1864 - 1866 Succession of John W. Thomas, Union Parish Louisiana Submitted for the Union Parish Louisiana USGenWeb Archives by Shawn Martin, 1/2006 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ************************************************ ================================================================================= 1864 - 1866 Succession of John W. Thomas, Union Parish Louisiana Union Parish Louisiana Succession Book F, pp. 185 – 193 ================================================================================== ================================================================================== Note: A John W. Thomas enlisted on 16 March 1862 at Monroe as a corporal in Company I, the "Sparrow Cadets", 31st Louisiana Infantry. He was not mentioned on any later roll of the regiment, so he must have been discharged or died. It is possible that the death date given in the petition is incorrect, and Thomas actually died in October 1862, or the soldier in the 31st Regiment may have been a different man. We have not found any record of this man in another Confederate military unit. ================================================================================== ================================================================================== To the Honorable the Judge of the Eleventh Judicial District Court in and for the Parish of Union, Louisiana. The petition of Liberty K. Thomas, a resident of said Parish respectfully represents that John W. Thomas departed this life intestate on or about the 29th October AD 1864, leaving an estate consisting of real and personal property rights credits &c part of which was situated in the Parish of Ouachita and part in the Parish of Union, the place of his residence. Petitioner prays that an inventory and appraisement may be had according to law of the effects in this Parish and that after due and legal proceedings being had, he may be appointed Administrator of the said Estate and for such other orders and decrees as the case may require in the premises. H. Regenburg, Atty. State of Louisiana 11th Judicial District Court Parish of Union It is ordered and decreed that the above application of Liberty K. Thomas be advertised according to law. It is further ordered that Wm. C. Smith, Parish Recorder &c be authorized to make an inventory of all the property belonging to the Estate of John W. Thomas, Decd. and due return thereof make to this office. Done and signed in office this 29th day of November AD 1864. Thos. C. Lewis, Clerk State of Louisiana 11th Judicial District Court Parish of Union The premises considered and by reason of this legal advertisement having been made and no opposition filed thereto, it is hereby ordered and decreed that Liberty K. Thomas be and he is hereby appointed Administrator of the Estate of John W. Thomas and upon his giving bond with good security and taking the oath prescribed by law that letters do issue to him. Done and signed in office this 6th November AD 1864. Thos. C. Lewis, Clerk State of Louisiana Parish of Union Do you and each of you solemnly swear that you will faithfully and impartially perform all and singular the duties incumbent on you as appraisers in making an inventory and appraisement of the property rights and credits belonging to the Estate of John W. Thomas, Decd. late of the Parish of Union to the best of your judgment and understanding. So help you God. W. A. Darby B. F. Dillard Sworn to and subscribed before me this the 6th day of December AD 1864. Wm. C. Smith, Recorder Be it remembered that on this the sixth day of December AD 1864, I, William C. Smith, Parish Recorder & Ex Officio Notary Public in and for the Parish of Union and State of La. in pursuance of an order of the Honorable 11th Judicial District Court in and for said Parish to me directed, did proceed to make an Inventory and Appraisement of all the property rights & credits belonging to the Estate of John W. Thomas, deceased, late of the Parish of Union situated in said Parish being assisted by Wm. A. Darby & Benj. F. Dillard, citizens of said Parish who being duly appointed and sworn by me as appraisers & in the presence of two competent witnesses make the following inventory. First House & lot situated in the Town of Farmerville formerly occupied by the Deceased as a law office apprd. @ three hundred dollars $300.00 Law Books 32 Vol. Louisiana Reports valued at $6 per volume 192.00 9 Vol. Martin’s Reports valued at $6 per volume 