Vestry Room, St. Ann’s, July 12, 1802.
IN VESTRY – FIFTY POUNDS.
WHEREAS Joseph Durnford, a White Man, in the employ of
Mr. Aitkin, Deputy-Marshal for this parish, on the 31st day of
May Last, at Palmyra estate, made a levy of Six Negroes, the
property of William Hugh Gallimore; and, about nine o’clock
on the same morning, on his return to St. Ann’s Bay, with the
said levy, was overtaken between Llandovery and Loughlands,
by a Negro Man named JOE, the property of Joseph Nibbs
(accompanied by two other Negro Men, supposed to belong to
the same William Hugh Gallimore); which negro, named JOE,
being armed with a Gun, did fire at, and shoot the said Joseph
Durnford through the hand, and in the arm, and thereby effected
a rescue of the said slaves so levied on, as well as endangered
the life of the said Joseph Durnford: The Vestry, therefore,
in order to evince their abhorrence of so flagrant a violation
of the laws, and to bring to speedy justice the said offender,
direct that the Churchwardens of this parish shall pay the sum
of FIFTY POUNDS to any person or persons who shall apprehend,
or caue to be apprehended, the said negro man Joe, and
him safely lodge in either of the gaols or workhouses in this
island, so that he may be dealt with according to law.
By the Vestry,
GEORGE STENNETT, Clk Vest.