Abstracts of some East Feliciana Probate Records, East Feliciana Parish, La. Prepared and submitted by Claude B. Slaton, Baker, La. 09/10/98 African American records extracted by S.K. Martin-Quiatte - 09/06/00 ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** File Designation: Adams, Elijah (Dec. 6, 1816) File 2, Doc 1 Petition to Thomas Butler, Judge of the District Court, Parish of Feliciana. Petition of "...Elizabeth Adams (widow of the late Elijah Adams, dec'd) of Feliciana..." states that she and Elijah were married 9 July 1815 in the Mississippi Territory and lived in Feliciana Parish for 20 years before his death, 29 January 1816. Elizabeth gave birth, 27 May 1816, to Elijah's daughter, named Margaret, who has "since died" and Elizabeth is her (Margaret's) only heir. When he died, Elijah left "property real and personal" consisting of "...Land, Negroes, Cattle, horses & farming utinsels, also household furnature and credits within the parish..." valued at $32,179.25. Elizabeth asks for $3,784, as her part and the part of deceased daughter Margaret. Elijah left the following "legitimate children: Charlott, wife of Amos Webb; Arthur Adams; Lydia Adams; Susan Adams, all of the age of puberty" represented by Amos Webb, their curator. Also, Frederick Adams, Sarah Adams, Celia Adams, and Elijah Adams, represented by "the said Amos", their tutor, "all of said [Feliciana] Parish". Widow Elizabeth and these children are stated to be "the only heirs or representatives" of the estate of Elijah Adams. "Your petitioner further shews that the sd. Webb hath taken possession & now has the whole of sd. estate under his control & Management & refuses to...pay over...to your petitioner, that part or portion of sd. estate..." Elizabeth asks that Amos & Charlotte Webb and the other heirs be required to pay her $5,574 as her portion of the estate. Witnesses: [signed] John Browder, Samuel Brown, Robert Lassin[?]. [signed] C. V. Dunn[?], atty for plaintiff. Dated 9 August 1815. File 2, Doc 2 Inventory of the estate, taken "at the late dwelling house", in presence of John H. Johnson, Feliciana Parish Judge, by appraisers Robert Percy and Benjamin Scurlock. John R. Chisholm and Robert Layson, assisting witnesses. Dated 3 February 1816. One tract of land, according to the plan, of 500 arpents, but according to actual measurments, 600 arpents, valued at $9,500 "including all the improvements". [long list of slaves] Stock, farm implements, furniture, etc. "cash found in desk, $5.00" "a debt due from Stephen Cobb for a tract of land sold by E. Adams to John F. Gillispie, $2,300." One tract of land of 500 arpents in possession of Amos Webb, appraised including improvements made by Mr. Adams (estimated at $1,500) at $5,500. Notes and debts due the estate: One account against John Browder for $39.50 A note of James Wilson, $41.45 Bushnell's receipt for J. Davidson's note for $49.00 Robert Barrow's order for $10.25 Barker's note to Hull for $9.75 Williams to John Browder, $9.50 Robert Abrams to James Rose, $11.00 John Furman to P. Talia[?], $3.50 Vincent Malone to Maginnis, $16.00 John Branch to Daniel Clark, $100.00 Zacheus Wheeler to M. Harman, $9.75 Order of Geo. Kimball [in favor of] Luther Smith for $54.00 Account of John Boyce to E. Adams, $9.00 A. Stirling's receipt for this sum on account of James McNulty, $40.00 Account of John O'Connor to E. Adams, $15.50 Barron's note to Andrew Phillips, $20.00 John Baker's note to E. Adams for $53.00 Zacheus Wheeler's note in favor of Jonas Moore for $11.50 Flower & Findley's account, sales of 10 bales cotton, $828.60 Flower & Findley's account, sales of 3 bales cotton, $285.95 An unsettled account of E. Adams against Peter Murray, dec'd [no amount] Certified to be correct [signed] Rt. Percy, Benj. Scurlock Witnesses [signed] John R. Chisholm, Robert Layson John H. Johnson, P.J. Certified to be a true copy, 6 December 1816, by John H. Johnson, P.J. File 3, Doc 2 [pre-printed form] Samuel Adams confirmed as tutor to William and Burton Adams, by Thos. W. Scott, P.J. 25 September 1829. File 3, Doc 3 Inventory of the estate of Elizabeth Adams, late wife of Samuel