Journal Report of the Stone Rebellion

Title:   Journal Report of the Stono Rebellion

Date:  1739

First Name:  William

Last Name: Stephens

Type:  Journal Report

Source:   William Stephens, 1671-1753.  A journal of the proceedings in Georgia,  beginning October 20, 1737.  By William Stephens, esq; to which is   added, A State of that province, as attested upon oath in the Court of   Savannah, November 10, 1740.  Volumes 1-2 London, printed for W.   Meadows, 1742.

 

J O U R N A L.

 

….a more dangerous Enemy in the Heart of their Country to deal with:  For their Negroes had made an Infurrection, which began firft at Sonoe (Midway betwixt Charles-Town and Port-Royal) where they had forced a large Store, furnifhed themfelves with Arms and Ammunition, killed all the Family on that Plantation, and divers other white People, burning and deftroying all that came in their Way; fo that the Meffenger who came, told us the Country there about was full of Flames:  Our Letters also informed us, that they were fearful left it fhould prove general; and that the Militia was raifed upon them throughout the whole Province; a Party of whom, of about twenty, had met and engaged ninety of them in one Body, of who they had taken four Prifoners, and killed them Etc.  They farther wrote us, they had Reafon to believe, that many of them would bend their Courfe to the South, and endeavour to crofs the Savannah River; from whence they intended to go on for Auguftin to the Spaniards: Wherefoe they hoped we would do what we could, in fecuring the Paffes on that River, promifing a Reward of 50l. Currency for every Negro taken alive, and delivered at Charles-Town; and 25l. ditto for every one killed.  Upon thefe Advices, we difpatched Intelligence of it to the Major, commanding in the South who poffibly might, by fmall Parties, intercept fome of them, if they efcaped in croffing the River Savannah, and purfued their March to the Southward by Land: And as we could ill fpare any of the few Men we had, that were fit to bear Arms, and by fo doing leave ourfelves more and more defencelefs, we fent immediately Notice of it to Mr. Montaigut, whofe Plantation with Negroes is not many Miles diftant, and who is alfo a military Officer himfelf; recommending it to him, to have a Guard at thofe Parfcs  beyond him, and to fend proper Caution to the Fort at Palachocolas, farther than which would be needlefs: And we would do the beft we could below, to the Mouth of the River.-------Now it fully appeared, that the fecuring that Spaniard fome time ago (vide July 29.) was not upon a groundlefs Sufpicion (as fome People then termed it, who are rarely pleafed with whatever is done, becaufe they have not the doing it),  for it is more than probable, that he had been employed a pretty while, in corrupting the Negroes of Carolina; and was certainly with Don Pedro at Charles-Town, at the Time when he lately came thither with his Launch.

Friday.  All appeared quiet, without any farther Difturbance at prefent: And I was very glad to fee the Storm compofed alfo, which lately happened betwixt our firft Magiftrate and Store-Keeper; who both feemed defirous, that what was paft might be forgot; and they converfed with mutual Tokens of Friendfhip Late in the Evening arrived Captain Norbury, and with him Enfign Cadogan going for Carolina on Bufinefs of the Regiment which was ordered him by the Major. . . .