Society that took them. They handled both animal and children's cases. This was in 1914. Quoting Donna Potter <uriramfan@cox.net>: > Hi Lisa, > I do know that there were no laws regarding child abuse until after > about 1875 when a little girl named Mary Ellen was abused in NYC. The > perpetrators were convicted under animal abuse laws with the argument > that a child is technically an animal. We had laws protecting animals > before we had child abuse statutes. Children were considered property > by many and child abuse was not really recognized as a serious > problem until the mid 1900s when Helfer and Kempe published their > work on the Battered Child Syndrome. Even now the punishment for > abuse (that does not result in death) is as little as 30 days in jail > in one state! > I am guessing that this little girl may have been poor, perhaps > orphaned or otherwise disenfranchised, and had no one to advocate for > stronger punishment and that may be part of it. Hopefully the > Judicial Records archives will find the case and there will be more > information in there. > Interestingly, I found that several of William C. Brown's own > children died young - perhaps it was due to disease but I have to > wonder... > Donna >> >> From: "Lisa Lepore" <llepore@comcast.net> >> Date: 2006/03/15 Wed PM 11:15:45 EST >> To: RIGENWEB-L@rootsweb.com >> Subject: Re: [RIGENWEB] Pollock Murder -- The Scoop >> >> Thanks for posting these fascinating articles. >> >> I don't understand why in this case Adonijah Baily >> was sentenced to death, but in the case of Mr. >> Brown, posted the other day, he got off virtually >> scott free. >> >> Was the life of child not valued as much as that of >> an adult man? Or, was it that corporal punishment >> was an accepted activity, but in the Brown case, >> the child *unfortunately* died? >> >> It would be interesting to know if anyone has studied >> the court cases of this time period to see what types >> of sentences were imposed for what types of crimes. >> >> Lisa >> >> ----- Original Message ----- >> From: M. E. Potter >> To: RIGENWEB-L@rootsweb.com >> Sent: Wednesday, March 15, 2006 6:50 PM >> Subject: Re: [RIGENWEB] Pollock Murder -- The Scoop >> >> >> Hi Jean, >> >> All of the following are from the same source, "Early American >> Newspapers, >> Series I, 1690 to 1876" available to members on the NEHGS website. >> >> First, the following popped up (in case you don't already know this): >> >> From the Rhode-Island Republican, Vol.. 13, Iss. 27, pg. 4, >> 1821-10-03: >> >> "WASHINGTON, ss. -- Supreme Judicial Court / October term, A. D. 1820. >> / >> WHEREAS Marvel Pollock of Exeter, in the county of Washington, wife of >> Jeremiah W. Pollock, now residing in parts unknown, has this day filed >> her >> petition, in my Office, praying, for certain reasons therein stated, >> that >> the bonds of matrimony subsisting between her and the said Jeremiah, >> may be >> dissolved. Notice is hereby given to the said Jeremiah, to be and >> appear, >> if he see fit, before the Honorable Supreme Judicial Court to be >> holden, at >> South-Kingstown, within and for the county of Washington, on the >> second >> Monday of October, 1821, to shew [sic] cause why the prayer of said >> petition, ought not to be granted. / JOHN SEGAR, Clerk. / South >> Kingstown, >> Aug. 18, 1821 [S.12]" >> >> [If you don't already have the divorce papers, you can get them, free >> of >> charge, by emailing <archives@courts.ri.gov> ] >> >> >> From the Norwich Courier, Vol. III, Iss. 42, pg. 3, 1825-01-19: >> "Trial >> for Murder. -- On Wednesday last, came on the trial of Adonijah >> Bailey, >> aged 80 years, for the murder of Jeremiah W. Pollock, at the Superior >> Court, holden at Brooklyn -- Judges Peters and Brainard presiding. The >> jury >> retired about 20 minutes, and returned with a verdict of GUILTY. / We >> understand that the counsel for the prisoner have in arrest of >> judgment on >> the ground of one of the jurors not being a freeholder, and petitioned >> for >> a new trial on account of the misdirection of the Judge." >> >> >> From the Middlesex Gazette, Vol. XL, Iss. 2044 , pg. 2, >> 1825-01-26: "DOMESTIC. / On Wednesday last, the