1861 - 1866 Succession of John Watkins, Decd., Union Parish Louisiana Submitted for the Union Parish Louisiana USGenWeb Archives by Shawn Martin, 10/2004 updated 2/2006 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ************************************************ ================================================================================= ================================================================================= 1861 - 1866 Succession of John Watkins, Decd., Union Parish Louisiana Union Parish Louisiana Succession Book E, pp. 268 - 275 Succession Book F, pp. 309 - 312 ================================================================================= ================================================================================= ================================================================================= Union Parish Louisiana Succession Book E, pp. 268 - 275 ================================================================================== To the Honorable the Judge of the 11th Judicial District Court in and for the Parish of Union, Louisiana The petition of Duncan D. Dawkins, a resident of said Parish and State respectfully represents that John Watkins, late of said Parish departed this life on or about the twenty fourth day of November last leaving a considerable widow in Community Mary F. Dawkins and two minor children, Ophelia and an Infant male child not yet named. Also leaving an estate consisting of land, stock, household and kitchen furniture and other personal property rights, credits and debts. Petitioners represents that being the maternal grandfather and the widow not desiring the administration and tutorship, he is entitled to the tutorship of the said minor heirs and administration of said Estate, now prays that an inventory may be made and after due proceedings, that he be appointed administrator of said Estate and Tutor to the minor heirs, and for such other orders as the case may require. H. Regenburg, Atty. State of Louisiana 11th Judl. District court Parish of Union The premises considered, it is ordered and decreed that the within application of Duncan D. Dawkins to be appointed administrator of the Estate of John Watkins, deceased and be advertised according to Law. It is further ordered that W. C. Smith, Parish Recorder and Ex Officio Notary Public in and for said Parish and State be and he is hereby authorized to make an Inventory and appraisement of the property belonging to the said Estate of John Watkins, Decd. and due returns thereof make to this office without delay. Done and signed in office on this 27th day of November 1861. Jas. L. Guthrie Clerk, of said Court State of Louisiana 11th Dist. Court Parish of Union The premises considered and by reason of the proper advertisement having been made and there being no opposition filed, it is ordered and decreed that D. D. Dawkins, be appointed administrator of the Estate of John Watkins, decd. and on his giving bond and good Security and taking the oath prescribed by law that letters do issue thereto him. Done and signed in office on this 7th of December 1861. Jas. L. Guthrie Clerk, Dist. Court Sate of Louisiana 11th Judl. District Court Parish of Union The premises considered, it is ordered and decreed that D. D. Dawkins be appointed tutor to the following minors of the Estate of John Watkins, decd. and upon his giving bond with good security and taking the oath prescribed by law that letters do issue to him. It is further ordered that G. W. Murphy be appointed Under Tutor to the minors of John Watkins, Decd. and upon his taking the oath prescribed by law letters do issue to him. Done and signed in office on the 7th day of December 1861. Jas. L. Guthrie Clerk, District Court State of Louisiana 11th Dist. Court Parish of Union Know all men by these presents that Duncan D. Dawkins as principal and I. M. Wheeler and G. W. Murphy as his securities are held and firmly bound unto W. B. Egan, Judge of said Court in and for said Parish and State for the time being or to his successors in office in the just and full sum of Three thousand Dollars, the true and faithful payment and