Robert Williams
Robert Williams, a 22-year-old Black man, was held in the guard house at Williamston, South Carolina. On November 4, 1881, a crowd of citizens from Anderson and Greenville counties took him from the guard house, marched him through Pelzer and hanged him from a tree across the Saluda River. According to a Greenville newspaper correspondent, he asked for a preacher, which was granted, and met his death calmly. A coroner's jury returned a verdict of death by hanging at the hands of unknown parties.
Cause of death, as reported: Taken from custody and lynched. A coroner's jury returned a verdict of death by hanging at the hands of unknown parties, and the account says a crowd from Anderson and Greenville counties took him from the Williamston guard house and hanged him from a tree near Pelzer.
Reported by: coroner's jury (medical examiner or coroner); Greenville News correspondent (reporters).