trial of Adonijah >> Baily >> [sic] for the murder of Jeremiah W. Pollock, commenced at Brooklyn, in >> the >> county of Windham, and terminated on Friday evening. So much interest >> had >> been excited, that before the trial commenced, the town was thronged >> with >> people from all parts of the County. The Hon. Judge PETERS presided at >> the >> trial. When Bailey was brought in to plead, great anxiety was >> manifested to >> witness the solemn scene. The prisoner was brought in by the Sheriff >> and >> his deputies, and as he approached the bar of justice, at the age of >> 79, >> halting with infirmity, every soul present seemed deeply affected, >> exoept >> [sic] the prisoner, who though attentive was unmoved. The case was >> conducted on the part of the State, by Col. JUDSON, State Attorney, >> assisted by Wm. P. CLEAVELAND, Esq.; and on the part of the prisoner >> by C. >> GODDARD, and J. EATON, Esquires. / The testimony disclosed the most >> cruel >> and awful murder that has taken place in the State of Connecticut for >> many >> years. The substance of the testimony was as follows: -- / Pollock had >> for >> some weeks been at work at Baileys, in the town of Sterling, and on >> the 23d >> of Oct. last, Pollock was missing: search was made from day to day for >> the >> body, until Nov. 3d when it was found buried, one foot deep, eight >> rods >> from the place where Bailey and Pollock had been at work. On taking >> the >> body from the ground, it appeared that four wounds were made on the >> back >> part of the head, cut through the scull [sic] with an axe. Eight >> witnesses >> testified that Bailey said he was with Pollock, making shingles until >> 11 >> o'clock on the 23d of Oct. when Pollock went away, to go to a >> neighbouring >> store, and that he, Bailey, stayed to work till late dinner time, and >> immediately returned and continued work there all day. Traces of blood >> were >> discovered from the shingle place, to the place where the body was >> found, >> and a fire had been kindled with a view to burn up the bloody >> shavings, but >> many were found partly consumed and others covered up, all this within >> 30 >> rods of Bailey's house. Bailey was asked whether there was any fire on >> the >> spot on the day Pollock was missing, repeatedly said there was none, >> could >> not have been any, as he was in a situation to know, being there all >> the >> time. It was then proved beyond all doubt that a fire was seen to be >> kindled around the shingle place about 2 o'clock P. M. which remained >> to >> burn some time. On searching Bailey, a note and order belonging to >> Pollock >> were found in his possession. Pollock's trunk was found open, and all >> its >> contents taken out, and some papers belonging to Pollock were thrown >> into >> the fire, and identified, some of them were taken off by a witness >> before >> consumed. When Pollock was last seen he had money with him and Bailey >> was >> destitute of any, until after Pollock's death, when he passed money at >> the >> store, to a considerable amount. Pollock's pocket-book and watch have >> never >> been found. One witness swore that about 10 days before Pollock was >> murdered, Bailey said 'that he or Pollock should die soon.' After >> Bailey's >> arrest and while under the care of the officer he tried to bribe his >> keepers and get away from them. -- These together with many other >> circumstances rendered his case entirely hopeless. After a protracted >> trial >> of three days, the cause was committed to the Jury, who returned a >> verdict >> of GUILTY. / The next day the prisoner was set at the bar to receive >> sentence, and being asked whether he had any reasons why sentence of >> death >> should not be pronounced, the prisoner replied with perfect coolness, >> that >> 'he had none, for he was willing to submit to the law.' / Judge Peters >> then >> proceeded in a most solemn and impressive manner to conclude the >> scene. The >> sentence was pronounced, and the execution is to take place the 2d >> Wednesday of June next. -- N. L. Advocate." >> >> From the Rhode Island American, Vol. XVII, Iss. 35, pg. 2, >> 1825-01-28: "At a recent term of the Supreme