Social and Behavioral Sciences E-Campus

H 101 - Lab Exercise: The Denmark Vesey Insurrection (1822)

The Trial of Polydore, a Negro man, the property of Mrs Faber -- Mr. C.H. Faber, his owner's brother, attending.

Evidence:

Billy, a Negro man belonging to Mr. Bulkley, testified as follows: Polydore met once at my master's farm, at which meeting Gullah Jack was present -- he agreed with the rest to join and raise against the whites. On Sunday warly in the morning, when the people were to rise, Polydore brought to the farm those pike poles (pointing to a bundle of pike poles found concealed on the farm and then in court) and told me to let them stay there, that Robert was coming. Polydore belongs to the African congregation.

Harry, Mr. Haig's slave, gave the following evidence: Polydore was in Jack's company -- I met him at the meeting at Bulkley's Farm, where they were talking about rising against the whites, and Polydore agreed to join in it.

Cross-examined by Mr. Faber -- Jack was there, and when he made the proposition to join and raise against the whites, all present gave him an answer to join.

Verdict:

Based on the Rules, and the Evidence presented here, what do you think was the verdict?

Vesey Insurrection Main Page H101

SBS E-Campus Home Page

You can reach me by e-mail at: joanaa@umd5.umd.edu
Revised: 6 November 1999