truly to be made to bind ourselves, our heirs and assigns and legal representatives firmly by these presents dated at Farmerville, La. December 7th, 1861. The condition of the above obligation is such that whereas the said D. D. Dawkins has been duly and legally appointed Administrator of the Estate of John Watkins, Decd. and has taken the oath prescribed by law. Now therefore thereof the said D. D. Dawkins shall faithfully and impartially discharge all and singular the duties incumbent on him as Administrator of said estate and shall faithfully account to the Judge of the said Court for all monies or property received (belonging to said Estate) from this or any other state and shall send a true and faithful account of all his acts in and about said Estate to the Judge of said Court and whereon legally required so to do, pay (unreadable) all sums of money and deliver all the property of whatever nature belonging to the said Estate, 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. Duncan D. Dawkins I. M. Wheeler G. W. Murphy Done and signed in office on the day and date first above written. Jas. L. Guthrie, Clerk State of Louisiana 11th District Court Parish of Union I, Duncan D. Dawkins 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 Watkins, Decd. to the best of my ability and understanding. So help me God. Duncan D. Dawkins Sworn to and subscribed before me this 7th day of December 1861. Jas. L. Guthrie Succession of John Watkins, Decd. 1lth District Court Parish of Union, La. Whereas, D. D. Dawkins has been duly and legally appointed Administrator of the Estate of John Watkins, Decd. and he has given bond with good Security and taken the oath prescribed by law. Now therefore, he said D. D. Dawkins is 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 same Court on this 7th day of December AD 1861. Jas. L. Guthrie Clerk, District Court State of Louisiana Parish of Union I, George W. Murphy and I, Isom M. Wheeler do solemnly swear that I will faithfully and impartially perform all and singular the duties incumbent on me as an appraiser in making an inventory of the property and rights and credits belonging to the Estate of John Watkins, Deceased, large of Union Parish, La. to the best of my knowledge and understanding. So help me god. G. W. Murphy I. M. Wheeler Sworn to and subscribed before me this 7th day of December AD 1861. W. C. Smith, Parish Recorder State of Louisiana Parish of Union Be it remembered that on this the seventh day of December AD 1861 in presence of an order from the 11th District Court in and for the parish of Union, La. and to me William C. Smith, Parish Recorder and Ex Officio Notary Public in and for the Parish and State aforesaid stated and being assisted by G. W. Murphy and Isom M. Wheeler to good and lawful citizens of the Parish of Union they being duly appointed and sworn by me the said Recorder as appraisers proceeded to make an inventory and appraisement of the Property rights and credits belonging to the Estate of John Watkins, Deceased, late of the Parish of Union. Said appraisers being first duly sworn by me the said Recorder and in presence of competent witnesses make the following inventory to wit: 250 Bushels of corn more or less apprd. @ 187.50 4 Stacks of fodder apprd. @ 18.00 8 Head stock cattle apprd. @ 50.00 15 Head of hogs 180.00 8 Head of shoats 16.00 1 Sow and shoat 14.00 20 Head sheep 50.00 1 Mule 75.00 1 Mule 60.00 5 Head of goats 6.25 1 Lot of plows and stocks 6.00 2 Pr. Plow gear 2.00 1 Drawing knife and hand saw 1.50 1 Shot gun apprd. @15., 1 block apprd. @5. 20.00 6 Weeding hoes, 5 axes, 16 pr. Steel iron 4.00 1 Feather Bed & mattress & Stead apprd. @ 20.00 1 Looking glass @1., 1 table @ 1. 2.00 6 Chairs @5., 1 Saw @ 6., 2 [unreadable] 21.00 2 [unreadable] 66.75 150000 pounds of seed cotton more or less apprd. @ 300.00 1 Cowhide apprd. @ 2.25 2000 Acres of land situated in the Parish of Union with the improvements thereon apprd. @ 3. per acre 600.00 One note on R. F. Williamson due January 1862 for twenty six dollars __26.00 $1612.25 Amount brought forward $1612.25 One note on Alex Garner for twenty two & 61/100 Dollars with 8 per cent Interest from due until paid 22.60 One note on J. T. Lowrey due January 1862 for Twelve Dollars 12.00 One note W S & Temple for thirty one & 46/100 Dollars due January 1st 1861 31.46 One account on George Ho[unreadable] 20.60 Account on W. J. Pickle for 5.00 1 Wash pot @ 4., 1 book @ 2. 