1783: Richmond Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions, May 1783 Term: Isaac Brigman came into this court 
and was bound over to the next Salisbury Superior Court, to answer a charge of Murder and Treason, 
in the sum of 100 pounds.  Solomon Dearman and Nicholas Green securities each in the sum of 50 pounds. 
[This case may have been dropped…there are no court case files in Richmond or any of the related Superior 
Courts.  Terri Brigman England.]



March Term 1783:  The State vs Charles Goodon and Wilham Cook
State of North Carolina Richmond County

March Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions in the year of our Lord one thousand Seven Hundred and Eighty three

The Jurors for the state and County aforesaid upon their Oath [illegible] that Charles Goodon and Wilham Cook 
late of the County of Richmond aforesaid Labouros on the Twentieth fifth Day of March in the year of our Lord 
One Thousand Seven Hundred and Eighty Three, in the County aforesaid with force and Armes in and upon one 
Isaac Brigman in the peace of God and this said state, then and there being an assault di make upon him the 
said Isaac Brigman, then and there did beat, wound, and ill treated to that his life was disparod [sic] of, 
and offer wrongs to him the said Isaac Brigman did to his great damage against the peace and Dignity of the 
Said State.  Morgan Brown Atty for the State. 



1784: Wm. Love vs. Wm. Brigman

State of North Carolina Richmond County

To the Sheriff or Constable of Richmond County Greeting

This Day William Love Complains on oath be fore me that William Brigman is Justly Indebted to him the sum 
of fourteen pounds upon an account contracted with him in the year 1779 & 1780 and oath also being made 
that the said William Brigman hath removed him self out of the state or to abscond that the Ordinary Process 
of Law Cannot be served upon him and bond a security also being Given agreeable to the act of Assembly in 
Such case made and Provided.  I there fore command and require you to attach so much of the Estate of said 
William Brigman if to be found in your Baliwick as will be of Value Sufficeint to Satisfy the Said Debt and 
Cost and Such Estate to attach in your Hands safely keep so that it may be liable to farther Proceeding there 
on to be had at our next court to be held for the County afore said at the Court House there in on the Last 
Monday in June next ([illegible] upon Bond an Security) and Witness Charles Medlock Esqr. This 8 Day of June 
in the Eight year of the Independence of the said State Anno Dom.. 1784 Chas Medlock. 

 


1787:  The State vs. James Bounds

A true bill

State of North Carolina Richmond County

April Sessions 1787

The Jurors for the State upon their oath present that James Bounds Junr late of the county of Richmond 
yeoman on the 12th day of April – one thousand seven hundred and eighty seven at the county of Richmond 
aforesaid did with force and arms make an assault upon a certain Isaac Brigman – and him the said Isaac – 
did beat bound and ill treat to his great damage and against the peace and dignity of Said State Wm Nairis Att. 

 


1796:  State of NC, Richmond Co, This Indenture made the 14th day of Oct? one thousand seven hundred and 
ninety six between Edwd Williams and others? Chairman of the county court of Richmond (page torn) 
ISAAC BRIGMAN of the other part – Witnesseth, that the said ????? on behalf of the court hath bound 
William Jones apprentice to the aforesaid ISAAC, the said to be taught reading and writing agreeable 
to Law, and to serve from the day of date of these presents, until he attains the age of twenty one 
years, being now seventeen years of age; during which term he shall behave himself as an honest and 
faithful apprentice ought to; and ISAAC BRIGMAN shall teach or cause to be taught the said apprentice, 
the trade of shoemaker – and to procure for him sufficient meat, drink, washing and lodging, and also 
apparel fitting for such an apprentice, during the aforesaid term of his apprenticeship; and further to 
do and perform all other things mentioned in an Act of Assembly, in such case made and provide.  

In witness whereof, we have hereunto set our hands and seals, the day and year first above written.  
Isaac Brigman (it looked like his actual signature). 



