The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1829-04-29

MURDERS IN DELAWARE. It appears
from statement in the Wilmington Ga
zette, of April II, that all the apprehen-
slons entertained at the date of the pre-
vlous account, relative to a series of muir
ders which were committed some time
since in Sussex county, in that State linen
toned in our last, are likely to be realized.
Since the discovery of human bones, in a
decayed chest, which had been buried on
the farm where Patty Cannon and her SON
in-law, the celebrated Joseph Johnson, ne
gro trader, near the Maryland line, one of
Johnson's gang, has been brought before Il
Justice of the Peace at Seaford, and on
examination, stated that Joseph johnson,
Ebenezer F. Johnson and old Patty Cannon
had shot the man Supposed to be negro
trader from Georgia, named Bell, or Miller,
and murdered about twelve years ago,)
while at supper in her house, and that he
saw them all engaged in carrying him in
the chest and burying him; and stated,
moreover, that many others also had been
killed, and that he could show where they
had been buried. The officers and citizens
accordingly accompanied him to the places
which he pointed out, and made the neces-
sary search. In one place in a garden,
they dug and found the bones of a Young
child, the mother of which, he stated, was
a negro woman, belonging to Patty Can
non, which, being mulatto, she had killed
for the reason that she supposed its father
to he one Of her ogn family. Another
place, few feet distant, was then pointed
out, when upon digging a few feet, two oak
boxes were found, each Of which contained
hOnpz &c Al L I
been those of person about seven wears
OF age, which James said he saw Patty
Cannon knock in the head with billet of
wood, and the other contained those of one
whom he said they considered bad proper
ty, which, 1t is supposed was meant, that he
was free. AS there was at the time much
stir about the children, and there was no
convenient opportunity to send them awav,
they were murdered TO prevent discovery.
On examining the skull bone of the largest
child, it was discovered to have been broken
as described by James.
This fellow, James, was raised bv PATTY
Cannon, having been bound to her at the
age of seven years, and is said to have
done much mischief in his time for her and
Johnson.
Another witness by the name of Butler
has already been secured and it is thought
some others will be brought forward who
are acquainted with the bloody deeds of
Patty and Joe. This woman is now be-
tween 90 and 20 years of age, and looks
more IKE man than a woman; but old as
she is, she is believed to be as needless
and heartless as the most abandoned
wretch that lives.
AS stated by US on Friday last, Patty
Cannon had been lodged in Jail at George
town. James and Butler were placed there
at the same time and it is highly probable
that ere this the trial has taken place. and
the result of it will soon be known.
James stated that he had not shown all
the places where murdered bodies had
peen hurled, and at the time of writing, our
correspondent informs lis the people were
still digging.
Joe Johnson, who is said to be residing
al TINS time in Alabama, is stated to have
Dcen IN this State in Dec. or Jan. last; and
the probability is that his business here was
TO DO something at his old business of kid
mapping. He was convicted oEthis crime
some years since at Georgetown. and suf
Iered the punishment Of the lash and the
plllory on account of it. He is a man of
some celebrity, having for many years car
ried on the traffic of stealing and selling
negroes, in which he was aided and in.
sttucted by the old bag, Patty Cannon.
whose daughter he married, after having
lost former husband on the gallows. He
continued to reside near his tutoress until
within few years, when reward of $500