1839 - 1842 Union Parish Louisiana Succession of Lorenzo Addison Griffin, Deceased Submitted by: Shawn Martin Date of Submission: 6/2007 and updated 11/2008 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ************************************************ ================================================================================= ================================================================================= 1839 Succession of Lorenzo A. Griffin, Decd., Union Parish Louisiana Union Parish Louisiana Succession Book A-2, pp. 58 - 64 & Union Parish Louisiana Succession Book A, pp. 224 – 229 ================================================================================= ================================================================================= NOTE: This record used the spelling "Griffing" for Lorenzo's surname, but US Government land records and the 1840 census have "Griffin". He appears to have been the man by the name of "Lorenzo Griffin" on the 1830 Jackson County Alabama Census as well. Loronzo A. Griffing married Mariah Williams in Ouachita Parish Louisiana on 25 July 1833. Interestingly, Griffin died on 14 March 1839, the day after the Louisiana Legislature created Union Parish from Ouachita Parish. ================================================================================= ================================================================================= Union Parish Louisiana Succession Book A-2, pp. 58 - 64 ================================================================================= ================================================================================= To the Honorable the Probate Judge of the Parish of Union and State of Louisiana the petition of Mariah Griffing, resident of the Parish of union with respect represents to your Honor that her husband Lorenzo A. Griffing, late of said Parish departed this life on the Fourteenth day of March 1839 leaving your petitioner his widow and the following named and aged children issue by their marriage to wit: Julia T. aged 3 years, John W. Griffing aged about 2 years and Wm. Adison Griffing besides a considerable Estate of Property real and personal. Wherefore your Petitioner prays your Honor to cause an Inventory and Appraisement to be made of said decedents Estate and that your Honor appoint her Administratrix and that she be qualified as Natural Tutrix of her minor children as aforesaid and that an Under Tutor be appointed and for such other and further relief as may be properly necessary as your Petitioner ever prays. Mariah Griffing State of Louisiana Probate Court Parish of Union Let the prayer of the petition be granted and it is further ordered that an Inventory and Appraisement be made and that she be appointed Administratrix upon giving Bond and security and taking the oath conditions as the law directs and qualified as Natural Tutrix and that John Williams be appointed Under Tutor of said minors and that letters issue. June 6th AD 1839 John Taylor, Judge State of Louisiana Court of Probates Parish of Union Whereas Maria Griffing has been appointed Administratrix of the Estate of Lorenzo A. Griffing, decd. and confirmed as Natural Tutrix of the minor children issue by her marriage with said decedent to wit: Julia T, John W. and Wm. Adison Griffing and having given bond and security and taken the oath as presented by law. Now therefore, she is hereby authorized and fully empowered to discharge and perform all and singular the duties appertaining to the said appointment according to law. In testimony whereof, I have herewith signed my name and affixed my seal of office on this 6th day of June AD 1839. John Taylor Judge of Probate State of Louisiana Court of Probate Parish of Union Whereas John Williams has been appointed Under Tutor of Julia T., John W. and Wm. Adison Griffing minor children of Lorenzo A. Griffing, Decd. and having given bond and Security and taken the oath as prescribed by law. Now therefore, he is hereby authorized and fully empowered to discharge and perform all and singular the duties appertaining to the said appointment according to law. In testimony whereof, I have here unto signed by name and affixed my seal of office on the 6th day of Jun AD 1839. John Taylor Judge of Probates State of Louisiana Parish of Union Mariah Griffing as Principal and David Stewart and Robert Van Hook her security acknowledge to owe and be indebted unto John Taylor, Judge of Probate in and for said Parish and his successors in office in the sum of Forty one hundred seventy dollars to the payment whereof will and truly to be made, we bind ourselves, our heirs, Executors, Administrators and [unreadable] firmly by these presents dated this the sixth day of June AD 1839. The conditions of the above obligation is such that whereas the above bounden Mariah Griffing has been appointed Administratrix of the Estate of Lorenzo A. Griffing. Now therefore if the said Mariah Griffing shall well and truly perform and discharge all and singular the duties incumbent on her in this capacity as aforesaid according to law and to the best of her abilities, then and in that case the above obligation to be null and void, [?] to remain in full force and affect. Mariah Griffing David (his X mark) Stewart Robert Van Hook Signed and acknowledged before me the date above. John Taylor Probate Judge State of Louisiana Parish of Union Be it remembered that on 6th day of June AD 1839 That I, John Taylor, Parish Judge and Ex Officio Notary Public in and for said Parish and State having received official information of the death of Lorenzo A. Griffing