March Sessions 1803

The State vs. Augustine Brigman and William Leviner, affray

John Crowson and James Terry:  wit

State of North Carolina Richmond County

The Jurors for the State upon their Oaths present that Augustine Brigman and William Leviner both late 
of the county of Richmond labourers on the 8th day of March AD 1803 with force and arms at the county 
of Richmond aforesaid in the public streets of Rockingham within said county in presence of divers good 
and peaceable citizens of this state did then and there commit an affray to the great terror and alarm 
of the said good and peaceable citizens of this State and against the peace and dignity of the State.



December Session 1805

The State vs. John Kelly

State of North Carolina Richmond County

The Jurors for the State upon their Oaths present that John Kelly late of the County of Richmond on the 
20th Septber AD 1805 with force and arms at the county aforesaid an assault did make on Joshua Brigman 
and him the said Joshua then and there did beat wound and ill treat to his great damage and against the 
peace and dignity of the State.  A true bill, Isaac Williamson.  


 
December Session 1805

The State vs. William Wright

State of North Carolina Richmond County

The Jurors for the State upon their Oaths present that John Kelly late of the County of Richmond on the 
25th Septber AD 1805 with force and arms at the county aforesaid an assault did make on Joshua Brigman 
and him the said Joshua then and there did beat wound and ill treat to his great damage and against the 
peace and dignity of the State.  A true bill, Isaac Williamson.  

 


December Sessions 1805

The State vs. Barns Smith

State of North Carolina Richmond County

The Jurors for the State upon their oaths present that Barns Smith being one of the Constables appointed 
by law for the county and returning of process written the county of Richmond on the 26th day of September 
AD 1805 in the county aforesaid did take into his possession a Warrant whereby he was commanded to take 
the body of Joshua Brigman and him bring before some Justice of the Peace for said county to answer a 
complaint the State [with?] him and the said Barns Smith was further commanded to make one return of said 
warrant with the manner of his executing the same, The Jurors aforesaid do further present that the said 
Barns Smith by virtue of his office and in pursuance of the said warrant did arrest and take into his custody 
the said Joshua Brigman but afterward altogether refused to return said warrant before any Justice of the 
Peace so that the said Joshua was thereby disbarre! d of his right of being heard in his own defence and 
of making his innocence appear contrary to the duty of the said Barns Smith as constable, to the great 
oppression of the said Joshua against the peace and dignity of the State.   A true bill, Isaac Williamson. 
 


1812

Colin Campbell vs. Jesse Barnes

State of North Carolina Richmond County

To any lawful officer greeting

Whereas Colin Campbell of the County aforesaid planter hath this day made information and complaint upon 
Oath before me Peter Fairly Esquire one of the Justices of the peace for the said County that on the night 
of the fifth March last a Rifle Gun worth Twenty Dollars was feloniously stolen taken and carried away from 
the Dwelling house of the said Colin Campbell in the county aforesaid and that he has Just cause to Suspect 
and doth suspect that Jesse Barnes of said County, feloniously did steal take and carry away the same these 
are therefore to command you forthwith to apprehend him the said Jesse Barnes and bring him before me or some 
other Justice of the peace of the county aforesaid to answer unto the said complaint and information and to 
be further dealt with according to Law – herein fail not.  Given under my hand and seal the 6th day of 
April in the year of our lord 1812, Peter Fairly.  Summons William Brigman and wife Margaret.  For defendant 
John Graham Esqr Jun, Peter Graham.  



Spring Term 1825

State vs. Wm. Beasley

[witnesses]  Jesse Viner & Wm Brigman (son of Augustin Brigmans wife.)

State of No Carolina

To the Sheriff of Richmond County Greeting

You are hereby Commanded to Summon Jesse Viner and Wm Brigman (son of Augustin Brigmans wife) and 
Delitha Woodle – personally to appear before the Judge of our Superior Court of Law to be held for 
the County of Richmond at Rockingham the Thursday after the 3d Monday of March next to give evidence 
in behalf of the state – in a Suit then and there pending where in the State & Delitha Woodle is plaintiff; 
and William Beasley is Defendant and this shall not be omitted under the penalty of Law.  Witness B.H. 
Covington Clerk of the Law Court at office the 8h Monday of Sept 1824. B. H. Covington. 