54.00 13 Vol. Robinson’s Reports valued at $6 per volume 78.00 4 Vol. Rents Commentaries valued at $5 per volume 20.00 2 Vol. Chitty’s Blocksive[?] valued at $2.50 per volume 5.00 2 Vol. Russell on Crimes valued at $5 per volume 10.00 2 Vol. Voorhes Criminals Jurisprudence valued at $5 per volume 10.00 2 Vol. Herman’s Digest valued at $5 per volume 10.00 3 Vol. Mendison’s Papers valued at $5 per volume 15.00 3 Vol. Civil Code of La. valued at $10 per volume 30.00 1 Vol. Revised Statutes of La. valued at $6 per volume 6.00 1 Vol. Code of Practice valued at $5 per volume 5.00 2 Vol. Sparyson’s[?] Simmons valued at $1.50 per volume 3.00 1 Vol. History of the World valued at 1.00 1 Vol. Natural Patrols valued at 3.00 1 Vol. Moores Practical Works valued at 2.00 1 Blank book valued at .50 1 Desk apprd. @ 15.00 2 Globe Lamps apprd. @ 6.00 7 Common Chairs apprd. @ 7.00 1 Office chair apprd. @ 4.00 1 Walnut book case step frame apprd. @ 15.00 1 Common wash stand apprd. @ 1.00 1 Bed stead apprd. @ 6.00 1 Table apprd. @ ___3.00 Valued at Gold & Silver prices of 1860 Total $811.50 Having completed the foregoing inventory and appraisement, I have on this the 6th day of December AD 1864 closed the same. In testimony whereof, I have caused said appraisers to sign their names hereto with said Recorder and the undersigned witnesses called for the purpose, December 6th 1864. ATTEST: R. M. Gilbert W. A. Darby Thos. C. Lewis B. F. Dillard Wm. C. Smith, Parish Recorder To the Honorable Judge of the Twelfth Judicial District Court in and for the Parish of Ouachita in the State of Louisiana. The Petition of Liberty K. Thomas, resident of the Parish of Union in said State respectfully represents unto your Honor that his son Captain John W. Thomas died recently in your said Parish and State being at the time temporarily absent from his residence, which was in Union Parish of said State acting as Post Commissary at Trenton in your said Parish. Petitioner represents that his said son John W. Thomas has a considerable amount of Personal property in your said Parish of Ouachita, La. which it is important to have Inventoried and the Inventory thereof transferred to the Parish of Union in which is succession will be opened. Whereupon Petitioner prays your Honor to order an Inventory and Appraisement of all the property belonging to said John W. Thomas situated in our said parish and that the same when taken be transmitted to the Parish of Union and for all necessary orders and decrees in the presence and for general and equitable relief &c. J. & R. Ray, Attys. State of Louisiana Parish of Ouachita The prayer of the within petition being considered, it is ordered that an Inventory and Appraisement be made of all the property composing the Estate of Captain John W. Thomas, Decd. situated in said Parish and State and that said Iventory and Appraisement when taken be transmitted to the clerk of the parish of Union in said State the place of the Domicile of the Deceased. Done and signed in office on this 15th day of Novemter 1864. James H. Milling, Clerk 12th District Court State of Louisiana Clerk’s Office 12th District Court Parish of Ouachita To the Recorder of the Parish of Ouachita, in pursuance to an order issued from said 12th District Court in and for the Parish of Ouachita and said state dated this day, you are hereby required to make an inventory and appraisement of all the property belonging to the succession of John W. Thomas, Decd. situated in said parish of Ouachita and make your return according to law. Witness my official signature and seal of said Court this 15th day of November 1864. James H. Milling Clerk State of Louisiana Parish of Ouachita We and each of us do solemnly swear that we will to the best of our ability and understanding appraise all the property belonging to the Succession of John W. Thomas, deceased, situated in the said Parish which may be shown to us or come to our knowledge. James H. Milling Henry W. Lockett Sworn to and subscribed before me this 15th day of November 1864. Chas. Delony, Recorder State of Louisiana Parish of Ouachita Be it known that on this 15th day of November AD 1864 in pursuance of an order issued from the Honorable Twelfth Judicial District court in and for said Parish and State dated this day and directed to me Charles Delony, Recorder of said Parish to make an inventory and appraisement of all the property belonging to the Succession of John W. Thomas, Decd. situated in