Cornelius Austin was a resident of Currituck County, likely on or near Ocracoke Island. In late July 1777 he and his brother took three men on their boat to the northern Outer Banks, where they discovered that their passengers were loyalists. When their passengers tried to threaten them, Cornelius and his brother escaped and returned home, leaving their passengers behind. Both brothers later testified about the experience before the Edenton District Superior Court of Oyer & Terminer.