Succession John M. Godley; Union Parish Louisiana 1860 Submitted to the LAGenWeb African American Archives by: Shawn Martin - SMARCMAR@aol.com ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** Union Parish Louisiana Succession Book E (1860-1866), pp. 20-26 Succession Records of John M. Godley Transcription: To the Honorable the Judge of the twelfth Judicial District Court in and for the Parish of Union State of Louisiana. The petition of James B. Godley and Marth A. Godley both residents of the Parish of Union aforesaid respectfully represents unto Your Honor that John M. Godley late of your said Parish departed his live on the 6th day of January A.D. 1860 at his residence in said Parish in intestate having a considerable estate consisting of land salves, and other property rights and credits, and leaving a family consisting of your petitioner Marth A. Godley, widow and partner no community and the following heirs the issue of the marriage between said petitioner and said deceased, to wit: Sarah Ann, wife of T. M. Calloway; Martha P., wife of James J. Jordon; James B. Godley, petitioner; William H. Godley, a minor; John F. Godley, minor; Elizabeth K. Godley, minor; Nancy O. Godley, minor; Mary A. Godley, minor; and Columbus Godley, minor. They therefore pray that an inventory and appraisement may be had according to law that Martha A. Godley the above petitioner and widow may be confirmed as the natural Tutrix to the said minor children and that John George M. Godley be appointed Administrator. They further pray that after due advertisements having been made that they may be appointed Co Administrators of the Estate of John M. Godley, Decd. And for all such orders and decrees in the presence as shall be necessary. H. Rosenburg, Atty. State of Louisiana Parish of Union It is ordered that the application of James B. Godley and Martha Godley, to be appointed Co Administrators of the Estate of John M. Godley, Decd. Be advertised according to law. It is further decreed that William A. Smith recorder of said parish make an inventory and appraisement of said Estate according to law and that he made due return of the same. Done and signed in office this the day of January A.D. 1860. Thos. C. Lewis, Clerk State of Louisiana 12th Dist. Court Parish of Union The premises considered it is ordered and decreed that Martha A. Godley be and she is hereby confirmed and appointed natural Tutrix to the minor children to wit: William H. Godley, John F. Godley, Elizabeth R. Godley, Nancy O. Godley, Mary A. Godley and Columbus Godley and upon taking the oath prescribed by law that letters of tutorship do issue it is further ordered that George M. Godley be and he is hereby appointed under tutor to said minors and upon taking the oath prescribed by law that letters do issue to him. Done and signed in office this the 19th day of January A.D. 1860. Thos. C. Lewis, Clerk State of Louisiana Parish of Union The premises considered and by reason that proper advertisement having been made and no opposition having been filed in my office. It is therefore ordered and decreed that James B. Godley and Martha A. Godley be and they are hereby appointed Co Administrators of the Estate of John M. Godley, Decd. And that upon their giving bond and good security and taking the oath prescribed by law that letters do issue to them. Done and signed in office this the 31st day of January A.D. 1860. Thos. C. Lewis, Clerk Inventory Do you and each of your solemnly swear, that you will faithfully and impartially appraise all the property that may be presented to you belonging to the Estate and succession of John M. Godley, Decd. At its cash value to the best of your knowledge and understanding. So help you God. Sworn and subscribed before me on this the 20th day of January A.D. 1860. W. T. Simmons Wm. C. Smith, Recorder James Moore State of Louisiana Parish of Union Be it remembered that on this the 20th day of January A.D. 1860 One thousand eight hundred and sixty. In pursuance of an order of the Hon. 12th Judicious District Court within and for the Parish of Union and to me William C. Smith, Parish Recorder and Exofficio Notary Public in and for said Parish of Union and State of Louisiana directed. I repaired to the late residence of John M. Godley, Decd. For the purpose of making an inventory and appraisement of all the property both real and personal belonging to the Estate and Succession of the said John M. Godley, Decd. Wherein Mitchell F. Simmons & James Moore good and lawful citizens of this parish and males of age was duly appointed as appraisers and who being duly sworn by me and in the presence of lawful and competent witnesses. We proceeded to make the following inventory and appraisement to wit: 600 acres of land with all improvements thereon appraised @ $6.00 per acre $3600.00 Will, a negro man age about 35 years of copper Color appraised @ 1300.00 Henry, a negro boy aged about 16 years of copper Color appraised @ 1250.00 Emily, a negro girl aged about 14 years of copper Color appraised @ 1150.00 Mariah, a negro girl aged 12 years of copper Color appraised @ 950.00 Wash, a negro boy aged about 9 years of copper Color appraised @ 700.00 Agris, a girl aged 7 years of copper color Appraised @ 550.00 Charity, a negro girl aged about 5 years of copper Color appraised @ 450.00 Ned, a boy aged 2 years of copper color Appraised @ 350.00 2 yoke of oxen appraised @ $60.00 per yoke 120.00 19 head stock cattle appraised @ $6.00 per head 114.00 19 head stock sheep appraised @ $2.00 per head 38.00 30 head stock hogs appraised @ $3.25 per head 97.50 1 brown mule (Tobe) appraised @ 100.00 1 black mule (Buff) appraised @ 125.00 1 black mule (Lize) appraised @ 125.00 1 bay mule (Joe) appraised @ 125.00 175 bushels of corn more or less @ $1.00 175.00 25 bales of Cotton weighing 450 lbs. More or less on average @ $40.00 1000.00 