Tyrrell County
16th. July 1777} Ss.
Charles Rhodes came before us Justices assigned to keep the Peace in said County and being duly sworn upon the Holy Evangelists of Almighty God deposeth & sayeth that about a Fortnight ago being at his own Plantation Capt. John Garrett, and William Collins of Martin came to him, & ask'd him to sit down which he did they then ask'd him if he wou'd swear secrecy for the Preservation of Life & Fortune which Oath after having been assur'd there was no harm in it he took which Oath was Administred by William Collins whilst said Garrett held the Book, Collins to told him he must get a Stick and Cut Three Notches in it, and gave him a Word which was be True, & that he must go to Daniel Leggett, They then Went together to Thomas Harrisons Senr. where this deponent gave the stick to Leggett who gave it back to this Deponent who threw it away, and gave him the Word also Leggett then ask'd this Deponent to walk out under the Mulberry Tree, & there showed him the Constitution and asked this Deponent if he saw any hurt in it who Answ'd noHe saw none. He then swore him to the Constitution to stand by the Church keep out Popery, and to oppose the Draughting or pressing of any Men & that ^to Suffer^ no person should ^to^ be Carryed away against his Will. Legett then gave this Deponent Another sign which was to shut Three Fingers of the left Hand and draw the fore Finger over the Face & also the Word I N R I. which for fear of Being Impos'd upon was only to be letter'd & halv'd and Further this Deponent sayeth that they must have a Barrell of Gun Powder, & each person of the Society must take half of Pound of it, And further this Deponent sayeth not
Charles Rhodes principal £100
Frances Ward Security £100
For his appearance at the next Court of Oyer & Terminer at Edenton
Sworn & acknowledged before us
Archd Corrie J.P
vs Thos. Harrison
Oaths of
Charles Rhodes
William Harrison Son of James
Stephen Garrett
Thomas Garrett
Stephen Fagan
Josiah Harrison