Court of Connecticut in >> Windham county, Adonijah Bailey, aged eighty years, was convicted of >> the >> murder of Jeremiah W. Pollock, and sentenced to be executed on the 8th >> of >> June next. It is stated that the testimony disclosed the most cruel >> and >> awful murder that has been committed in Connecticut for many years." >> >> From the Middlesex Gazette, Vol. XL, Iss. 2062, pg. 3, 1825-06-01: >> "On >> the night of the 24th inst. Adonijah Bailey who was sentenced to be >> executed on the 8th day of June next, for the murder of Jeremiah W. >> Pollock, evaded the sentence of the Judge by hanging himself, during >> the >> silence of the night in the dreary mansion of the Goal [sic], without >> any >> one to assist him. He made his rope of bandages which he took from his >> sore >> leg, and attached one end of it by a nail to the hinge of the door, >> and the >> other part of the rope round his neck, he was found hanging with his >> knees >> nearly to the floor, when the Goaler [sic] entered his room in the >> morning, >> the body was interred on Thursday. / Since his death we understand the >> Gaoler has found many papers in the room where he was confined which >> contain his confession of many black crimes, and among which, is the >> murder >> of Jeremiah W. Pollock, he has confessed how and in what manner he >> committed the bloody deed but not the cause, all of which will soon >> appear >> in a pamphlet containing also his trial. -- Brooklyn Obser." >> >> >> Perhaps you can track down that pamphlet, if it was ever actually >> published. Maybe a local historical society would have a copy. >> >> Regards, >> Margaret >> >> >> At 07:49 AM 3/15/2006, you wrote: >> >Hi Gang, >> >Here is another murder nightmare that I have in my genealogy. Maybe >> one of >> >you that have all this access to these great books can find >> something. >> >I certainly would appreciate it... >> >Jeremiah Wilson Pollock is my 5th gr grandfather..B 1769 >> Wakefield...died 23 >> >Oct 1824 Sterling, CT >> >Per Arnold...Jeremiah Wilson Pollock was a postal carrier and Whig >> >Also he was murdered in Sterling, Ct. as was his brother 2 months >> prior. >> >Wonder if the murders are related. >> > >> >Sincerely, Jean B >> > >> >> >> >> ==== RIGENWEB Mailing List ==== >> Support RootsWeb Genealogical Data Cooperative: http://www.rootsweb.com/ >> Surname Helper Search http://cgi.rootsweb.com/surhelp/srchall.html >> >> > > > ==== RIGENWEB Mailing List ==== > Washington County RIGenWeb http://www.rootsweb.com/~riwashin/ > Scans of Rhode Island Maps are at http://www.rootsweb.com/~rigenweb/maps/ > >

I want to thank everyone that answered my query and sent the info on the murder...certainly was interesting...now, if we only could get our hands on that pamphlet that told about it...and about the murder of Jeremiahs brother..hummmmmm....I certainly have a family full of murders or murderers in some way or another..my ancetor John Billington was the 1st person executed here on this soil for the murder of John Newcombe...his son Francis almost blew up the Mayflower by shooting of his musket near the gun powder on the ship, and his son John got lost in the woods and lived with Indians for a month....LOL.... Then this Pollock mess and of course my Gr Gr Grandfather John Snyder Dodd in West Virginia was acquited of murder after he killed a circus worker that had kidnapped his young daughter and had her working in the circus.... Wonder what else I can find....Hey, if nothing else I have a colorful bunch of ancestors... Thanks again..Jean >>> >>> From: "Lisa Lepore" <llepore@comcast.net> >>> Date: 2006/03/15 Wed PM 11:15:45 EST >>> To: RIGENWEB-L@rootsweb.com >>> Subject: Re: [RIGENWEB] Pollock Murder -- The Scoop >>> >>> Thanks for posting these fascinating articles. >>> >>> I don't understand why in this case Adonijah Baily >>> was sentenced to death, but in the case of Mr. >>> Brown, posted the other day, he got off virtually >>> scott free. >>> >>> Was the life of child not valued as much as that of >>> an adult man? Or, was it that corporal punishment >>> was an accepted activity, but in the Brown case, >>> the child *unfortunately* died? >>> >>> It would be interesting