Horse Stealing in Virginia

Augusta County, 1790

On August 22, I posted a letter from Frederick Briggs, who was convicted of horse stealing in Prince Edward County, Virginia. The counties of Nottaway and Charlotte were also part of this tragedy. See “A Pathetic Letter” about midway down this page. The hanging took place October 16, 1789.

Map shows present counties of Virginia. Red arrows indicate counties mentioned in today’s post.

The Animap (below) view of the counties in 1789 basically shows the same locations of Prince Edward, Nottaway, and Charlotte Counties. Augusta bordered Greenbrier in 1789 and was a little bigger than it is now. However, by 1790, Augusta was the same as it is today because Bath was formed that year. Animap version is shared in accordance with terms of service. (I purchased the DVD years ago.)

Today, I came across another crime of horse stealing, which was committed by John Bullitt in 1790. Strangely, it is mentioned that John Bullitt was hung subsequent to October 16. Something seems fishy that they would mention the same day, though in different years. I will be looking for similar stories. What, exactly, was really going on? Are the stories true? This is found in Supplement to the Annals of Augusta County by Joseph A. Waddell, and published in 1888 in Richmond.

Is it possible there was really a gallows at “Hanger’s place”? Is this a joke?

We are right to question this dubious “justice”. It’s understandable that some would opine that things have not changed much.

The Bible says a lot about justice, but this verse from Deuteronomy 16:19 will suffice as a warning: “You shall not pervert justice; you shall not show partiality, nor take a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the righteous.”