ESTATES: MOSES SKAGGS HEIRS, ESTATE CASE # 3871, GREEN CO., KY, 1836
Part3

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Question by same: Are you or not acaquainted with Rachel, Lydia, Matilda,
Gabriel, Ann, Marion, Mary, Lewis & Frank Henry and family, if so state what 
each of them are worth. 
Answer: I have known them for many years, Rachel I should think worth three 
hundred dollars; Lydia is worth six hundred; Matilda five hundred; Gabriel is 
worth four hundred; Ann is worth two hundred & fifty; Marion is worth one 
hundred and fifty; Mary is worth three hundred dollars; Lewis is worth three 
hundred and Frank-Henry is worth one hundred and fifty dollars.

Question by Defendant: Were you acquainted with the farm and the value of 
renting per day at the time Jones took the same in possession.
Answer: I think it was worth fifty or sixty dollars per year.

Question by same: Was not a part of the farm leased out at the time Jones 
came into the possession of the same.
Answer: It was.

Question by same: How much more was the rent of the land worth at Jones death 
that it was at the time sd Jones took the same in possession
Answer: I think it was double as much.

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Question by same: What was the improvement of the farm worth by the labour sd 
Jones put on the same. 
Answer: I think sd Jones improved the farm to the amount of three Hundred 
dollars.

Question by same: Was not the widow of Moses Skaggs Decd supported from the 
proceads of the farm & Neagroes before and after Jones came into the 
possession of the same.
Answer: I believe the widow was supported from the proceads previous to Jones 
coming into the possession and I believe Jones supported her after he got into the 
possession of sd farm.

Question by same: Did not the property above mentioned remain in the 
possession  of the widow after Jones death, so long as she lived.
Answer: I believe the Neagroes did.

Question by same: Did you ever know the Widow to disposeth of the farm during her life.
Answer: She lived and died there.

Question by Complainants: do you or do you not know that although the Widow 
lived on the farm until her death, that the larger portion of it was rented 
out by the Administrators.
Answer: I do.

Question by same: Do you not know that

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during the time Jones had the plantation in possion, that much of the 
valuable timbers or it was destroyed, and the land was worn and deteriorated 
by the cultivation of it.
Answer: I think some of the valuable timber was destroyed and the land has 
been injured most has been always cultivated in corn and oats.

Question by same: Do you or do you not know that before the death of the 
Widow, Cavin and Blevins leased the farm and some of the Negroes, to one 
Ratliff, and that they recvd one hundred & twenty five barrels of corn from 
him as the rent of sd Cavin.
Answer: They did rent the land, and on the slaves to Ratliff. I understand 
that [Ratliff was to give them one half of corn and tobacco. myself & 
Archibald Ratliff made an estimate of lumber supposed there would be two 
hundred fifty barrels of corn and two thousand pounds of tobacco. [Words 
within brackets is  marked thru] I can not say on what terms.

Question: Have or not the lease of which you have spoken as being on the land 
when Jones took the possession it nearly expired.
Answer: I do not know. And further he sayeth not.
/s/	John Spratt

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Also the deposition of Peter Despain taken at the same time and place and for 
the same purpose the deponent being of lawful age and and sworn deposeth & 
says.

Question by complainant: Were you or not acquainted with Moses Skaggs and 
formerly of Green County Answer: I was, I lived with in the State of Virginia 
and came with him to this County.

Question by same: Did he or not die in this county, did he or not have or 
ever have any children.
Answer: He did die in this county many years ago. He never had any children. 
His father and mother died many years before Moses. He had however four 
sisters only towit, Susanah, Lydia Elizabeth and Nancy. Susanah married 
Richard Whit, Lydia married Matthias Harman, Elizabeth married John Hankins 
and Nancy married William Meridy. He also had the following brothers towit, 
James Henry, Richard, John, Jacob and Charles. Elizabeth, Susanah and Lydia 
with their husbands lived in Virginia, where I suppose their children are now 
living.

Question by same: Did or not Moses Skaggs die before any of his sisters and 
before John Skaggs.
Answer: I do not know when the sisters in Virginia died. Moses however died 
many years ago and before his sister Nancy Meridy and before John Skaggs.

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Commonwealth of Kentucky to the sheriff of Green County Greeting you are hear
by Commanded to summon James T Carter, John Mears, Charles Blevins, William 
Cavin, William Coakly, James Mears, Robert Scott, Susanah Quary, Thomas York 
and wife, Labin Ellis & wife, Rebecca Skaggs, Susanah Criswell, Edmond Whit, 
Adam Harman, Henry Harmon, Mathias Harman, Robert Beavers and wife, Moses 
Beavers & wife, Thomas Christian & wife, Archibald Malony & wife, John 
Mitchell & wife, John Howell & wife, Joseph Whit, Prathena Hankins, Lucy 
Hankins, Lydia Hankins, Joseph Hankins, Moses Hankins, James Mirady, John 
Mirady, Daniel Mirady, Mathias Mirady & William Mirady to appear before the 
judge of the Green Circuit Court at the Court house in Greensburg on the 1st 
day of our May term next to answer a bill in Chancery exhibited against them 
in our said Court by Aaron Lewis and Jeremiah Lewis and this you shall in no 
wise omit under the penalty of £100. and have them there this wit witness 
John Barret Clerk of our said Court at the Clerks office in Greensburg this 
3rd day of March 1836 and 44th year of the Commonwealth.

