USGENWEB PROJECT ARCHIVES: TENSAS PARISH LOUISIANA http://usgwarchives.net/la/tensas.htm Act of Donation, John Perkins Sr, Tensas Parish, Louisiana Tensas Parish Court House, Book of Donations Transcribbed and Submitted by: Edith Ziegler OCT 1999 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- John Perkins Senior Donation to John Perkins Junior. Before me Adolphe Mazureau a Notary Public in and for the Parish and City of New Orleans duly commissioned and sworn and in the presence of the subscribing witnesses, personally came and appeared John Perkins Senior, Esq a resident of the Parish of Madison State of Louisiana who declared that for and in considera- tion of the natural love and affection which he has and bears unto his son John Perkins Junior residing in the aforesaid Parish of Madison State of Louisiana, He does by these presents give, grant transfer, confer and deliver by way of Donation inter vivos absolutely and irrevocably unto the said John Perkins Junior all and singular the property hereinafter particularly described sections partly in the Parish of Madison and partly in the Parish of Tensas without any exception or reservations whatever to wit: Firstly-A large body of land containing Seventeen Thousand four hundred acres more or less, the largest portion of which lies in the Parish of Madison, and the remain- der in the Parish of Tensas beginning on the Mississippi River at the line dividing lands of A. Buckner, Esquire below in the Parish of Tensas and the land of said John Perkins Senior and thence running back with said line to land belonging Dr. Wm Daylap thence with line dividing lands of said Daylap and said John Perkins to the township line dividing the Parish of Tensas and Madison thence same township to the middle of the channel of Bayou Durroset thence in the middle of the channel of the said Bayou to a point in section number twenty eight township linear Range Fourteen where the lands of a Wm Smith begin thence between the lands of said Smith and those of said John Perkins and continuing between lands belonging to the late William Perkins deceased and those of said John Perkins Senior thence continuing near and back of a tract once the property of Ezekiel Lowe to the North Corner of said tract thence East toward the Bayou Vidal to the half section line thence or North to the Township line, thence East on said Township line to Ussery tract, thence back of the Ussary tract to a tract recently purchased by the said John Perkins Senior of the Nolan heirs thence round it and the back cessation of said tract to its most Northern Corner, then on toward Bayou Vidal between lands of the Dunbar Estate and the Nolan Estate to Bayou Vidal thence down said Bayou to a stone boundry marked on one side J]V and on the other JP thence East on said Bayou dividing Lots Numbers Two and Three to Lot number four thence South to the Sectional line dividing Sections Thirteen and Nineteen in Township fourteen Range Twelve, thence with said line running West to a half mile Stake thence South to the line dividing sections Nineteen and Twenty four and thence East dividing said Numbers Nineteen and twenty four also Twenty and Twenty three. Twenty one and Twenty two, to the Township line running North and South thence on said Township line South to a lot given by said John Perkins Sr to the old School Presbyterian Church thence on between said Sec and the land of said John Perkins Sen to the Mississippi River, thence down the Mississippi River to the lands of Buckner. And also all the improvements houses buildings Negro cabins Stores, Barns, Stables, Cotton Gins, implements of husbandry and all appurtenances on said lands or thereunto belonging and in anywise appertaining. The above described body of Land containing in all by estimate seventeen thousand four hundred acres more or less. Compr- ising the several cotton plantations and tracts of land of said John Perkins, Sr. known as "Somerset Estate" and all the above described lands are valued at the following prices to wit: --Two Thousand Acres valued at $100. an acre making the sum of Two Hundred Thousand Dollars--. --Two Thousand Acres at $20.00 per acre making the sum on Sixty Thousand Dollars-- --Two Thousand Acres at $20.00 per acre making the sum of Forty Thousand Dollars-- --Five thousand acres at $10.00 an acre making the sum of Fifty Thousand Dollars----- --Six thousand four hundred acres swampland at $5. 