the said Parish, I have appraised James W. Milling and Henry W. Lockett appraisers to appraise said property who after being duly sworn by taking the above written oath and in presence of T. Zeisula[?] and H. W. Reynolds, witnesses proceeded as follows: A lot of ground & improvements thereon in the town of Monroe, La. bought from J. D. M. Evans situated upon St. John Street apprd. @ $1000.00 1 Marble slab table apprd. @ 20.00 1 Wash stand apprd. @ 10.00 1 Lounge apprd. @ 4.00 2 Saddle & 1 bridle apprd. @ 20.00 1 Buggy & harness apprd. @ 100.00 10 Vols. Life of Franklin [blank] Ball on Pictorial apprd. @ 20.00 1 chest clothing apprd. @ 100.00 1 trunk & clothing apprd. @ 150.00 1 Gray horse apprd. @ 200.00 1 Bay horse apprd. @ 150.00 1 Mare & colt apprd. @ 275.00 Ten thousand five hundred & sixty five dollars, old issues C. S. Treasury notes apprd. @ 500.00 1 Pay account from Capt. A. R. Abercrombie for $140. old issue, apprd. @ 7.00 See [unreadable] half of two sections of Land in Mississippi ___[blank] $2456.00 1 Gold watch apprd. @ $100 1 Revolver apprd. @ $20 120.00 Claim against C. S. Govt. for $1120 apprd. For _____56.00 Total two thousand six hundred & thirty two Dollars $2632.00 In testimony whereof said appraisers hereunto sign their names together with the witnesses & me Recorder on this 15th November 1864. T. Zeisula[?] James H. Milling H. W. Reynolds Henry W. Lockett Chas. Delony, Recorder State of Louisiana 11th Judicial District Court Parish of Union I, Liberty K. Thomas do solemnly swear that I will faithfully and impartially discharge all and singular the duties incumbent on me as Administrator of the Estate of John W. Thomas, Decd. to the best of my knowledge and ability. So help me God. Liberty K. Thomas Sworn to and subscribed before me this 6th day of December AD 1864. Thos. C. Lewis, Clerk Succession of John W. Thomas, Decd. State of Louisiana 11th Judicial District Court Parish of Union Whereas Liberty K. Thomas has been duly and legally appointed and confirmed as Administrator of the Estate of John W. Thomas, Decd. and he has taken the oath and given bond as required by law. Now therefore the said Liberty K. Thomas 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 the 6th day of December AD 1864. Thos. C. Lewis, Clerk State of Louisiana 11th Judicial District Court Parish of Union Know all men by these presents that Liberty K. Thomas as principal and Jas. W. Turner & J. G. Hollis as his securities are held and firmly bound unto W. B. Egan, Judge of the 11th Judicial District Court in and for the Parish of Union, Louisiana for the time being and to his successors in office in the full and just sum of Two Thousand Three Hundred and Five Dollars to the true and faithful payment whereof well and truly to be made, we bind ourselves, our heirs, assigns, Executors and legal representatives firmly by these presents. Dated at Farmerville, La. on this the 6th day of December AD 1864. The condition of the above obligation is such that whereas the said Liberty K. Thomas has been duly and legally appointed Administrator of the Estate of John W. Thomas, Decd. and he has taken the oath prescribed by law. Now therefore if the said Liberty K. Thomas shall faithfully and impartially discharge all the duties incumbent on him as Administrator of said Estate and shall render to the Judge of said court a true and correct account of all his acts and doings in and about said Administration and shall whenever legally required so to do pay over all sums of money or other property belonging to said Estate and from this or any other state to the proper person or persons to receive the same. Then, the above obligation to be null and void. Otherwise, to be and remain in full force and virtue against the principal and his said securities. Done, signed and acknowledged on this the day and date above written. ATTEST: Thos. C. Lewis, Clerk Liberty K. Thomas J. M. Turner J. G. Hollis To the Honorable the Judge of the 11th Judicial District Court in and for the Parish of Union, Louisiana. The petition of Liberty K. Thomas, a resident of said Parish, Administrator of the Estate of John W. Thomas, Decd. late of said parish respectfully represents that the property of said Estate offered for sale under the provisions order failed to sell for cash under the appraisement when offered. Wherefore he prays for an order to sell the to wit two horses saddle and bridles on a credit of twelve months and that he be