Adams: David Dortch and Feltus O. Chisholm, estimators. "done at the request of Samuel Adams, the Husband of the dec. who is tutor to his two minor children William and Barton Adams, who are two of the heirs of the dec'd, and in his presence, and in the presence of Samuel Freeland, the husband of Mary Ayres, who is also one of the heirs of the dec'd, done in the town of Jackson...25th day of September 1829, in presence of John Crenan and Richard T. Christmas, assisting witnesses." No real estate listed. Estate consists of livestock and household furnishings, stated to be "some property [that] was given in as community property held between the dec'd and her husband Samuel Adams". Negro boy Sollomon, now in the possession of Samuel Adams, $500.00. Negro boy Isaac, now in the possession of Samuel Freeland, $400.00. One Negro woman Milly now in possession of Archibald D. Palmer, purchased by him at [a] sheriff's sale at the Suit [of] Archibald D. Palmer vs. Samuel & Elizabeth Adams, $300.00. Total value of estate: $1,396.12 1/2 "A bill of sale given by John Dortch to Elizabeth Ayers and the heirs of her body by William Ayers, for a negro [had "woman", crossed out, wrote "girl"] named Milly, $450 cash, paid 18 December 1807. Witnessed by Samuel Smartz and John Stinner[?] and acknowledged by John Dortch before L. C. Griffith on the 24th day of October, 1814, and recorded by F. A. Browder, clerk, in Book C, page 379, on the 14th day of February 1815, and marked with the letter A." "A bill of sale for a Negro man named Solomon given by John Dortch to his daughter, Elizabeth Ayers, and her heirs by William Ayers [the words "by Wm Ayers" is interlined, apparently in different ink] $550.00 cash paid 26 May 1812. Witnesses, Samuel Smartz and John Stinner, and acknowledged by John Dortch before L. C. Griffith, P.J., on the 24th day of October, 1814. Recorded by F. A. Browder, clerk, in Book C, page 380, on the 14th day of February 1815, and marked letter B." Inventory closed, slaves Isaac and Milly are left with Samuel Adams. Slave Isaac is left with Samuel Freeland, "the Negro woman Milly is now in the possession of Archibald D. Palmer." [signed] Feltus O. Chisholm, Dd. Dortch, Saml Adams, Saml Freeland. Witnesses [signed] John Crenan, Rich. T. Christmas. Tho. W. Scott, P.J. Certified as having been recorded in Book of Inventories A, page 244-5-6. Dated 29 September 1829. File 3, Doc 3 Petition to Judge by Robert W. Newport of E.F.P., who is a creditor of the succession of Elizabeth Adams, "late of the parish of East Feliciana". Newport states that Elizabeth left the following "legitimate children": John Ayers, residing in W.F.P., a minor; Polly Freeland [had "wife", crossed out, wrote "widow"] of Samuel Freeland; William Adams and Barton Adams, minors under tutorship of Samuel Adams", "all residing in the parish of West Feliciana." Newport asks that a tutor be appointed to these heirs, and they be ordered to accept or reject the succession of Elizabeth Adams. [signed] James M. Bradford, atty for plaintiff. [on reverse] Filed April 5th, 1831 File 3, Doc 3 Samuel Adams, residing in W.F.P., accepts the succession of Elizabeth Adams as tutor to his minor children, William T. and Barton Adams. Witnesses, James M. Bradford and W. D. Hobgood. [signed] Samuel Adams. Before Tho. W. Scott, P.J. Dated 13 June 1831. Certified to be recorded in Notarial Act Book B, p. 380, 13 June 1831. File Designation: Adams, William E. (1815) Wife: Elizabeth Adams File 4, Doc 1 Inventory and estimation of the estate of William E. Adams, dec'd, jointly with Samuel Adams. Before L. C. Griffith, Feliciana Parish Judge. Estimators, Edmund Harris and Phillip Waltman. Witnesses, Thomas Williams and [blank]. Dated 12 May 1815. 40 hogs, $50.00; 12 cattle, $96.00; negro woman Patience and her children, George and Lewis, $700.00; one tract of land, 300 arpents on Black Creek, "the titles to which are not complete", $600.00; a note of Bailey Chainey, $244.00; "a claim on the United States for Service of William E. Adams as a soldier, Amount not ascertained, supposed to be $80.00"; cash, $38.00. [signed] Edmund (mark) Harris, Phillip Waltman, Llewellyn C. Griffith, P.J. Witnesses [signed] Thomas (mark) Williams, Samuel (mark) Adams [on reverse] Certified to be a true copy of the original, 4 March 1816, John H. Johnson, P.J. File 4, Doc 2 Petition to Feliciana Parish Judge by Samuel Adams, "curator of the estate of William E. Adams", states that Samuel Adams has settled the estate, and is entitled to 1/2 of it, "the same property having been given by their father to them jointly, which he is ready to prove." He further asks to be discharged as curator. John H. Johnson, P.J., sets 16 September 1816 as the date for the examination of the estate papers, after due notice is given in the "Florida Sentinel". Judge's decision dated 17 August 1816. Certified to be a true copy, by John H. Johnson, P.J., 6 November 1816. File 4, Doc 3 A list of debts paid out of the estate. The only ones listed here are those that had someone's name on them. Debts paid from the estate by Samuel Adams, curator, to: Christopher Gayle, William Reams, Mrs. Bradford, Edmund Harris, George Bohanon, Thomas Williams, John Peterson, Sarah Adams, widow of the deceased, Phillip Waltman, Thomas Landplair, Robert Owens, Marshey Tuningtine[?], Judge Griffith, "Judge Johnson for his tutorship", Daniel Waltman. All stated to have been paid in the year 1815. Certified to be a true copy by John H. Johnson, P.J., on 5 November 1816. Inventory dated 17 August 1816. File 4, Doc 4 A list of claims allowed, after examination by the court. Same as Doc 3, with the following differences: "Ann Bradford" instead of "Mrs. Bradford"; James M. Bradford (not on #3); "Martha Tarrington" instead of "Marshey Tuningtine". Signed by John H. Johnson, P.J., 5 November 1816. [on reverse] Filed by F. A. Browder, clerk, 8 April 1817. File 4, Doc 5 A much more detailed listing of the debts and credits of the joint estate of William E. and Samuel Adams. The final accounting shows a balance due to the heirs of William E. Adams of $154.47 1/2, "exclusive of Eighty Dollars (more or less) noted in the Inventory of the Joint Estates, as Wages due from the United States, for military services rendered by the said William E. Adams during the invasion of the State by the British." Certified to be a true copy of the original, by John Hunter Johnson, P.J., 4 April 1817. File Designation: Elizabeth Allen (December 23, 1828) File 13, Doc 1 Petition to the Judge of the Court of Probates, E.F.P., of William Vaughn, James Vaughn, Valentine Vaughn, and Louis Vaughn, minors above the age of puberty assisted by their curator, John Morgan, and of Peter Allen, all of E.F.P., shows that they are the legal joint owners and holder of a certain negro man named [Davis or David], about nineteen years and worth about 5 or 6 hundred dollars. They ask that experts be appointed to appraise him, and he be sold "to make a partition between them". [all sign] Tuesday, 23 December 1828: Petition granted and John Solser and John Lee be appt'd experts. Thos. W. Scott, P.J. Judge Scott orders negro sold and proceeds divided among petitioners. 23 Dec. 1828. "We, John Lee and John Selser, having been appt'd and sworn as experts by the probate court whether a certain negro man named David, held in common among the heirs of Elizabeth Allen, dec'd, (there being five in number) could be conveniently partitioned in kind among said heirs, reports that in our opinion he cannot without loss or injury to said heirs." [signed] John Selser, John Lee. File 13, Doc 2 "Inventory and estimation of a negro boy named Dave" about 16 years, belonging to the succession of Elizabeth Allen, dec., made by Thos. W. Scott, assisted by Samuel Lee and Daniel Cleveland, as experts, in the Town of Clinton, 2 February 1829, in presence of John C. White and John Bennett, assisting witnesses, and Peter Allen and William Vaughn, two of the heirs, with William Vaughn acting as curator to the minor heirs of Elizabeth Allen, and also in presence of James Vaughn, one other of the heirs of the deceased. The negro boy Dave estimated at $500.00. Inventory closed. [all sign] Recorded 3 February 1829, Th. W. Scott, P.J. File 13, Doc 3 Inventory of personal property