00 per acre making the sum of Thirty-two thousand five hundred Dollars----- --The total valuation of said body of land with the improvements therein being Three hundred and eighty two thousand and five Hundred Dollars------- The above described body of Land is composed of a number of tracts purchased by the donor at different times the title to all which said tracts he holds in his possession hereby minding himself to deliver the same to the donee--and the present is intended to embrace all the land contained within the said described lines and boundaries and the said Donor expressly declares that should any lot or portions of land belonging to him the same John Perkins Senior be found outside of the boundries of the body of Land now described and contained in this donation, the same shall be consider- ed as forming a part of the body of Land by him transferred to the said John Perkins Junr by this act it being his wish and intention to invest him with the entire and exclusive rights and title to all the lands and real estate which he the said donor owns in the Parishes of Tensas and Madison, State of Louisiana Secondly-Ninety heads of Mules valued at one hundred and twenty five dollars each making the total sum of Eleven thousand two hundred and fifty dollars------ --One Hundred Horses Mares and Colts valued at seventy five dollars each making the sum of Seven thousand five hundred Dollars----- --Three hundred head of horned cattle valued at six dollars per head making the sum of Eighteen hundred Dollars------- --Thirty goats and kids valued at three dollars and fifty cents each making the sum of one hundred and five dollars------- --Three hundred head of sheep valued at three dollars and fifty each making the sum of One thousand and fifty dollars------ --All the household and kitchen furniture valued at four thousand dollars------- Thirdly--All the following described Slaves viz; --Joe Thadsey ages Twenty eight years valued at One Thousand dollars- --Mary Huggins aged thirty years valued at seven hundred and fifty dollars------- --William aged four yers valued at two hundred dollars------- --Noah aged thirty years valued at six hundred dollars------- --Martha aged twenty four years valued at six hundred dollars------ --Shederick aged four years valued at two hundred dollars------ --Malvinia aged one year valued at one hundred dollars------ --Carneal aged fifty six years valued at six hundred dollars-------- --Bosten aged eighteen years valued at Eight hundred dollars------- --Lucy aged sixteen years valued at Eight hundred dollars------- --Tim aged fourteen years valued at Eight hundred dollars------- --Ellick aged twelve years valued at six hundred dollars------- --Sam aged forty five years valued at nine hundred dollars------ --Lydia aged Twenty eight years valued at five hundred dollars------ --Fanny aged Ten years valued at Five Hundred dollars------- --Jace aged thirty four years valued at thirteen hundred dollars---- --Mary Ann aged Twenty four years valued at seven hundred dollars----- --Jane aged one year valued at one hundred dollars------- --William Pigman aged thirty six years valued at One Thousand dollars --Matilda aged four years valued at one hundred and fifty dollars---- --Jerry aged thirty years valued at fifteen hundred dollars------- --Ann Tate aged twenty four years valued at eight hundred dollars---- --Jefferson aged six years valued at five hundred dollars------ --Nancy aged one year valued at one hundred dollars------ --Adam aged twenty eight years valued at fifteen hundred dollars----- --Charlotte aged twenty seven valued at One thousand dollars------ --Sophy aged ten years valued at six hundred dollars------ --Moses aged four years valued at two hundred dollars------ --David aged one year valued at one hundred dollars------ --An infant valued at fifty dollars----- --L Ben aged twenty four years valued at twelve hundred dollars------ --Leah aged twenty years valued at one thousand dollars------ --An infant valued at fifty dollars------ --Charles Bounds aged forty four years valued at fifteen hundred dollars----- --Amy aged forty years valued at seven hundred and fifty dollars----- --Charles L. aged eight years valued at seven hundred dollars------- --John Coleman aged thirty five years valued at fourteen hundred dollars------ --Lunina aged five years appraised at two hundred dollars------ --Starlin aged Twenty three years valued at eight hundred dollars---- --Harris aged twenty four years valued at eight hundred dollars------ --Edward aged three years valued at two hundred dollars------ --Charles aged one year valued at One hundred dollars------ --Adam aged thirty four years valued at fourteen hundred dollars----- --Catherine aged twenty eight years valued at One thousand dollars--- --Jane aged four years valued at two hundred dollars------ --John aged two years valued at one hundred and