1867 Succession of Reuben James Ham, Dec'd., Union Parish Louisiana Submitted for the Union Parish Louisiana USGenWeb Archives by Shawn Martin, 10/2006 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ************************************************ ================================================================================= 1867 Succession of Reuben James Ham, Dec'd., Union Parish Louisiana Union Parish Louisiana Succession Book F, pp. 580 - 587 ================================================================================== ================================================================================== NOTE: Reuben James Ham (c1832 - early 1867) was the son of William Ham (1801-1867) and Clarinda Seale (1811-1897), who moved to north Louisiana in February 1837 from Lowndes County Alabama. Reuben had originally joined the "Stars of Equality", a unit of men from eastern Union Parish that later became Company E, 19th Regiment Louisiana Infantry. However, Reuben was discharged "for want of physical ability" from the unit before it officially entered the Confederate service in December 1861. We do not know anything about the circumstances of Reuben's death, which his widow describes as occurring while he was "absent from home" in the early part of 1867. ================================================================================== ================================================================================== To the Honorable the Judge of the Eleventh Judicial District in and for the Parish of Union, Louisiana. The petition of Narcissa D. Pace, a resident of said Parish respectfully represents that her husband Reuben J. Ham late of said Parish departed this life absent from home on or about the [blank] AD 1867 leaving her a widow and two minor children the issue of a legal marriage between the deceased and petitioner to wit: Clarissa E. Ham and Martha Ham, also leaving an Estate consisting of personal property, rights, credits and debts. Petitioner represents that she as the widow and Natural Tutrix of her minor heirs, being in necessities circumstances is a privileged debtor by law to the account of one thousand dollars and entitled to administer the said Estate. She therefore prays that an Inventory and Appraisement may be had and that after due proceedings, she may be appointed Administratrix of the same and Natural Tutrix of her said minor children and for such other orders as the case require. H. Regenburg, Atty. State of Louisiana 11th Judicial District Court Parish of Union The premises considered, it is hereby ordered that the prayer of petitioner be granted and that the within application of Narcissa D. Pace to be appointed Administratrix of the Estate of R. J. Ham, Decd. be advertised according to law, and it is further ordered that W. C. Smith, Recorder &c proceed to make an Inventory and Appraisement of all the property belonging to the said Estate. Due return thereof make to this office according to law. Done and signed in office this 4th day of June 1867. J. W. Reid Clerk, District Court State of Louisiana Parish of Union I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully and impartially appraise the property that may be presented to me belonging to the Estate of Reuben J. Ham, Decd. at its cash value to the best of my judgment. So help me God. H. H. Ham J. R. Meeks Sworn to and subscribed before me this 12th day of June AD 1867. W. C. Smith, Recorder State of Louisiana Parish of Union Be it remembered that on this the 12th day of June AD one thousand eight hundred and sixty seven pursuant to an order issued from the honorable 11th Judicial District Court in and for the Parish of Union, State of Louisiana bearing date June 4, 1867 and to me William C. Smith, Recorder and Ex Officio Notary Public in and for said Parish directed authorizing me to make an inventory and appraisement belonging to the Estate of Reuben J. Ham, Deceased, late a resident of the Parish of Union and being assisted by Hillry H. Ham and Joseph Meeks who being duly appointed and sworn by me as appraisers, we repaired to the late residence of said deceased and then and there proceeded to make said inventory and appraisement as herein after set forth. One sorrel horse, Bob apprd. @ $30.00 1 black horse, Frank apprd. @ 20.00 1 yoke oxen @ $40, 1 yoke oxen @ $25 65.00 14 head stock cattle more or less apprd. @ 56.00 1 [unreadable] & 1 body apprd. @ 65.00 350 lbs. fodder more or less apprd. @ ___5.25 241.25 3 ox yokes apprd. @ 3.00 2 log chains apprd. @ 5.00 1 set of blacksmith tools apprd. @ 35.00 1 set gunsmith tools apprd. @ 20.00 1 lot carpenter’s tools, 2 planes, 1 saw 1 iron square 2.50 1 [unreadable] 1.00 1 lot farming utensils consisting of plow, stocks, hoes, axes &c apprd. @ 11.00 1 sythe & cradle @ $2.50, 1 grindstone & fixtures apprd. @ 7.50 1 broad axe, 1 foot edge 5.00 1 cross cut saw 2.50 1 Enfield rifle, without lock apprd. @ 1.00 1 fine rifle and case and shot pouch apprd. @ 30.00 1 loom, 2 spinning wheels apprd. @ 9.50 1 tin bathing tubb apprd. @ 2.50 1 sewing machine (Grands and Bakers) apprd. @ 25.00 1 volume Webster’s pictorial Unabridged Dictionary apprd. @ 5.00 3 medial books, Gunn’s, Bright’s & Beach’s apprd. @ 5.00 1 book Life of Christ apprd. @ 1.00 1 folding table (small size) apprd. @ 2.00 1 folding table (large size) apprd. @ 3.00 1 small pine table and 1 large pine table 2.00 12 common chairs apprd. @ 6.00 1 sewing table, 1 clock (red) apprd. @ 4.00 1 lot of cooking utensils apprd. @ 3.50 2 large wash pots apprd. @ 6.00 1000 lbs. bacon more or less apprd. @ 100.00 50 lbs. lard more or less apprd. @ 16.25 1 Bureau apprd. @ 15.00 3 instruments for extracting teeth apprd. @ 1.00 2 safes apprd. @ 5.00 2 sets plates apprd. @ 1.00 1 set cups and saucers apprd. @ ____.38 566.88 1 set of knives and forks apprd. @ .50 1 set of spoons apprd. @ .25 3 large dishes, 3 small size dishes apprd. @ 2.25 1 eight day clock apprd. @ 5.00 1 armoire @ $5, 2 trunks @ $3 8.00 3 bedstead with bed and bedding apprd. @ 40.00 Iron bedstead, bed and bedding apprd. @ 10.00 1 common bedstead, 1 trundle bedstead apprd. @ 3.00 1 coal oil lamp apprd. @ 1.00 1 looking glass apprd. @ 1.00 1 brass fire defender apprd. @ 2.50 8 head stock hogs more or less apprd. @ 4.00 7 head of sheep more or less apprd. @ 3.50 4 smoothing irons apprd. @ 2.00 1 small trunk apprd. @ 1.00 1 promissory note on A. Slawson for one hundred dollars due January 1st 1868 valued @ __75.00 Amounting to seven hundred and eighty and 88/100 dollars $730.88 Thus done and signed in the Parish of Union at the late residence of Reuben J. Ham, Decd. in the presence of H. Regenburg and William Ham witnesses of lawful age and domicile who signs with said appraisers and me, Recorder this 12th day of June AD 1867. ATTEST: H. Regenburg H. H. Ham Wm. (his X mark) Ham J. A. Meeks W. C. Smith, Recorder State of Louisiana 11th Judicial District Court Parish of Union The premises considered and by reason of the proper and legal advertisements having been made and no opposition having been filed thereto, it is therefore ordered that Narcissa D. Pace be and she is hereby appointed Administratrix of the Estate of Reuben J. Ham, Decd. and upon her giving bond with good sufficient security that letters of Administration do issue to her and it is further ordered that Narcissa D. Pace be and she is hereby appointed Natural Tutrix to her minor children as the Estate of R. J. Ham, Decd. and that [blank] be and he is appointed Under Tutor to said minors. Done and signed in office this 14th day of June AD 1867. J. W. Reid Clerk, District Court State of Louisiana 11th Judicial District Court Parish of Union $1000 Know all men by these presents that we Narcissa D. Pace as principal and Henry Regenburg as security are held and firmly bound unto the Honorable J. D. Watkins, Judge of the Eleventh Judicial District court in and for Union Parish, Louisiana for the time being or to his successors in office in the just and full sum of one thousand dollars to the true and full payment thereof we bind ourselves, our heirs, executors, administrators and legal representatives firmly and in solido of these presents. Dated at Farmerville, La. this 26th day of June AD 1867. The condition of this obligation is such that whereas the said Narcissa D. Pace has been duly and legally appointed and confirmed as Administratrix of the Estate of Reuben J. Ham, Decd. and she has taken the oath required by law. Now therefore if the said Narcissa D. Pace shall faithfully and impartially discharge all the duties incumbent on her as Administratrix of the said Estate and shall render to the Judge of said court a true and correct account of all her ads and doings in and about said Estate and shall when legally required so to do pay over all sums of money and deliver all the property belonging to said Estate to the proper person or persons to receive the same, then this obligation to be null and void. Otherwise, to be and remain in full force according to law. Narcissa D. Ham H. Regenburg Done, signed and acknowledged before me this the day and date above written. J. W. Reid, Clerk Succession of R. J. Ham, Decd. State of Louisiana 11th Judicial District Court Parish of Union I, Narcissa D. Ham, do solemnly swear that I will faithfully and impartially discharge all and singular the duties incumbent upon me as Administratrix of the Estate of R. J. Ham, Decd. according to the best of my ability and understanding. So help me God. Narcissa D. Ham Sworn to and subscribed before me this 26th day of June AD 1867. J. W. Reid, Clerk State of Louisiana 11th Judicial District Court Parish of Union Whereas Narcissa D. Ham has been duly and legally appointed Administratrix of the Estate of R. J. Ham, Deceased and she has given bond with good security and has taken the oath prescribed by law. Now therefore the said Narcissa D. Ham is hereby duly and legally authorized and empowered to do and perform all the acts appertaining to the said appointment according to law. Given under my hand and seal of office this 26th day of June AD 1867. J. W. Reid Clerk, District Court State of Louisiana 11th Judicial District Court Parish of Union I, Narcissa D. Ham do solemnly swear that I will faithfully and impartially discharge all the duties incumbent upon me as natural Tutrix of my following named minor children to wit: Clarissa E. and Martha Ham, heirs of the Estate of R. J. Ham, Deceased according to the best of my ability and understanding. So help me God. Narcissa D. Ham Sworn to and subscribed before me this the 26th day of June AD 1867. J. W. Reid, Clerk Tutorship of the minor heirs of R. J. Ham, Decd. State of Louisiana 11th Judicial District Court Parish of Union Whereas Narcissa D. Ham has been duly and legally appointed Natural Tutrix of her following minor children to wit: Clarissa E. & Martha Ham, hairs of the Estate of R. J. Ham, Deceased and she has taken the oath prescribed by law. Now therefore the said Narcissa D. Ham is duly and legally authorized and empowered to do and perform all the acts appertaining to the said appointment according to law. Given under my hand and seal of office this 26th day of June AD 1867. J. W. Reid Clerk, District Court To the Honorable the Judge of the Eleventh Judicial District Court and for the Parish of Union, La. The petition of Narcissa D. Ham, Admx. Of the Estate of Reuben J. Ham, Decd. a resident of said Parish respectfully represents that the whole Estate consists of personal property subject to waste and expensive to keep and not productive to the estate. Wherefore she prays for an order of sale, directing the whole of the property of the said Estate to be sold according to law and that she be authorized to make said sell and for such other orders as may be necessary in the premises. H. Regenburg, Atty. State of Louisiana 11th Judicial District Court Parish of Union Let the prayer of Petitioner be granted and it is therefore ordered that all the property belonging to the Estate of R. J. Ham, Deceased be sold in accordance with Articles 990 & 991 Code of Practice and further that the Administratrix make the said sale and due return make to this office. Done and signed in office this 8th day of July AD 1867. J. W. Reid Clerk, District Court Be it remembered that on the twenty second day of July AD 1867 Narcissa D. Ham, Admx. Of the Estate of R. J. Ham, Decd. after first having made advertisement according to law and publication in a weekly newspaper presented in Farmerville in said Parish called the Union Record proceeded to sell the property of said Estate as follows: The horse Bob $30, horse Frank $20 $50.00 1 old yoke oxen $40, ox yoke $25 65.00 14 head cattle $56, 1 ox wagon $65 121.00 350 lbs. fodder $5.25, 3 ox yokes $3 8.25 2 log chains $5, 1 set smith tools $35 40.00 1 lot carpenters tools $2.50, 1 fro [?] $1 3.50 Farming tools $10, Scythe & cradle $2.50 12.50 1 grindstone $5, 1 axe & [?] $5 10.00 1 cross cut saw $2, 1 gun $1 3.00 1 Rifle $30, 1 loom & spinning wheel $9.50 39.50 1 sewing machine $25, Webster dictionary 30.00 3 medical books $5, Life of Christ $1 6.00 1 small folding table $2, 1 dining table $3 5.00 2 pine tables $2, 12 common chairs $4 6.00 1 sewing table & clock 4.00 1 lot cooking utensils, 2 wash pots 7.00 1000 lbs bacon $100, 50 lbs lard $6.50 106.50 1 Bureau $15, 3 pillows $1 __16.00 $537.75 2 safes $5, 2 sets of plates $1 6.00 1 set cups and saucers, 1 set knives & forks .80 2 sets spoons, 3 large spoons 2.50 1 8 day clock, 1 armoire & 2 trunks 13.00 3 bedsteads & bedding $45, 1 iron bedstead & bedding $10 55.00 1 common bed $2, 1 trundle bed $3 5.00 1 coal oil lamp $1, 1 looking glass $1 2.00 1 brass fire fender $2.50, 8 head hogs $4 6.50 7 head sheep $3.50, 8 smoothing irons $2 5.50 1 small trunk $1, carving knife $4 5.00 1 lot gunsmith tools __37.00 $676.13 Said sale amounting to six hundred and seventy six dollars and thirteen cents, whereupon said sale was closed, all the property of the Estate being sold. Narcissa D. Ham, Admx. To the Honorable the Judge of the Eleventh Judicial District Court in and for the Parish of Union, Louisiana. The petition of Narcissa D. Ham, Admx. Of the Estate of Reuben J. Ham, Decd. herewith respectfully presents her final account as such. She charges herself with the amount of the Inventory $730.88 Excess of all over Inventory ____21.00 $751.88 She prays to be credited by amounts as follows: Debts Voucher #1 W. C. Smith, Recorder’s fees 6.00 Voucher #2 J. W. Reid, Clerk’s fees 21.30 Voucher #3 Tompkins & Lewis for Advertising 21.90 Voucher #4 Bal [?] & dollars by law for Petitioner & her minor children _1000.00 Amounting to one thousand forty nine & 20/100 $1049.20 The amount of privilege debts exceeding the amount of the Estate, there is no part to be paid in any ordinary debts. Petitioner prays that this account may be duly advertised and after due proceedings homologated and allowed in all its parts. She further prays that her bond as Admx. Be canceled and she be discharged and for such other orders in the premises as may be necessary. H. Regenburg State of Louisiana 11th District Court Parish of union Let the prayer of the within Petitioner be granted and it is hereby ordered that the within final account filed by Mrs. Narcissa D. Ham as Admx. Of the Estate of R. J. Ham, Decd. be advertised according to law. Done and signed in office this 2nd day of August AD 1867. J. W. Reid Clerk, District Court State of Louisiana 11th Judicial District Court Parish of Union In the matter of the homologation of the final account belonging to Narcissa D. Ham as Admx. Of the Estate of R. J. Ham, Decd. 1st Vouchers filed with said account. 2nd Jas. W. Reid, Clerk of the District Court sworn states that he was the acting clerk of said court on August last and that said account was filed on the 2nd day of August AD 1867 and has been advertised for more than thirty days from this date by publication in a weekly newspaper published in said Parish called the Union Record and by posting at the door of the courthouse in the town of Farmerville and that no opposition has been filed to the same. J. W. Reid, Clerk Sworn to and subscribed before me this 7th day of September AD 1867. W. A. Darby, J. P. State of Louisiana Parish of Union I hereby certify that the above is all the evidence adduced on the trial of the Homologation of the final account filed by N. D. Ham as Admx. Of the Estate of R. J. Ham, Decd. Given under my hand and seal of said court this 7th day of September AD 1867. J. W. Reid, Clerk State of Louisiana 11th District Court Parish of Union By reason of the law and the evidence in this case and by further reason of the proper and legal advertisement having been made, no opposition having been filed thereto, it is adjudged and decreed that the within final account filed by Narcissa D. Ham Admx. of the Estate of R. J. Ham, Decd. be and the same is hereby allowed, approved and Homologated in all its parts according to law. Done and signed in office this 7th day of September AD 1867 starting the firs day of said month. J. W. Reid Clerk, District Court A true record, September 17th AD 1867. J. T. Stokes Deputy Clerk ########################################################