to know if anyone has studied >>> the court cases of this time period to see what types >>> of sentences were imposed for what types of crimes. >>> >>> Lisa >>> >>> ----- Original Message ----- >>> From: M. E. Potter >>> To: RIGENWEB-L@rootsweb.com >>> Sent: Wednesday, March 15, 2006 6:50 PM >>> Subject: Re: [RIGENWEB] Pollock Murder -- The Scoop >>> >>> >>> Hi Jean, >>> >>> All of the following are from the same source, "Early American >>> Newspapers, >>> Series I, 1690 to 1876" available to members on the NEHGS website. >>> >>> First, the following popped up (in case you don't already know this): >>> >>> From the Rhode-Island Republican, Vol.. 13, Iss. 27, pg. 4, >>> 1821-10-03: >>> >>> "WASHINGTON, ss. -- Supreme Judicial Court / October term, A. D. 1820. >>> / >>> WHEREAS Marvel Pollock of Exeter, in the county of Washington, wife of >>> Jeremiah W. Pollock, now residing in parts unknown, has this day filed >>> her >>> petition, in my Office, praying, for certain reasons therein stated, >>> that >>> the bonds of matrimony subsisting between her and the said Jeremiah, >>> may be >>> dissolved. Notice is hereby given to the said Jeremiah, to be and >>> appear, >>> if he see fit, before the Honorable Supreme Judicial Court to be >>> holden, at >>> South-Kingstown, within and for the county of Washington, on the >>> second >>> Monday of October, 1821, to shew [sic] cause why the prayer of said >>> petition, ought not to be granted. / JOHN SEGAR, Clerk. / South >>> Kingstown, >>> Aug. 18, 1821 [S.12]" >>> >>> [If you don't already have the divorce papers, you can get them, free >>> of >>> charge, by emailing <archives@courts.ri.gov> ] >>> >>> >>> From the Norwich Courier, Vol. III, Iss. 42, pg. 3, 1825-01-19: >>> "Trial >>> for Murder. -- On Wednesday last, came on the trial of Adonijah >>> Bailey, >>> aged 80 years, for the murder of Jeremiah W. Pollock, at the Superior >>> Court, holden at Brooklyn -- Judges Peters and Brainard presiding. The >>> jury >>> retired about 20 minutes, and returned with a verdict of GUILTY. / We >>> understand that the counsel for the prisoner have in arrest of >>> judgment on >>> the ground of one of the jurors not being a freeholder, and petitioned >>> for >>> a new trial on account of the misdirection of the Judge." >>> >>> >>> From the Middlesex Gazette, Vol. XL, Iss. 2044 , pg. 2, >>> 1825-01-26: "DOMESTIC. / On Wednesday last, the trial of Adonijah >>> Baily >>> [sic] for the murder of Jeremiah W. Pollock, commenced at Brooklyn, in >>> the >>> county of Windham, and terminated on Friday evening. So much interest >>> had >>> been excited, that before the trial commenced, the town was thronged >>> with >>> people from all parts of the County. The Hon. Judge PETERS presided at >>> the >>> trial. When Bailey was brought in to plead, great anxiety was >>> manifested to >>> witness the solemn scene. The prisoner was brought in by the Sheriff >>> and >>> his deputies, and as he approached the bar of justice, at the age of >>> 79, >>> halting with infirmity, every soul present seemed deeply affected, >>> exoept >>> [sic] the prisoner, who though attentive was unmoved. The case was >>> conducted on the part of the State, by Col. JUDSON, State Attorney, >>> assisted by Wm. P. CLEAVELAND, Esq.; and on the part of the prisoner >>> by C. >>> GODDARD, and J. EATON, Esquires. / The testimony disclosed the most >>> cruel >>> and awful murder that has taken place in the State of Connecticut for >>> many >>> years. The substance of the testimony was as follows: -- / Pollock had >>> for >>> some weeks been at work at Baileys, in the town of Sterling, and on >>> the 23d >>> of Oct. last, Pollock was missing: search was made from day to day for >>> the >>> body, until Nov. 3d when it was found buried, one foot deep, eight >>> rods >>> from the place where Bailey and Pollock had been at work. On taking >>> the >>> body from the ground, it appeared that four wounds were made on the >>> back >>> part of the head, cut through the scull [sic] with an axe. Eight >>> witnesses >>> testified that Bailey said he was with Pollock, making shingles until >>> 11 >>> o'clock on the 23d of Oct. when Pollock went away, to go