/s/ 	John Barret

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Aaron & Jeramiah Lewis amends their Bill in the suit now pending in the Green 
Circuit Court of them against the Administrator heirs and Moses Skaggs 
deceased and others now pending in Chancery, these complainants state that 
they have been informed and and charges that the Brothers of the said Moses 
Skaggs as named and set forth by them in their said original Bill towit Henry 
Skaggs, Richard Skaggs Charles Skaggs, Jacob Skaggs & James Skaggs all died 
without lawful children as they believe. That the said James departed this 
life long since and after the death of the said Moses that each of the said 
brothers married and set forth in this Bill never was married but your rators 
have been informed and charges that each one of them had what is called 
natural children, at their death who are same of whom they have been informed 
set up claim to a part of the Estate of the said Moses Skaggs as the lawful 
children and heirs at law of the afsd deceased brothers of the said  Moses 
desd.

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They state that the names and residence of the natural children of the heirs 
at law (if there be any other than they have stated in Bill)  of the  heirs 
at law  of the Brothers of the said Moses Skaggs deceased are all unknown to 
these complainants except William Skaggs who they are informed claims to be 
the son & heir of the afsd Jacob Skaggs deceased. These complainants state 
that the names of the heirs at law of the Widdow Elizabeth Skaggs & of the 
said Moses Skaggs deceased are also unknown to them.  They state that she 
died many years since in the county of Green and that no person has ever 
administered on her estate. They make the unknown heirs at  law of the 
Brothers of the said Moses Skaggs decd. towit Charles, Jacob, Henry, Richard 
and James Skaggs whose names are unknown to your orator except as before 
stated defendants to this and the original Bill they also make the unknown 
heirs at law of the Widow of the said Moses Skaggs deceased defendants. to 
this & their original Bill, They also make the said William Skaggs a deft. to 
sd Bill and pray that they may be compeled to appear and answer all the 
allegations of said Bills, and that your Honor grant unto your orators all 
such relief as they have asked for in their original Bill and they as in duty 
bound will ever pray &c.

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This day personally appeared before me a Justice of the peace in and for the 
County of Green and State of Kentucky. The within named Aaron and Jeramiah 
Lewis and made oaths that the surities of the Heirs at law of Henry Skaggs, 
Charles Skaggs, Richard Skaggs, Jacob Skaggs and James Skaggs deceased 
brothers of Moses Skaggs deceased  if there are others than these named and 
aledged in their original & amended Bill filed in this cause. Also the names 
of the heirs at law of Elizabeth Skaggs deceased the Widdow of the said Moses 
Skaggs deceased are all unknown to them except so far as their names are set 
forth in their original & amended Bill. Given under my hand this 1st day of 
September 1837.

/s/	Alexandr.  McCandless	J.P.GC

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   I, J. H. Caulfield, printer and publisher, of the "Kentucky Register," a 
public authorised newspaper, published in Elizabethtown, Ky., do certify, 
that, the annexed order of publication in Chancery, wherein Jeremiah Lewis 
and Aaron Lewis are complainants against the heirs of Moses Skaggs deceased--
-----defendants has been published in said paper for two calendar months, by 
successive weekly insertions, commencing on the 2nd day of April last and 
ending on the 2nd day of June 1836. Given under my hand this 2nd day of June 
1836.
			J. H. Caulfield

Proprietor, Printer & Publisher of "Ky. Register."
Printer's fee $5.00

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	ADVERTISEMENTS
Green Circuit court, Feb. term, 1836
 Jeremiah Lewis and Aaron Lewis, complainants, against the heirs of Moses 
Skeggs, dec'd, defts.---In Chancery:
   This day came the complainants and  filed their bill, and it appearing to 
the satisfaction of the court, that the defendants James Meredeth, John 
Meredeth, Daniel Meredeth, Matthew Meredeth, Wm. Meredeth, Susanna Quary and 
Wm. Quary her husband, Thomas York and wife, Laban Ellis and wife, Rebecca 
Skaggs, Susanna Criswell, Edw. Whit, Adam Harman, Henry Harman, Matthias 
Harman, Robert Beavers and wife, Moses Beavers and wife, Thomas Christian and 
wife, Josiah Whit and wife, Archibald Maloney and wife, John Mitchell and 
wife, Joseph  Howell and wife, Parthena Hankins, Lucy Hankins, Lydia Hankins, 
Joseph Hankins, and Moses Hankins, are not inhabitants of this commonwealth, 
and they not having answered the complainants bill a greeably to law and the 
rules of this court. it is ordered that unless the aforesaid nonresidents do 
answer the same on or before the first day of the next term of this court, 
the same will be taken as confessed against them. A Copy test,
		John Barret, Cl'k.
April 2----

Charles Blevins and Wm.  Cavin}
	vs.
Jeremiah Lewis & Aaron Lewis 	} In Chny.

