Succession Records of Martha T. Davis Union Parish Louisiana 1860 Submitted to the LAGenWeb African American Archives by: Shawn Martin ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** Union Parish Louisiana Succession Book E (1860 - 1866), pp. 29 - 35 Succession Records of Martha T. Davis To the honorable the Judge of the 12th Judicial District Court in and for Union Parish, Louisiana. The petition of Mitchell T. Simmons, a resident of your said parish respectfully represents unto your honor that Martha T. Davis, late widow of A. F. Dixon, Decd. Lately departed this life in the state of Arkansas, her residence at this time being in the aforesaid Parish leaving no descendants but for Brothers and Sisters, all present and represented in this parish. He also represents that she leaves a considerable Estate consisting of real and personal effects slaves and debts unsettled. He prays that an inventory may be had according to law that he may be appointed administrator of said estate. After complying with all formalities and for such other orders in the premises as may be necessary. H. Regenburg, Atty. State of Louisiana 12th Judl. Dist. Court Parish of Louisiana I, Mitchel T. Simmons do solemnly swear that I will faithfully and impartially discharge all and singular the duties incumbent on me as Administrator of the estate of Martha F. Davis, Decd. according to the best of my ability and understanding. So Help me God. M. T. Simmons Sworn to and subscribed before me this the 8th day of March A.D. 1860. Thos. C. Lewis, Clk. Succession of Martha F. Davis, Dec. State of Louisiana 12th Judl. Dist. Court Parish of Union Whereas Mitchel T. Simmons has been duly and legally appointed administrator of the estate of Martha F. Davis, Decd. And he has given bond and good Security and has taken the oath prescribed by law. Now therefore the said Mitchel T. Simmons is hereby duly and legally authorized and empowered to do and perform all arts appertaining to said appointment according to law. Given under my hand and seal of office on this the 8th day of March A.D. 1860. Thos. C. Lewis, Clk. State of Louisiana Parish of Union Know all men by these presents that we Mitchel T. Simmons as principal and Wm. E. Davis and James A. Martin as his security are held and firmly bound unto Robt. W. Richardson Judge of the 12th Judl. District Court in and for the parish and state aforesaid for the time being or to his successors in office in the full and just sum of Nine thousand and nine hundred and thirty seven dollars, the true and faithful payment whereof will and truly to be made we bind ourselves our heirs administrators executors and Legal representatives firmly by these presents dated at Farmerville, La. March 8th A.D. 1860. The condition of the above obligations is such that whereas the said Mitchel T. Simmons has been duly and legally appointed administrator of the estate of Martha F. Davis, Decd. And has taken the oath prescribed by law. Now therefore if the said Mitchel T. Simmons shall faithfully and impartially discharge all and singular the duties incumbent on his as administrator of said Est. and shall faithfully account to the Judge of the said Court for all the money or property received (belonging to said estate) from this or any other State and shall under a true and faithful account of all his acts and doings in and about said Estate of the Judge of said Court and whenever legally required so to do to pay over all sums of money and deliver all the property of whatever belonging to said estate to the proper persons to receive the same then the above obligations to be null and void otherwise to be and remain in full force and effect against the principal and his said securities. Done signed and acknowledged on the day and date above written. ATTEST: M. T. Simmons Thos. C. Lewis, Clk. William E. Davis J. A. Martin Do you and each of your solemnly swear that you will faithfully and inpartially perform all and singular the duties incumbent on you as appraisors in making an inventory and appraisement of the property belonging to the estate and succession of Martha F. Davis, Decd. to the best of your knowledge and Judgment. So Help you God. J. A. Martin Solomon Murry. Sworn to and subscribed before me this the 8th day of March 1860. W. C. Smith, Recorder State of Louisiana Parish of Union Be it remembered that on this the Eighth day of March 1860, I , W. C. Smith, Recorder and Ex-Officio Notary Public in and for the Parish of Union. Commanding me to make an inventory of the property composing of the Estate of Martha F. Davis, Decd. late of this Parish and whereas James A. Martin and Solomon Murry being duly appointed by the recorder as appraisers. We proceeded to make the following inventory and appraisement as follows, To wit said appraisers being resident of the Parish of Union. "Henry" a Negro boy aged about 35 years of copper complexion $1400.00 "Jane" a Negro woman aged about 35 years and her two children "Lucy" aged 5 years and "Noah" a boy aged [blank] 1450.00 "Mary" a Negro girl aged 13 years old of Black complexion 1050.00 "Sarah" a Negro girl aged about 11 years of black complexion 950.00 "Tim" a Negro boy aged 20 years of mulatto color complexion 1500.00 "Lendy" a Negro girl aged 30 years and her child "Jerry" a boy aged 4 years 1350.00 2 Glass candlestick, 1 eylet cutter & 1 china Flourtot [sic] appraised @ 1.50 1 (Toylet) Looking Glass 2.50 1 Wash stand, Bole & pitcher & S Tray appraised @ 2.50 1 Dripling Table appraised @ 2.00 1 Rocking Chair appraised @ 2.50 1 Buggy & Harness appraised @ 25.00 1 Horse 82.50 1 Side Saddle 16.00 1 Lot quilt, linings and covers 2.88 6 yds. Lowell stripes @ 12 1/2 cents per yd. .75 2 Work Baskets .25 3 Cover Lids @ $7.50 each 22.50 3 Counterpanes 9.00 6 Bed Quilts 24.00 1 Box .75 $7895.13 Amt. Brot. Forward $7895.13 2 Feather Beds & furniture to one 42.00 1 cot & mattrass .50 1 bed Stead 6.00 3 trunks @ $1.50 each 3.00 1 Lot Books 2.00 1 Jewelry Box 1.00 $7949.63 Having completed the foregoing Inventory I have on this the 8th day of March A.D. 1860 closed the same. In testimony where of said appraisers have here unto signed their names hereto with me the said recorder and in the presence of Jared Robinson and Jos. N. Smith witnesses who have hereto signed with said appraisers and me the said Recorder on this the day and date above written. Jos. W. Smith J. A. Martin Jared Robinson Solomon Murry W. C. Smith, Recorder To the Honorable the Judge of the twelfth Judicial District Court in and for the Parish of Union, Louisiana. The petitioner of Mitchel T. Simmons a resident of said Parish administrator of the Est. of Martha F. Davis, Decd. respectively represents unto your Honor that the personal property of said estate is of no use to the estate and subject to waste and loss and expensive to keep. He therefore prays that he may be ordered to sell according to law all the personal property belonging to the said estate. He prays that the sale be on a credit until the 1st of Jany. next and that he be authorized to make the sale and for general relief. H. Regenburg, Atty. Let the prayer of Petitioner be granted and it is ordered that Mitchel T. Simmons, Adr. of the estate of Martha F. Davis sell according to law and on a credit till the first of January next all the Personal property of the said estate and that he be authorized to make the due witness of the same. Done and signed in office this the 8th March 1860. Thos. C. Lewis, Clerk A true record August 21st 1860. Thos. C. Lewis, Clerk State of Louisiana 12th Judicial District Court Parish of Union The premises considered it is ordered and decreed that the within application of Mitchel T. Simmons to be appointed Administrator of the Estate of Martha F. Davis, Decd. be advertised according to law. It is further ordered that W. C. Smith, Parish Recorder and Ex-Officio Notary Public in and for said Parish and State be and he is authorized to make an inventory and appraisement of the property belonging to the said Estate of Martha H. Davis, Decd. and due return there of make to this office without delay. Done and signed in Office this the 31st day of January A.D. 1860. Thos. C. Lewis, Clerk State of Louisiana Parish of Union The premises being duly considered by further reason that proper advertisement having been made and no application being filed in my office. It is therefore ordered and decreed that Mitchel T. Simmons be and he is appointed Administrator of the estate of Martha F. Davis, Decd. and upon his giving bond and good Security and taking the oath prescribed by law that letters do issue to him. Done and signed in office this 8th day of March A.D. 1860. Thos. C. Lewis, Clerk A true Record August 21st 1860. Thos. C. Lewis, Clerk ############################################################################