Testimony of Matilda Puryear

Testimony of Matilda Puryear

William Puryear was an African-American taken from his home in the middle of the night by the Ku Klux Klan and murdered, being drowned in a lake with a rock tied to his waist. Matilda Puryear, William’s wife, testifies that she was with her husband the night he was taken and informs the court that that was the last time she saw her husband alive. Matilda Puryear’s testimony is pivotal is proving that there was in fact an insurrection rising due to the actions of the White Brotherhood and that terror was running rampant throughout the night in the counties of Alamance and Caswell.

North Carolina Senate

North Carolina Senate, Trial of William W. Holden: Governor of North Carolina, before the Senate of North Carolina, on Impeachment by the House of Representatives for High Crimes and Misdeameanors, Vol. 2. (Raleigh, NC: Sentinel Printing Office, 1871), 1301-1311

1871

Document

Raleigh, North Carolina

Government Document