Early Governors' Papers

The affidavit of Thomas Keef of Lawfull [sic] Age after being duly Sworn deposeth and Saith that he on the 11^th Instant was a going to a Plantation of Thomas Hopkins in The County of warren, on arriving within Sight of the same, he discovered a negro man, mont [sic] his horse, as if somthing [sic] matereal [sic] was the matter, when he road [sic] up hastily to him and stated, that a man by the name of John Hammons, had Just taken out of the possession of Thomas Hopkins, a negro Girl. who he Called Aza, at the mussels of a rifle gun, and requested me to pursue him, and try to regain the Property, I did so, and in a short distance from the Plantation I Overtook Hammons, in Possession of the Girl, I Asked him what he was about, His blasfimous [sic] ^oaths disturbed my year [sic] and his Threats of death to those who would attempt to take the Girl or molest him, gave me reasons to Beleave [sic] which I do beleave [sic], that he was taking unlawfully the Property of said Hopkins

The Mother of the Girl Aza, as Soon as She discovered she was taken away pursud [sic] after hir [sic] Child, and Said, she must follow hir [sic] Child, in my oppinion [sic] in Stealing One he Is gilty [sic] of Stealing two, my Age & infurmity [sic] prevented my pursuing him so as to regain that which I do beleave [sic] he has stolen

Thomas Keef

sworn to and subscribed before me this 29^th day of April 1820 Tho^s Paris Justice of the peace

I do Certify that the above Gentleman Thomas Keef as a man of Truth and entigrty in my oppinion [sic] is Equald [sic] by few and Inferior to none

Tho^s Paris Justice of the peace

Tho^s Paris Justice of the peace