who departed this life intestate at his residence In the Parish of Union on the 14th day of March 1839 leaving his widow and relict Maria Williams and the following named children minor issue by his marriage with said Maria to wit: Julia Ann Temperance Griffing, aged 4 years, John William Griffing 2 aged, William Lorenzo Addison Griffing aged 26 months (post humous) besides leaving a considerable Estate of property real and personal rights and credits Goods & Chatels Lands and Tenements and for the purpose of making an Inventory and Appraisement of said decedents Estate. I have repaired to the residence of said decedent and for the purpose as aforesaid, I have appointed Robert Van Hook and Wiley Underwood, residents and free holders of said Parish appraisers to appraise all the property composing said decedents Estate and when after being well and duly sworn by me the said Judge well and truly to do an perform all and singular the matters and things herein according to law have proceeded as follows together with me the said Judge and undersigned witnesses and parties to wit: We and each of us do solemnly swear that we will to the best of our understanding appraise all the property comprising the Estate and Succession of Lorenzo A. Griffing, Decd. so far as will be shown or may come to our knowledge. So help us God. W. Underwood Robert Fan Hook Sworn to and subscribed before me this 6th day of June 1839. John Taylor Inventory and Appraisement Tract of land being the NW Qr. Of Sec No. 22 in Tns. 22 of R. No. 2E containing one hundred and fifty eight and 52/100 acres as per receivers duplicate No. 5135 Apprd. @ [blank] The above described quarter Section of Land and Plantation apprd. to 800.00 Negro girl named Eliza aged Twenty years apprd. @ 800.00 Gray mare aged thirteen years apprd. @ 45.00 Bay mare aged five years apprd. @ 100.00 Gray colt aged three years apprd. @ 60.00 21 Head of stock cattle at $8 per head apprd. @ 168.00 1 Yoke of oxen apprd. @ 75.00 35 Head of hogs apprd. @ 150.00 1 bed and furniture apprd. @ 15.00 1 Rifle gun apprd. @ 25.00 1 Cloak apprd. @ 15.00 4 Chairs apprd. @ 1.00 2 Trunks apprd. @ 4.00 1 Steel mill apprd. @ 1.00 1 Lot casting apprd. @ 5.00 2 Buckets, 1 Tub, 1 Churn apprd. @ 3.00 Hand Irons, Shovel & Tongs, Smoothing Irons & Tea Kettle apprd. @ 5.00 1 Spinning Wheel apprd. @ 7.00 Farming Tools apprd. @ 12.00 Spanish Saddle & Bridle apprd. @ 5.00 1 Note on Benjamin Scriber due last Dec. 40.00 Rights & Credits, Notes due the Estate 1000.00 Amounting to the Sum of thirty three hundred thirty six dollars and [blank] cents. In testimony whereof said parties appraisers have signed their names together with the widow who gave in the property in presence of David Steward and John Williams, witnesses hereto, required of lawful age who have also signed with the parties and me Judge the date above in faith whereof have signed my name and affixed my seal of office. John Williams Maria Griffing David (his X mark) Steward W. Underwood John Taylor Robert Van Hook Parish Judge I do solemnly swear that I will to the best of my understanding perform all and singular the duties incumbent on me as Administratrix of the Estate of Lorenzo A. Griffing, Decd. and as Natural Tutrix of my minor children issue by marriage with said decedent. So help me God. Maria Griffing Sworn to and subscribed before me this 6th day of June 1839. John Taylor Parish Judge I do solemnly swear that I will perform all the duties incumbent on me as Under Tutor of the minor children of Lorenzo A. Griffing, Decd. John Williams Sworn to and subscribed before me this 6th day of June 1839. John Taylor Parish Judge ================================================================================= ================================================================================= Union Parish Louisiana Succession Book A, pp. 224 – 229 ================================================================================= ================================================================================= Union Parish Louisiana Succession Book A, pp. 224 – 229 Minor heirs of Lorenzo A. Griffing, Decd. To the Honorable Judge of the Probate Court in and for the Parish of Union, in the State of Louisiana. The petition of John Williams, Under Tutor of Julia Ann, Temperance, John William and Lorenzo Addison Griffing all minor children of Lorenzo A. Griffin, deceased by his marriage with Maria Williams, now wife of Thomas J. Stewart with respect represents unto your Honor that the mother of said minors was appointed their Natural Tutors after the deceased of their Father, but that she has since intermarried with said Thomas J. Stewart her resent husband without complying with the formalities as required by Law in calling a family meeting to have her confirmed and continued as Tutor to said minors and her said husband as Co-Tutor. Wherefore your petitioner prays you honor to cause a family meeting to be convoked of the relations of said minors or in default of relations, near neighbors to advise and recommend who should be appointed Tutor to said minors and for general relief and all such orders and decrees as may be necessary &c. McGuire & Ray, Atty. State of Louisiana Probate Court Parish of Union Let the prayer of the petitioner be granted and it is ordered that a family meeting be convoked by consent composed of John H. Guice and David Stewart relations of the minors mentioned in the above petitioner James Kelliam, Thomas Norsworthy and Benjamin Harrison, near neighbors to said minors to meet in the Town of Farmerville by consent on this 4th day of