PHILADELPHIA, May 28.
Extract of a Letter from Chester county, May 21.
“On Saturday last as Henry Philips and Richard Kelly, two labouring Men, were at Work together on the Plantation of Mr. David Davis, in Tredyffrin Township, in this County, a Quarrel happened between them, in which the latter struck the former, who thereupon went home and told Mr. Davis his Employer, that Kelly had struck him, and that he was determined to go to a Justice and get a Warrant for him. Mr. David advised him to stay until Morning, and in the mean Time consider of it, expecting by that Time his passion would subside; on which Philips took a Gun, charged it, went to the Woods where Kelly was, and shot him dead on the Spot. He then returned, and desired M. Davis to End him, for that he had killed Kelly. At first his information was discredited, as he had always bore the Character of a harmless fellow; but on finding it to be true, he was secured and committed to Chester Jail. The Coroner’s Inquest brought in their verdict, Willful Murder.”
Source: The Virginia Gazette, Williamsburg Virginia, June 18, 1772; Pg. 3, Column 1
