1863 - 1866 Succession of Elizabeth Ann Blankenship Rossiter, Union Parish Louisiana Submitted for the Union Parish Louisiana USGenWeb Archives by Shawn Martin, 8/2005 updated 10/2006 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ************************************************ ================================================================================= ================================================================================= 1863 Succession of Elizabeth Ann Blankenship Rossiter, Union Parish Louisiana Union Parish Louisiana Succession Book E, pp. 782 - 790 Union Parish Louisiana Succession Book F, pp. 493 - 494 ================================================================================= ================================================================================= NOTE: George Rossitter and Elizabeth Ann Blankenship were from the northeast. They moved to Wilcox County Alabama in the 1820s or 1830s, and then settled in Union Parish Louisiana in the 1840s. George served as the enumerator of the 1870 census for Wards 1 and 2 in Union Parish Louisiana. \================================================================================= ================================================================================= Union Parish Louisiana Succession Book E, pp. 782 - 790 ================================================================================= ================================================================================= The petition of George Rossiter, a resident of the Parish and State above written respectfully represents that Eliza Ann Rossiter, his wife, has lately departed this life leaving a considerable estate consisting of land, Negroes and personal property. That petitioner is in dire circumstances and is entitled to the community portion of said Estate, which is a child’s part, there being more than three children and their having been no marriage contract between his deceased wife and himself. Aforesaid now living or represented to wit: Adaline J. Aulds, Decd. but represented by her minor heirs, George W., John J. and William Aulds; Washington H. Rossiter; Harriett D., wife of Robert G. Webbs; Amanda Jane, wife of Henry B. Waters; and Jefferson B. and George M. M. Rossiter, the last two being minors, and consequently that he is entitled to one seventh part of said estate. Wherefore, he prays that all of the aforesaid parties being residents of said Parish of Union be duly and legally cited to answer hereto that a curator ad hoc be appointed to represent Jefferson B. and also George M. M. Rossiter, who are minors and that a partition of the estate of said deceased be ordered between petitioner and his aforesaid children, that a family meeting comprised of the relations or in default, the fiends of said minors be convoked to decide whether the said estate can be divided in kind or must be sold, and if sold on what terms, that expert be appointed to effect said partition and for all further orders and decrees necessary in the premises to effect said partition or any state thereof and for general relief and that an inventory be made of the estate. Jno. L. Barrett, Atty. State of Louisiana Parish of Union In premises considered it is hereby ordered, adjudged and decreed that Pinkney Odom be and he is hereby appointed curator ad hoc in the following partition suit to the minor Jefferson R. Rossiter and it is further ordered that James Jones be and he is hereby appointed curator ad hoc to the minor George M. M. Rossiter in the following partition suit and it is further ordered that there be a partition of the Estate of Eliza Ann Rossiter, Decd. As prayed for in the following partition between the aforesaid parties for the reason that all of the parties, both Plaintiff and Defendant being property representatives before me in the case do consent and agree to the same as appears from their answer to the petition which is on file before me. Done and signed in office on this July 29th AD 1863. J. L. Guthrie, Clerk State of Louisiana Parish of Union In the matter of the foregoing petitioner, the premises considered it is ordered that W. C. Smith, Parish Recorder &c make an inventory and appraisement of the estate of Eliza Ann Rossiter, Decd. [unreadable] to the partition of said estate and make due return of the same at this office and it is hereby further ordered that in default of relatives, the following persons, friends of the minors Jefferson B. and George M. M. Rossiter be convoked as a family meeting to advise and consult for the interest of said minors within the said estate can be petitioned in kind or [unreadable] the same or any part thereof be sold to effect said partition and if a sale is recommended to fix the terms thereof, and that he make due return of the same to this office. To wit: W. A. Dowling, W. H. Carson, John W. Rabun, D. M. Clower, W. A. McFarland Done and signed in office this the 29th July 