1863 - 1864 Succession of William Grafton, Union Parish Louisiana Submitted for the Union Parish Louisiana USGenWeb Archives by Shawn Martin, 3/2005 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ************************************************ ================================================================================= Succession of William Grafton, Decd. Union Parish Louisiana Succession Book E, pp. 447 - 453 ================================================================================== ================================================================================== Note: William Grafton enlisted in the spring of 1862 as a private in Company H, 31st Louisiana Infantry Regiment. At his official enlistment on 14 May 1862, he stated that he was born in Chester District South Carolina, was 33 years old, a planter by occupation, and he had brown eyes, black hair, a dark complextion, and stood 5'7.5". He was present with his unit at all times through February 1863. He died at Vicksburg, Mississippi on 22 April 1863 from pneumonia. His wife collected $44.20 pay due him for military service. ================================================================================== To the Honorable the Judge of the 11th Judicial District Court in and for the Parish of Union, State of Louisiana. The Petition of Amazon S. Hammond of the Parish and State aforesaid respectfully shows that William Grafton, late of the aforesaid Parish and State lately died while in the Army, intestate, leaving your petitioner his surviving widow and four minor children to wit: Margaret Ann, Rebecca J., Reuben and Alice Jones Grafton. He also left a small estate consisting of land and stock, rights and credits and debts to some considerable amount and your petitioner partner in community. Petitioner avers that an administration of said Estate is necessary and that she is entitled to said Administration. Wherefore she prays that this her application be duly advertized according to law, and after the legal delays that she be appointed Administratrix of the Estate of William Grafton, decd., that an inventory of the same be ordered, and that all other orders necessary in law or in equity be granted and for general relief &c. Jno. L. Barrett, Atty. State of Louisiana 11th District Court Parish of Union It is ordered and decreed that the within application be advertized according to law. It is further ordered that W. C. Smith, Parish Recorder, make an inventory and appraisement of all the property belonging to the Estate of William Grafton, Decd. and due return thereof make without delay. Done and signed in office May 28th 1863. J. L. Guthrie, Clerk To the Honorable the Judge of the 11th Judicial District Court in and for Union Parish, Louisiana. The petition of John R. Clark, a resident of the said Parish respectfully represents that William Grafton, Decd., late of the said Parish departed this life on or about the {blank} last leaving a family and an Estate consisting of stock, personal property, rights, credits &c and owing a considerable amount of debts. He represents that he is a creditor of the Estate, that therefore he has a right to the Administration, that the widow has filed her petition and abandoned the same. Wherefore he prays to be appointed Administrator of the said Estate and for such other orders as the case requires. H. Regenburg, Atty. It is ordered that the within application be advertised according to law. Further that W. C. Smith, Recorder &c be and he is hereby authorized to make an inventory and appraisement of all the property of said Estate and due return thereof make according to law. Done and signed in office June 24th 1863. J. L. Guthrie, Clerk Proper advertizement having been made and no opposition having been filed thereto, it is ordered that Jno. R. Clark be appointed Administrator of the Estate of William Grafton, Decd. and