May 1842. Done and signed in chambers this 4th day of May 1842. John Taylor, Judge State of Louisiana Parish of Union Be it remembered that on this 4th day of May 1842 in pursuance to an order of the Honorable Probate Court in and for said Parish and State to me directed have caused John H. Guice and David Stewart, relations and James Williams, Thomas Norsworthy and Benjamin Harrison near neighbors to the minors Juliann Temperance, John William and Lorenzo Addison Griffing minor children of Lorenzo A. Griffing, deceased by his marriage with Maria Williams now the wife of Thomas J. Stewart meet by consent to advise and recommend who should be appointed Tutor to said minors. Their said mother having intermarried with out being continued as Tutor as required by laws, who after due consideration and mature reflection do advise and recommend who should be appointed Tutor to said minors do advise and recommend that Maria Griffing alias Maria Stewart the mother of said minors be appointed Tutor & that her present husband Thomas J. Stewart be Co-Tutor and who after being duly sworn agree as above. In faith whereof we have hereto signed our names in presence of the undersigned witnesses and me parish Judge this 4th day of May 1842. The under Tutor being present. George W. White James Killiam Josiah Fuller B. Harrison John Taylor, Judge Thomas Norsworthy John H. Guice David (his X mark) Stewart I approve of the foregoing and within deliberations and proceedings of a family meeting this 4th May 1842. State of Louisiana Parish of Union We do solemnly swear that to the best of our knowledge and beliefs, advise and recommend who should be appointed Tutor to the minor children of Lorenzo A. Griffing, Deceased. So help us God. James Killiam B. Harrison Thomas Norsworthy John F. Guice David (his X mark) Stewart Sworn to and subscribed before me this 4th day of May 1842. John Taylor, Judge State of Louisiana Parish of Union You and each of you do solemnly swear that you will discharge and perform all and singular the duties incumbent on you as Tutor and Co-Tutor to the minor heirs of Lorenzo A. Griffing, Deceased to the best of your abilities. So help you God. Maria Stewart Thomas Stewart Sworn to and subscribed before me this 4th day of may 1842. John Taylor, Judge State of Louisiana Parish of Union I do solemnly swear that I will discharge and perform all and singular the duties incumbent on me as under Tutor to the minor heirs of Lorenzo A. Griffing, Deceased to the best of my abilities. So help me God. John F. Guice Sworn to and subscribed before me this 4th day of May 1842. John Taylor, Judge To the Honorable Judge of the Probate Court in and for the Parish of Union in the State of Louisiana. Please take notice that I hereby require my office of Under Tutor to the minor children of Lorenzo A. Griffing, Decd. and desire you to approve another in my place according to law. May 4th 1842 John Williams State of Louisiana Parish of Union Maria Stewart and husband Thomas J. Stewart as principal and David Stewart and Bridges Howard their securities acknowledge to owe and be indebted unto John Taylor, Judge of Probates in and for said parish and his successors in office for the time being in the sum of Forty one hundred and seventy dollars to the payment whereof well and truly to be made, we bind ourselves, our heirs, Executors, administrators and assigns firmly by these present date this 4th day of May AD 1842. The conditions of the above obligation as such that whereas the above bounden Maria Stewart has been confirmed as Natural Tutor and her husband Thomas J. Stewart Co-Tutor to the minor heirs of Lorenzo A. Griffing, Deceased. Now therefore if they the said Maria and Thomas J. Stewart shall well and truly perform and discharge all and singular the duties incumbent on them in their capacity as aforesaid agreeably to law, then and in that case the above obligations to be null and void, else to remain in full force and virtue. Maria Stewart Tho. J. Stewart David (his X mark) Stewart B. Howard Signed and acknowledged before me this 4th day of May AD 1842. John Taylor, Judge State of Louisiana Court of Probates Parish of Union Whereas Mariah Griffing alias Stewart has been recommended by a family meeting duly convoked, she is hereby confirmed as Natural Tutor of her minor children, issue by her former marriage with Lorenzo A. Griffing, Decd. to wit: Juliann T., John W. and Lorenzo Addison Griffing and that her present husband Thomas J. Stewart, her Co-Tutor and they having given bond and security. Now therefore, they are hereby authorized and fully empowered to perform and discharge all and singular the duties appertaining to the said appointment according to law. In testimony whereof, I have here unto signed my name and affixed my seal of office, on this 4th day of May AD 1842. John Taylor Judge of Probates State of Louisiana Court of Probates Parish of Union Whereas John H. Guice has been appointed under Tutor of Julian T., John W. and Lorenzo A. Griffing, minor children of Lorenzo A. Griffing, Deceased and having given bond and security and taken the oath as prescribed by law. Now therefore he is hereby authorized and fully empowered to discharge and perform all and singular the duties appertaining to the said appointment according to law. In testimony whereof I have herein to signed my name and affixed my seal of office this 4th day of May AD 1842. John Taylor, Judge of Probate #################################################################### File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/la/union/court/griffin-la.txt