SS
Samuel Seawell
1879
Samuel Waite Seawell.
How He Died
Manner
Homicide
Cause
Gunshot wound
Mechanism
Firearm
What Happened
Location: North Carolina
Weapon: Handgun; Revolver
Offender: Sentenced to 5 years
Posseman Samuel Seawell was shot and killed in Cumnock, Lee County, North Carolina, after he and other officers raided an illegal still site in Moore County and confiscated the still and equipment.
The owner of the still had learned of the seizure and set out after the officers and located them at the Euphronia Church, near Cumnock. The man dismounted his horse, immediately shot Posseman Seawell, and then held the other officers at gunpoint as he ordered them to handover the equipment.
The man fled but was later captured in Bennettsville, South Carolina. He was returned to North Carolina where he was convicted of murdering Posseman Seawell and was sentenced to five years in prison. Following his release from prison he was arrested again for moonshining. He was sentenced to one year in federal prison in New York where he later died while serving the sentence.
Posseman Seawell served as a major in the Confederate Army during the Civil War.
Posseman Seawell served as a major in the Confederate Army during the Civil War.
Weapon: Handgun; Revolver
Offender: Sentenced to 5 years
Posseman Samuel Seawell was shot and killed in Cumnock, Lee County, North Carolina, after he and other officers raided an illegal still site in Moore County and confiscated the still and equipment.
The owner of the still had learned of the seizure and set out after the officers and located them at the Euphronia Church, near Cumnock. The man dismounted his horse, immediately shot Posseman Seawell, and then held the other officers at gunpoint as he ordered them to handover the equipment.
The man fled but was later captured in Bennettsville, South Carolina. He was returned to North Carolina where he was convicted of murdering Posseman Seawell and was sentenced to five years in prison. Following his release from prison he was arrested again for moonshining. He was sentenced to one year in federal prison in New York where he later died while serving the sentence.
Posseman Seawell served as a major in the Confederate Army during the Civil War.
Posseman Seawell served as a major in the Confederate Army during the Civil War.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two children, and his parents and is buried at Friendship Baptist Church Cemetery in Carthage, North Carolina.
Service Record
Also Served
United States Department of the Treasury - Office of Internal Revenue
Posseman
In Our Keeping
Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtnv9rrdrgx4gkd44xcna
Record added
August 2, 2026
neuraweb.nw
Stewarded by
neuraweb.nw
Last updated
August 2, 2026
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Samuel. Claim this record.
Be the first to honor Samuel.
Leave a Tribute