The respondents separately came & defend to and not admitting, but protesting 
against & denying the allegations of the bill of the Complts. for answer 
thereto  separately say,  that the afsd.  bill and the matters and things 
therein containd. are not good & sufficient in law, for him to have & 
maintain his sd.  bill;  and each one says,  that he is not bound by the law 
of the land further to answer thereto; and this they are ready to verify &C.

/s/ 	Buckner for Deft.

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Messrs. Jeremiah Lewis & Aaron Lewis Take Notice that on the 1st Monday in 
February next we shall take the depositions of Elias Barbee & others at the 
house of William Sympson Esqr. in Green County to be read as evidence in the 
suit in Chancery defending in the Green Circuit Court in which you are 
Complts. & we are Defts. & we shall continue from day to day till they be 
completed.

16th Jany 1837
/s/ 	Wm Cavins
/s/ 	Charles Blevins

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The deposition of Elias Barbee taken at the House of William Sympson in the 
County of Green and State of Kentucky on the 6th day of February 1837 
agreebly To the notice hereto annexed to be heard as evidence on the part of 
the defendants in a suit in Chancery now Depending in the Circuit Court for 
the County of Green where in Jeramiah Lewis and Aaron Lewis is Complainants 
and William Cavin and Charles Blevins Defendants the deponant being of lawful 
age and first duly sworn deposeth and saith

Question by deponants: Are you are you not acquainted towitt the lands of 
Moses Skaggs decd. where on William Jones decd. formerly lived.
Answer: I am.

Question by same: Is the land increased in value by the improvement made by 
said Jones.
Answer: I want to presume that its value had been increased but to what 
extent I am not able to say.

Question by same: Was you or was you not acquainted with Moses Skaggs decd. 
in his life time.
Answer: I was.

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2nd question by same: Was you or was you not acquainted with the Brothers & 
Sisters of sd. Skaggs & if so how many of them.
Answer: I was. I was not acquainted with his sisters if he had any. Those of 
his Brothers who claimed to be such was Henry Skaggs, Charles Skaggs, John 
Skaggs, Richd. Skaggs & Jacob Skagg.

Question by same: Do you or do you not recollect how long since the death of 
Moses Skeaggs.
Answer. I do not recollect but suppose about forty years.

Question by same: Do you know if any of his Brothers are living.
Answer: I do not.

Question by same: Do you or do you not know wheather any of said Brothers 
left issue.
Answer: I believe a majority did.

Question by Compls: Do you or do you not know whether Jacob Skaggs left any 
lawfull  issue.
Answer: I have allways understood he did not.

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Question by same: Do you or do you not know wheather the other Brothers of 
Moses Skaggs decd. left lawfull issue or not.
Answer: I had never learned but what he were lawfully married to the woman by 
which they had issue.

And farther this deponant sayith not.
/s/	Elias Barbee

Also the deposition of Thornton  Buckner taken at the same place & at the 
same time for the purpose mentioned in the foregoing caption.

Question by defendants: Are you or are you not acquainted with the lands of 
Moses Skaggs decd whereon WilliamJones Decd formerly lived & if so state the 
increased value of said land by the improvements made by said Jones.
Answer: I am acquainted with it. It is increased in value but to what amount 
I can not say.

& furthermore this deponant saith not.
/s/	Thornton Buckner

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This day personally appeared before me a justice of the Peace in and for the 
County of Green and State of Kentucky, Aaron & Jeremiah Lewis of the same 
county and State and made oath that there is a suit in Chancery now pending 
in the Green Circuit Court, wherein they are Complainants and Charles 
Blevins, William Caven and others are defendants, and that in sd  suit, Moses 
Hankins, Joseph White, Matthias Harman, James Harman, Joseph Hankins, Bird 
Lockhart, Abel Hankins, William White, John White, James White, and Shadrack 
White, all of whom live in the State of Virginia are informant witnesses for 
them and that they know of no previous other persons by whom they can prove 
the same facts.  Given under my hand and seal as justice aforesaid this 18th 
of July 1836.

/s/ 	Wm. B Allen 	J.P. S.C.

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also the depposition of Daniel Turner taken at the same time & place & for 
the same purpose in the foregoing caption named.

Question by defendants: Do you or do you not know the negro woman Matilda & 
her Children formerly in the possession of William Cavin & how long William 
Cavin had them in possession.
Answer: I knew her & her three children the time sd. Cavin had her & her 
children in possession was about twelve months.

Question by same: Do you or do you not know that the children was sick with 
the flux some five or six weeks.
Answer: I believe they were sick but I do not know how long I suppose that 
length of time.

Question by same: Do you or do you not believe that from the sickness of said 
Negroes that they were of considerable expense to Cavin over & above the 
labor performed by them.
Answer: I think the labor performed by them would compensate said Cavin for 
keeping them.

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