of estate of Elizabeth Allen, dec., of E.F.P., made by Thos. W. Scott, P.J., assisted by John Selser and John Lee, experts, done at the request of William Vaughn, one of the heirs, on 3 March 1829. Inventory consists of household items, valued at $32.50. [all sign] Thos. W. Scott, P.J. File 13, Doc 4 Results of probate sale of negro boy Dave, "somewhat disabled in the knee, of rhumatism" sold to William Vaughn for $500.00. Witnesses: Henry Rhodes, Ellis Gore. [signed] William Vaughn. Thos. W. Scott, P.J. Sale is closed, then William pays each of the other heirs their portion: Peter Allyn, James Vaughn, and retains the amount due the two minor heirs. [signed] Peter Allen, William Vaughn, James Vaughn. Witnesses: R. Dyer, John Bennett. Recorded 3 February 1829, Thos. W. Scott, P.J. File Designation: Allen, Gideon (12 November 1841) File 14, Doc 1 Results of an "auction sale" of the property amassed by Gideon Allen as "Insolvent Debtor to his Creditors": negro man, Phil, sold to David Pipes, Jr., for $330.00; negro woman Linda & her two children, Riley and Lucinda, sold to David Pipes, Jr. for $710.00.; negro woman Jinney & her two children, Eliza and Sarah Ann, to David Pipes, Jr. for $710.00; negro man Bill to Robert Vaughn for $400.00; negro man Jo. to Henry Marston for $405.00; negro woman Bazy to Robert Vaughn for $50.00. File Designation: Allison, Rebecca Morgan (1835) Husband: Robert Allison File 15, Doc 1 Result of probate sale of the estate of Rebecca Allison, dec., at the office of the P.J. in Clinton, 3 February 1836, by Lafayette Saunders after publishing in the "Olive Branch" and posting on the door of the courthouse. Terms of sale, cash. "a tract of land on the waters of the River Amite, containing 241 acres, and bounded S by Courtney's land, vacant land on the E, W & N, being the same on which Allen Cook now resides (also the entire stock of hogs & six cows & calfs", sold to Allen Cook for $900.00. Wittnesses: Robert Nettles, John Morgan. [signed] Allen Cook. L. Saunders, P.J. A negro girl named Easter, aged about 25 years, separately sold to John Cox for $862.00. Total estate sold: $1,762.00. Closed, L. Saunders, P.J. Recorded 23 June 1836. File 15, Doc 2 Petition to Probate Judge of E.F.P. of Robert Allison of E.F.P., states that he holds property in common with his minor child, William Livingston Allison, which consists of the tract of land and negro woman in Doc 1. Minor child has the following "relations": [had "Robert Allison", crossed out, wrote "Alexander Courtney"], William Vaughn, James Vaughn, Jesse Morgan, and James Morgan. Undertutor is John Morgan, and petitioner asks that a family meeting be held to approve sale of the property of his deceased wife. [signed] Robert Allison. File 15, Doc 3 Property ordered to be sold for cash. [signed] L. Saunders, P.J., 22 December 1835. File 15, Doc 4 Inventory of the estate of Rebecca Morgan, dec'd, made at the request of the surviving husband, Robert Allison, by L. Saunders, assisted by William Vaughn and Daniel Morgan, appraisers. In presence of John Morgan and [blank], subscribing witnesses. A. negro man Jerry, separate property of deceased, aged about 33 years, valued at $1,000.00. B. the following is community property: 240 acres of land on the waters of the Amite, bounded N by vacant land, S by Alexander Courtney, E by vacant, W by vacant, also a stock of hogs and six cows and calves valued at $900.00. C. negro woman Easter, aged 7 years, valued at $300.00 D. negro woman Minerva, aged 25 years, valued at $300.00 E. negro woman Sally, aged 25 years, valued at $700.00 F. negro man John, aged 25 years, valued at $1,000.00 G. negro man Moses, aged 33 years, valued at $900.00 H. negro woman Sylvia, aged 30 years, valued at $700.00 Total value of estate, $5,200.00 Inventory closed 22 December 1835. Recorded, by L. Saunders, 7 January 1836. File 15, Doc 5 Oath of Robert Allison as tutor to his minor child Robert Livingston Allison. 22 December 1835. [signed] Robert Allison, L. Saunders, P.J. File 15, Doc 6 Oath of Robert Allison as undertutor to the minor Winnifred Morgan. 