fifty dollars--- --An infant valued at fifty dollars------ --Simon aged twenty eight years valued at one thousand dollars------ --Pleasant aged twenty three years valued at one thousand dollars---- --Roberta aged one year valued at one hundred dollars------ --Tom aged twenty six years valued at One thousand dollars------ --Minty aged twenty eight years valued at seven hundred dollars------ --An infant valued at fifty dollars----- --Suzan Johnson or Porter aged thirty eight years valued at one thousand dollars----- --Anthony aged ten years valued at eight hundred dollars------ --An infant valued at fifty dollars------ --Jesse aged twenty eight years valued at one thousand dollars------ --Mary Jane aged twenty six years valued at nine hundred dollars----- --Caroline aged three years valued at one hundred and fifty dollars-- --An infant valued at fifty dollars------ --Tab aged thirty four years valued at twelve hundred dollars------- --Emily aged thirty years valued at seven hundred and fifty dollars-- --Levin aged thirty six valued at eleven hundred dollars----- --Andrew aged twenty years valued at six hundred dollars----- --Neal aged twenty four years valued at eleven hundred dollars------- --Newton aged fourteen years valued at eight hundred dollars------- --Bill aged fifteen years valued at one thousand dollars------ --Dave aged fourteen years valued at one thousand dollars------ --Squire aged twelve years valued at one thousand dollars------ --Jim aged thirteen years valued at one thousand dollars------- --Moses aged thirteen years valued at one thousand dollars------ --Whitfield aged eleven years valued at nine hundred dollars------ --Manuel aged twenty years valued at one thousand dollars------ --Gnat aged eleven years valued at one thousand dollars------ --Henderson aged ten years valued at one thousand dollars------- --Peter aged ten years valued at one thousand dollars------- --Gibber aged ten years valued at one thousand dollars----- --Emily aged nine years valued at eight hundred dollars------- --Melinda aged nine years valued at eight hundred dollars------ --Sissy aged nine years valued at eight hundred dollars------ --George Nill aged thirty nine years valued at Eleven Hundred dollars-- --Henrietta aged thirty four years valued at Eight hundred dollars-- --Vincent aged eleven years valued at nine hundred dollars------ --Eliza aged three years valued at one hundred fifty dollars------ --William Davis aged twenty eight years valued at Twelve hundred dollars --Ellenor aged thirty years valued at five hundred dollars------ --Isaac aged forty years valued at twelve hundred dollars------ --Caroline aged forty years valued at seven hundred dollars------ --Julianne aged twenty years valued at nine hundred dollars------ --Henry aged twelve years valued at nine hundred dollars------ --Handy aged forty five years valued at twelve hundred dollars------ --Charlotte aged thirty seven years valued at 700 hundred dollars---- --Ebby aged nine years valued at four hundred dollars------ --Sealy aged five years valued at three hundred dollars------ --Charles aged three years valued at one hundred fifty dollars------ --An infant valued at fifty dollars------ --Charles aged fifty years dollars(sic) valued at one thousand dollars --Maria aged fifty years valued at five hundred dollars------ --Perry aged twenty years valued at one thousand dollars------ --Henry aged eighteen years valued at nine hundred dollars------ --Sarah aged fifteen years valued at nine hundred dollars------ --Tim aged twelve years valued at one thousand dollars------- --Nancy aged twelve years valued at seven hundred dollars------ --Patsy aged two years valued at one hundred dollars------ --Hamilton aged thirty eight years valued at twelve hundred dollars-- --Mary aged thirty eight years valued at eight hundred dollars------ --Rhody aged sixteen years valued at eight hundred dollars------- --Hamilton aged five years valued at three hundred dollars------ --Grace aged three years valued at one hundred and twenty dollars---- --Minny aged one year valued at one hundred dollars----- --G Spicer aged thirty eight years valued at thirteen hundred dollars-- --Hannah aged twenty eight years valued at seven hundred dollars----- --George aged four years valued at two hundred dollars------ --Grace aged two years valued at one hundred dollars------ --George Curtis aged thirty seven years valued at thirteen dollars--- --Harriet aged seventy six years valued at one thousand dollars------ --Joshua aged three years valued at one hundred and fifty dollars---- --Rosetta aged two years valued at one hundred dollars------ --Ruben aged thirty five years valued