upon his giving bond and taking the oath that letters do issue to him. Done and signed in office July 6th 1863. J. L. Guthrie, Clerk State of Louisiana 11th Judicial District Court Parish of Union I, John R. Clark, do solemnly swear that I will faithfully and impartially discharge all and singular the duties incumbent on me as Administrator of the Estate of William Grafton, Decd. according to law to the best of my Judgement. So help me God. John R. Clark Sworn to and subscribed before me on this the 6th day of July AD 1863. W. C. Smith, Dep. Clerk State of Louisiana 11th District Court Parish of Union Know all men by these presents that we, John R. Clark, as principal and L. F. Findley, as his security are held and firmly bound unto W. B. Egan, Judge of the 11th Judicial District Court in and for the Parish of Union, State of Louisiana for the time being or to his successors in office in the sum of Eight Hundred and fifty Dollars to the true and faithful payment whereof well and truly to be made, we bind ourselves, our heirs, assigns and legal representatives firmly by these presents. Date at Farmerville, Louisiana this [blank] day of [blank] AD 1863. The condition of the above obligations is such that whereas the above bound John R. Clark has been duly appointed Administrator of the Estate of William Grafton, Decd. and he has taken the oath prescribed by law. Now therefore if the said John R. Clark shall faithfully and impartially discharge all the duties incumbent on him as Administrator aforesaid, then this obligation to be null and void, otherwise to be and remain in full force and virtue according to Law. Done, signed and acknowledged on the day and date above written. John R. Clark L. F. Findley State of Louisiana Parish of Union I, Leroy F. Findley and I, Ruffin G. Pleasants do solemnly swear that I will faithfully and impartially appraise the property presented to us belonging to the Estate and Succession of William Grafton, Decd. at its cash value, to the best of my judgement and understanding. So help me God. R. G. Pleasants L. F. Findley Sworn to and subscribed before me this 6th day of July AD 1863. W. C. Smith, Parish Recorder State of Louisiana Parish of Union Be it remembered that on this the 6th day of July AD 1863, I, William C. Smith, Parish Recorder and Ex Officio Notary Public in and for the Parish of Union, Louisiana duly commissioned and qualified, in pursuance of an order issued from the Honorable 11th Judicial District Court in and for said Parish and State being assisted by Leroy F. Findley and Ruffin G. Pleasants, lawful citizens of the Parish of Union, Louisiana who being duly appointed and sworn by me, the said recorder as appraisors and in the presence of lawful witnesses proceeded to make an inventory of William Grafton, Deceased, as hereinafter set forth. 2 Feather Beds, 3 Bolsters, and 6 Pillows apprd. @ $40.00 8 Quilts, finished apprd. @ 25.00 6 Double wove counterpanes apprd. @ $8 48.00 2 Blankets @ $2, 2 slates and 24 books apprd. @ $10 12.00 2 Bed steads apprd. @ $12 each 24.00 1 clock, 6 chairs apprd. @ 7.00 1 Table apprd. @ 4.00 1 Double Barrell shot gun apprd. @ 10.00 3 Spiders, 1 wash pot, 1 diner pot, 1 oven [NOTE: A Spider is a cast iron skillet] and 1 tea kettle apprd. @ 35.00 4 Plates, 1 dish, 3 pitchers and 1 set kninves and forks apprd. @ 12.00 2 Jars @ $4, 1 Ax @ $$5 9.00 40 lbs. Old plows in possession of Mrs. Hammonds 25.00 1 pair steelyards (160 pounds) [blank] 1 Horse mule (black) apprd. @ 150.00 1 Sythe and cradle apprd. @ 10.00 622 pounds of seed cotton at Mr. R. G. Pleasants' apprd. @ 12.44 13 Head sheep apprd. @ $5 per head 65.00 3 Cows and calves and 3 yearlings apprd. @ $10 each 90.00 31 Head hogs more or less apprd. @ $5 per head 155.00 2 Plains apprd. @ 6.00 1 Lot plantation tools apprd. @ 33.00 1 Lot shoe tools apprd. @ 5.00 1 Grind Stone and crank apprd. @ 5.00 1 Coffee Mill