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Author: pswitzertatum
Surnames: Sumner, Hedrick
Classification: queries
Message Board URL:
http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.indiana.counties...
Message Board Post:
For what it's worth, this is what I have learned so far: James Sumner married Nancy
Hedricks (b. Rowan Co., NC 1819) on April 7, 1839 in Floyd Co., IN. He bought land in
Jackson Co., IN. On Aug. 2, 1840 in Mt. Sidney, Jackson Co., IN, Nancy was found dead in
the well of their home. They had supposedly been heard arguing in the early morning. James
said he was away from home all morning looking for a horse, then came home and found their
6 to 8 week old baby alone and crying. He said he found Nancy in the well. he thought she
fell in or killed herself. After some confusing questioning and testimony by
"witnesses", he was arrested, tried three times on circumstantial evidence (one
"hung jury," one guilty decision reversed by Indiana State Supreme Court, then
another trial) found guilty the third time and hung on Oct. 7, 1841 in Brownstown, Jackson
Co., IN. He was about 21. One source said he maintained his innocence to the end; another
said he admitted his guilt. I don't know !
where Nancy or James are buried. I don't know what happened to the baby, but I think
it could have been a girl named Sarah who went to live with Elijah C. and Rachel Hedricks
Sumner, Nancy's sister.
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