Jasper County GaArchives Photo document.....Kitchens Will-Charles Kitchens, d. Jan 13, 1864(pg. 3) October 1869
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Larry Knowles http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00012.html#0002854 October 15, 2004, 1:29 pm

Source: Georgia Supreme Court file-Georgia State Archives
Photo can be seen at:
http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/jasper/photos/documents/gph1231kitchens.jpg
Image file size: 104.7 Kb

The estate of Charles Kitchens was contested in Jasper Co. Widow Elizabeth had 
indicated that his will had been stolen, but on advise of counsel, she was not 
encouraged to pursue legal action, because of the ongoing Civil War, and her 
advanced age. For some reason she did not obtain letters of administration. The 
court appointed Jeese M. Owens as administrator; an inventory was quickly made, 
and on March 9, 1864 a sale brought in $5882.30. Sometime thereafter, Elizabeth 
produced a copy of the will(shown here)which apparently left everything to her! 
It was presented in Jasper County Superior Court in September 1865, but was not 
proven until the October Term-1867. Appeals were made and the verdict upheld.  
The Georgia Supreme Court affirmed the lower court ruling-June Term 1869.

These three pages were taken from the Supreme Court file-"Kitchens vs Kitchens"-
in the Georgia State Archives. The numerous depositions of friends, children, 
and grandchildren are a genealogical "goldmine" for the Charles & Elizabeth 
Kitchens family. It is an intriguing tale, involving multiple wills, Masonic 
journals, a stolen wooden chest, and "playing ghosts". Similar(original)records 
from the Jasper Co. court proceedings are also available at the Archives, but 
are very hard to read because of water damage.(See "Court Reports" on this site-
Kitchens vs Kitchens)

Additional Comments:
(Page 3 of 3 pages)

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ga/jasper/photos/documents/gph1231kitchens.txt

This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/gafiles/

File size: 2.2 Kb