Probate of Hardy Coward, D. 1844, Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana Submitted by Jan Craven ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ************************************************ State of Mississippi County of Amite Liberty, Mississippi Probate Court 1848 Hardy Coward Estate Cite: Richard Coward Needham Coward _____ Andrus and Elizabeth, his wife Allen Coward Wilson Coward Rees W. Perkins and Vienna, His wife Samuel W. Perkins and Rebecca Ann, his wife John Gill and Jane, his wife John R. Smart and Louisa, his wife Minerva Coward To the Honorable James F. Lowrey, Judge of Probate in and for Amite County, State of Mississippi. The petition of John R. Smart, administrator of all and singular the goods, chattels and credits which were of Hardy Coward deceased, at the time of his death, respectfully represents that the said Hardy Coward deceased died possessed and ??ized of the following tract of land lying and being in said Amite County, and state aforesaid viz the South West quarter of Section Three in Township Two, of Range Five East. Containing 156 & 96/100 acres and North West quarter of section Ten in township two of Range five East, containing 154 & 74/100 acres - and the South East quarter of section twelve, in township two of Range four East, containing 157 & 25/100 acres - and the south east quarter of Section Four of Township two, in Range Five East, containing 159 & 58/100 acres - and the North East quarter of Section thirty - two in township two of Range five East, containing 159 & 91/100 acres and all that parcel of land lying and being on the western side of the most eastern branch of the Amite River, above the lowest fork, then all on the west side of the west prong of said fork, in the North west quarter of section three, in township two, in range five east - and this petition further showeth - that said Hardy Coward deceased left living and surviving him at the time of his death - the following children: Richard Coward, Allen Coward, Needham Coward, Wilson Coward, Vienna Perkins wife of Rees W. Perkins, Jane Gill wife of John Gill, Louisa Smart wife of James R. Smart, Rebecca Ann Perkins, wife of Samuel J. Perkins, Elizabeth Andrus, wife of (-blank-) Andrus, and Minerva Coward - all of whom reside out of the State of Mississippi and in the State of Louisiana - and who are of age except Minerva Coward who is an infant under the age of twenty-one years all of whom are intended as heirs and distributees in the Estate of the said Hardy Coward deceased. Your petition as administrator of aforesaid, further shows that said lands belonging to the Estate of said Hardy Coward deceased are wholy unproductive and are of no immediate value to the heirs of said Hardy deceased and it is to the true interest of said heirs to sell said lands, and to divide the proceeds thereof. Your petition therefore in pursuance of the Statute in such case made and provided suggests to this Honorable Court that the welfare of all persons interested in said tract of land will be promoted by a sale thereof on a reasonable credit and as early a day as the case will admit - wherefore your petitioner prays that the same, upon due and lawful proceedings had be ordered and directed to be sold. In consideration whereof, and to the end that the said lands may be sold may it please your Honor to order the said Richard Coward, Wilson, Rees W. Perkins and Vianna, his wife, Samuel J. Perkins and Rebecca Ann, his wife, (blank) Andrus and his wife Elizabeth, Allen Coward, Needham Coward, John Gill and Jane his wife and John R. Smart and his wife Louisa and Minerva Coward may be cited to appear before this Court on a day certain, to answer this petition and that publication may be in this behalf according to the Statute and cause such other and further orders to be made in the premises as may deem and proper. And as is duty bound petitioner will ever pray John R. Smart by H. McKnight **************************************************************************** State of Louisiana Parish of Calcasieu 13th June 1848 To the Honorable, The Probate Judge of Amite Co. Mississippi We the undersigned, the Heirs of Hardy Coward deceased, do hereby petition your Honor to grant letters of administration to John R. Smart to sell certain tracts or Parcels of land belonging to the estate of the said Hardy Coward and lying in Amite County, State of Mississippi. (Signatures) Richard Coward Wilson Coward Vianna Coward Rees W. Perkins her husband Rebecca Ann Coward Samuel J. Perkins her husband Elizabeth Coward Her Elizabeth X Bates, guardian Mark Minerva Coward State of Louisiana Parish of Calcasieu I the undersigned Authority hereby certify that I am acquainted with the parties who signed above, and that they signed in my presence. Given under my hand, at Calcasieu, this 14th day of June 1848 Justice of the Peace in and for the Parish of Calcasieu.