William Duett being duly sworn on the Holy Evangelists of
Almighty God to give true answers to such Questions as this Court might demand
of him respecting the reputed or apparent value of the Estate of Reuben White
deceased at the Time that sd Reuben lived in the State of South Carolina and at
the Time said Reuben removed himself and moveable Estate into the State of North
Carolina. Also being sworn to make true answers to such Questions as this Court
might demand of said Deponent relative to the apparent Estate of William White
when living in the State of South Carolina and also to answer such Questions
as this Court might demand of him respecting the Character of said William White.
It being demanded of said Deponent, at what time said Reuben removed from the State
of South Carolina Answered that it happened in the last of the year 1775 or
beginning of the year 1776. Said Deponent being required to inform the Court what
Property the said Reuben was possessed of at that time answered that he believes
there were about ten negro Slaves reported to be and declared by the above named
William White to be the proerty of said Reuben. This Deponent further says upon
his oath that the said Reuben was possessed of a Horse which he was said to given
700 £ for. This Deponent being required to inform this Court with respect to
the appare nt Estate of William White answered, that about three years last March
as near as the Deponent can recollect, the said William was in the Gaol of Cheraw
District for Debt at the suit of James Gordon and that the said William declared
to this Deponent that he the sd William did intend to take the Benefit of the
Insolvent Act, an act of the Assembly of the State of South Carolina made for
the Relief of Insolvent Debtors, and that this Deponent further says that he
this Deponent was afterwards informed that the sd William was at large on
taking the Benefit of this Act of Assembly above referred to. It being further
required of this Deponent to inform the Court of the general Character of sd
William at the time he removed from the State of South Carolina, Answered that
said William was reputed to be a dishonest man, that he this Deponent believes
the said William could not have had Credit where he was known for the value of
5 £, & this Deponent saith that he himself would not have trusted said
William for five pounds from the Opinion the Deponent entertained of his dishonest
Principles & further saith not.
Sworn in open court and examined. Wm Dewitt
this 8th Day of May 1777.
By Order of Court. Test. A.D. Osborn C.C.