24 November 1834. [signed] Robert Allison, L. Saunders, P.J. File 15, Doc 7 Oath of the appraisers of the estate of Rebecca Morgan, dec'd, wife of Robert Allison. [signed] William Vaughn, Daniel Morgan, L. Saunders, P.J. 22 December 1835. File 15, Doc 8 Petition of Robert Allison of E.F.P., surviving husband of Rebecca Morgan, states that Rebecca died in E.F.P. leaving real and personal estate, some in community with her husband and some her separate property. He also asks that he be appointed tutor to William Livingston Allison "a minor of the marriage", and that an undertutor be appointed and an inventory of the estate be made. [signed] Robert Allison. File 15, Doc 9 Judge confirms tutorship, appoints John Morgan undertutor. 22 December 1835, L. Saunders, P.J. File 15, Doc 10 Appointment of Robert Allison as tutor to William Livingston Allison, "minor child of his marriage with dec'd wife Rebecca Morgan". 22 December 1835, L. Saunders, P.J. File 15, Doc 11 Certificate, like Doc 10, of appointment of John Morgan as undertutor, same date. File Designation: Allyn, Isaac and Polly (January 23, 1830; legal separation) File 16, Doc 1 Before Thos. W. Scott, came Isaac and Polly Allyn, both of E.F.P., who obtained a decree from the 3rd District Court for "separation of bed and board and division of assets". "Isaac Allyn is known to have the following debts:" Hugh B. Maxwell, notes & accounts, $2,923.56 James M. Donald & John Horton, judgement bond, $433.84 John & James Horton, judgement bond, $82.54 John & James Horton, judgement bond, $103.89 David McCants, note, $700.00 George W. Dortch, judgement & notes, $791.02 Joseph Nichols, note, $180.32 John & Samuel McKneely, notes, $437.50 William Wisdom & Geo. Patilla, notes, $305.80 Francis Marks & J. L. Finley, judgement bond, $235.00 William Johnson, admin. of John H. Johnson's estate, note, $393.42 Thomas M. Scurlock, judgement, $162.03 John C. Paine, note, $48.43 C. C. McKea, judgement, $61.92 Robert Young, note, $136.91 William Fairbanks, note, $49.42 John G. Carney, 2 notes, $209.82 James D. Atkins, note, $52.00 James D. and Adville Akins, note, $51.73 John Horton and James McDonald, note, $209.00 cash on hand, $77.97 Thomas A. Cabarrus, note, $77.97 Wm B. Clugston, judgement, $137.00 R. J. Nelson, T. W. Scott and W. McKneely, 2 notes, $312.00 Henry Skipwith, note, $54.08 Green B. Davis, judgement, $19.36 Binom[?] Dickey, judgement, $69.60 Joseph Williams, account, $164.38 Charles Bushnell, account, $25.37 Mal. Weston, note, $61.42 Daniel Waddill, note, $8.52 Lindsey Davis, note, $9.82 John M. Kirkland, account, $27.19 Alex C. Cooper, note, $23.09 Ezekiel Boatner, note, $26.49 Elisha Andrews, account, $9.97 George Graham, note, $18.37 Samuel Adams, note, $8.96 John T. Semple, account, $2.50 David H. Deats, account, $30.00 Samuel Barnett, judgement, $31.67 Total, $8,751.24 Debts paid by Isaac Allyn for the community, $1,014.15 Debts paid by Isaac Allyn for the community, $42.50 Amount due Isaac Allyn, $1600.00 Polly Allyn is to have the following property and debts: William, negro man, aged about 20, and Lucy, negro woman, aged about 16 years, a carriage and pair of gray horses, valued at $1600.00. L. Saunders, note, mortgate & account, $718.49 M. K. Allyn, note, mortgate & account, $634.73 John & John B. Horton, judgement, $1,267.02 John & John B. Horton, judgement, $14.50 Paine & Remoudet, judgement, $186.63 Paine & Remoudet, judgement, $19.00 Cash & Collins, note, $431.13 James Higgins, judgement, $218.53 James Higgins, judgement, $17.87 E. Remoudet, judgement, $8.00 Peter Doherty, note, $107.28 Peter Doherty, note, $7.50 P. K. Hooff, account, $14.44 Robert Dawson, account, $64.00 Robert Haile, judgement, $56.64 Anthony Doherty, debt, $94.62 Moses Kirkland, in suit, $222.48 James Ruker & wife, cost in above suit, $17.73 Caleb Gayle & others, account, $179.26 Watson Boone, judgement, $16.48 John C. Gilbert, note, $46.48 Warren C. Whitaker, account, $15.00 John H. Grady, note, $16.00 Daniel McLeod, note, $9.27 N. Lockridge, note, $30.66 Total $6,014.12 Witnesses: L. Hardesty, L. Saunders, David T. Fluker [signed] Isaac Allyn, Polly Allyn, Thos. W. Scott, P.J. Recorded 23 January 1830