at nine hundred dollars------ --Harriet aged twenty seven years valued at nine hundred dollars----- --Ruben aged four years valued at two hundred dollars------ --Patsy aged two years valued at one hundred dollars------- --Tim aged thirty five years valued at one thousand dollars------- --Anna aged thirty five years valued at seven hundred dollars------ --Clarissa aged thirteen years valued at five hundred dollars------ --Whit aged six years valued at two hundred and fifty dollars------ --Phill aged fifty years valued at twelve hundred dollars------ --Mary aged forty five years valued at six hundred dollars------- --Cemfar aged sixteen years valued at eight hundred dollars------ --Ritter aged thirty eight years valued at eight hundred dollars----- --Harry Rock aged thirty years valued at fifteen hundred dollars----- --Silsy aged twenty five years valued at nine hundred dollars------ --Easter aged two years valued at one hundred dollars----- --Eve infant valued at fifty dollars------ --Tim aged twenty seven years valued at eleven hundred dollars------ --Becky aged twenty one years valued at one thousand dollars------ --Abram aged fifty years valued at five hundred dollars----- --A child aged two years valued at one hundred dollars----- --Cap aged thirty seven years valued at seven hundred dollars------ --Battle aged three years valued at one hundred and fifty dollars------ --Tim aged two years valued at one hundred dollars----- --Dick aged twenty six years valued at fifteen hundred dollars------ --Louisa aged twenty two years valued at one thousand dollars------ --Suckey aged twenty five years valued at nine hundred dollars------ --Mahaly aged three years valued at one hundred and fifty dollars---- --Murey aged one year valued at one hundred dollars----- - --Nelson aged twenty seven years valued at five hundred dollars------ --Hannah aged twenty two valued at nine hundred dollars------ --Major aged twenty five years valued at fifteen hundred dollars----- --Mary Ann aged twenty three years valued at One thousand dollars---- --An infant valued at fifty dollars------ --Mary aged eighteen years valued at one thousand dollars------ --An infant valued at fifty dollars------- --Parker aged thirty five years valued at five hundred dollars------ --Bill aged thirty five years valued at nine hundred dollars------ --Ben aged twenty six years valued at fifteen hundred dollars --Jordan age twenty one years valued at fifteen hundred dollars------ --Henry aged fifteen years valued at one thousand dollars------- --Henry aged twelve years valued at one thousand dollars------ --Horace aged thirteen years valued at one thousand dollars------ --Charles aged twelve years valued at one thousand dollars------ --Charles aged twelve years valued at one thousand dollars------ --Frankie aged ten years valued at one thousand dollars------- --Jim aged ten years valued at one thousand dollars------- --Merick aged ten years valued at one thousand dollars------ --Sam aged ten years valued at one thousand dollars------ --Charles aged seven years valued at five hundred dollars------ --Anna aged fourteen years valued at one thousand dollars------ --Louisa aged fourteen years valued at one thousand dollars------ --Susan fourteen years valued at one thousand dollars------- --Lucy aged twelve years valued at nine hundred dollars------ --Mary aged seven years valued at five hundred dollars----- --Arthur aged fifty years valued at eight hundred dollars------ --Melinda aged forty years valued at seven hundred dollars------ --Hester aged sixteen years valued at one thousand dollars------ --Martha aged nine years valued at seven hundred dollars------- --Manuel aged four years valued at two hundred dollars------ --Mike aged thirty five years valued at thirteen hundred dollars----- --Mary Shot aged twenty five years valued at seven hundred dollars--- --Abraham aged six years valued at three hundred dollars------ --Litte Percilla aged four years valued at two hundred dollars------ --Suista aged two years valued at value one hundred dollars------- --Big Harry aged fifty years valued at seven hundred dollars------ --Ellen aged thirty five years valued at seven hundred dollars------ --Peter aged two years valued at one hundred dollars------- --Melissa aged two years valued at one hundred dollars------ --Anna aged one year valued at one hundred dollars------ --Frank Allen aged forty years valued at fifteen hundred dollars----- --Catherine thirty five years valued at eight hundred dollars------- --Ann aged three years valued at one hundred and fifty dollars------ --An infant aged one year valued at fifty dollars------ --Parker aged forty years