Colonial Records, Pg 263 from MS Records of the Office of Sec of State, NC, Craven: The Deposition of 
Bexley John Lambden of Anson County, …on the Thirtieth Day of November last, as this Deponent was riding 
the road from Blunt's Ferry on Great PeeDee to Cole's Bridge on Drowning Creek, he discovered in the road…
near an old deserted Cabbin…formerly inhabited by John Bounds, between the Cabbin and a Branch of Hitchcock's 
Creek, commonly called Chalk Fork, a great number of the Tracks of Men's Feet… much trod and trampled…and 
that this Deponent likewise saw from then the Track of a large Man's Foot along the said Road to one 
ISAAC BRIGMAN'S house, about Seven Miles from the said Cabbin…and that calling at the said BRIGMAN's…saw 
the said BRIGMAN and asked if Mr. Jarman had gone by, and that the said Brigman answered, that he went 
by about Midnight, and rode a large Bay Horse, and that he then said Mr. Jarman thought they were all abed 
and asleep…but that Mr. Jarman was mistaken…that with the said BRIGMAN he saw another Man in the Room with 
BRIGMAN, shily peeping at this Deponent, that this Deponent has long understood the said BRIGMAN's House 
to be a House of very evil Repute, where Horse Thieves and other Malefactors are frequently harbored and 
entertained, and where it is dangerous for any well disposed Person to stay at Night…Sworn the 8th Day of 
December 1770, Bexley John Lambden



PATIENCE RYE-

1808: State vs Patent Rye

State of North Carolina Richmond County

To any Lawful ofiser to Ext & returne according to law ---

Whereas Information has this Day Been maid to me by Deferente persons that they have juste Cause to 
beleave that a Certing Patince Rye has been Delivered of a Base Borne Childe and that she has Murdered 
the Childe and So Conseald the Same that it Canote be founde these are therefore to Comande you to take 
the Body of Saide Patent Rye and Bring hir before me or Som other justice of Said County to bee Dealte 
with as the law Directe in Such Cases given under my hande and Seale this 9th of May 1808 – Jno Crowford

Sumons for the States
Elizabeth Cole
James Haull
Peter Col
Meney Philips
George Cole
James Cole
Jesse Cole
Harmon Lasiter
Franky Davis
Silas Overstreet
Rachel Rye
Patsey Brigman
Pherabey Brigman

State of North Carolina Richmond County

We the under subscribed acknaledg our Selves in Debted to the State in the Sum of one hundred dalars 
Each paid on Conditon that they make there apearence in order to give Evenience againste Patience Rye 
in behalf of the State 

James Haull
Peter Cole [mark]
Rachal Rye [mark]
Elizabeth Cole [mark]
Phereby Brigman [crossed out]
Patsey Brigman [mark]
Franky Davis [mark]
Silas Overstreet [mark]

? 3d 1808 the warante was returned the witnesses Examined as well appear the Defendate Patience Rye 
adjudged Guilty as Chard in the warante and judged to give Seretey for her appear att the nexte Superer 
Courte. Jno Crowford

Examination of Rachel Rye a Witness on behalf of the State against Patience Rye – after being duly sworn 
says that she the deponent was from home last week till Saturday night  – at which time she found her 
Mother the Defendant in Bed appearently very sick – that she the Deponent askd the defendant if she should 
go for some assistance for her and that the Deponent replyed that it was too late to send That her child 
was born the night before  That it was a Boy – Born alive and that the Defendant told the depondent that 
it would have been living till then if there had been any person there to take care of it and further says 
that the defendant Patience Rye tol her that said Deponent that she had buried this child in a small Box in 
the field –

Patty Brigman after being sworn sayeth that she was at the house of the Defndant on Sunday the 29 May – 
That the defendant was in Bed – very sick and told the deponent that the child was dead and that the 
defendant buried it on Saturday morning the 28th

James Hall, Silas Overstreet Franky Davis, Fereba Brigman were sworn on behalf of the State who all say 
nearly what the above witness have sworn

