1860 - 1868 Succession of James A. Martin, Union Parish Louisiana Submitted for the Union Parish Louisiana USGenWeb Archives by Shawn Martin, 7/2005 updated 4/2007 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ************************************************ ================================================================================== ================================================================================== 1860 - 1868 Succession of James A. Martin, Union Parish Louisiana Union Parish Louisiana Succession Book E, pp. 742 - 749 Union Parish Louisiana Succession Book G, pp. 75 - 80 ================================================================================== ================================================================================== NOTE: The 1860 Union Parish Mortality Schedule shows that "Jno A. Martin" died in March 1860 from "inflammation" after an illness of four days. He was a farmer born in Mississippi in about 1826. Listed next to him on the Mortality Schedule was Sarah Martin, who died in June 1859 from "Billious Cholic" after an illness of only one day. She was born in Mississippi about 1830. The young children listed below for James A. Martin lived together in 1860, but not with a parents. Thus, given the circumstances and similarities in the dates of death for James A. Martin below (25 May 1860) and John A. Martin on the Mortality Schedule (March 1860), it seems that these were the same man. ================================================================================== ================================================================================== Union Parish Louisiana Succession Book E, pp. 742 - 749 ================================================================================== ================================================================================== To the Honorable Judge of the 12th District Court in and for the Parish of Union, Louisiana. The petition of Mitchell T. Simmons, a resident of said Parish and State respectfully represents unto you Honor That James A. Martin, late a resident of said Parish, departed this life on or about the 25th day of May last at his residence in said Parish, having an estate consisting of real and personal property, rights and credits and also debts due and unsettled, also leaving a family of minor children to wit: James Martin, Netty Martin, Percy Martin, Charles H. Martin, Wiley Martin, Martha Martin, Michel S. Martin who are without any person legally having charge of them in this state. Petitioner represents that at the request of the deceased, he is willing to take charge of an settle up the affairs of said estate. He therefore prays that an Inventory and appraisement may be had according to law and that after due proceedings had, he may be appointed Administrator of said estate and for such other orders and decrees as shall be necessary and proper. H. Regenburg, Atty. State of Louisiana 12th Judicial District Court Parish of Union The premises considered, it is ordered and decreed that the within application of M. T. Simmons to be appointed Admr. of the Estate of James A. Martin, Decd. be advertised according to law. It is further ordered that W. C. Smith, Parish Recorder &c 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 Jas. A. Martin, Decd. and due return thereof make to this office without delay. Done and signed in office this the 5th day of June AD 1860. Thos. C. Lewis, Clerk State of Louisiana Parish of Union The premises being duly considered and by further reasons that proper advertisement having been made and no opposition being filed in my office. It is therefore ordered and decreed that Mitchell T. Simmons be and he is appointed Admr. of the Estate of James A. Martin, 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 on this the 19th day of June AD 1860. Thos. C. Lewis, Clerk State of Louisiana Parish of Union Do you and each of you solemnly swear that you will faithfully and impartially appraise all the property that may be presented to you belonging to the Estate of James A. Martin, Decd. at its cash value to the best of your Judgement and understanding. So help you God. W. W. Worssen Jasper Calloway Sworn to and subscribed before me on this the 14th day of June AD 1860. W. C. Smith Parish Recorder State of Louisiana Parish of Union Be it remembered that on this the 14th day of June AD one thousand eight hundred and sixty, in pursuance of an order of the Honorable 12th Judicial District Court within and for the Parish and State aforesaid and to me William C. Smith, Parish Recorder and Ex Officio Notary Public directed, I repaired to the late residence of James A. Martin, Decd. late of this Parish for the purpose of making an Inventory of the property belonging to the Estate of the said James A. Martin, Decd. Whereas William W. Worssen and Jasper Calloway, citizens of the Parish and State aforesaid, was duly appointed and sworn by me the said Recorder as appraisers and in the presence of lawful and competent witnesses, we proceeded to make the following Inventory and appraisement to wit: 160 acres of land, the late residence of the Decd. with the improvements thereon apprd. @ $4 per acre $640.00 80 acres of land situated in the Bayou Deluter Swamp apprd. @ $2.50 per acre 200.00 12 Head stock cattle more or less apprd. @ $5 per head 60.00 1 Work ox apprd. @ 25.00 2 Four year old steers apprd. @ $12.00 each 24.00 25 Head hogs more or less @ $1.50 per head 37.50 1 ¾ wagon and harness apprd. @ 75.00 1 Lot sundry tools &c apprd. @ 6.00 1 Morter and spindle apprd. @ 1.00 1 Lot farming tools, pulley &c apprd. @ 10.00 1 Grind stone apprd. @ 1.50 3 Bee hives apprd. @ $1.50 each 4.50 1 Cross cut saw apprd. @ 1.00 1 Spinning wheel and 2 pair cards apprd. @ 1.00 1 Double barrel shot gun and shot bag apprd. @ 15.00 1 Rifle gun and shot bag apprd. @ 9.00 1 Hunting knife apprd. @ 1.00 Household furniture apprd. @ 95.75 1 Lot of Books apprd. @ 19.00 29 lbs. Tobacco apprd. @ 7.25 One horse and one mule apprd. @ 100.00 One note on Ruben Wall for $15 due first Jany. 1856 15.00 Balance due on J. T. White's note 3.30 One account on R. R. Towns 1859 25.00 Kitchen furniture apprd. @ 28.25 Daniel, Negro man age about 30 years of dark complexion, deformed apprd. @ 100.00 rob, Negro boy aged about 20 years of copper color apprd. @ 1400.00 25 Head sheep more or less apprd. @ $1.50 per head 37.50 Cash in hand ___10.00 $2950.55 Having closed the foregoing Inventory, I have on this the 14th day of June AD 1860 closed the same, in testimony whereof, I have caused said appraisers to sign their names hereto in the presence of John Watkins and Benjamin P. Cook, witnesses of lawful age and domiciled in said Parish who have hereto signed their names with said appraisers and me the said Recorder on this the date above written. ATTEST: W. W. Worssen John Watkins Jasper Calloway W. C. Smith, Recorder State of Louisiana Parish of Union Know all men by these presents that we Michel T. Simmons as principal and William W. Worssen as his security are held and firmly bound unto Robert W. Richardson, Judge of the 12th Judicial District Court in and for Union Parish, State of Louisiana or to his successors in office in the sum of Three Thousand Six Hundred and ninety Dollars to the true and faithful payment thereof, we bind ourselves, our heirs and assigns in solido on this the 19th day of June AD 1860. The conditions of the above obligation is such that whereas the said Mitchell T. Simmons has been duly and legally appointed Administrator of the Estate of Jas. A. Martin, Decd. and he has taken the oath prescribed by law. Now therefore, if the said M. T. Simmons shall faithfully administer said Estate and shall render a true and correct account to the Judge of said court or to his successors in office or to the legal heirs of said Estate when legally required so to do, then this obligation 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 this the day and date above written. Attest M. T. Simmons Thos. C. Lewis, Clerk W. W. Worssen State of Louisiana 12th Judicial District Court Parish of Union I, Mitchell T. Simmons do solemnly swear that I will faithfully and impartially discharge all and singular the duties incumbent on me as Admr. of the Estate of James A. Martin, 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 19th day of June AD 1860 Thos. C. Lewis, Clerk Succession of Jas. A. Martin, Decd. State of Louisiana 12th Judicial District Court Parish of Union Whereas, Mitchell T. Simmons has been duly and legally approved Administrator of the Estate of Jas. A. Martin, Decd. and has taken the oath prescribed by law. Now therefore the said Mitchell T. Simmons is hereby duly and legally authorized and empowered to do and perform all acts appertaining to said appointment according to law. Given under my hand and seal of said Court on this the 19th day of June Ad 1860. Thos. C. Lewis, Clerk To the Honorable the Judge of the 12th Judicial District Court in and for the Parish of Union, La. The petition of Mitchell T. Simmons, a resident of said parish and Administrator of the Estate of James A. Martin, Decd., respectfully represents unto your honor that there is belonging to the Estate a lot of stock and other personal property belonging to the said Estate subject to waste and destruction, and in part expensive to keep which he believes that it would be to the interest of the Estate would be subserved by a sale on a credit until the 1st day of January Ad 1862. He therefore prays that an order of Sale may issue directing the sale of the personal property of said Estate that petitioner be authorized to make the sale, that the property be sold on a credit until January 1st 1862. Purchasers giving their notes with good and approved security bearing interest at 8% from due, and for such other orders as may be necessary. H. Regenburg, Atty. State of Louisiana 12th District Court Parish of Union The petition within having been duly considered, it is ordered and decreed that the personal property belonging to the Estate of James A. Martin, Decd. be sold according to law on a credit until the 1st January 1862, purchasers giving their notes with good and approved security bearing Eight per cent interest from due and with Administrator of said Estate is hereby authorized to make the said sale. Done and signed in office this the 22nd day of June AD 1862. Thos. C. Lewis, Clerk To the Honorable the Judge of the 11th Judicial District Court in and for the parish of Union, Louisiana. The petition of William W. Worssen, W. C. Hodge and R. P. Cook all of said Parish, respectfully represents unto your Honor that the following minor heirs of James A. Martin, Decd. are residing in said Parish. One of them with each of petitioners to wit: Wiley Martin about 6 years at W. W. Worssen, Bennette Martin 13 years at B. P. Cook's and Charles martin 3 years at W. C. Hodges. They represent that they each wish and desire to be appointed tutors respectively to said minors to wit: W. W. Worssen Tutor to Wiley Martin, B. P. Cook Tutor to Bennette Martin and W. C. Hodge tutor to Charles martin and pray that such legal proceedings may be had as the case that they may be appointed accordingly and that M. T. Simmons be appointed Under Tutor to all 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 William W. Worssen be and he is hereby appointed Tutor to the minor Wiley Martin. It is further ordered and decreed that B. P. Cook be and he is hereby appointed Tutor to the minor Bennette Martin. It is further ordered that Charles W. Hodge be and he is hereby appointed Tutor to the minor Charles Martin and that Mitchell T. Simmons be and he is hereby appointed Under Tutor to said minors and that upon their taking the oath prescribed by law that letters do issue to them. Done and signed in office on this the 13th day of June AD 1861. Thos. C. Lewis, Clerk State of Louisiana 11th Judicial District Court Parish of Union I, William Worssen do solemnly swear that I will faithfully and impartially discharge all the duties incumbent on me as Tutor to the following minor heir of the Estate of James A. Martin, Decd. to wit: Wiley Martin according to the best of my ability and understanding. So help me God. W. W. Worssen Sworn to and subscribed before me on this 13th day of June AD 1861. Thos. C. Lewis, Clerk State of Louisiana 11th Judicial District Court Parish of Union I, William Worssen, so solemnly swear that I will faithfully and impartially discharge all the duties incumbent on me as Tutor to the following minor heir of the Estate of James A. Martin, Decd. to wit: Wiley Martin according to the best of my ability and understanding. So help me God. W. W. Worssen Sworn to and subscribed before me on this 13th day of June AD 1861. Thos. C. Lewis, Clerk Tutorship of the Minor Wiley Martin State of Louisiana 11th Judicial District Court Parish of Union Whereas, William W. Worssen has been duly appointed tutor to the following minor heir of the Estate of James A. Martin, Decd to wit: Wiley Martin and he has taken the oath prescribed by law. Now therefore the said William W. Worssen is hereby duly and legally authorized and empowered to do and perform all and singular the duties appertaining to said appointment according to law. Given under my hand and the seal of office on this the 13th day of June Ad 1861. Thos. C. Lewis, Clerk State of Louisiana 11th Judicial District Court Parish of Union I, B. P. Cook do solemnly swear that I will faithfully and impartially perform all the duties incumbent on me as Tutor to the following minor heir of the Estate of James A. Martin, Decd. to wit: Bennett Martin according to the best of my ability and understanding. So help me God. B. P. Cook Sworn to and subscribed before me this the 13th day of June 1861. Thos. C. Lewis, Clerk Tutorship of the Minor Bennette Martin State of Louisiana 11th Judicial District Court Parish of Union Whereas, Benjamin P. Cook has been duly and legally appointed Tutor to the following minor heir of the Estate of James A. Martin, Decd. to wit: Bennette Martin and he has taken the oath prescribed by law. Now therefore the said Benjamin P. Cook is hereby duly and legally authorized and empowered to discharge all and singular the acts appertaining to said appointment according to law. Given under my official signature and seal of said Court this 13th day of June Ad 1861. Thos. C. Lewis, Clerk A true record, March 29th 1866. W. D. Slayton Deputy Clerk ================================================================================== ================================================================================== Union Parish Louisiana Succession Book G, pp. 75 - 80 ================================================================================== ================================================================================== Estate of James A. Martin, Decd. M. T. Simmons, Administrator of the Estate of James A. Martin, Decd. In account with said Estate Dr. The Administrator charges himself with the amount of the Inventory of said Estate made by order of Court and dated [blank] Amounting to Two Thousand nine hundred and fifty and 55/100 dollars 2950.55 Also with amount for which Property sold in excess of Inventory 417.18 One month and eleven days in year 1860 17.71 Hire of Negro Bob for year 1861 185.00 Hire of Negro Bob for year 1862 185.00 Hire of Negro Bob for year 1863 120.00 Hire of Negro Bob for year 1864 180.00 Hire of Negro Bob for year 1865 115.00 Hire of Negro Dave for year 1861 20.00 Hire of Negro Dave for year 1864 20.00 He also charges himself with the rent of land during the year 1861 113.50 Also rent of land for year 1862 42.00 Also rent of land for year 1867 120.00 Also rent of land for year 1868 ___85.00 $4731.59 Process of 10 bales cotton sold in New Orleans __423.61 Whole amount of debts $5155.20 The Administrator asks to be credited with the appraised value of the Negro Daniel, emancipated by the action of Government $100.00 Also the Negro Bob likely emancipated apprd. __1400.00 Appraised value of Negro property $1500.00 Amount of credit brot. Forward $1500.00 The administrator herewith returns the land as it appears on the Inventory apprd. for which he claims a credit @ 840.00 He returns the following notes and acct. which were uncollectible and for which he claims a credit Note on Ruben Wall apprd. @ 15.00 Acct. on R. R. Towns apprd. @ 25.00 Two notes on Elizabeth Wasson amtg. To 200.00 Note on Elisha Wasson due Jan. 1st 1862 130.00 Note on Elisha & R. W. Wasson due Jan. 1st 1862 21.76 Note on Allen Martin & Elisha Wasson due Dec. 31st 1861 185.00 Note on Elisha Wasson & Allen Martin due Dec. 31st 1861 20.00 Note on Elisha Wasson due Jan. 1st 1866 275.00 Note on Allen Martin & Elisha Wasson due Jan. 1st 1862 213.55 Note on B. B. Henderson & E. Wasson due Jan. 1st 1862 30.30 Note on W. W. Wasson due Jan. 1st 1864 99.12 Note on D. M. [unreadable] and B. P. Cook due Jan. 1st 1862 2.48 Note on G. C. Camp & John [unreadable] due Jan. 1st 1862 13.83 Note on G. C. Camp (amtg to) due Jan. 1st 1862 24.75 Note on W. E. Cook and D. M. Goodger due Jan. 1st 1862 25.88 Note on Normond Martin & E. Wasson due Jan. 1st 1862 14.95 Judgment on J. E. Hamm due Jan. 1st 1862 54.22 Judgment on John W. Curb due Jan. 1st 1862 11.25 The Admr. has paid the following debts against said Estate for which he claims credits Note on Martha F. Dixon, See voucher No. 1 246.02 Two accts. on favor M. T. Simmons, See voucher No. 2 97.79 Accts. for M. T. Simmons, Admr., See voucher No. 3 83.33 Acct. for Isaac Gurgammie[?], See voucher No. 4 25.96 Acct. for William Boyett, See voucher No. 5 ___17.78 Amount carried forward $4203.49 Amount of credit brot. Forward $4203.49 Acct. for Jas. J. Roberson, See voucher No. 6 40.06 Note for Jane Farrar, Admx., See voucher No. 7 76.00 Two acct. for G. C. Camp, amtg. To, See voucher No. 8 17.21 Acct. for Allen Martin, See voucher No. 9 16.96 Acct. for Taxes for 1860, See voucher No. 10 13.60 Acct. for W. T. Marey, See voucher No. 11 10.00 Acct. for Carr, Lee & Pearson, See voucher No. 12 20.65 Acct. for Carr, Lee & Pearson, See voucher No. 13 55.60 Acct. for W. H. & M. S. Carson, See voucher No. 14 102.04 Acct. for W. C. Smith, Recorder, See voucher No. 15 9.50 Acct. for Thos. C. Lewis, Clerk, See voucher No. 16 9.20 Acct. of Wm. C. Carr, See voucher No. 17 22.50 Acct. of Dr. W. D. M. Bruton, See voucher No. 18 33.50 Acct. of W. W. Wasson, See voucher No. 19 9.20 Note for Wm. C. Tompkins & Co, See voucher No. 20 114.11 Acct. for Taxes in 1863, See voucher No. 21 8.91 Acct. for W. W. Knox (Taxes), See voucher No. 22 8.48 Acct. for John Herrin, See voucher No. 23 64.34 Acct. for Taxes for 1861, 1862 and 1864, See voucher No. 24 33.91 Acct. for W. W. Knox (for taxes), See voucher No. 25 [unreadable] Acct. for T. R. Audrie for taxes, See voucher No. 26 1.50 Acct. for Martha Goodger, See voucher No. 27 5.00 Acct. favor Meyer & Arent, See voucher No. 28 20.56 Acct. for D. McBride, See voucher No. 29 13.20 Acct. favor S. Meyer, See voucher No. 30 2.13 Acct. favor B. Honeycutt, See voucher No. 31 8.00 Acct. for Norman Martin, See voucher No. 32 7.25 Acct. for Taxes for 1865 & 1866, See voucher No. 33 6.48 Acct. for Thos. C. Lewis, Clerk, See voucher No. 34 5.25 Acct. James W. Reid, Clerk, See voucher No. 35 6.15 Acct. Mrs. Jones for sewing & basket, See voucher No. 36 1.75 Acct. H. Regenburg, Atty, See voucher No. 37 30.00 Acct. Thos. C. Lewis, Atty. For his acct., See voucher No 38 ___15.00 Amount carried forward $5099.50 Amount credits brot. Forward $5099.50 Acct. for advertising, See voucher No. 39 7.50 Acct. for Tompson & Clark in New Orleans See voucher No. 40 423.61 Admrs’s Commission 2 ½% on Inventory __128.88 Total amount of credits $5659.54 Recapitulation Sum Total of Debts $5155.20 Sum Total of Credits __5659.54 Amount due Administrator $ 504.34 To the Honorable the Judge of the 11th Judicial District Court in and for the Parish of Union, State of Louisiana. The petition of Mitchell T. Simmons, a resident of your said Parish and State with respect represents that he was appointed Administrator of the Estate of James A. Martin, Decd. by your Honorable Court, that he has administered the same to the best of his ability and herewith presents a final account of his administration. Petitioner represents that he had charge of the administration during the war and that he thereby labored under many disadvantages, incidents to the [unreadable] in administering said Estate. In the foregoing account the Administrator has charged himself with the amount of the Inventory and also with the excess of sale of the property over the Inventoried value. He has charged himself with the hire of the Negroes, the process of 10 bales of cotton and the rent of the land belonging to said Estate making the whole amount of debts the sum of $5155.20. He claims credit for the appraised value of the slaves Bob and Dave $1500.00 because said slaves were set free by the actions of the Government. He returns the land to the heirs of said Estate at the appraised value to wit: $840.00 for which amount he entitled to a credit. He also claims credit for certain notes and accounts held by him as Administrator amounting to the sum of ($1392.69/100) and herewith returns the same amount to the representatives or heirs of the Estate. The said note &c having been collected because the parties owing them are entirely insolvent many of them having taken the benefit of the bankrupt act. and it would have been vain to have endeavored to collect the amount by said. He claims credit for the debts against said Estate which he has paid be believing them to be just and correct, has settled them without obtaining an order from your Honorable Court, and for the payment of which he is entitled to a credit of $926.85/100 making the whole amount of credit the sum of $5659.54/100 which as will be seen by reference to said account leaves the Estate indebted to him in the sum of Five hundred and forty and 34/100 dollars ($504.34). Wherefore Administrator prays that this his final account be filed and advertised according to law and that after all legal delay that the same be allowed, approved and homologated in all its parts. He further prays for a judgment against said Estate for the sum of Five hundred and for and 34/100 dollars ($504.34/100) with legal interest and for all further orders and decrees necessary in the premises and for general and equitable relief. Thos. C. Lewis Atty. For Admr. State of Louisiana Parish Court Parish of Union The premises considered, it is ordered that the within final account filed by M. T. Simmons as Administrator of the Estate of James A. Martin, Decd. be advertised according to law. Done and signed officially on this 10th day of November AD 1868. T. B. Tompkins Parish Judge Union Parish, La. In the matter of the homologation of the final account filed by M. T. Simmons as Administrator of the Estate of Jas. A. Martin, Dec. 1st Vouchers filed with said account 2nd J. W. Reid, Clerk of said Court sworn says he was the acting clerk of said Court in October last and that said final account was filed on the 10th day of October 1868 and has been duly advertised for more than ten days prior to this date by publication in a weekly newspaper published in said Parish called the Union Record and by posting at the door of the Court House in the town of Farmerville in said Parish and State no opposition has been filed to the homologation of said final account. J. W. Reid Clerk, Parish Court Sworn to and subscribed before me this 20th day of November AD 1868. T. B. Tompkins Parish Judge Union Parish, La. I, T. B. Tompkins, Parish Judge in and for Union Parish, Louisiana do hereby certify that the foregoing is all the evidence adduced on the trial of the homologation of the final account filed by M. T. Simmons, Administrator of the Estate of J. A. martin, Decd. Witness my official signature this the 10th day of November AD 1868. T. B. Tompkins Parish Judge Union Parish, La. Succession of James A. Martin, Decd. State of Louisiana Parish of Union By reason of the evidence in this case and by further reason of due notice having been made of the filing of the within Final account by publication in a weekly newspaper for more than ten days prior to this date and no opposition having been filed to the homologation of the same. It is ordered, adjudged and decreed that the within and foregoing final account filed by M. T. Simmons as Administrator of the Estate of James A. Martin, Decd. be approved and homologated and that M. T. Simmons have judgment against the said Estate of James A. Martin, Decd. for the sum of five hundred and four 34/100 dollars with legal interest from this date and further that said bond of said Administrator be cancelled. Done, read and signed in open court this 11th day of November 1868. T. B. Tompkins Parish Judge Union Parish, La. A true record, November 27th 1868. C. B. Payne Deputy Clerk ###################################################################