to a >>> neighbouring >>> store, and that he, Bailey, stayed to work till late dinner time, and >>> immediately returned and continued work there all day. Traces of blood >>> were >>> discovered from the shingle place, to the place where the body was >>> found, >>> and a fire had been kindled with a view to burn up the bloody >>> shavings, but >>> many were found partly consumed and others covered up, all this within >>> 30 >>> rods of Bailey's house. Bailey was asked whether there was any fire on >>> the >>> spot on the day Pollock was missing, repeatedly said there was none, >>> could >>> not have been any, as he was in a situation to know, being there all >>> the >>> time. It was then proved beyond all doubt that a fire was seen to be >>> kindled around the shingle place about 2 o'clock P. M. which remained >>> to >>> burn some time. On searching Bailey, a note and order belonging to >>> Pollock >>> were found in his possession. Pollock's trunk was found open, and all >>> its >>> contents taken out, and some papers belonging to Pollock were thrown >>> into >>> the fire, and identified, some of them were taken off by a witness >>> before >>> consumed. When Pollock was last seen he had money with him and Bailey >>> was >>> destitute of any, until after Pollock's death, when he passed money at >>> the >>> store, to a considerable amount. Pollock's pocket-book and watch have >>> never >>> been found. One witness swore that about 10 days before Pollock was >>> murdered, Bailey said 'that he or Pollock should die soon.' After >>> Bailey's >>> arrest and while under the care of the officer he tried to bribe his >>> keepers and get away from them. -- These together with many other >>> circumstances rendered his case entirely hopeless. After a protracted >>> trial >>> of three days, the cause was committed to the Jury, who returned a >>> verdict >>> of GUILTY. / The next day the prisoner was set at the bar to receive >>> sentence, and being asked whether he had any reasons why sentence of >>> death >>> should not be pronounced, the prisoner replied with perfect coolness, >>> that >>> 'he had none, for he was willing to submit to the law.' / Judge Peters >>> then >>> proceeded in a most solemn and impressive manner to conclude the >>> scene. The >>> sentence was pronounced, and the execution is to take place the 2d >>> Wednesday of June next. -- N. L. Advocate." >>> >>> From the Rhode Island American, Vol. XVII, Iss. 35, pg. 2, >>> 1825-01-28: "At a recent term of the Supreme Court of Connecticut in >>> Windham county, Adonijah Bailey, aged eighty years, was convicted of >>> the >>> murder of Jeremiah W. Pollock, and sentenced to be executed on the 8th >>> of >>> June next. It is stated that the testimony disclosed the most cruel >>> and >>> awful murder that has been committed in Connecticut for many years." >>> >>> From the Middlesex Gazette, Vol. XL, Iss. 2062, pg. 3, 1825-06-01: >>> "On >>> the night of the 24th inst. Adonijah Bailey who was sentenced to be >>> executed on the 8th day of June next, for the murder of Jeremiah W. >>> Pollock, evaded the sentence of the Judge by hanging himself, during >>> the >>> silence of the night in the dreary mansion of the Goal [sic], without >>> any >>> one to assist him. He made his rope of bandages which he took from his >>> sore >>> leg, and attached one end of it by a nail to the hinge of the door, >>> and the >>> other part of the rope round his neck, he was found hanging with his >>> knees >>> nearly to the floor, when the Goaler [sic] entered his room in the >>> morning, >>> the body was interred on Thursday. / Since his death we understand the >>> Gaoler has found many papers in the room where he was confined which >>> contain his confession of many black crimes, and among which, is the >>> murder >>> of Jeremiah W. Pollock, he has confessed how and in what manner he >>> committed the bloody deed but not the cause, all of which will soon >>> appear >>> in a pamphlet containing also his trial. -- Brooklyn Obser." >>> >>> >>> Perhaps you can track down that pamphlet, if it was ever actually >>> published. Maybe a local historical society would have a copy. >>> >>> Regards, >>> Margaret >>> >>> >>> At 07:49 AM 3/15/2006, you wrote: >>> >Hi Gang, >>> >Here is another murder nightmare that I have in my genealogy. Maybe >>> one of >>> >you that have all this access to these great books can find >>> something. >>> >I certainly would appreciate it... >>> >Jeremiah Wilson Pollock is my 5th gr grandfather..B 1769 >>> Wakefield...died 23 >>> >Oct 1824 Sterling, CT >>> >Per Arnold...Jeremiah Wilson Pollock was a postal carrier and Whig >>> >Also he was murdered in Sterling, Ct. as was his brother 2 months >>> prior. >>> >Wonder if the murders are related. >>> > >>> >Sincerely, Jean B >>> > >>> >>> >>> >>> ==== RIGENWEB Mailing List ==== >>> Support RootsWeb Genealogical Data Cooperative: http://www.rootsweb.com/ >>> Surname Helper Search http://cgi.rootsweb.com/surhelp/srchall.html >>> >>> >> >> >> ==== RIGENWEB Mailing List ==== >> Washington County RIGenWeb http://www.rootsweb.com/~riwashin/ >> Scans of Rhode Island Maps are at http://www.rootsweb.com/~rigenweb/maps/ >> >> > > ______________________________

Jeesh - I had no idea. Thanks for this information. I need to study up on this subject. Lisa ----- Original Message ----- From: <elainedecker@frontiernet.net> To: <RIGENWEB-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Thursday, March 16, 2006 1:24 PM Subject: Re: Re: [RIGENWEB] Pollock Murder -- The Scoop > When my mother and her siblings were taken from their mother for being > abused it ws the Humane Society that took them. They handled both > animal and children's cases. This was in 1914. > > Quoting Donna Potter <uriramfan@cox.net>: > > > Hi Lisa, > > I do know that there were no laws regarding child abuse until after > > about 1875 when a little girl named Mary Ellen was abused in NYC. The > > perpetrators were convicted under animal abuse laws with the argument > > that a child is technically an animal. We had laws protecting animals > > before we had child abuse statutes. Children were considered property > > by many and child abuse was not really recognized as a serious > > problem until the mid 1900s when Helfer and Kempe published their > > work on the Battered Child Syndrome. Even now the punishment for > > abuse (that does not result in death) is as little as 30 days in jail > > in one state! > > I am guessing that this little girl may have been poor, perhaps > > orphaned or otherwise disenfranchised, and had no one to advocate for > > stronger punishment and that may be part of it. Hopefully the > > Judicial Records archives will find the case and there will be more > > information in there. > > Interestingly, I found that several of William C. Brown's own > > children died young - perhaps it was due to disease but I have to > > wonder... > > Donna > >> > >> From: "Lisa Lepore" <llepore@comcast.net> > >> Date: 2006/03/15 Wed PM 11:15:45 EST > >> To: RIGENWEB-L@rootsweb.com > >> Subject: Re: [RIGENWEB] Pollock Murder -- The Scoop > >> > >> Thanks for posting these fascinating articles. > >> > >> I don't understand why in this case Adonijah Baily > >> was sentenced to death, but in the case of Mr. > >> Brown, posted the other day, he got off virtually > >> scott free. > >> > >> Was the life of child not valued as much as that of > >> an adult man? Or, was it that corporal punishment > >> was an accepted activity, but in the Brown case, > >> the child *unfortunately* died? > >> > >> It would be interesting to know if anyone has studied > >> the court cases of this time period to see what types > >> of sentences were imposed for what types of crimes. > >> > >> Lisa > >> > >> ----- Original Message ----- > >> From: M. E. Potter > >> To: RIGENWEB-L@rootsweb.com > >> Sent: Wednesday, March 15, 2006 6:50 PM > >> Subject: Re: [RIGENWEB] Pollock Murder -- The Scoop > >> > >> > >> Hi Jean, > >> > >> All of the following are from the same source, "Early American > >> Newspapers, > >> Series I, 1690 to 1876" available to members on the NEHGS website. > >> > >> First, the following popped up (in case you don't already know this): > >> > >> From the Rhode-Island Republican, Vol.. 13, Iss. 27, pg. 4, > >> 1821-10-03: > >> > >> "WASHINGTON, ss. -- Supreme Judicial Court / October term, A. D. 1820. > >> / > >> WHEREAS