Examination of Mrs Elizabeth Cole a Witness on behalf of the State vs Patience Rye – after being duly 
sworn says that she saw Patience Rye on Wednesday the 25 May – That she the defendant appeared to be 
Pregnant that on the Monday following that the Deponant was at the Home of the Defendant.  That she was 
on her bed – looked very gant – appeared as women generally do after deliver – That she Mrs. Cole the 
deponent asked her if she had had a child, to which she made me answer – She then asked her where the 
child was – to which question she made no answer – whither it was a Boy or a girl to which the Defendant 
Patience Rye replied that it was a Boy – This Deponent farther says that in a Washing Tub she saw clothes 
that appeared as if a child had been wrapped in them –



State of North Carolina County of Richmond  Superior Court of Law September Term 1808

The Jurors for the state upon their oath present that Patience Rye late of said County widow on the 
twenty ninth day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eight and the thirty 
second year of our Independence being big with a male Child the same day and year in the County aforesaid 
by the providence of God did bring forth the said Child alive of the body of her the said Patience Rye was 
a bastard and that the said Patience Rye not having the fear of God before her eyes but being moved and 
seduced by the instigation of the Devil afterwards towit on the said twenty ninth day of May in the year 
aforesaid as soon as the said male Child [crossed out] Bastard Child was born with force and arms at Richmond 
County aforesaid in and upon the said Child in the [illegible] of God and the said State then and there 
being feloniously willfully and of her malice aforethought did make an! assault and that she the said 
Patience Rye with both her hands about the neck of him the said Child then and there fixed, him the said 
Child then and there feloniosly willfully and of her malic aforethought did Choak and strangle of which 
said Choaking and Strangling the said child then and there instantly died and so the Jurors aforesaid upon 
their oath aforesaid do say that the said Patience Rye him the said Bastard [crossed out] male bastard child 
in form aforesaid feloniously willfully and of her malice aforethought did kill and murder against the peace 
and dignity of the State. J.N. Bryde



1777:  The King vs. Nim. Ferrel
North Carolina Anson County

To the Sheriff or Deputy or to Any Constable of Anson County 

Whereas Thomas Brigman of this County Planter, hath this Day made Information on Oath before me John 
Crawford and [illegible] their of our Lord the King assignd to keap the Peace in and for the sad County 
of Anson, that Nimrod Ferrel late of this County, Yeoman, Being a person of Evil Fame Character and Repute 
on the Eight Day of this Instant [illegible] at Anson County Aforesaid, passed in Payment to him the said 
Th Brigman an piece of Printed Paper Counterfieted to the Likeness and simitatude of the Current Republick 
bills of said Provence of North Carolina of the Denomination of Five Shillings Procklamation Money, that 
the said Thomas Brigman had the Good Reason to believe that the said Nimrod Ferrel at the time of Passing 
the said Counterfiet Bill in a Manner [page torn] Brigman [page torn] of the Government of the said Provent 
and Against the Form of the Act of Assembly thereof in that Ca! se Made Provided. 
 


1777:  The Commitment of Henry Feril  Anson County

The Examination of Henry Terril  The said County taken before me Charles Medlock 

The said Henry Teril being Chargd before me by Joseph Allen of the said County with the Felonous Stealing 
Taking and Carving [illegible] one Sorril Horse Branded on the Left Buttock thus C H the said Henry Feril 
was on this Examination sayeth that he did not Steal the said horse but fell in company with one Owen Brinen 
who was upon the said Sorril Horse and at night when to take up a camp the said Henry Feril said I will go 
to the House of Charles Pate and Ocon Brinen said to the said Henry Feril your sadle is wearing and torne 
Take my sadle and put on your horse or they will say that you stole that horse which was a dark Bay [illegible] 
when the said Henry Feril was apprehended and taken by Thomas Brigman and William Dearman the said Brigman 
and Deareman brough for him the said Sorrel at once was belonged to the said Brinen and further sayeth not, 
witnessed Chas Medlock. (Transcribed from original at North Carolina Archives, Raleigh, Terri Brigman England.)