Nero
(b. ? - d. 1767)
MSA SC 5496-51586
Slave in Talbot County, Maryland
Biography:
Negro Nero, as he was referred to in colonial
terminology, was charged and convicted for burglary, and breaking and
entering. Gabriel Sailes, a property owner in Talbot County,
Maryland, was the owner of Nero. 1 The crime occurred on August 29, 1766 with the victims being John Bozman and Nathaniel Cox. 2
During the November Court of 1766, Nero was found guilty of "two Indictments for Burgary." 3 The first indictment was for breaking and entering at the dwelling house of John Bozman, Sheriff of the county. 4
According to the criminal record, several items were stolen, including
"one blue cloth coat of the value of five shillings sterling money of
Great Britain, one pin striped linen trouser of the value of two
shillings sterling money of Great Britain, and one hat of the value of
six pence sterling money of Great Britain." 5
The second indictment against Nero was for breaking and entering at the
dwelling house of Nathaniel Cox. Nero was accused of stealing "ten pounds of Bacon
of the Calue of two Shillings Current Money of Maryland and one Clasp
Knife of the value of Seven Pence Current Money of Maryland." 6
Both Bozman and Cox, testified that Nero "did then and there
feloniously steal take and carry away against the peace of the right
humble the Lord prop.” 7
The facts for both indictments were allegedly proved through a confession by Negro Nero. A man named Mr. Oldham heard the confession from Nero about stealing the goods mentioned. 8 Another man, George Clift, "found the Goods in his Possession, and by the two negroes belonging to Mr. Bozman who proved that the House had been opened and the Goods Stolen from thence." 9 Clift was a contributing factor in displaying evidence against Nero and Nathaniel Cox was also able to prove the loss of his goods. Cox had also heard the same confession in which Nero told to Clift. 10
Colonial "justice" would persecute Nero to the fullest extent with the
intention to deter others from committing similar crimes. On
December 24, 1766, the death warrant for Negro Nero was completed. 11
On Wednesday, January 14, 1767, the court ruled "Negro Nero be taken
from hence to the Publick prison of the county (Talbot) afsd.
(aforesaid) and from thence be carried to the place of Execution and
there be Hanged by the Neck until he be dead.” 12
Endnotes:
3. ARCHIVES OF MARYLAND ONLINE, Proceedings of the Council of Maryland, 1761-1769, Vol. 32, pg. 178.
4. TALBOT COUNTY COURT (Criminal Record). Negro Nero. Folio 496.
5. Ibid.
6. Ibid., 497.
7. Ibid., 496.
8. ARCHIVES OF MARYLAND ONLINE, Proceedings, Vol. 32, pg. 178.
9. Ibid.
10. Ibid.
11. GOVERNOR AND COUNCIL (Commission Record) 1726-1786. December 24, 1766. Folio 214.
12. TALBOT COUNTY COURT (Criminal Record). Negro Nero. Folio 497-498.
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