valued at thirteen hundred dollars----- --Frances aged thirty three years valued at twelve hundred dollars--- --Robert aged eight years valued at eight hundred dollars------ --Jerry aged four years valued at two hundred dollars------ --George an infant valued at fifty dollars------ --Randal aged twenty eight years valued at fifteen hundred dollars--- --Judah aged twenty years valued at one thousand dollars------ --An infant valued at fifty dollars-------- --Josiah aged forty years valued at nine hundred dollars------ --Silvia Tucker aged thirty four years valued at seven hundred and fifty dollars------ --An infant valued at fifty dollars------ --Hester Gudes aged thirty years and valued seven hundred dollars---- --Charles aged four years valued two hundred dollars------- --An infant valued at fifty dollars------ --Little Henry aged twenty five years valued at twelve hundred dollars------ --Flora aged twenty one years valued at one thousand dollars------- --Ephraim aged ne year valued at one hundred dollars------ --Dan aged thirty years valued at one thousand dollars------ --Mary aged twenty three years valued at one thousand dollars------- --Fortune aged eleven years valued at one thousand dollars------ --Preston aged twelve years valued at one thousnad dollars------ --Dick aged ten years valued at one thousand dollars------- --Time aged fifteen years valued at one thousand dollars------ --Spencer aged thirteen years valued at one thousand dollars------ --Willis aged thirteen years valued at one thousand dollars------ --Becky aged sixteen years valued at one thousand dollars------ --Jeannette aged sixteen years valued at one thousand dollars------- --Betty aged thirteen years valued at nine hundred dollars------- --Eliza aged ten years valued at eight hundred dollars------ --Fanny aged ten years valued at eight hundred dollars------ --Nicotine aged ten years valued at eight hundred dollars------ --Maria aged eleven years valued at eight hundred dollars------ --Nancy aged ten years valued at eight hundred dollars------ --Catherine aged ten years valued at eight hundred dollars------ --Suzan aged twelve years valued at nine hundred dollars------ --Elizabeth aged ten years valued at eight hundred dollars------- --Margaret aged eleven years valued at nine hundred dollars------ --Lilrice Ann aged eleven years valued at nine hundred dollars------ --Overton aged thirty five years valued at fifteen hundred dollars--- --Hester Ann aged twenty eight years valued at eight hundred dollars- --Woodfolk aged thirty five years valued at fourteen hundred dollars-- --Elizabeth aged thirty three years valued at eight hundred dollars-- --Richard aged nine years valued at seven hundred dollars------ --Otiuayer four years valued at two hundred dollars------ --Henry Smith aged forty years valued at one thousand dollars------ --Eliza aged thirty four years valued at one thousand dollars------ --Anderson aged twenty five years valued at thirteen hundred dollars- --Sarah aged twenty two years valued at seven hundred dollars------ --Elizabeth aged six years valued at three hundred dollars------ --Henry Clay aged two years valued at one hundred dollars------ --Charles aged sixty years valued at four hundred dollars------ --Emily aged eighteen years valued at nine hundred dollars------ --Jacob an infant values at fifty dollars------ --Horace aged thirty five years valued at thirteen hundred dollars--- --Jrail twelve years old valued at One thousand dollars------- --Sally aged ten years valued at seven hundred dollars------ --Freeman aged sixty years at four hundred dollars------- --Sidney aged forty years valued eight hundred dollars------ --Anchrom aged thirty five years valued at fifteen hundred dollars--- --Sylvia aged thirty valued at twelve hundred dollars------ --Bailey aged thirty valued fifteen hundred dollars------ --Maria aged fifty five valued five hundred dollars------ --Amus aged seventeen valued one thousand dollars------ --Little Maria aged thirty years valued eight hundred dollars------ --Alice aged two years valued one hundred dollars------ --Castor aged thirty five years valued eight hundred dollars------ --Phill aged twenty three valued at fifteen hundred dollars------- --James aged eighteen years valued fifteen hundred dollars------ --William aged seventeen years valued eleven hundred dollars------ --Jonus aged seventeen years valued Eleven hundred dollars------ --Henry Harris aged sixteen years valued sixteen hundred dollars----- --Noah aged sixteen years valued eleven hundred dollars------ --Bob aged twenty five years valued one thousand dollars------ The declared valuation of the same described