The Examination of John Watson als William White taken before me this 5th. day of Septemr 1739 as follows (to wit)

This Examinant saith that som small time ^ago^ he was apprehended for breaking open the house of John Porter Esq and comitted into the Custody of Cornelius Harnett Esq high Sheriff for the County of Hanover. That on Saturday was sevenight past he broke Goal and made his Escape. That upon coming up the River abot. four or five miles from Mr: Harnetts he met with a Negro who told him this Examinant that his name was Jack & that he belong'd to the Blew Bank Plantation, That this Examinant & said Negro went to [illegible] ^sd^ plantation, and while this Examinant was Grovelling some potatoes, the said Negro Jack went and fetch't a Gun & Sundry other things, and then the sd Negro told this Examinant that he knew where there was some money, which he said would help 'em along the Road to Virginia where they design'd to go, accordingly Jack & this Examinant went to the plantation late belonging to Mr Henry Neale & while he this Examinant was grovelling more potatoes the said Negro went into a little Negroe house and brought out seventy one peices of silver two Gold finger Rings & two Gold Earings with Bobs, and sundry other Goods to a considerable value. That this Examinant & said Negro went afterwards to the Saw-Mill late belonging to Doctor Adams, and their Gun being out of Order they took a Small File & 2 White Capps, and then they proceeded on and met with another Negro named Quaw belonging to Job Howes Esq: who was presently made acquainted with their Design by the Negro Jack, and he told them that he knew a Gentleman hard by that he said had generally wheat or English Flower by him, and accordingly all three of them went to Captain's Blaning's plantation, & the two Negroes lifted up the Sash of one of the Windows ^& went in to the house^ and toss'd out two Knives & forks one pair of Pumps, a Great Coat, & ^a^ pot of Butter and other things, & this Examinant hearing Captain Blaning call out he withdrew and the Negroes followed him with the things aforesaid—