Bienville Parish, LA: Succession of HH Rousseau and James Rousseau Transcribed by Martha Lyle from Succession Book AA, pages 661-667 (FHL film #0266024) ************************************************ Submitted to the LAGenWeb Archives ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm Page 661 To the Honorable Judge of the 17th Judicial Court hold in session___ess and for the parish of Bienville State of Louisiana for the petition of Thomas Espy a resident of the County of Cherokee, State of Alabama respectfully represents unto your Honor that Hiram H Rosseau and James Rosseau late residents of your said parish & late recently died leaving ___ your said parish and state a considerable amount of property consisting of moveable and ressess___able. Petitioner represents that said decedants were brothers having the same heir and that they died intestate. He further represents that said deceased brothers were partners in the planting business and had all their effects in common. Petitioner represents that he is the brother in law of the said H. H. & James Rosseau by virtue of his marriage with Sarah R Rosseau who is the sister of the deceased that said (blot) Berenice J. Shackleford a niece of the decd. both of whom reside with your petitioner are the only heirs at large within the knowledge of your petitioner. Petitioner represents that he is legally entitled to the administration of the said succession which may be administered together to an advantage and with less expense than separately. The ___ ___ he prays that he be appointed administrator of said successions that a attorney be appointed to represent the absent heirs that a commission issued to T E Parson or some other notary to make and take an inventory of the said succession. He further prays for all successions orders sale ____successions within premises and agrees duty bound & ___ W E Paxton Atty. State of Louisiana Clerks Office Sparta Parish of Bienville ta. May the 26th 1860 It is ordered that the application of Thomas Espy to be appointed as administrator of the succession of Hiram H Rosseau and James Rosseau Page 662 decd. be advertised in the Jeffersonian and by newspaper published at Sparta in said parish and state fourteen entire days according to law. This done and signed by me officially on the day and date above written. John F. Stephens, Clerk Dist Court It is further ordered that an inventory and appraisement of all the property both real and personal rights and credits composing and belonging to the sucessioning of H H & James Rosseau be made & taken by John G. Noles parish recorder or any other Notary Public in & for said parish and state according to law. This done and signed by me officially on the day & date above written. J. H. Stephens Clerk Dist Court State of Louisiana Clerks Office at Sparta Parish of Bienville June the 12th 1860 By reason of the filing of the within and foregoing petition and by reason of the application of Thomas Espy to be appointed Administrator of the successions of H. H and James Rosseau having been published fourteen entire days in the Jeffersonian a weekly newspaper published at Sparta in said parish & state & no opposition having been made to the same and by further reason of the law it is ordered that the said Thomas Espy be appointed Administrator of the successions of H H Rouseau and James Rosseau upon his giving his administration bond with good and solvent currency in the amount of Eighteen thousand and five hundred and fifty five dollars Conditionally as the law object and taking of the oath prescribed by law. This done and signed by me officially on the day and date above written. John F Stephens Clerk Dist. Court State of Louisiana District Court Parish Parish of Bienville of Bienville La To John G. Noles Parish Recorder and ex officio Notary Public in and for the parish and state aforesaid granting you are hereby commissioned authorized and empowered to make and take Page 663 a true faithful and correct inventory and appraisement of all the property both real and personal rights and credits to be found in your possession composing and belonging to the successions of H H Rosseau and James Rosseau both of said parish and state Decd. And of your proceedings herein return make to our said court according to the law. John F. Stephens Clerk Dist. Court Dist Court Be it remembered that on State of Louisiana this the ninth day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty that I John G Noles, Recorder and ExOfficio Notary Public in and for said parish and state, duly elected, qualified, and commissioned according to law in obedience to a commission (blot) out of the District Court held in and for said parish by the clerk thereof and to ____ said record directed to make and ___ a true correct and faithful inventory and appraisement of all the property real and personal rights and credits found in said parish composing and belonging to the estates and successions of H H Rosseau and James Rosseau late of said parish and state decd. for which purpose I expressed favor from my office with Town of Sparta on the day and date above written to the late residence of said deceadents and proceeded to appoint Daniel P. Davis and W L Yarbrough two good and lawful appraisers residents of said parish to appraise the same. I also called Lemuel M Boyd and C M Espy two good and lawful witnesses residents of said parish to witness the same and after having _________ said appraisal according to the said appraisal together with ______ _____ ____ and ________ ____ ______ Page 664 so proceeded to make and take said Inventory and Appraisal as follows, to wit: The South half of Southeast Quarter of Section No. nine, Township No. seventeen (17), Range No. Four (4) West continuing eight [eighty?] acres more or less. Appraised at two (2) dollars per acre 160.00 The North West Quarter and West half of North East Quarter, The East half of South East Quarter, The West half of South East Quarter, The west half of South East Quarter and North East Quarter of South West Quarter of Section No. Twenty Nine (29) and North East Quarter of Section No Thirty (30), and North East Quarter and North West Quarter of South East Quarter of Section No. Thirty two (32) and West Half of Northwest Quarter and North West Quarter of South West Quarter of Section No. Thirty three (33) Township No. seventeen of Range No. Four West containing eight hundred acres more or less appraised at four 50/100 dollars per acre 3611.00 Amos a boy of dark complexion aged 26 years appraised at 1400.00 John a boy of dark complexion aged about 24 years appraised at fourteen hundred dollars 1400.00 Amaris(?) a girl of dark complexion aged twenty years appraised at twelve hundred dollars 1200.00 Sarah a woman of dark complexion aged about twenty seven years appraised at 1200.00 1 Brown horse mule appraised at one hundred and seventy five dollars 175.00 1 Mule of the same sex and Color appraised at one hundred and seventy five dollars 175.00 1 Mare and Colt appraised at one hundred and fifty dollars 150.00 1 Mare and Colt appraised at fifty dollars 50.00 1 sorrel horse appraised at ten dollars 10.00 26 Head Stock hogs appraised at sixty dollars 60.00 1 Set Smith Tools and wooden vise 50.00 1 cross cut saw appraised at two dollars and fifty cents 2.50 6 club axes appraised at three dollars 3.00 2 spades and two shovels appraised at two dollars 2.00 1 drawing knife _______ _______________ Page 665 chisels chop axe and foot adze appraised at five dollars 5.00 3 Cast plows appraised at ten dollars 10.00 Weeding hoes, grubbing hoe and plo? hoe appraised at three dollars 3.00 1 scythe and cradle & one scythe blade appraised at four dollars 4.00 1 Box old iron appraised at two dollars and fifty cents 2.50 2 sets old waggon trees appraised at five dollars 5.00 1 waggon and four pair gear appraised at seventy five dollars 75.00 1 Log Chain appraised at one 25/100 dollars 1.25 1 Bar Iron & 1 Bar Steel appraised at five dollars 5.00 9788.25 Amount Brot forward 9788.25 1 Grind Stone appraised at two 50/100 dollars 2.50 2 Mens Saddles appraised at Ten dollars each 20.00 1 Double Barrel shot Gun appraised at fifteen dollars & (2) o Ditto Twelve Dollars 32.00 3 volumes antiguihes of the Jews appraised at two dollars 2.00 2 volumes of Gazetteers appraised at two dollars 2.00 2 “ Encyclopedia appraised at five dollars 5.00 6 Drydens Pope “ “ fifty cents .50 1 Lot of Various Kinds of Books one dollar 1.00 1 “ Chinaware & teaspoons “ five dollars 5.00 1 “ Crockery Ware knives and forks appraised at four dollars 4.00 3 Jars appraised at one dollar 1.00 2 feather beds and mattrass Stead & Covering appraised at thirty dollars 30.00 1 Featherbed Mattrass Stead & Covering appraised at twenty dollars 20.00 1 Chest appraised at two dollars 2.00 1 Surveyors Compass and Chain appraised at five dollars 5.00 1 Large pot