Hey, all you VA genealogy buffs:  I received this from Mr. Simmons this morning.  Who knows of this event??  Let us all know.   

----- Original Message ----- 
From: Warren Simmons 
To: [log in to unmask] 
Sent: Wednesday, March 03, 2004 12:10 AM
Subject: Matthew Drake

Dear Mr. Drake,
       A friend sent along your announcement about the upcoming seminar in
Courtland. I got your email address from that and figured I would drop you
a note to see if you could help me with my research.
      I have lived in Southampton all my life and my family goes back to
1726 in the county. I have researched some of my families and am interested
in local history.My aunt (Marjorie Blythe Cobb) who is recently deceased
was also a historian and told me a story many times of a man by the name of
Matthew Drake who supposedly killed a family by the name of Scott in the
1840's. My aunt's grandmother lived near the Drakes and Scotts and had told
her the story. Since my aunt's death I thought I would try and research
this and see what I could find. Well I didn't find much. It seems the
records of trials for this time period are in Richmond at the Library of
Virginia and are not cataloged. So I figured I'd ask if you knew anything
of this event. I have very few details and am not real sure of all the
names. My aunt believed that Mrs. Scott's maiden name was Pretlow.
         On the day of the murders Marjorie's grandmother heard a chopping
sound all day coming from the woods near her home. That night Matthew
visited the Scott family. Before entering the yard he left a club he had
made that day by the gate post. (the noise heard during the day came from
making the club) When his visit was over Mr. Scott followed Matthew to the
gate as he left. When Mr. Scott turned to go back towards the house Matthew
picked up the club and killed Mr. Scott. He then proceeded to enter the
house and kill the rest of the family. The next day as family and friends
gathered at the house everyone was talking about the tragedy and wondering
who could have done such a thing. Included in this conversation was Mr.
Drake. A young slave girl hearing what was said pointed to Matthew and told
every one that he had committed the murders. It seems the girl was in the
house at the time, hid when she heard all the noise but still witnessed
what went on that night. Her testimony at the trial supposedly got Matthew
convicted.
         ....     Is there anything you can add to this story?

Warren Simmons


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