6.00 One note on Joseph H. Slade for twelve hundred & thirty two Dollars due January 1st 1861 has a credit of Seven Hundred Sixty Six & 94/100 Dollars balance of principal March 26th 1861 __465.06 12235.08 Having completed the forgoing inventory, I have on this the 7th day of December AD 1861 closed the same in testimony whereof I have caused said appraisers to sign their names hereto in presence of Dr. W. D m. Burton and T. T. Moore, lawful and competent witnesses who have hereto signed their names with said appraisers and me the said Recorder on this the 7th day of November AD 1861. W. D. M. Burton J. M. Wheeler T. T. Moore G. W. Murphy W. C. Smith, Parish Recorder To the Honorable the Judge of the eleventh Judicial District Court in and for the Parish of Union, La. The petition of Duncan D. Dawkins Administrator of the estate of John Watkins, decd., respectfully represents that the personal property of said Estate is profitable to the said Estate and subject to waste. Wherefore he prays for on order to sell the same. He prays that the sale maybe on terms as follows: all sums of over ten dollars, a credit of [unreadable] security upon same [unreadable] the dollar cash that credit [unreadable] to give their note with good Security and 8 pc interest from date . He further prays general relief. H. Regenburg, Atty. State of Louisiana Parish of Union Know all men by these presents that we Duncan D. Dawkins as principal and I. M. Wheeler and G. W. Murphy as his Securities are held and firmly bound unto W. B. Egan, Judge of the 11th District Court, Union Parish, La. or to his successors in office in the just and full sum of Thirty hundred Dollars to the true and faithful payment whereof will and truly to be made we find ourselves, heirs, and assigns firmly by these presents dated at Farmerville, La, Dec. 7th, 1861. The condition of the above obligation is such that whereas the said Duncan D. Dawkins has been duly and legally appointed Tutor to the following minor heirs of the Estate of John Watkins, Decd. to wit [blank] and he has taken the oath prescribed by Law. Now therefore if the said D. D. Dawkins, shall faithfully and impartially discharge and perform all the duties incumbent on him as Tutor to said minors and shall faithfully account to the Judge of said Court for all money or property received in this State or any other state and shall render yearly to the Judge of said Court a true and faithful account of all his acts done in and about said nature of Tutorship and shall faithfully look after the bodies of said minors and study their interest, needs, things and shall wherein legally required so to pay over all sums of money and deliver all the property of whatever nature to the [unreadable] or to the proper person or persons to receive the same thus this obligation to be null and void (otherwise to be) and render in full force and effect against the principal and his said Securities. Done and signed, acknowledged on the day and date above written. ATTEST: Duncan D. Dawkins Jas. L. Guthrie, Clerk I. M. Wheeler G. W. Murphy State of Louisiana 11th Judicial Dist. Court Parish of Union I, D. D. Dawkins, do solemnly swear that I will faithfully and impartially discharge all and singular the duties incumbent on me as Tutor to the following minor heirs of the Estate of John Watkins, Decd. to wit: [blank] to the best of my ability and understanding. So help me God. Duncan D. Dawkins Sworn to and subscribed before me on this 7th December 1861. Jas. L. Guthrie, Clerk Succession of John Watkins, Decd. 11th District Court Whereas Duncan D. Dawkins has been duly and legally appointed Tutor to the following minor heirs of the Estate of John Watkins, to wit: Ophelia Watkins, and he has given bond, with good securities and taken the oath prescribed by law. Now therefore the