apprd. @ 1.00 1 Tray apprd. @ 1.00 2 Syringes apprd. @ 2.00 Cash ___7.00 $678.44 Having completed the foregoing Inventory and appraisement on this the 6th day of July AD 1863 I closed the same. In testimony whereof I have caused said appraisors to sign their names in presence of George Tubb and H. W. Hamilton, lawful and competent witnesses and me the said Recorder, on this the day and date above written, July 6th 1863. ATTEST: R. G. Pleasants H. W. Hamilton L. F. Findley George Tubb W. C. Smith, Parish Recorder To the Honorable the Judge of the 11th Judicial District Court in and for the Parish of Union, Louisiana The petition of John R. Clark, Administrator of the Estate of William Grafton, late of said Parish, respectfully represents that the said Estate is to the best of his knowledge in debt to an amount over its ability to pay and that the property should be sold at as an early a day as possible in order to be applied to the payment of the same. He therefore prays for an order to sell all the property of said Estate under the article of the Code of Practice and for such other orders and decrees as may be necessary. H. Regenburg, Atty. State of Louisiana Parish of Union It is ordered that there be a sale of all the property of the Estate of W. Grafton, Decd. as prayed for in the within petition by the said Administrator. Done and signed in office this 25th of July 1863. J. L. Guthrie, Clerk Be it remembered that on the 25th day of July AD 1863 in accordance with an order of the Honorable 11th Judicial District court in and for the Parish of Union, Louisiana and after due advertizement, John R. Clark, Administrator of the Estate of William Grafton, Decd. did offer for sale and sell at public auction, the property of said Estate as Follows to wit: J. J. Norris bought 1 double barrel gun 15.00 15.00 J. W. Duty bought 1 pr. steelyards, $2.20, 2 slates $7.00 9.20 1 feather bed, bolster &c $32 1 counterpane $18 50.00 1 Counterpane $15, 2 plains & 1 draw knife $5.25 20.25 1 Grind stone $7., 1 hogshead & barrell $2.50 9.50 1 lot hogs $150.00, 1 Sow & Pigs $12.00 162.00 250.95 W. C. Heard Bought 1 large pot 17.00 17.00 O. H. Youngblood bought 1 dinner pot & books 5.50 5.50 E. Tabor bought 1 Oven and coffee pot $2, 1 table & tray $3 5.00 Augers, square and hammer 2.25 7.25 H. Pylant bought 1 spider and lid $3.75, 1 Scythe and cradle $30. 33.75 33.75 Harriett Tubb bought 1 tea kettle 1.60 1.60 Sallie Heard bought 2 spiders, 1 bowl and pitcher 5.00 6 chairs 10.50 15.50 Susan Grafton bought 1 set plates $5, 2 Pitchers 7.20 1 feather bid, pillows &c $15 10 bolster and pillow case 23.00 3 sheets 4.00 34.20 R. T. Moore bought 2 Syringes $6.75, 1 set knives forks and spoons $6.75 13.50 1 bowie knife $1., 1 lot shoe tools, 1 lot shoe tools, 1 plow stock 19.25 32.75 L. B. Fuller bought 1 pair shears .38 .38 C. F. Heard bought 1 tumbler 2.25 2.25 Monroe Hammond bought 1 clock and horse fleams[?] 5.25 5.25 Rebecca Breed bought 8 bed quilts 8.00 8.00 R. G. Pleasants bought 2 blankets and quilts 4.25 4.25 S. S. Heard bought 1 trunk and contents, 1 lot books, 1 lot irons 8.62 ½ 1 hoe & pad lock 5.00 13.62 ½ Thomas Roberson bought 1 razer strop, 1 pr. chairs 9.00 9.00 L. F. Findley bought 1 lot books, a lot books, 1 jar, 1 box 11.75 11.75 G. W. Cox bought 1 lot books 2.00 2.00 Elizabeth Tubb bought 1 yearling, 1 cow & yearling 1 cow & 2 yearlings 84.00 1 yearling, 7 sheep 80.00 164.00 J. J. Hammonds bought 40 lbs. Seeds 25.00 25.00 Nancy Edmonds bought 4 counterpanes, 1 quilt 10.00 10.00 E. Gray bought 1 jar, 1 cos and calf 46.00 46.00 M. Barnett bought 1 bed stead, 1 bed stead 24.00 24.00 George Tubb bought 1 Axe, 6 sheep 53.50 53.50 D. K. McLaurin bought 3 Axes 4.50 4.50 J. S. Lovelady bought 1 hand saw 3.75 3.75 J. C. Hodge bought 1 coffee mill .62 .62 W. R. Welden bought 1 fir and wedge 2.50 2.50 T. J. Oliver bought 622 # seed cotton 12.44 12.44 