appraised at three dollars 3.00 1 Lot Cooking utensils appraised at four dollars 4.00 1 Steel Ruler appraised at one 50/100 dollars 1.50 1 Lot nails appraised at six dollars 6.00 6 chairs appraised at six dollars 6.00 1 Table Do one dollar 1.00 1 Lot Shingles appraised at twelve dollars 12.00 1 Note on R M Tarrsie(?) for fourteen hundred 43/100 dollars subject to a credit of one hundred Dollars appraised at thirteen hundred dollars (blot) Page 666 1 Note on Tomlinson for fifteen hundred dollars subject of two hundred & fifty dollars appraised at twelve hundred and fifty Dollars 1250.00 1 Note on Couzo & Tomlinson for Two Hundred Dollars appraised at two hundred dollars 200.00 1 Note on W F Bonds for four hundred Dollars Subject to a credit of fifty dollars 350.00 1 Note in W B Chapman for forty five Dollars appraised at forty five dollars 45.00 1 Note on A Carster for three hundred Dollars Subject a credit of fifty two 53/100 Dollars also 1 Note for one hundred Dollars appraised at three hundred and thirty seven Dollars 337.47 1 Note on W L Yarborough for one hundred Dollars Subject to a credit of seventeen 52/100 Dollars appraised at Eighty two 47/100 Dollars 82.47 1 Note on Thomas Jones for one hundred and eleven 75/100 appraised at one hundred and eleven 75/100 111.75 1 Note on Charly McLaughlin for seventy seven 98/100 Dollars appraised at seventy seven 98/100 Dollars 77.98 13675.35 Amt Brot forward $13675.35 1 Note against T Grigs for five hundred Dollars Subject to a credit of forty dollars appraised at four hundred & sixty Dollars 460.00 1 Account on Martin Williams fro twenty five Dollars & thirty five cents appraised at twenty five 35/100 Dollars 25.35 Money in the hands of C H Morrison as per Receipt for Three hundred and seventy Eight Dollars appraised at the sum 378.00 Cash on hand for one hundred and fifty Dollars appraised for the sum 150.00 $14688.00 Total Amount Fourteen thousand six hundred and Eighty Eight 60/100 Dollars Recapitulation Money $5200.00 Land 3760.00 14688.60 Moveable Inventory 728.00 The whole amount of the property is reckoned and appraised both real and personal rights and credits found in said _____ composing and belonging Page 667 to the estate and possessions of H H & James Roussou amounting to the Sum of Fourteen Thousand Six Hundred and Eighty Eight 60/100 Dollars and there being no other property pointed out or shown to us Said appraisers and Records we have made taken and closed. This inventory and appraisement in presence of the aforesaid witness who hereunto Sign their names together with Said Records all in presence of Each other on the day and date above written. Attest Lemuel M Boyd W L. Yarbrough C M Espy Daniel N. Davis John G Noles Recorder & Ex officio Notary Public To the Honorable Judge of the 17th Judicial Dist Court of the State of Louisiana holding session in and for the Parish of Bienville The petition of Willis J Yarbrough of said state and Parish with respect shows that Hiram H. & James Rossau late residents of said state and Parish have recently died in said Parish to wit Some time in May 1860 that they left property owned in common by them both real & personal but not separate property and that the application of Thomas Espy filed May 26th 1860 an inventory of all the property belonging to said decedants was made in due form and in due cause of law. Sara Espy was duly appointed as administrator of the Estate of said Decedants. Petr. Shows that said Thomas Espy has recently died and that said administration has thusly become vacant and the appointment of an other administrator to said estate necessary. Petr. shows that he is one of the Securities of Sara Espy’s administration bond that he is a creditor of said estate and that by virtue of a letter to that effect he is the admin. in fact of and both residents of the State of who are beneficiary heirs and the only heirs of said Decedents Rossau. Petr. shows that by virtue of the above stated facts he is entitled by law to be appointed by preference to fill the vacancy caused by the death of said Espy in the administration of said decedants he Shows that the taking of an oath signature is now necessary one having already been taken by said Espy before his death. Wherefore Petr. prays that this his application be duly advertised in the Southern Banner a weekly newspaper published at Sparta Said State & Parish for ten entire days and that your Petr. then be appointed