William Bill Neill/Neal Hanged for murder in NC prior to 1910.

Question

William Bill Neill/Neal, according to family lore, was hung for murder in (Charlotte) NC (seems like it would have been Raleigh).  After the hanging he was brought home to CleveIand County, NC for burial in an unmarked grave.   I have been searching for information on this with a date range of 1830 to 1910.  Hanging was abolished in NC in 1910.  Any suggestions for finding this information?

Thanks you evah so much,

Mags

Comments

Dear Ms Gaulden:

I suspect it is just a coincidence, but I have a GGU, William H.H. "Will" NEAL (1857 — 1885), who was hanged — alledgedly for murder. However, the incident took place in a different state in 1881.

From your facts I'd say this is a long shot, however, if you wish to explore it further don't hesitate to contact me.

Good luck, GPF

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Thanks GPF, I just shot you a PM.  Mags

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A William Neal was tried for a murder at Ashland, KY in 1881.  He was hanged in 1885.  Ashland is near Ironville, KY and the Ohio river boardering Ohio and WV.  Not very near to NC, probably not the same fellow, but here it is anyway. http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~kycarter/journals/neal_craft_murder.htm

William Neel was hanged for murder in NC Dec 13, 1816, too early. http://deathpenaltyusa.org/usa1/name/n.htm

There was a Neill Sellers hanged in 1904 at Bladen Co., NC (could someone have reversed the name?)  This is supposedly a list of all NC executions from 1726 to 1961:    http://www.ncgenweb.us/transylvania/North%20Carolina%20Executions%20From%201726%20to%201961.pdf

Nothng is obviously him.  :(

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Thanks Cynthia...Nothing appears to be him for sure.  I found out today that the family picked-up "Devil Bill's" body in Monroe, NC.  That is a little more than I knew.

Thanks,  Mags

Answer 1

Mags I 'm going to the archives next week in Raleigh. Send me all the info you have ok & I'll see what I can find.

Answer 2

If the hanging was public knowledge it may have been in the newspapers. GenealogyBank is a great source for old newspaper articles. Unfortunately, it is not free. However, they do offer a 1 month trial for $9.99.

Comments

tFamily lore says it was for murder and I am assuming it was public knowledge.  As for it happening in Charlotte, the State of North Carolina didn't take over on that point until 1907.  So it would be under the local jurisdiction.  I have learned that so far.

Answer 3

Just a wild guess. Have you been able to check the Historic society and the history department at the local library? How about checking with the State Department of Corrections? The sheriff department or the the local police?