J. R. Clark bought 1 mule 202.00 202.00 J. C. Harris bought 1 saddel 8.25 ___8.25 Amount of Sale $1026.06 Whereupon the said several purchasers did pay in cash the amounts of the purchases and the articles were delivered to them accordingly. J. R. Clark, Admr. To the Honorable the Judge of the 11th Judicial District Court in and for the Parish of Union, Louisiana. The petition of John R. Clark, Admr. of the Estate of William Grafton, Decd. respectfully herewith presents an account of his acts and doings as Administrator of said Estate as follows: He charges himself with Items as follows: 1st Amount of the Sale of property 1026.06 2nd Amount received from R. G. Pleasants being due for cotton sold by Decd. to him __234.06 $1260.12 He prays to be credited by amounts paid out as for Vouchers: No 1 Confederate Tax 10.00 No 2 Parish Tax 1.50 No 3 Three notes payable to D. M. Wright or bearer 344.26 No 4 Note due E. P. Bolton 11.00 No 5 Note due W. H. Buce 15.03 No 6 Acct of Dr. J. R. Clark 29.25 No 7 2 Notes due J. R. Clark 93.70 No 8 J. L. Guthrie, Clerk's acct. 7.10 No 9 T. C. Lewis, Clerk's acct. 13.25 No 10 W. C. Smith, Recorder's Acct. 5.00 No 11 H. Regenburg, Attys. Fees 50.00 No 12 J. R. Clark's Administrator's Comm. __31.50 $611.59 Amount of charges $1260.12 Amount of Credits __611.59 Balance due $648.53 Which statement shows a balance due by him to the said Estate of six hundred and forty eight Dollars and fifty three cents. Petitioner prays that this account may be duly advertised and after due proceedings homolgated according to law and that after Judgement rendered on the same that his bond may be cancelled and he discharged from the said Administration and for general relief. H. Regenburg, Atty. State of Louisiana 11th Judicial District Court Parish of Union The premises considered, it is ordered and decreed that the above and foregoing final account of John R. Clark as Administrator of the Estate of William Grafton, Decd. be advertised according to law. Done and signed in office on this 1st day of August AD 1864. Thos. C. Lewis, Clerk Succession of William Grafton, Decd. Homolgation of the final account filed by John R. Clark as Administrator of the Estate of William Grafton, Decd. 1st Vouchers filed with said account 2nd Thomas C. Lewis, Clerk, District Court sworn says, that the said final account was filed in the Clerk's Office on this 1st day of August 1864 and has been duly advertized for more than thirty days from this date and that no opposition has been filed to the Homolgation of the same up to this date. Thos. C. Lewis, Clerk Sworn to and subscribed before me this 3rd day of September 1864. Wm. C. Smith, Parish Recorder I hereby certify the above to be all the evidence adduced on the Homolgation of the final account filed by John R. Clark as Administrator of the Estate of William Grafton, Decd. Given under my hand and seal of office on this the 3rd day of September AD 1864. Thos. C. Lewis, Clerk State of Louisiana 11th Judicial District Court Parish of Union By reason of the law and the evidence in the matter of the Homolgation of the within account and by further reason of the proper advertisement having been made and no opposition filed to the homolgation of the same, it is therefore ordered, adjudged and decreed that the said final account be approved and homolgated in all its parts according to law. It is further ordered that there be judgement against the Administrator of said Estate in the sum of Six Hundred and forty eight and 53/100 ($648 53/100) Dollars and upon his producing and filing a receipt for the same that his bond be cancelled and he be released from the said Administration. Done and signed in office on this the 3rd day of September AD 1864. Thos. C. Lewis, Clerk, District Court A True Record this 12th October AD 1864. Thos. C. Lewis, Clerk ###########################################################