said D. D. Dawkins is duly and legally authorized and empowered to duly perform all the acts appertaining to said appointments according to law. Given under my hand and seal of said Court on this the 1st day of December 1861. Jas. L. Guthrie, Clerk Be it remembered that on this the 28th day of December AD 1861 according to previous legal advertisement made, D. D. Dawkins preceded to sell the personal property of the Estate of John Watkins, decd. as follows: H. Smith bought Bed Stead and Counterpane 40.00 1 trundle bed mattress and quilt 5.00 4 Chairs and 1 small barrel __2.75 47.75 Wm. C. Masterson bought 50 bushels corn 47.50 50 bushels corn 45.50 20 shoats @ 1.50, 3 shoats @ 1.80, 1 sow @ 15 __30.30 125.30 W. J. Pickle bought bridle and [unreadable] 1.90 J. B. Robinson bought 2 tubs and 1 chair 1.00 J. W. Wheeler bought 1 bowl stand and Tin bucket 1.80 1 draw knife @1., 1 pr ? irons 1.65 1 Table @.55, 1 red knife @ 6. 6.55 3 Sows 35.00 5 Shoats @ 16.50, bsl. ? @ 2.50 _19.00 62.00 J. M. Slade bought 1 coffee mill Hammer, and axe 1.25 1 skillet @.60, hand saw @.25 .85 1 syringe @ 1.15, 1 lot plows __3.20 5.80 L. Demsey bought 2 plow stocks, 1 plow stock 2.00 1 Iron wedge @ .80, 5 bushels corn 50.80 2 sheep @ 4. __8.00 60.80 H. C. Gully bought 2 buckets @1.15, 2 clock @5.25 6.40 2 Bridles @.25, 3 Goats 5.75 50 bushels corn @ 1. _50.00 62.15 E. J. Barron bought 1 oxen & Lid @2., 1 pot @ 1. 3.00 1 Candle mold stick and pitcher .50 1 Double barrel gun, molasses _30.10 33.60 S. F. Wheeler bought 2 padlocks, 1 slab 1.55 J. J. Jordon bought 12 sheep 55.80 Wm. Morgan bought 1 mule @76., 1 sow @7.75 __83.75 $538.75 Amount carried $538.75 Jas. F. White bought 1 white heifer @13.28 13.28 1 Red steer & 1 red bull [blank] 1 Red & 1 white yearling heifer 11.00 1 Dry cow & 1 red yearling __26.80 64.08 W. L. Foster bought 1 Large & 1 small [unreadable] 1.80 2 axes @.95 and set teaspoons 1.65 1 bridle, 2 goats, and 3 ? __3.70 7.15 M. T. Sims [or Simmons] bought 2 Single tree and chain .75 1 Skillet & lid, 1 lot hoes 1.75 1 Weeding hoe ___.10 2.60 Daniel Hamm bought 3 Tumblers & 4 Sheep 21.50 50 bushels corn __47.50 69.00 Samuel Gann bought Knife & forks, 1 lot Potatoes 12.58 A. A. Watkins bought 1 Lard stand, 1[unreadable] 3.70 2 Small Pitchers 1.95 1 Set Plates, Kitchen ? 2.80 1 copper, 1 cow hide __3.15 11.30 James Watkins bought 1 Pr. Saddle bags, 1 pot 1.85 1 Dumijon, Tallow 1.82 1 Wash pot __6.75 10.44 D. D. Dawkins bought 1 bridle, 1 Pitcher 2.00 1 set spoons .35 1 looking glass, 1 shaver 1.00 1000 # fodder @ .50 6.00 2034 # fodder @ .65 13.22 1 lot hogs __70.00 92.67 J. A. Cowth[?] bought 2 pr. Harnesses 1.25 1 mule __105.00 106.25 John Hopkins bought 1 Saddle __18.00 932.94 Sundry articles not to be amounting to __28.20 960.20 The [unreadable] complying with the conditions of sale, the several articles were delivered to them and the sale closed this day and date above written. D. D. Dawkins, Admr. A True Record, Jany. 30th 1862. Jas. L. Guthrie, Clerk ================================================================================= Union Parish Louisiana Succession Book F, pp. 309 - 312 ================================================================================== To the Honorable the Judge of the Eleventh Judicial District Court in and for Union Parish, Louisiana. The petition of Duncan D. Dawkins, Admr. of the Estate of John Watkins, Decd, a resident of said Parish respectfully represents that the following is an account of full and final statement of the acts and doings as Administrator of the said Estate to wit: 1. He charges himself with the property inventoried not sold 1200 acres of land apprd. @ $600.00 2. Notes & accounts inventoried 585.77 3. Cotton apprd. @ 300.00 4. The proceed of sale as per process verbal __961.10 Amounting to $2446.87 He prays to be credited for the following items as per voucher Voucher No. 1 amt. paid J. M. [?] 