Marvel Pollock of Exeter, in the county of Washington, wife of > >> Jeremiah W. Pollock, now residing in parts unknown, has this day filed > >> her > >> petition, in my Office, praying, for certain reasons therein stated, > >> that > >> the bonds of matrimony subsisting between her and the said Jeremiah, > >> may be > >> dissolved. Notice is hereby given to the said Jeremiah, to be and > >> appear, > >> if he see fit, before the Honorable Supreme Judicial Court to be > >> holden, at > >> South-Kingstown, within and for the county of Washington, on the > >> second > >> Monday of October, 1821, to shew [sic] cause why the prayer of said > >> petition, ought not to be granted. / JOHN SEGAR, Clerk. / South > >> Kingstown, > >> Aug. 18, 1821 [S.12]" > >> > >> [If you don't already have the divorce papers, you can get them, free > >> of > >> charge, by emailing <archives@courts.ri.gov> ] > >> > >> > >> From the Norwich Courier, Vol. III, Iss. 42, pg. 3, 1825-01-19: > >> "Trial > >> for Murder. -- On Wednesday last, came on the trial of Adonijah > >> Bailey, > >> aged 80 years, for the murder of Jeremiah W. Pollock, at the Superior > >> Court, holden at Brooklyn -- Judges Peters and Brainard presiding. The > >> jury > >> retired about 20 minutes, and returned with a verdict of GUILTY. / We > >> understand that the counsel for the prisoner have in arrest of > >> judgment on > >> the ground of one of the jurors not being a freeholder, and petitioned > >> for > >> a new trial on account of the misdirection of the Judge." > >> > >> > >> From the Middlesex Gazette, Vol. XL, Iss. 2044 , pg. 2, > >> 1825-01-26: "DOMESTIC. / On Wednesday last, the trial of Adonijah > >> Baily > >> [sic] for the murder of Jeremiah W. Pollock, commenced at Brooklyn, in > >> the > >> county of Windham, and terminated on Friday evening. So much interest > >> had > >> been excited, that before the trial commenced, the town was thronged > >> with > >> people from all parts of the County. The Hon. Judge PETERS presided at > >> the > >> trial. When Bailey was brought in to plead, great anxiety was > >> manifested to > >> witness the solemn scene. The prisoner was brought in by the Sheriff > >> and > >> his deputies, and as he approached the bar of justice, at the age of > >> 79, > >> halting with infirmity, every soul present seemed deeply affected, > >> exoept > >> [sic] the prisoner, who though attentive was unmoved. The case was > >> conducted on the part of the State, by Col. JUDSON, State Attorney, > >> assisted by Wm. P. CLEAVELAND, Esq.; and on the part of the prisoner > >> by C. > >> GODDARD, and J. EATON, Esquires. / The testimony disclosed the most > >> cruel > >> and awful murder that has taken place in the State of Connecticut for > >> many > >> years. The substance of the testimony was as follows: -- / Pollock had > >> for > >> some weeks been at work at Baileys, in the town of Sterling, and on > >> the 23d > >> of Oct. last, Pollock was missing: search was made from day to day for > >> the > >> body, until Nov. 3d when it was found buried, one foot deep, eight > >> rods > >> from the place where Bailey and Pollock had been at work. On taking > >> the > >> body from the ground, it appeared that four wounds were made on the > >> back > >> part of the head, cut through the scull [sic] with an axe. Eight > >> witnesses > >> testified that Bailey said he was with Pollock, making shingles until > >> 11 > >> o'clock on the 23d of Oct. when Pollock went away, to go to a > >> neighbouring > >> store, and that he, Bailey, stayed to work till late dinner time, and > >> immediately returned and continued work there all day. Traces of blood > >> were > >> discovered from the shingle place, to the place where the body was > >> found, > >> and a fire had been kindled with a view to burn up the bloody > >> shavings, but > >> many were found partly consumed and others covered up, all this within > >> 30 > >> rods of Bailey's house. Bailey was asked whether there was any fire on > >> the > >> spot on the day Pollock was missing, repeatedly said there was none, > >> could > >> not have been any, as he was in a situation to know, being there all > >> the > >> time. It was then