Charles Mahoney vs John Ashton

Petition for freedom in the General Court

The deposition of Mary Craufurd aged Eighty Seven years or thereabouts being first Sworn in the above suit on the Holy evangells of almighty god. Answered the several Questions as follow to wit

1st Question. Do you know the parties in the above suit

Answers. She does not.

2d Question. Did you Know a Woman by the name of Ann Joyce who formerly belonged to Henry Darnall and who is said to have died at the Woodyard

Answers. She does not.

3d Question. Do you Know or have you heard that Francis Hall of Prince George's County deceased or his father Benjamin Hall in his lifetime; at any time and when; did say: that Joyce before mentioned was free or entitled to be free and for what reason; relate any Conversation that you may have heard from them or either of them or any other person on the Subject

Answers. That she has never heard Benjamin Hall or Francis Hall say any thing on the subject but that she has heard; her Mother: say there was a Woman by the name of Joyce came in with Lord Baltimore and that she; her mother; dose say the said Ann Joyce or any of her Children would be free if they made any stir to obtain their freedom that the said Joyce always lived in the family with Mr Darnall as she was informed and that Frank a Carpenter was son to the said Joyce and Servant to Mr Darnall that this deponants husband had hired the said Frank and two others of Mr Darnall to build him a dwelling house

4th Question. Do you Know and or have you heard and from whom that Joyce or Ann Joyce the woman alluded to in the second Question came from England and when: and whether she ever resided in England and how long: and do you recollect ever to have heard who were passengers with the said Joyce at the ???? Time she came from england.

Answers. She Knews nothing more than she has declared in her answer to the 3rd Question

5 Question. Do you Know and or have you heard and from whom that the before mentioned Joyce was ever adjudged in Prince Georges County Court to serve for a Term of years for having bastard children

Answers. She does not Know

6 Question. Do you Know or have you heard and from whom How many Children the said Joyce had; what were their names and in whose possession did they respectively die. and when. and did you or do you know any of the grand Children of said Joyce and to whom did they or do they belong respectively.

Answers. She did not nor does not Know.

7 Question. Do you Know or have you heard of any Conversation which have at any time passed respecting Charles right or the Right of his Mother Grand Mother or great grand Mother or any of his Ancestors to freedom when and between whom. what was the Conversation. relate it fully and freely

Answers. She does not Know nor has she heard of any conversation.