1863. J. L. Guthrie, Clerk State of Louisiana 11th District Court Parish of Union The premises considered, it is ordered that [blank] be and they are hereby appointed experts to assist W. C. Smith, Parish Recorder and Ex Officio Notary Public in affecting a partition of the property belonging to the Estate of Ann E. Rossiter. It is further ordered that the slaves, property, the present growing crops and the household and kitchen furniture belonging to said estate be partitioned in kind. Done and signed in office this 14th August 1863. Guthrie, Clerk Do each of you solemnly swear that you will faithfully and impartially discharge all and singular the duties incumbent on you as members of a family meeting convoked for the purpose of advising and touching the interest of the minors Jefferson B. and George M. M. Rossiter in the matter of the partition of the property of the Estate of Eliza Ann Rossiter, Decd. to the best of your judgment and understanding. So help you God. W. H. Carson J. M. Rabun D. M. Clower W. A. McFarland W. A. Darby Sworn to and subscribed before me this the 29th day of July 1863. W. C. Smith Parish Recorder State of Louisiana Parish of Union Be it known that on this the 29th day of July AD one thousand eight hundred and sixty three, in pursuance of an order issued by clerk of the Honorable 11th Judicial District Court in and for the Parish of Union, State of La. bearing date 29th July 1863, I, William C. Smith, Parish Recorder and Ex Officio Notary Public in and for the Parish of Union, La. duly commissioned and qualified caused to come before me at my office in the town of Farmerville, the following persons males of lawful age and residents of the parish of Union viz. W. H. Carson, W. A. Darby, John M. Rabun, D. M. Clower, W. A. McFarland convoked as a family meeting for the purpose of advising and recommending touching the interest of the minors Jefferson B. and George M. M. Rossiter in the matter of the partition of the property of the Estate of Eliza Ann Rossiter, Decd. whether the said Estate can be partitioned in kind or whether the same or any part thereof be sold to effect said partition. Said members being first duly sworn by me the said Notary, proceeded to deliberate on the subject matter as above set forth, and offer mature deliberations. They advise and recommend that the slave property belonging to the Estate of Eliza Ann Rossiter, Decd. be partitioned in kind among the heirs and also recommended that the present growing crop and the household and kitchen furniture of said Estate be partitioned in kind. They further recommended that all the other perishable property belonging to said estate be sold for each. And, they further recommend that the land belonging to said Estate be set aside for the present. In testimony whereof said members have hereto signed their names with me the said Recorder and in the presence of Jas. L. Guthrie and James Jones, male witnesses of lawful age and domicile on this the 29th day of July AD 1863. ATTEST: W. H. Carson J. L. Guthrie W. A. Darby J. Jones J. M. Rabun W. C. Smith, Parish Recorder D. M. Clower W. A. McFarland To the Honorable the Judge or the Clerk of the 11th Judicial District Court in and for the Parish of Union, La. George Rossiter of the Parish and State aforesaid respectfully represents that he has annexed to this his petition the process verbal of the family meeting convoked on the 29th Inst. Of July AD 1863 which he makes a part hereof and prays that the same be approved and homologated and further prays for an order of covet authorizing James A. Bransford the acting Sheriff of Union parish aforesaid to make a sale of all the perishable property recommended to be sold by said family meeting on the terms of sale therein set forth after the legal advertisements and for general relief &c. Jno. L. Barrett, Atty. Service of the above acknowledged term received and we further join in the prayer for homologation and sale as asked in the above petition. P. Odom, Curator ad hoc A. J. Watters by H. B. Watters H. D. Webb by R. C. Webb J. Jones Curator ad hoc W. H. Rossiter State of Louisiana Parish of Union In the matter of the homologation of the proceedings of the family meeting the process verbal of which is hereto annexed. The premises considered, it is hereby ordered, adjudged and decreed that the process verbal hereto annexed be approved and homologated in all its parts and it is further ordered that in accordance therewith, James A. Bransford, acting Sheriff of the Parish of Union aforesaid do further the processes to advertise and sell all the perishable property of the Succession of Eliza Ann Rossiter, Decd. except the present growing crop and the household and kitchen furniture. Done and signed in office on this the Saturday, August 1st AD 1863. J. L. Guthrie, Clerk, District Court State of Louisiana Parish of Union I, Robert W. Winds and I, Simpson W. Ramsey do solemnly swear that I will