Morning herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1837-1840, 1840-12-22

[Fro~ the Portsnosth, Va. Tines, Dec. ial
A series Of most strocieus murders was perpe-
trated sy a miscreant in Southampton county, on
Monday night. An aged Quaker, Of the name OF
Sestt, residing not far from Jerusalem, his sister,
also aged, little girl, about nine year. old, named
Pretlow, q negro woman aud her child, were sue
cessvely butchered, TO further the design Of rob
berry entertained by their destroyer. Six persons
were on the premises at the time-and but one es-
capped. This was yousg negro girl She relates
that residing IN the Beighborbood visited the
house and spent the evening in conversation with
the family. As he was about to quit, he asked Mr..
:. 10 walk with him to the gate, as he had word
20 say TO him in private To this the unfortunate
man consented.
The Eirl saw no more Of him. A violent struggle
was ssxt heard - the kitchen. The murderer arm
ed with a snort heavy dogwood pestle, had seized
the negro woman, and was beating out her brains,
when the AGED sister OF Mr. Scott, attracted by the
NOISE, appeared and begged him to desist Irrevo-
cabiy bent on his design, he instantly despatched
the poor negro, ans ssiztDg the Old lady feled her
% the fsor with blow Of the Pestle. negro boy
about Rine years old, was then killed IN the same
manner. lie next proceeded IN search OF the little
white sir and the young negress. The latter made
her escape unobseTved. The other child not
90 fortunate She was caught IN the loom and muir
dered a. summary as the rest.
Not seeing the negro girl, and, 60 leave clue 20
his fearful secret the monster made careful search
IN tho rooms turning over the beds and scanning
every corner narrowly Convinced that ose Of the
family had escaped, he seems TO have gone OF it'll
out oOnsummating the robbery. The girl fed i'm.
mediately TO the nelghbors, and communicated
what had occurred. They repaired % the pre- misss
forthwith, and found the melane holy confirmation
OF her story. The murderer had hed and the hose
burning slowly. The FIRE was extingui.hed
before II had dsfseed the bodies or done much isiu.
W 10 the building In the morning among the spec.
taors OF the nzhfs bloody fruit, wa. the ind ,idual
spoken Of by the girl the actor in the scene. m.
gave an instant contradiction 20 her story and re-
ferred to the absence of blood from his clothing a.
proof Of his innocence. He Senied. also, having
been on the premises for a fortnight. Blood how.
ever, was found smeng his whIskers, and be wa,
detained till search vas made at his house. This
resulted, IN the discovery 81 suit Of his clothing
excessively besmesred with blood.
Mr. Scott vas old and esteemed, and reputed to
be wealthy. The hope Of securing his money led 20
scheme of murder, az boldly conceived and de-
Hberately executed a, any furnished by the annal.
Of crime.
rFrsm the Virginia star, Dee fsI
A murder of most stroeious character, was con-
rnted in the county OF Dinwiddie on Sunday m orn.
ing last, by Jeremiah Conway, on the person Of Ed.
ward Lewis. young man, about IL years of age who
al the time when the murder com ptted, ed
with C's family. II appears that Lewis had dressed
hiasef with the intention Of going 20 church, and
n the act o. stepping out of the poriico. when
e advsRced within few steps Of him, with gun
heavily charged with back shot and fired when
Lewis fell. having received the entire contents Il
the qua in h. neck and back part Il the head The
only supp,aje capse assigned for the preparation
81 this dreadful act I.slpusy, the part Of Con-
way. For many years, been a member q the Me-
taodist Church. After the act vas committed Cen.
way made M efsrt to escape, and when qoestiosed
IN relstrn 10 the MURDER positively declared that
he ksew nothing about a.
srFro- N. Phi ,aelrbs Gs1elis, Dee al
RU~ouprp MURDsa-It was rumoured ysstsr.
day anersooa and this morning. that some person
had been murdered near Mercer wharf, ~ Del.
aware from the fact of some blood and brains bsrg
Z usd upon the zee IN the dock II sas been sseer.
si.sd that the rumor 10 without foundation in trstb