Kent County State of Delaware An inquisition indented and taken at the House of Nathl. Luff in Murderkill Hundred and County aforesaid before me George Truitt, Coroner for said County upon the view of the body of Jonathan Allen colored man then lying dead upon the oaths and affirmation of  James S. Lister, Job Townsend, Caleb Mason Jacob Boone Jr, Jonathan Emmerson, James Alls, [Allee?], Thomas Reed, Isaac Chippy, Benja. Quigly, Joseph Lewis, Nathl. Luff, James Anderson, Samuel Grace, John Stadly, Nathl.  Young, James Thomas & William Smithers, good and lawful men of the County, aforesaid who being sworn, and affirmed and charged by the Coroner, to inquire when, where, how and in  what manner the aforesaid Jonathan Allen colored man came to his death and after hearing the witnesses in behalf of said State and finding no mark of murder ??? from viewing the body, do say, he came to his death on the third day of July A.D. 1827 by an intemperate use of ardent spirits and ? intraction by ?

Witness our hands and seals this fourteenth day of July A.D. 1827

George Truitt Coroner {seal}  Thomas Reed {seal} William Smithers {seal}. Isaac Chippy his mark {seal} James S. Lister {seal} Benjamin Quigly {seal} Job Townsend {seal} Joseph J. Lewis {seal} James Anderson {seal} Caleb Mas?? {seal} Samuel Grace {seal} Jacob Boone Junr {seal} John Stadley {seal} J. Emmerson {seal} Nathaniel Young {seal} James Alle {seal} James Thomas {seal}

State of Delaware Kent County The deposition of Susan Darnel n. aged forty years being sworn deposeth and saith that on the 3d day of July A.D. 1827 she was binding wheat for Benjamin Clark, ^ in company with Jonathan Allen, and during the morning of said day he complained of nothing like being sick or unwell. About two o’clock in the afternoon of said day he complained of some pain in his stomach after which he laid down by the sap?? of ?? Wheat shook apparently intoxicated very much having drank freely in the forenoon About sun ??? she went in company with Benjamin Clark to the place where he lay & found him dead and further this deponent sayeth not. Susan Darnel her mark

State of Delaware Kent County The deposition of Benjamin Clark N aged about sixty years being affirmed deposeth and saith that on the third day of July 1827 he hired Jonathan Allen N to cut wheat for him and between two and three oClock in the evening he saw something was the matter with him and told him he must quit which he did and went and laid down by the side of a stock of wheat, his wife went and made a shade over him with a handkerchief he had been drinking hard in the fore part of the day and Just before sun down his wife went near him and said she thought he was Dead. I then in company with Liven Darnell went to him and found he was dead and further this deponent sayeth not. Benjamin Clark his mark

State of Delaware Kent County This deposition of Liven Darnell N aged about forty five years being sworn deposeth and sayeth that on the third day of July 1827 he was cutting Wheat in company with Jonathan Allen ^ for Benjamin Clark & after dinner said Jna Allen cut one through and part of another and complained of haveing a misery in his belly and went and Laid down by the side of a shock of wheat his wife went to him two or three times through the evening and said she could not git him up Just before sun down in company with Benjamin Clark he went to him and found he was dead and further this deponent sayeth not. Levin Darnel

Know all men by these presents that we whose names are hereunto subscribed do constitute and empower George Truit our lawful attorney to collect each and every of our fees that may be due us for our services as jurors and witnesses on an inquisition indemtion and taken at the House of Nathl. Luff in Murderkill Hundred Kent County and state of Delaware on the body of Jonathan Allen colored man then lying dead on the 4th day of July A.D. 1827 for which we serve a final acquittance for the same given under our hand & seals the day & date above written.

Hon Smithers {seal} James Anderson {seal} James S. Lister {seal} Samuel Grace {seal} Job Townsend {seal} John Stadley {seal} Caleb Masun {seal} Nathaniel Young {seal} Jacob Boone Jr {seal} James Thomas {seal} J Emerson {seal} James Alle {seal} Thomas Reed {seal} Isaac Chippy his mark {seal} Benjamin Quigly {seal} Joseph J. Lewis {seal} Nathaniel Luff {seal]

Kent County Coroner’s Inquisitions: Kent, [Delaware] Coroner Records 1741-1943. Image 34

FamilySearch: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSB7-8S73-5?view=fullText&keywords=Darnell%2CDelaware%2CKent&groupId=TH-909-79361-56784-37

Citation: “Kent, Delaware, United States records,” images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSB7-8S73-5?view=fullText : Jan 26, 2025), image 34 of 942; Delaware Public Archives (Dover).

Transcribed 26 Jan 2025 by Nancy Maliwesky

ALLEN, JONATHAN (Negro) Murderkill HD 1827 4 July