faithfully and impartially appraise the property that me be presented to me belonging to the Estate of Succession of Eliza Ann Rossiter, Decd. at its cash value to the best of my Judgment and understanding. So help me God. R. W. Winds S. W. Ramsey Sworn to and subscribed before me on this the 31st day of July AD 1863. W. C. Smith, Parish Recorder State of Louisiana Parish of Union Be it remembered that on this the 31st day of July AD 1863, in pursuance of an order issued by the clerk of the Honorable 11th Judicial District Court in and for the Parish of Union and State of Louisiana, I William C. Smith, Parish Recorder and Ex Officio Notary Public in and for said Parish duly commissioned and sworn being assisted by Robert W. Windes and Simpson W. Ramsey two good and lawful citizens of the Parish of Union, who being duly appointed and sworn by me the said Recorder, proceeded to make an Inventory and appraisement of the property belonging to the Estate of Eliza Ann Rossiter, Decd. preparatory to making a partition of said Estate as herein after set forth to wit: Green, Negro man age 37 year apprd. @ $1200.00 Rease, Negro man age 26 years apprd. @ 1500.00 Viollet, Negro woman age 19 years apprd. @ 1000.00 Muriah, Negro woman age 24 years and her child Mary aged 1 year 6 months apprd. @ 1200.00 Burwell, Negro boy aged 15 years apprd. @ 800.00 Rose, Negro girl aged 13 years apprd. @ 800.00 Em, Negro girl aged 14 years apprd. @ 700.00 Ellen, Negro girl aged 12 years apprd. @ 650.00 Jere, Negro boy aged 11 years apprd. @ 600.00 Charles, Negro boy aged 18 years 8 months apprd. @ 500.00 Wright, Negro boy aged 15 years apprd. @ 550.00 Jane, Negro girl 8 years apprd. @ 350.00 Betty, Negro woman 30 years and her 2 children Lucy girl age 3 years 6 months, Ann, Negro girl aged 5 years 7 months apprd. @ 1600.00 Wiley, Negro boy aged 12 years, 6 months apprd. @ 800.00 Jim, Negro boy aged 8 years, 6 months apprd. @ 500.00 4 cows and calves apprd. @ $40 each 120.00 One half interest in 1 cow and calf apprd. @ $40 20.00 11 head stock cattle apprd. @ $10 per head 110.00 1 yoke of work oxen apprd. @ 70.00 50 head sheep @ $5 per head 250.00 1 Blind mule apprd. @ 40.00 1 brown mule apprd. @ 200.00 1 gray mule apprd. @ 150.00 1 bay horse (Mack) apprd. @ 75.00 1 lot smith tools apprd. @ 30.00 1 grind stone apprd. @ 5.00 1 waggon apprd. @ 200.00 1 chair @$8, 1 chair @ $4 ___12.00 $14032.00 1 buggy and harness apprd. @ 125.00 1 lot farming utensils apprd. @ 50.00 4 head hogs apprd. @ 30.00 7 bales cotton apprd. @ $60 per bale 420.00 420 acres of land more or less with the improvements thereon known as the late residence of Eliza Ann Rossiter, Decd. apprd. @ $8 per acre ___3360.00 Total amount $18017.00 Having completed the foregoing inventory and appraisement, I have on this the 31st day of July AD one thousand eight hundred and sixty three closed the same. In faith whereof, I have caused said appraisers to sign their names hereto in the presence of P. H. McVicker and F. H. Cann real witnesses of lawful age and domicile who have signed their names with said appraisers and me the said Recorder on this the day and date above written. ATTEST: R. W. Windes P. H. McVicker S. W. Ramsey R. H. McCann W. C. Smith, Parish Recorder 11th Judicial District Court Union Parish State of Louisiana George Rossiter Vs. W. H. Rossiter, etal. Washington H. Rossiter, Sherwood A. Aulds, Tutor of the minors George W., John J. and William Aulds which said minors represent their mother Adoline R. Aulds, Robert C. Webb, husband and his wife Harriet D. Webb, Henry B. Water and Amanda Jane his wife, Pinckney Odom curator ad hoc for Jefferson R. Rossiter, a minor and James Jones curator ad hoc for George M. M. Rossiter, the defendants in the above entitled case admit and affirm all of the allegations set forth in Plaintiffs petition and they join in the prayer of petitioner that he be allowed a child’s part in said estate that a petition of the Estate be ordered that a family be convoked as prayed for and finally for all the orders as prayed for in the partition and for general relief &c. W. H. Rossiter S. A. Auld R. C. Webb H. D. Webb H. B. Waters Amanda Waters To the Honorable the Judge of the 11th Judicial District Court in and for the Parish of Union, State of Louisiana. The petition of George Rossiter of your aforesaid Parish and State respectfully represents that he has two minor children to wit: Jefferson B. and George M. M. Rossiter that they have some property in their own right and that the appointment is necessary and that petitioner is their Natural Tutor. Wherefore he prays that he be confirmed and appointed Natural Tutor to the said minors Jefferson B. and George M. M. Rossiter and for all orders and decrees necessary in the premises and for general relief &c. Jno. L. Rossiter, Atty. State of Louisiana Parish of Union In the matter of the Tutorship of the minors and Sherwood A. Aulds, the premises