1890-05-24
Johnston County, NC

Alleged offense: Murder
Race: White
Gender: Male
Age: Unrecorded
Legal intervention (in alleged offense): Yes
Legal intervention (following lynching): No
Mob size: 30-50
Mob members: None named
Alleged victim: Cenie Brown and her grandson
Household Status: Married
Occupation: Farmer

Authorities arrested John Starling for the murder of Cenie Brown and her grandson. Starling allegedly threatened neighbors to dissuade them from testifying. The court acquitted Starling. While officers escorted Starling back home, a mob abducted him. The mob hanged and shot Starling.

Documentation

Death certificate: None found
Census: 1880 Census

News coverage:

Particulars of the Lynching of John Starling

Particulars of the Lynching of John Starling

Location

Town: Selma, North Carolina
Latitude/Longitude: 35.543204, -78.28641
Rationale:  Nearest city or town.

Additional Resources:

Researcher’s Note: