1865 - 1866 Succession of Absolom J. Pratt, Union Parish Louisiana Submitted for the Union Parish Louisiana USGenWeb Archives by Shawn Martin, 8/2005 updated 7/2006 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ************************************************ ================================================================================= ================================================================================= 1865 - 1866 Succession of Absolom J. Pratt, Union Parish Louisiana Union Parish Louisiana Succession Book F, pp. 11 - 16 Union Parish Louisiana Succession Book F, pp. 481 ================================================================================= ================================================================================= NOTES: 1) The writing in this record looks as though Pratt's middle initial is an "I". However, the 1860 census and his military record give it as "J". 2) A. J. Pratt enlisted as a private in Company C, 19th Regiment Louisiana Infantry at Corinth, Mississippi on 27 April 1862, shortly after the Battle of Pittsburg Landing (Shiloh). He was listed as absent, sick in the hospial between May and October 1862, and from November 1862 through February 1863 sick in the Columbus, Mississippi hospital. The roll dated June through October 1863 listed him as "dropped from the rolls on account of long continued absence. Supposed dead." Company C, 19th Regiment was formed from men primarily from Claiborne Parish, including several in northeastern Claiborne, the area that borders Union Parish. Since in 1860 Absolom Pratt lived in northern Union Parish, it is very likely that the soldier A. J. Pratt of Company C, 19th Regiment was the man whose succession is transcribed below. ================================================================================= ================================================================================= ================================================================================= ================================================================================= Union Parish Louisiana Succession Book F, pp. 11 - 16 ================================================================================= ================================================================================= To the Honorable the Judge or the Clerk of the Eleventh Judicial District Court in and for the Parish of Union, State of Louisiana. The petition of Mrs. Mary F. Pratt, the surviving widow of the late Absolom I. Pratt, Decd., a resident of the Parish and State aforesaid respectfully represents unto your honorable court that the said Absolom I. Pratt, her late husband departed this life in the Army about two years since, sometime during the year 1863. That he left at his demise your petitioner, his surviving spouse tether with three minor children, his heirs, the issue of his marriage with petitioner to wit: William F., Alice M. and Sallie J. Pratt. That he the deceased also left a small estate consisting of land cattle, hogs, household and kitchen furniture, farming utensils, cotton, rights and credits and some debts, and that an administration of the Estate is necessary. Wherefore she prays that she be appointed and confirmed the Natural Tutrix of her said minor children to wit: William F., Alice M. and Sallie J. Pratt and that letters of Tutorship be issued. She taking the oath required by law also that this her application be duly advertised according to law and after the legal delays, she be appointed Administratrix of the Estate of Absolom I. Pratt, Decd. that letters of Administration do issue to her on her give in bond and taking the required oath, that an Inventory and Appraisement of the said Estate be ordered and for all further orders and decrees necessary in the premises either in law or equity and for general and equitable relief. John L. Barrett, Atty. State of Louisiana 11th Judicial District Court Parish of Union The premises considered, it is ordered that the within application of Mrs. Mary F. Pratt to be appointed Administratrix of the Estate of Absolom I. Pratt, Decd. be advertised according to law. It is further ordered that William C. Smith, parish Recorder &c be and he is hereby authorized to make an Inventory and Appraisement of all the property belonging to the said Estate and due return make to this office. Done and signed in Chambers on 21st day of August AD 1865. Thos. C. Lewis, Clerk State of Louisiana 11th Judicial District Court Parish of Union Let the prayer of Petitioner be granted and it is hereby ordered and that Mrs. Mary F. Pratt be appointed and confirmed as Natural Tutrix of her following minor children to wit: William F., Alice M. and Sallie J. Pratt and that Thomas Ford be and he is hereby appointed Under Tutor of said Minors and upon their taking the oath prescribed by law, that letters as such do issue to them. Done and signed in chambers on this the 21st day of August AD 1865. 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 the property that may be presented to you belonging to the Estate of Absolom I. Pratt, Decd. at its cash value to the best of your judgment. So help you God. Sworn to and subscribed before me on this the 2nd of October AD 1865. State of Louisiana Parish of Union Be it remembered that on this the Third day of October AD One thousand eight hundred and sixty five pursuant to an order issued from the Honorable 11th Judicial District Court in and for the Parish of Union and State of Louisiana and to me William C. Smith, Recorder and Ex Officio Notary Public in and for said Parish and State directed and being assisted by William Jacobs and Oliver B. Hill, male citizens of the Parish of Union of Lawful age who being duly appointed and sworn by me as appraisers and in the presence of lawful witnesses did proceed to make an Inventory and Appraisement of the property belonging to the Estate of Absolom I. Pratt, Decd., late of the Parish of Union, State of Louisiana as herein after set forth. First, tract of land known as the late residence of Absolom I. Pratt, Decd. situated in the Parish of Union, La. containing 150 acres more or less apprd. @ $1.50 per acre $240.00 25 head stock hogs more or less apprd. @ $3 75.00 20 head stock cattle more or less apprd. @ $6 120.00 1 brown horse apprd. @ 60.00 1 yoke of work oxen apprd. @ 60.00 1 old wagon apprd. @ 30.00 Four bales of cotton in the hands of Wm. L. Spears taken from Mr. H. Rester’s gin house belonging to the Estate of Absolom I. Pratt, Decd. 1800 pound of lint more or less apprd. @ 33 cts. Per pound __450.00 $1035.00 Having completed the foregoing inventory and appraisement, I have on this the 3rd of October AD 1865 closed the same, in testimony whereof, I have caused said appraisers to sign their names hereto in the presence of Henry A. Hill and [blank], male witnesses of lawful age and domicile who have signed with said appraisers and me the said Recorder. O. B. Hill Wm. Jacobs This October 3, 1865. ATTEST: Henry A. Hill Wm. C. Smith, Recorder A. J. Jacobs State of Louisiana 11th Judicial District Court Parish of Union Know all men by these presents that we Mary F. Pratt as principle and John P. Spears and Thomas Ford, as her securities are held and finally bound unto Honorable J. D. Watkins, Judge of the 11th Judicial District Court for the time being or to his successors in office in the just and full of one thousand and four hundred ($1400.00) dollars. To the true and faithful payment whereof well and truly to be made, we bind ourselves, our heirs and assigns, administrators and legal representatives firmly by these presents. Dated at Farmerville, La. on this 30th day of December AD 1865. The consideration of the above obligation is such that whereas the above bounden Mary F. Pratt has been duly and legally appointed and confirmed as Administratrix of the Estate of Absolom I. Pratt, Decd. and she has taken the oath prescribed by law. Now therefore, if the Mary F. Pratt shall faithfully and impartially discharge all the duties appertaining to said appointment and shall render to the Judge of said Court a true and correct account of all the acts and doings in and about said Estate and shall whenever legally required so to do pay over all sums of money and deliver all the property of whatever nature belonging to said Estate in her possession 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 and nature against the principle and her said securities. Done, signed and acknowledged before me on this 3rd day December AD 1865. ATTEST: Mary F. Pratt Thos. C. Lewis, Clerk John P. Spears Thomas Ford State of Louisiana 11th Judicial District Court Succession of Absolum J. Pratt, Dec. State of Louisiana 11th Judicial District Court Parish of Union Whereas Mary F. Pratt have this day been duly and legally appointed and confirmed as Administratrix of the Estate of Absolom J. Pratt, Decd. and she has given bond with good security and has taken the oath prescribed by law. Now therefore, the said Mary F. Pratt is hereby duly and legally authorized and empowered to do and perform all the appertaining to said appointment according to law. Given under my hand and seal of office on this the 31st day of December AD 1865. Thos. C. Lewis Clerk, District Court State of Louisiana 11th Judicial District Court Parish of Union I, Mary F. Pratt, do solemnly swear that I will faithfully and impartially discharge all the duties incumbent on me as Natural Tutrix of my following minor children to wit: William F., Alice M. and Sallie J. Pratt according to the best of my ability and understanding. So help me God. Mary F. Pratt Sworn to and subscribed before me on this [blank] day of [blank] AD 1865. Thomas. C. Lewis Clerk, District Court Tutorship of the minors Wm. F., Alice M. and Sallie J. Pratt State of Louisiana 11th Judicial District Court Parish of Union Whereas Mary F. Pratt has been duly and legally appointed and confirmed as Natural Tutrix of her following minor children to wit: William F., Alice M. and Sallie J. Pratt and she has taken the oath prescribed by law. Now, therefore the said Mary F. Pratt is hereby duly and legally authorized and empowered to do and perform all the acts appertaining to said appointment according to law. Given under my hand and seal of office on this 30th of December AD 1865. Thos. C. Lewis Clerk, Dist. Court State of Louisiana 11th Judicial District Court Parish of Union I, Thomas Ford, do solemnly swear that I will faithfully and impartially discharge all the duties incumbent on me as Under Tutor of the following minor heirs of the Estate of Absolom I. Pratt, Decd. to wit: William F., Alice M. and Sallie J. Pratt according to the best of my ability and understanding. So help me God. Thomas Ford Sworn to and subscribed before me on this 30th day of December AD 1865. Thos. C. Lewis Clerk, District Court Tutorship of the minors Wm. F., Alice M. and Sallie J. Pratt State of Louisiana 11th Judicial District Court Parish of Union Whereas, Thomas Ford has been duly and legally appointed and confirmed as Under Tutor to the following minor heirs of the Estate of Absolom J. Pratt, Decd. to wit: William F., Alice M., and Sallie J. Pratt and he has taken the oath prescribed by law. Now therefore, the said Thomas Ford is hereby duly and legally authorized and empowered to do and perform all the acts appertaining to said appointment according to law. Given under my hand and seal of office on the 30th day of December AD 1865. Thos. C. Lewis Clerk, District Court To the Honorable the Judge of the 11th Judicial District Court in and for the Parish of Union, State of Louisiana. The petition of Mary F. Pratt, Administratrix of the Estate of Absolom I. Pratt, Decd. respectfully represents that the said Estate is insolvent, that a sale of all the property of said estate is necessary for the payment of the debts and that the creditors desire a sale for cash. Wherefore, she prays for an order from your Honorable court authorizing her to make a sale of all the effects of said Estate both real and personal according to Law for the purpose of paying the debts of said Estate so far as the assets will go for all orders and decrees necessary in the premises and for general relief &c. John L. Barrett, Atty. State of Louisiana 11th Judicial District Court Parish of Union The premises considered it is ordered and decreed that the prayer of the above petitioner be granted and all the property both real and personal belonging to the Estate of Absolom I. Pratt, Decd. be sold in accordance with Articles 990 & 991 of the Code of Practice. It is further ordered that Mrs. Mary F. Pratt, the Administratrix of said Estate, be and she is hereby authorized to make the said sale and due return thereof make according to law. Done and signed in office on this the 2nd day of January AD 1866. Thos. C. Lewis, Clerk, District Court A true record, May 20th AD 1866. Thos. C. Lewis, Clerk, District Court ================================================================================= ================================================================================= Union Parish Louisiana Succession Book F, pp. 481 ================================================================================= ================================================================================= State of Louisiana Parish of Union Pursuant to an order of the 11th Judicial District Court in and for the Parish and State aforesaid authorizing the sale of all the property both real and personal of the Estate of Absolom J. Pratt, Decd. having advertised the same according to law by publishing for more than thirty days prior to this date to wit from September 10, 1866 to October 13, 1866 in the Union Record, a Newspaper published in the Parish of union at the [blank] and having read the said advertisement in a loud voice to those present at the residence myself near Spearsville on this the 13th day of October 1866 and having made known the terms of sale as set forth in the said advertisement, a copy of which is hereto appended, were called. I proceeded to offer the following and after crying the same a sufficient length of time by a crier appointed by me for the purpose, M. F. Pratt became the purchaser, being the last and highest bidder which property is thus described to wit: Mrs. W. T. Pratt purchased 20 head of meat cattle @ $5 per head $100.00 Also 20 head of hogs @ $5 per head 100.00 Also 1 horse @ 40.00 Also 1 yoke of oxens and wagon ____40.00 $280.00 Also one tract of land thus described as 160 acres more or less known as the late residence of Absolom J. Mathews, Decd. being and lyint in Union Parish, La. @ $1.50 per acre ___240.00 Sum total of sale $520.00 Now therefore the purchasers having complied with terms of said sale, I by the authority vested in me as Administratrix of the Estate of A. J. Pratt, decd. do make, bargain, grant, sell, adjudicate and deliver to the said M. F. Pratt all of the aforesaid property to have and own for her own special use and benefit forever with the legal warranty. In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand officially in presence of J. R. Goyne and W. D. Murray on this the 22nd of October 1866. J. R. Goyne Mary F. Pratt W. D. Murray A true record, May 20th 1867. Jas. T. Stokes Deputy Clerk ##########################################################