to fill the vacancy occasioned by the death of Said Espy in the administration of said Deceadants Rossaus and that be duly qualified according to law and for general relief in the premises(?) Gray & Pearson Petr. Atty. State of Louisiana Clerks office Sparta Parish of Bienville August 2nd 1860 On reading the foregoing petition it is ordered that application of W. L. Yarbrough to be appointed Administrator of the succession of H. H. & James Rosseau be advertised in the Southern Banner a weekly newspaper published at Sparta in said parish and State. This done and Signed by me officially on the day and date above Written. John F. Stephens Clerk In the Margin -- “Bond” State of Louisiana Know all men by Parish of Bienville these presents(?) that we Thomas Espy as principal and W. L. Yarbrough & D. A. Davis as Security acknowledge to owe and be indebted unto John F. Stephens, Clerk of the District Court in and for the parish of Bienville and State aforesaid or to his successors in office for the use and benefit of the heirs and legal representatives of Hiram H. Rosseau & James Rosseau dec. in the sum of Eighteen Thousand Six Hundred & Sixty five Dollars for the payment of wherewith & truly to be made we hereby bond Page 669 ourselves our heirs administrators and assigns firmly and in solid by these presents dated at the parish of Bienville this 9th day of June A. D. 1860. The conditions of the above obligation is Such that whereas the above bonded Thomas Espy has been appointed by the District Court of the Parish of Bienville Administration of the Estates of Hiram H Rossau and James Rossau late of said parish and State Deceased. And therefore if the Said Thomas Espy Shall well and faithfully discharge and perform all and Singular the duties incumbent on him by law in said capacity and shall pay over to those entitled by law receive the same all such sums of money or other property as may come into his hands as administrator as aforesaid whenever eh Shall be legally required. So to do then and in such case the above obligation to be made and void otherwise to be and remain in full force and virtue in law. Attest Thomas Espy John G. Noles Daniel W. Davis Lemuel M. Boyd W. L. Yarbrough In Margin -- “Admin” State of Louisiana I Thomas Espy do Parish of Bienville solemnly swear that I will faithfully and impartially discharge and perform all and Singular the duties incumbent on me by law as Administrator of the Estate and Succession of H H Rosseau and James Rosseau dec. according to the best of my knowledge and ability so help me God. Sworn to and subscribed before me on this 12 day Thos. Espy of June 1860 J. F. Stephens Clerk Dist Court Page 670 State of Louisiana District Court Parish of Bienville Whereas Thomas Espy has been appointed by the District Court of the parish of Bienville Administrator of the Estate & Succession of H H Rosseau & James Rosseau Deceased and whereas he has given bond and Security and taken the oath prescribed by law. Now therefore the said Thomas Espy is hereby fully authorized and empowered to do and perform all and singular the duties incumbent on him by law in said capacity. In testimony which I have hereunto set my hand and affix the Seal of office at Sparta Parish & State aforesaid this 12th day of June 1860. John F. Stephens Clerk State of Louisiana We Daniel N. Davis Parish of Bienville and W L Yarbrough having been appointed appraisers to appraise all the property both real and personal Rights and Credits found in said Parish composing and belonging to the Estate and Succession of H. H. Rosseau & James Rosseau both that held in community and Separate property do Solemnly Swear that we will faithfully discharge & perform all the duties incumbent on us as appraisers in appraising the same to the best of our knowledge and abilities so help us God. Sworn to and Subscribed Daniel N. Davis before me this June 9th 1860 W. L. Yarbrough J. G. Noles Recorder & Exofficio Notary Public State of Louisiana I hereby appoint Daniel Parish of Bienville N. Davis and W. L. Yarbrough residents of said Parish to appraise all the property Real and Personal rights and credits found in said parish composing and belonging to the Estate and Succession of H. H. Rosseau and James Rousseau both separate and that held in community with the Page 663 said deceadants Given under my hand officially in said Parish and State on this the 9th day of June 1860. John G. Noles Recorder