Claudius Smith of Cornwall precinct in the County of Orange labourer, James Smith of the same place labourer, and Richard Smith of the same place labourer on the fourthday of August in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy eight at the precinctof Cornwall in the County of Orange with force and arms in and about William Belland his wife and Andrew son, an assault did make and respectively in fear and danger of their lives then and there feloniously did put.
Robbing: One Gun or firelock of the value of five pounds of the State of New York
Two bayonets each the value of twelve shillings.
Two swords each the value of twenty shillings.
One spear of the value of eight shillings.
Six bills of credit issued by State of New York each of ten dollars.
Other bills of credit each respective bill unknown, but amounting to the value of sixteen pounds.
Divers bills of credit of the Congress of the United States of America the amounting to the value of twenty pounds.
One copper head of a still of the value of fifty four pounds found in an outhouse.
Goods of the said William Bell then and there feloniously did steal take and carry away against the peace of the people of this State and their dignity. Claudius Smith under the custody of Isaac Nicoll Esquire Sheriff of the County being brought to the bar here and forthwith charged upon him how he will aquit himself thereof, he saith he is not there guilty but did obstinately refuse to be tried in due course of the law.
Honoured Sir, Inclosed I send you a copy of an Inquisition taken yesterday upon view of the Body of the worthy Nathaniel Strong. I send it to you to confirm the mischiefs practised by the Notorious Claudius Smith and his party, hoping some measures may be taken to stop his career. Excuse (my) haste as the opportunity waites.
I am your Excellency’s most obedient Humble Servant.
Wm. Holly, Coroner.
Blooming Grove Oct’r 7th 1778. Orange County
Mrs. Woodhull being duly sworn, saith that on the Night of the Sixth Claudius Smith and a party of armed men came to her house about twelve o’clock, and did rob her and wished her husband was at home for he would have him dead or alive.
Sworn to me Wm. Holly Coroner
Mrs. Strong said that about one o’clock, she heard some men knocking at the door and breaking in the windows, on which her Husband got up and asked who was there; they answered, a friend; on which they ordered him to lay down his arms and open the door and they would not hurt him; he answered he would if he could, but that they had so broke it he did not know if he could; They told him to lay down his gun; he said he had; on which he stepped forward and was shot by the party that had attacked the house and further she heared her husband say it was Claudius Smith.
Sworn before Wm. Holly Coroner
Claudius Smith, William Smith, Richard Smith, and James Smith, on the eighth day of August 1778, about one o’clock, with force and arms at Cornwall, the dwelling house of John Earle, did break and enter.
Robbing: twenty copper pence commonly called coppers.
One shilling and six pence.
One silver Stock clasp.
One mans saddle.
One bridle.
Fifteen yards of mixt colors homespun cloth.
One mans brown colored broadcloth coat.
One velvet breeches.
Divers bills of creditof the State of New Yorkthe value of one hundred pounds
Divers other bills of credit of The United States of America the value seven hundred pounds.
One piece of spanish coined silver of the Kingdom of Portugal.
One silver cased watch.
Six silver tablespoons
The goods and of John Earle feloniously and burglariously did steal, take and carry away against the peace
of the people of this state and their dignity
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