Cornelius or Curry Tyson was a resident of Pitt County, North Carolina. In 1778 Cornelius offered to purchase Jim Bowser, an enslaved African American boy, from Jehu Tyson. Jehu Tyson had hired out Bowser from Allen Sugg. Seeing Bowser's distressed state, Cornelius Tyson offered to buy Bowser from Jehu for more than Jehu had paid for him originally. However, Jehu refused and shortly after that Bowser attempted to run away, possibly to Cornelius's home. Jehu apprehended Bowser and abused him severely. When Bowser died due to the abuse, Jehu Tyson was charged with murder. Cornelius Tyson died sometime after 1790.