Editor’s note: The following text contains the coroner’s inquest concerning the death of Mary Ponds Boyett, wife of Stephen Boyett, in the Lanesboro district of Anson County. The inquest was done on March 4, 1876; Boyett died either the night before or early that morning.
Be it remembered that on the 4th day of March, 1876, I , Hugh M. Ingram, one of the coroners of said county, attended by a jury of good and lawful men, to wit; John A. Gale, L. L. Polk, G. T. Wilkins, J. H. Woodcock, J. N. Dorsey, Joseph Newsom, W. F. Davis, R. F. Hanna, J. T. Hanna, Thomas Bowman, J. W. Green and W. N. Matheson, being summoned for that purpose according to law and after being by me duly sworn, we met at Stephen Boyett’s home, in the county aforesaid, did hold an inquest over the dead body of Mary S. Boyett.
Coleen Boyett, being duly sworn testified as follows: She is daughter of the deceased and lives in the family. The deceased had been unwell since about the middle of last December and had been crazy since that time. She had frequently tried to injure herself by grasping her throat and mashing and bruising her abdomen. She died sometime during the night of March 2nd on which that day she complained of pain in her head more than usual. Nothing unusual in her treatment occurred during the day. The whole family had been uniformly kind to her since her affliction. Never saw any harsh treatment or violence used toward her.
Mrs. Eliza Meeks being duly sworn testified as follows: She is the daughter of deceased and lives about 100 yards from residence of deceased. Deceased had been sick or crazy since about first week of last December. Frequently a day or two lapses without witness seeing her. Had often seen deceased try to choke herself and bruise and mash her abdomen. She complained more than usual on the day of her death. During that day about 12 o’clock her father started out to do some work. Deceased followed him. Deceased died sometime during the night of March 2nd. The whole family, including her father, had been uniformly kind to deceased.
Miss Mournin Keen being duly sworn testified as follows: I am the aunt of Stephen Boyett, the husband of the deceased. I lived in the family of the deceased. Deceased was taken ill before last Christmas and was plainly not in her right mind. Had seen her try to choke herself. On the evening of March 2nd Coleen went to turnip patch and the deceased followed her. Coleen brought deceased back to the house and stated that she had fallen into a gully. Deceased was placed in a chair complaining greatly of one leg she had hurt. She never walked another step. She was helped to bed and died sometime during the night. The husband and family had been very kind to her. Knew of no violence being used towards deceased during that day.
Coleen Boyett recalled and stated that on the evening on March 2nd the deceased, her mother, followed her to the turnip patch and fell in a gully. Deceased was unable to stand for awhile, but finally succeeded in bringing her back to the house. This happened about 3 o’clock in the evening.
Miss Harriet Boyett being duly sworn and testified as follows: I saw my mother, the deceased, follow Coleen in the direction of the turnip patch and soon heard a noise which attracted her attention. I went to the door and saw Coleen bringing the deceased to the house and I assisted her. Deceased had hurt her leg and did not put that foot to the floor in going to bed. She died sometime during the night. My father and myself got her up just before 10 o’clock that night and saw nothing unusual except for the leg that had been hurt.
Mariah Ponds being duly sworn and testified as follows: I am sister-in-law of deceased and live about 2½ miles from house of deceased. I have visited the deceased several times and she was evidently very crazy. Deceased never tried to injury anyone else but herself. Every member of the family was as kind to her as they could be.
Dr. F. O. Hawley examined the body of the deceased and testified as follows: That he found no evidence of foul treatment and nothing in any way to conflict with the testimony of the witnesses already examined.
Steve Bailey is employed with the Anson County Historical Society and has specialized in local African-American family history for 20 years.