considered, it is ordered and decreed that George Rossiter be and he is hereby appointed and confirmed Natural Tutor to his minor children to wit: Jefferson R. and George M. M. Rossiter. He having taken the oath prescribed by law and be it further ordered that H. B. Waters be and he is hereby appointed under tutor to the said minor children and upon his taking oath required by law that letters do issue to him. Done and signed in office this 28th of July 1863. J. L. Guthrie, Clerk State of Louisiana 11th District court Parish of Union I, Henry B. Watters, do solemnly swear that I will faithfully and impartially discharge all and singular the duties incumbent on me as Under Tutor to the minors of George Rossiter according to the best of my ability and understanding. So help me God. H. B. Waters Sworn to and subscribed before me the 28th day of July 1863. State of Louisiana 11th District Court Parish of Union Tutorship of the minor Jeff B. and George M. M. Rossiter Whereas Henry B. Watters has this day been duly and legally appointed Under Tutor to the minors Jeff B. and George M. M. Rossiter and he hath taken the oath required by law. Now, therefore, the said Henry B. Watters 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 the seal of said court this the 28th of July 1863. J. L. Guthrie, Clerk State of Louisiana 11th District Court Parish of Union I, George Rossiter, do solemnly swear that I will faithfully and impartially discharge all and singular the duties incumbent on me as Natural Tutor to my minor children to wit: Jefferson B. and George M. M. Rossiter according to the best of my ability and understanding. So help me God. George Rossiter Sworn to and subscribed before me this 28 July 1863. Tutorship of Jeff B. and G. M. M. Rossiter 11th District Court Whereas George Rossiter has this day been duly and legally appointed Natural Tutor to his minor children to wit: Jeff B. and G. M. M. Rossiter and he has taken the oath required by law. Now, therefore, the said George Rossiter 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 the seal of said court this 28th of July 1863. J. L. Guthrie, Clerk State of Louisiana 11th District Court Parish of Union I, Jas. L. Jones do solemnly swear that I will faithfully and impartially discharge all and singular the duties incumbent on me as Curator ad hoc to the minors George M. M. Rossiter to the best of my ability and understanding. So help me god. J. Jones Sworn to and subscribed before me this 29th of July 1863. J. L. Guthrie Clerk State of Louisiana 11th District Court Parish of Union I, Pinckney Odom, do solemnly swear that I will faithfully and impartially discharge all and singular the duties incumbent on me as curator ad hoc to the minor Jeff B. Rossiter according to the best of my ability and understanding. So help me God. P. Odom Sworn to and subscribed before me this 29th of July 1863. J. L. Guthrie, Clerk A true record, May 1st 1866. W. D. Slayton, Deputy clerk ================================================================================= ================================================================================= Union Parish Louisiana Succession Book F, pp. 493 - 494 ================================================================================= ================================================================================= State of Louisiana Parish of Union I, Sampson W. Ramsey and I, Robert W. Winds do solemnly swear that I will faithfully and impartially appraise all the property that may be presented to me belonging to the Estate of Eliza Ann Winds, Decd. at its cash value. So help me God. S. W. Ramsey R. W. Winds Sworn to and subscribed before me this 20th day of November AD 1866. Wm. C. Smith, Recorder State of Louisiana Parish of Union Be it remembered that on this the 20th day of November AD one thousand eight hundred and sixty six pursuant to an order of the 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 directed authorizing me to make an Inventory and Appraisement of the land situated in the Parish of Union, Louisiana belonging to the Estate of Eliza Ann Rossiter, Decd. and being assisted by Simpson W. Ramsey and Robert W. Winds, male citizens of Union Parish who being duly appointed and sworn by me as appraisers in presence3 of lawful witnesses proceeded to make said Inventory and appraisement as herein after set forth to wit: Tract of Land containing 420 acres more or less appraised at together with the improvements including Gin stand and mill appraised at two dollars and fifty cents per acre amounting to one thousand and fifty dollars ($1050.00) Thus done and signed in my office in the town of Farmerville and B. F. Dillard and Joseph Baker called for the purpose and me Recorder, this Nov. 20th 1866. ATTEST: B. F. Dillard S. W. Ramsey Joseph Baker R. W. Winds Wm. C. Smith, Recorder A true record, May 20th 1867. ##########################################################