One ox wagon appraised @ 65.00 1 lot of farming tools appraised @ 12.50 $12,212.00 Amount Brought forward $12,272.00 Household and kitchen furniture appraised @ 185.00 $12,457.00 Having completed the foregoing inventory and appraisement, I have on this the 20th day of January A.D. 1860 closed the same. In testimony whereof I have caused said appraisers to sign their names hereto with me the said Recorder in the presence of John P. Everette and John Watkins good and lawful witnesses domocilated in the said Parish and State who have hereto signed their names on this the day and date above written. ATTEST: J. P. Everette M. T. Simmons John Watkins James Moore Wm. C. Smith, Recorder Succession of John M. Godley, Decd. State of Louisiana 12th Judicial District Court Parish of Union Whereas James B. Godley and Martha A. Godley have been duly and legally appointed Joint Administrators of the Estate of John M. Godley, Decd. And they have give bond and good Security and have taken the oath prescribed by law. Now therefore the said James B. Godley and Martha A. Godley are hereby duly and legally authorized to do and perform all acts appertaining to said appraisements according to law. Given under my hand and seal of office on the 6th day of February A.D. 1860. Thos. C. Lewis, Clerk Succession of John M. Godley, Decd. State of Louisiana 12th Judicial District Court Parish of Union We, James B. Godley and Martha A. Godley do solemnly swear that we will faithfully and impartially discharge all and singular the duties incumbent on us as Administrators of the Estate of John A. Godley, Decd. To the best of our abilities and understanding. So help us god. James B. Godley Martha A. Godley Sworn to and subscribed before me this 2nd day of February A.D. 1860. J. A. Martin, Justice of the Peace Suscession of John M. Godley, Decd. Bond State of Louisiana Parish of Union Know all men by these presence that we James B. Godley and Martha A. Godley as principles and George W. Murphy, George M. Godley as their Security are held and firmly bound unto Robert W. Richardson, Judge of the 12th Judicial District Court in and for the Parish of Union, State of Louisiana for the time being and to his successors in office in the full and just sum of fifteen thousand five hundred seventy one and 25/100 Dollars the true and faithful payment whereof will and truly be made. We bind ourselves or heirs assigns and legal representatives firmly by the presence this 2nd day of February A.D. 1860. The condition of the above obligation is such that whereas James B. Godley and Martha A. Godley have been duly and legally appointed joint administrators of the Estate of John M. Godley, Decd. Now therefore of the said James B. Godley and Martha A. Godley shall faithfully and impartially do and perform all and any of the duties incumbent on them as Joint Administrators and shall answer to the said Judge a true and faithful account of all their acts and doings in and about said Estate and shall pay over all money and deliver all the property of whatever nature to the proper person and persons to receive the same whenever legally required so to do. Then and in that case this obligation to be null and void otherwise to be and remain in full force and effect. Done, signed and acknowledged on the day and date written above. ATTEST: James B. Godley C. C. Clark Martha A. Godley J. A. Martin G. W. Murphy G. M. Godley State of Louisiana 12th Judicial District Court Parish of Union I, Martha A. Godley, do solemnly swear that I will faithfully and impartially discharge all the duties incumbent on me as Natural Tutrix to my minor children to wit: William H. Godley, John T. Godley, Elizabeth M. Godley, Nancy O. Godley, Mary A. Godley and Columbus Godley according to the best of my ability and understanding. So help me God. Martha A. Godley Sworn to and subscribed before me this the 2nd day of February A.D. 1860. J. A. Martin, Justice of the Peace State of Louisiana 12th Judicial District Court Parish of Union Whereas Martha A. Godley has been duly and legally appointed and confirmed Natural Tutrix to her minor children to wit: : William H. Godley, John T. Godley, Elizabeth M. Godley, Nancy O. Godley, Mary A. Godley and Columbus Godley and she has taken the oath prescribed by law. Now therefore the said Martha A. Godley is hereby duly and legally authorized and empowered to do and perform all the duties appertaining to said appointment according to law. Given under my hand and seal of office this 6th day of February 1860. Thos. C. Lewis, Clerk State of Louisiana 12th Judicial District Court Parish of Union I, George M. Godley, do solemnly swear that I will faithfully and impartially discharge all the duties incumbent on me as under tutor to the following minor heirs of the Estate of John M. Godley, Decd., to wit: : William H. Godley, John T. Godley, Elizabeth M. Godley, Nancy O. Godley, Mary A. Godley and Columbus Godley according to the best of my abilities and understanding. So help me God. George M. Godley Sworn to and subscribed before me this the 2nd day of February 1860. J. A. Martin, Justice of the Peace State of Louisiana 12th Judicial District Court Parish of Union Whereas George M. Godley has been duly and legally appointed under tutor to the following minor heirs of the Estate of John M. Godley, Decd., to wit: William H. Godley, John T. Godley, Elizabeth M. Godley, Nancy O. Godley, Mary A. Godley and Columbus Godley and hath taken the oath prescribed by law. Now therefore the said George M. Godley is hereby duly and legally authorized and empowered to discharge all and singular the duties appertaining to said appointment according to law. Given under my hand and seal of office this 6th day of February 1860. Thos. C. Lewis, Clerk A true record July 12th 1860. Thos. C. Lewis, Clerk #########################################################