proved beyond all doubt that a fire was seen to be > >> kindled around the shingle place about 2 o'clock P. M. which remained > >> to > >> burn some time. On searching Bailey, a note and order belonging to > >> Pollock > >> were found in his possession. Pollock's trunk was found open, and all > >> its > >> contents taken out, and some papers belonging to Pollock were thrown > >> into > >> the fire, and identified, some of them were taken off by a witness > >> before > >> consumed. When Pollock was last seen he had money with him and Bailey > >> was > >> destitute of any, until after Pollock's death, when he passed money at > >> the > >> store, to a considerable amount. Pollock's pocket-book and watch have > >> never > >> been found. One witness swore that about 10 days before Pollock was > >> murdered, Bailey said 'that he or Pollock should die soon.' After > >> Bailey's > >> arrest and while under the care of the officer he tried to bribe his > >> keepers and get away from them. -- These together with many other > >> circumstances rendered his case entirely hopeless. After a protracted > >> trial > >> of three days, the cause was committed to the Jury, who returned a > >> verdict > >> of GUILTY. / The next day the prisoner was set at the bar to receive > >> sentence, and being asked whether he had any reasons why sentence of > >> death > >> should not be pronounced, the prisoner replied with perfect coolness, > >> that > >> 'he had none, for he was willing to submit to the law.' / Judge Peters > >> then > >> proceeded in a most solemn and impressive manner to conclude the > >> scene. The > >> sentence was pronounced, and the execution is to take place the 2d > >> Wednesday of June next. -- N. L. Advocate." > >> > >> From the Rhode Island American, Vol. XVII, Iss. 35, pg. 2, > >> 1825-01-28: "At a recent term of the Supreme Court of Connecticut in > >> Windham county, Adonijah Bailey, aged eighty years, was convicted of > >> the > >> murder of Jeremiah W. Pollock, and sentenced to be executed on the 8th > >> of > >> June next. It is stated that the testimony disclosed the most cruel > >> and > >> awful murder that has been committed in Connecticut for many years." > >> > >> From the Middlesex Gazette, Vol. XL, Iss. 2062, pg. 3, 1825-06-01: > >> "On > >> the night of the 24th inst. Adonijah Bailey who was sentenced to be > >> executed on the 8th day of June next, for the murder of Jeremiah W. > >> Pollock, evaded the sentence of the Judge by hanging himself, during > >> the > >> silence of the night in the dreary mansion of the Goal [sic], without > >> any > >> one to assist him. He made his rope of bandages which he took from his > >> sore > >> leg, and attached one end of it by a nail to the hinge of the door, > >> and the > >> other part of the rope round his neck, he was found hanging with his > >> knees > >> nearly to the floor, when the Goaler [sic] entered his room in the > >> morning, > >> the body was interred on Thursday. / Since his death we understand the > >> Gaoler has found many papers in the room where he was confined which > >> contain his confession of many black crimes, and among which, is the > >> murder > >> of Jeremiah W. Pollock, he has confessed how and in what manner he > >> committed the bloody deed but not the cause, all of which will soon > >> appear > >> in a pamphlet containing also his trial. -- Brooklyn Obser." > >> > >> > >> Perhaps you can track down that pamphlet, if it was ever actually > >> published. Maybe a local historical society would have a copy. > >> > >> Regards, > >> Margaret > >> > >> > >> At 07:49 AM 3/15/2006, you wrote: > >> >Hi Gang, > >> >Here is another murder nightmare that I have in my genealogy. Maybe > >> one of > >> >you that have all this access to these great books can find > >> something. > >> >I certainly would appreciate it... > >> >Jeremiah Wilson Pollock is my 5th gr grandfather..B 1769 > >> Wakefield...died 23 > >> >Oct 1824 Sterling, CT > >> >Per Arnold...Jeremiah Wilson Pollock was a postal carrier and Whig > >> >Also he was murdered in Sterling, Ct. as was his brother 2 months > >> prior. > >> >Wonder if the murders are related. > >> > > >> >Sincerely, Jean B > >> >