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Freedmen's Bureau Records: Deposition of Nancy Burns, June 5, 1868

Summary:
This deposition of Nancy Burns, written by the witness and marked by Burns, describes the circumstances in which Peggy Soyers attacked Burns with a pitchfork. An attached memo notes that the deposition pertains to an assault case between Peggy Soyers and John Edmunds.


Friday June 5th 1868

The Deposition of Nancy Burns who is a cripple and unanble to walk to Staunton.

My name is Nancy Burns I live in John Edmunds house have been living there since the 7th day of March 1868. On Tuesday June 2nd I was washing a pan preparing to cook my dinner. Peggy Soyers came in and said dont you use my water. I said I have not done so she said you are a liar Madam. I told her it was my own water. She then ran out a got a iron Pitchfork and coming towards me said I will run you through and through you old whoring bitch. I will have your life and if it had not been for John Edmunds throwing her down and taking it from her she would have done me a deadly injury being over 80 years of age and crippled The above is a true statement.

Nancy X [added: her mark] Burns
Witness William Meredish



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