"A Court held for Talbott County The 16th of August 1664 Present [list of jurors]
Whereas there was this Day brought into Court severall Evidences in writting, with A vardict of Twelfe men as an Inquest upon the death of Robert Haukings Late servant to Edward Webb and the said Inquest finding the deacesed to be Felo Dese [a felon to himself, suicide]; it is therefor thought fitt and ordered by the Court that the said writtings bee Entered upon Record.
1. You are to make Inquisition whether any man hath bin assesary or princepall; you ought to state the Case in matter of Law how it Lyeth.
2. You shall examin whether he bee nott A Felo Dese.
3. Whether he bee nott A Deuodane.
4. You are to Examine Evidences and Ground your Judgments upon that.
The Charge
You shall sweare to the utmost of your skill to serch and try one the behalfe of the Lord Propriatory the true Cause how Robert Haukings Decesd (before) Came to his untimly End and A true sertificate thereof giue under your hands, that Justice may be done in the same Soe help you God.
This Charge was giuen the Jury of Inquest whose names are here under written
Upon the death of Robt Haukings p[er] mee Seth: Foster. [list of jurors]
Nathanell Euett, aged 25 yeares or thereabouts sworne and Examined
Saith That hee Sett Robert Haukins and Sanders Sherriue to suckoring of Tobacco, and Ralph Fishborne to Mauling of Timber, and bid the said Fishborne, when hee had done to bring some fier and watter to the field, which hee did; and when hee Came he told your deponant that the aforesaid sherriue told him that Robert Haukins was fallen dead in the field, and he said that he told his Master of it, and he Could not beleeve it, with that your deponant went along with the said Fishborne, and found the said Haukings under the Banke hanging doune his head, and Called to him, and he did nott answere; soe your deponant stepped doune the banke and took him by the Arme and Lifted him up, he gaue A growne; we heareing, yor Deponant Called to the said Fishborne to Come and help them for he was nott yett dead, soe heareing that he stepped doune; Looking on his face your deponant espied A string about his neck, and Clapped his finger on the string and brook it, and slaked it about his Neck and further Saith nott
Ralph Fishbourne, aged Twenty Two yeares or thereabouts sworne and Examined.
Saith That hee was mauling A Cutt of Timber, and the ouerseer gaue him orders as soone as hee had mauled that Cut, and Carried A Quarter of the Tobacco house, he should bring some fier and watter where the Overseer was att worke; your deponant being att the springe for watter, the boy Came to him and told him that Robert was fallen doune dead in the field by the Bay side soe that yor Deponant Came to the house and told his Master of what the Boy had told him, butt his Master Could hardly beleeve him (And went nott, along with him) butt your Deponant Called the Overseer, and both of them went to the Bay side; And the Overseer Called to Robert: And he nott makeing answere, nor stering, hee went doune the banke to him, and tooke him by the Arme and Lifted him up; and hee gaue A groan, soe heareing that he Called your Deponant, and said hee was nott yett dead; soe your deponant took him by the arme and Lifted him upp then the ouerseer saw A string about his neck, and Clapped on his fingers upon it and broake soe seing him dead we Lett him Lye; for any threatning words or Blowes we saw neither the ouerseer or his Master giue him any and further Saith Nott. Jut Coram me Seth (S) Foster.
Wee of the Jury before mentioned by virtue of these depositions haue unanemusly agreed, and doe find that Robert Haukings Late servant to Edmund Webb is a Fielo Desi and this is our virdict that hee ought nott to haue Christian Buriall.
Willm Leedes foreman."(2)