FRANKLIN COUNTY, GA - Will and Estate of James Miller Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: bonedigger@highstream.net Table of Contents page: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/franklin.htm Georgia Table of Contents: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm will of James MILLER 1824 March 15th Georgia, Franklin County In the name of God, Amen. I James Miller of the State and County aforesaid being weak in body but sound in mind doth make this my last will and testament. My debts if any there should be to be punctually paid, as soon as the money can be collected from those that are indebted to my estate. I leave to my wife Adenia Miller an equal part with my surviving children of both real and personal property. It is my wish that there should be strict attention paid in keeping the property together for the younger children, the said children to have sufficient schooling out of said estate if there are opportunities of getting schools convenient. I leave my wife Adenia with whomsoever she may think proper to take for assistance as Executors of my estate. Given from under my hand this day and year above written. James Miller Test James Martin Junior, Robert Williams, James M. Miller Came into open court James M. Miller one of the witnesses to the within will who being duly sworn saith that he saw James Miller sign and nominate the within to be his last will and testament and that the said James Miller at the time of signing the same appeared to be of sound mind and perfect memory and that James Martin Junior was a subscribing witness at the time of signing the same. Robert Williams, one of the subscribing witnesses to the within will, also came into court and being duly sworn saith that James Miller acknowledged the within will to be his last will and testament before him this 12th day of September 1827. James M. Miller Robert Williams [[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[ This is an ideal teaching tool for following the estate settlement of James MILLER. To show the importance of court documents in research here is an inventory of the estate papers of James MILLER where irt shows the chronology of events in court as: Will proved 12 Sept. 1827;Wife Adenia. children when they come of age (not named). Exrs. wife Adenia. (s) 15 Nov. 1824. Wit: James martin, Jr. Robert Williams, James M. MILLER. RG 159-2-39 vol 10 pg 5-6/Book A. Will presented and Appraiser's appointed 5 Nov. 1827. RG 159-2- vol 9 pg 68 Book M Return of Adenia MILLER, Exr. Feb. 1828; RG 159-2-27 vol 7 pg 112 Book N Return of Adenia MILLER, Exr. Mar 1828, Rg 159-2-27 vol 7 pg 120 Book N Order Exr have leave to sell land 7 Mar 1832; RG 159-2-39 vol 12 pg 68 Order Adenia MILLER, EXR show cause 3 march 1834. " It appearing to the court that Adenia MILLER, Executrix of estate of James MILLER, is mismanaging and wasting the said estate. Whereupon it is ordered that she show cause at the next term of this court, to be held 1st Monday next in May, why she should not give securit for her said administration or be dismissed." RG 159-2-39 vol 12 pg 160 ..............Adenia runs home in a hurry and married R. B. Hooper.............. Order Richard B. Hooper be joined with wife Adenia formerly MILLER as Administrators 5 May 1834. RG 159-2-38 vol 12 pg 162 Return of Adenia HOOPER EXR July 1835 RG 159-2-39 vol 8 pg 50 Book G Petition for Letter of Dismissal by Richard HOOPER, EXR 11 Jan 1836 and petition of Matthew B. HOOPER to be released as his security RG 159-2-27 vol 12 pg 186-187 Return of Adenia HOOPER EXR Mar 1836 RG 159-2-27 vol 8 pg 94 Book G Letter of Dismissal granted to Richard B. HOOPER and Adenia HOOPER ordered to show cause why she should not be dismissed with her husband 4 July 1836. RG 159-2-39 vol 12 pg 194. Order Executorship of Adenia MILLER be revoked 5 Sept 1836 RG 159-2-39 vol 12 pg 198 Order Richard B. HOOPER and wife have Letter of Administration with the will annexed and Appraisor's be appointed 5 Dec. 1836. RG 159-2-39 vol 12 pg 200. Inventory Dec 1836 RG159-2-27 vol 8 pg 150-151 Book G Sale of MILLER estate Jan 1837 RG159-2-27 vol 8 pg 160 Book G Order Richard and Adenia HOOPER Administrators with will annexed have leave to sell a negro 4 Sept. 1837. Rg159-2-39 vol 12 pg 210 Order Richard and Adenia HOOPER Administrators show cause why their security should not be dismissed 6 Nov 1837 Rg159-2-39 vol 12 pg 212 Order charles D. Jenkins be discharged as security 7 May 1838 RG159-2-39 vol 12 pg 224 Order to Exrs 3 Sept 1838 RG159-2-39 vol 12 pg 229 Return of Adenia HOOPER and R. B. HOOPER Administrators Mar 1839 RG159-2-27 vol 8 pg 313-314 Return of Richard B. HOOPER and Adenia HOOPER Administrators Sept 1840 RG159-2-27 vol 8 pg 361 Book G James M. MILLER appointed guardian of Henry F. and Martha M. MILLER Orphans 1 July 1844 RG 159-2-39 vol 12 pg 319. Guardian's return Nov 1847 RG159-2-27 vol 9 pg 316-317 Book H Loose Papers: Will, Inv., Appraisment, returns, Bill in equity RG159-2-1 Box 07-60 NOTE: there was much evidence to prove that waste and mismanagement had occurred as the inventories showed there was no work being done by the slaves, they were hired out to neighbor farms, 4 head of cattle died, 1 sheep died, 1 negro girl named Milly died, 1 sheep and 1 cow died, 1 cow and 3 yearlings died, 1 negro boy named Peter died, 1 cow and 11 hogs died, 1 negro boy named Jacob died, burned (1 loom and assorted fabrics, 1 canding machine, 1 lot of pewter, all the bed linnens, and all the kitchen furniture), 1 lot of plows and hoes lost, strayed and lost 23 geese and 7 hogs and 5 sheep, we don't know if this is just bad luck or mismanagement.