slaves two hundred and sixty five in number amounts to One hundred Ninety Seven Thousand Nine hundred and fifty dollars. Fourthly and the said John Perkins Senior further gives grants and transfers confirms and declares by way of donation inter vios unto the said John Perkins Jr the following named slaves eight- een in number to wit: Black Ginger aged fifty years--Old Fanny aged seventy years, Morris aged forty years George Nick aged fifty years-Peggy aged fifty years-Tanur aged twenty two years Elizer yellow aged fifty five years-Old Major aged sixty five years-Charity, aged fifty years- Alfred aged twenty four years-Henry Hunt? aged sixty years-Pricilla aged sixty years-Big Frank aged fifty five years-Black John aged sixty years-Abby aged sixty five years-Old Maria aged sixty five years-Old Suzan aged fifty five years-Edmund aged seventy years- These last described are of little or no value for labor by reason of old age or infirmity of one kind or another-and the donor hereby gives them to the said Donee on the express condition that the said donee shall maintain them during life-- To have and to hold all and singular the above described lands and improvements stock cattle and slaves unto the said Donee his hiers and assigns to their proper use and behalf further by witness of these presents-This donations is made on the following conditions and charges imposed by the donor on the donee to wit 1st the Donor stipulates the payment by the Donee of an annuity of Fifteen thousand dollars which annuity is to be paid to the Donor on the first day of January of each and every year during the natural life of Donor-2nd The Donor imposes upon the Donee the charge of paying to Ellen M Perkins the widow of his son William Perkins deceased the sum of Twenty thousand dollars in full payment and discharge of any claim which the said Ellen M. Perkins may have as one of the legatees by universal title under the will of her deceased husband to any share of the Community of acquets and gains which heretofore exist between the Donor and his deceased wife Zilpha Perkins which amount is to be payable on the demand of said Ellen M. Perkins-3rd The Donor further imposes on the Donee the charge of paying to his three grandchildred and forced heirs to Wit-Blanche Zilpha Perkins, Anuice William Perkins and Eleanora Perkins children of the said William Perkins deceased the sum of Eighty thousand Dollars each payable to them on the death of the Doner and to be in satisfaction and discharge of their right as forced heirs to one fourth of the Doners Estate and also of what- ever claim they might have as legatees under universal title under the will of their deceased father to any share of the community of acquits and gains which heretofore exist between the Donor and his said deceased wife Zilpha Perkins. And the said Donor further declared that this Donation is made to the said Donee over and above his hereditary share in the succession of the Donor the intention of the Donor being to convey to his said son John Perkins Jr the Donee all his property in Louisiana which the law allow him to dispose of under the charges and conditions herein before set forth, , but in order to avoid any contestation of differences on the subject of the amount of the shares of his Grandchildren as his forced heirs he has imposed in this act the charge on the Donee to pay to his said Grandchildren more than in law they are entitled to claim- The said John Perkins Jr having read and examined the fore- going act of Donation and all the Stipulations conditions and charges therein contained, declares that he hereby accepts the same for himself his heirs and assigns. The parties waived the production of the Mortgage Certificate from the Parishes of Tensas and Madison-- Recapitulation Lands and improvements valued at $382,300. Mules 11,250. Horses Mares & Colts 7,500. Goats and Kids 105 Sheep 1,050. Household & Kitchen furniture 4,000. Slaves 197,500 ____________ Total Valuation 606,155. Thus done and passed in my office in at the City of New Orleans this seventh day of April in the year of Our Lord One thousand Eight hundred and fifty seven in the presence of Mister Arthur Flemming and James Tom Bruslur witness of lawful age residing in this city who herein subscribe their names with the parties and me the said Notary after due reading of this act Signed: Jno Perkins John Perkins Jr J Tom Bruslur Arthur Flemming Signed: A Mazureau Not pub Examined and approved by the undersigned Counsel Signed: A N Ogden C Roselires A true Copy A. Mazureau Recorded on the 16th April AD 1857 G Montgomery Recorder Source: Tensas Parish Court House Book of Donations