appointed to make the sale and for such orders and decrees as may be necessary. H. Regenburg, Atty. State of Louisiana 11th Judicial District Court Parish of Union Let the prayer of petitioner be granted and it is hereby ordered and decreed that the two horse saddles and bridles mentioned in the above petition belonging to the Estate of Jno. W. Thomas, Decd. be sold on a credit of twelve months. Purchasers giving their notes with approved security bearing eight per cent interest from day of sale. It is further ordered that Liberty K. Thomas, Admr. of said Estate be authorized to make said sale. Done and signed in office January 11th 1865. Thos. C. Lewis, Clerk To the Honorable Judge of the 11th Judicial District Court in and for the Parish of Union, Louisiana. The petition of Liberty K. Thomas, a resident of the said Parish and State and Administrator of the Estate of John W. Thomas, Decd. duly appointed &c respectfully represents that in said Estate there are two saddle horses not of any use to the Estate and expensive to keep. Wherefore he prays for an order for the sale of the said two saddle horses said sale to be for cash and that he be appointed to make the sale. H. Regenburg, Atty. Let the prayer of the petitioner be granted and it is ordered that two saddle horses inventoried in the Estate of J. W. Thomas, Decd. be sold at public auction for cash and that Liberty K. Thomas, Admr. of said Estate do make the said sale. Given under my hand at the Clerk’s office in Farmerville, Union Parish, La. this 5th day of December AD 1864. Thos. C. Lewis, Clerk To the Honorable Judge of the 11th Judicial District Court in and for the Pafrish of Union, State of Louisiana. The petition of Liberty K. Thomas, a resident of said Parish and Administrator of the Estate of John W. Thomas, Decd. respectfully represents unto your honor that it will be to the interest of said Estate to sell the house and Lot belonging to [unreadable] is as the house is already in a dilapidated condition and will continue to become more so. Wherefore petitioner prays your honor for an order authorizing the sale of said house and lot for cash after due advertisement &c and that W. W. Guthrie as Sheriff of said parish be appointed to make the sale & for all other orders & decrees necessary in the premises & for general relief. R. W. Futch, Atty. State of Louisiana 11th Judicial District Court Parish of Union The foregoing petition being duly considered, it is ordered and decreed that the house and lot belonging to the Estate of John W. Thomas, Decd. situated in the Town of Farmerville, La. be sold for cash in accordance with Articles 990 & 991 of the Code of Practice. It is further ordered that W. W. Guthrie, the Sheriff of said Parish be and he is hereby appointed and authorized to make the said sale and due return thereof make to this office according to law. Done and signed in office on this 28th day of November AD 1865. Thos. C. Lewis Clerk, Dist. Court Be it remembered that pursuant to an order of the 11th Judicial District court in and for the Parish of Union, Louisiana authorizing me to sell the two saddle horses, saddles & bridles belonging to the Estate of John W. Thomas, Decd. having advertised the sale for more than ten days by posting at the Court house door and at two other public places in said Parish of Union there being no newspapers published in said Parish of Union at the time on the 30th day of January 1866 between the legal hours of sale having read the said advertisement in an audible voice to those present and having fully made known the terms of sale, I proceeded to offer the said property at public auction and after having cried it for a considerable length of time, the following person being the last and highest bidders became the purchasers of the following respectively to wit: Dr. T. H. Mathis, Bot. 1 Bay horse saddle & bridle @ $160.00 L. K. Thomas, Admr. bought 1 Gray Horse, saddle & bridle @ $300.00 Now, therefore, the foregoing purchasers having each complied with the terms of sale, I hereby transfer, deliver and adjudicate to each of them respectively the property herein set forth as purchasers by them. In testimony whereof, I hereto sign my name in presence of Jno. M. Rabun & Thos. C. Lewis, witnesses this 2nd day of April AD 1866. ATTEST: Jno. M. Rabun Liberty K. Thomas Thos. C. Lewis A true record this 27th day of June 1866. J. W. Reid Deputy Clerk #########################################################