5.00 2 amt. paid J. R. Robinson 3.00 3 amt. paid S. F. Whales 1.35 4 amt. paid M. T. Simmons 2.60 5 amt. paid J. W. Seale for picking cotton 75.00 6 amt. paid J. B. Parker 16.39 7 amt. paid D. Porter on note 37.16 8 amt. paid Lotte Stripling 5.00 9 amt. paid A. W. Johnson 16.20 10 amt. paid W. D. [?] Bruton __100.00 $362.14 11 amt. paid Dr. J. W. Callaway 12.65 12 amt. paid A. W. Murphy 26.36 13 amt. paid S. T. Wheelis 18.00 14 amt. paid Taxes after 1861 1.03 15 amt. paid A. Bruton for Jamison 17.00 16 amt. paid John Herron Note & account 108.07 17 amt. paid W. C. Reynolds 8.67 18 amt. paid W. T. Morrison 10.70 19 amt. paid Holbrook & Williams 35.65 20 amt. paid Corporate Tax 1863 60.00 21 amt. paid W. J. Sickle 12.50 22 amt. paid Jos. L. Guthrie, Clerk fees 31.41 23 amt. paid D. Dawkins, acct. ___94.15 $799.51 24 amt. paid Moore and Hearsey 20.25 25 amt. paid Thos. Kessie [?] 10.70 26 amt. paid M. T. Simmons $50.50 ___19.60 $850.06 He also asks credit for the following notes which he returns insolvent. 1 Note on W. H. Temple 31.50 2 Note on J. J. Jordon 55.80 3 Note on E. Garner 22.61 4 Note on James Watkins 10.42 5 Note on Saml. Garner 12.50 6 Note on Wm. C. Smith 47.75 7 Note on David Watkins 11.30 8 Note on W. L. Montgomery ___48.75 Amounting to $240.63 He also asks to be credited with the appraised value Of the land which is on hand to be returned $600.00 Recapitulating the several parts of this account: Amounts to be charges against admr. as for [unreadable] and lots $2446.87 Amount of Credits Amount of vouchers from 1-26 $850.06 Amount of notes & accts. returned 240.63 Amount of value of land in hand __600.00 __1690.69 Leaving this amount due by Admr. 756.18 From which amount deduct clerk’s fee 4.45 Printer’s fees 7.50 Atty.’s fees ____15.00 $ 86.95 Leaving as a final amount to be paid over to the legal heirs and [unreadable] the sum of six hundred and sixty nine and 05/100 dollars ($669.05). He represents that the widow of Deceased claims to have brought [unreadable] the community, the sum of seven hundred dollars as prophetical property, while claim petitioner recognizes as just and correct. He proposes that this account may be duly advertised according to law and after due proceedings had that it may be homologated and allowed and that he be ordered to deliver the money and property to the proper parties and that his bond be canceled and for general relief. H. Regenburg, Atty. State of Louisiana 11th Judicial District Court Parish of Union It is ordered and decreed that the foregoing final account of D. D. Dawkins as Administrator of the Estate of John Watkins and be advertised according to law. Done and signed in office this 26th day of October AD 1866. 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 administration of the Estate of John Watkins, Decd. 1st Vouchers filed with the accounts. 2nd James W. Reid, Clerk of the District court sworn says that he was the active clerk for the said court in October last and that the said amount was filed on the 26th day of October Ad 1866 and has been advertised for more than thirty days prior to this date by publication in a weekly newspaper published in the Town of Farmerville, Louisiana and by posting at the door of the Court House in said Parish and that no opposition has been filed to the Homologation of the said final account. J. W. Reid Sworn to and subscribed before me this 1st day of December AD 1866. W. A. Darby, J. P. State of Louisiana 11th Judicial District Court Parish of Union I do hereby certify the above to be allowed the evidence adduced on the homologation of the final account filed by D. D. Dawkins as administrator of the Estate of John Watkins, Decd. Given under my hand and seal of office this 1st day of December AD 1866. J. W. Reid Clerk, District Court State of Louisiana 11th Judicial 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 and no opposition having been filed to the homologation of the within final account, it is hereby ordered, adjudged and decreed that said final account be and the same is hereby allowed, approved and homologated in all its parts according to law. Done and signed in office on this 1st day of December AD 1866, it being the 1st Saturday in said month. J. W. Reid Clerk, District Court A true record, May 1st 1867. J. L. Guthrie Deputy Clerk ###########################################################