Transcribed and Submitted by Elaine English A PORTION OF THE RECORDS OF THE ESTATE OF HIRAM RANDALL FROM COPIAH COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI Loose Papers in Probate Boxes -------------------------------------------------------------------- TO THE HONORABLE M. H. PEYTON, JUDGE OF THE PROBATE COURT, COPIAH COUNTY, STATE OF MISSISSIPPI The Petition of Seleta Randall of said County Respectfully shows that she is the mother of the following named orphan Children of Shubal (or Sherbal) S. Randall deceased to wit; William H. Randall, Wiley P. H. (?) Randall, Elbert S. Randall, Joseph B. Randall, Hiram J. Randall, Margaret P. (?) Randall and Elizabeth E. W. Randall, who are all minors under the age of twenty one years and have no lawful Guardian. That said minors are entitled as heirs at law of Hiram J. Randall late of said County deceased of a small (?) distribution of the estate of said Hiram J. Randall deceased of about Eighty dollars, now in the hands of the Administrator of said decedent, that your petitioner hath the custody and tuition of said minors and therefore prays your honor, to grant her letters of guardianship to said minors and your petitioner will ever pray &c. Sworn to & subscribed open court Seleta Randall 1st Apl 1867 M. Cook, CLK. --------------------------------------------------------------------- TO THE HONORABLE M. H. PEYTON, JUDGE OF THE PROBATE COURT OF COPIAH COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI The Petition of Benjamin Harris, resident of said County, respectfully shows that Hiram J. Randall late of said county departed this life about the month of August in the year AD 1858, leaving no will so far as your petitioner is informed and believes. That said intestate died seised and possessed of a small real and personal estate consisting of a small tract of land lying on Pearl River in said County containing about two hundred and forty acres, a small stock of cattle and hogs and some farming utensils &c (and upon the aforesaid tract of land, there is a corn mill now in operation and run by water power) all of said personal estate being estimated to be worth not exceeding Three hundred dollars-that said decedent left a widow Martha Randall, eight children to wit: Shubal (or Sherbal) S. Randall, Wiley P. Randall, Hiram P. Randall, Walsingham Randall, Rankin Randall & Sarah Crilley wife of Patrick Crilley and Margaret Randall, daughter and heir at law of Robert Randall deceased, minor, and distributee Randall, Wiley Randall, Elbert Randall, Philip Randall, John Randall, Margaret Randall and Elizabeth Randall, who are minors and distributees of the estate of said Hiram J. Randall deceased, and that Warren Norman, Hiram Norman, Maranda Norman, Matilda Norman, Mary Norman and Theodocia Norman, distributees as aforesaid are minors. That your petitioner has been applied (?) to by the Widow and next of Kin of said decedent to Administer in the estate ( inserted:and have waived their right to administer) of said decedent, and your petitioner believing that said estate should be immediately administered- he therefore prays that your Honor will grant letters of Administration to him in the premises upon qualifying himself according to law and the directions of this Court. Your petitioner ---?--- to the Consideration of your Honor Archibald Steele as security upon his bond to anominate (?) A. Steele, W. W. Jones and E. A. Nix (?) and J. M. Smith to value the goods and Chattels and personal estate of said intestate. And as in duty bound your petitioner will ever pray &c. Sworn to & Subscribed B. Harris in open court this 5th (?) day of March AD 1866 (?) M. Cook, CLK. STATE OF MISSISSIPPI COPIAH COUNTY To the Sheriff of Copiah County--Greetings- You are hereby commanded to Cite Selete Wilson, guardian of the minor heirs of Shubal S. Randall deceased, H. S. (?) Randall, W. J. Randall, H.P. Randall, W.P. Randall, Sarah Crilly and Pat Crilly, her husband, C. (or S.)D. Norman, Guardian, Lucinda Neal & Hugh Neal her husband, if to be found in your county, to be and appear before the Probate Court of Copiah County, at a court be holden at the Court-house thereof on the First Monday in September next, and on the 4th day of the term, then and there to show cause, if any they have, or can, why the final account of Benjamin Harris, Administrator of the estate of Hiram J. Randall deceased, now on file in said Court, should not be allowed according to law. Witness the Hon. M. H. Peyton, Judge of the Probate Court of Copiah County at the Court-house thereof, the First Monday in August 1868. Issued, the 6th Augst 1868. M. Cook, CLK. By W. L. Haley, D.C. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Back of Citation (before) Estate H. J. Randall, Dec'd To September 1868 Cite Selete Wilson, Guard. H. (?) S. Randall W. J. Randall H. P. Randall W. (?) P. Randall Sarah Crilly & Pat Crilly C. D. Norman, Guard. Lucinda Neal & Hugh Neal 4th day re(?) Augst 68 A. B. Lowe (or Love) shff. ----fee $15.00 Copiah Executed personally on all the within named persons except W. J. Randall and H. P. Randall they not being to be found in my county Aug 25th 1868 A. B. Lowe, Shff. By J. M. -----?-----, D. S. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- TO THE HONORABLE M. H. PEYTON, JUDGE OF THE PROBATE COURT OF COPIAH COUNTY, STATE OF MISSISSIPPI The petition of C. (or S. ) D. Norman of said County, shows that he is the father and natural guardian of the following named children, Warren P., Hiram J., Sarah M. (?), Alamansa M. F. (?) Mary M. and Theodocia who are minors under the age of twenty one years--that said Minors are entitled as heirs at law of Hiram J. Randall deceased, who died intestate of a small real and personal estate, estimated to be about Seventy five dollars to be divided among the above named Minor children on the final settlement of the estate of said H. J. Randall deceased. Your petitioner therefore prays that letters of Guardianship may be granted to him of the person and estate of said Minors according to the provisions of the Statute in such case made and provided-- And your petitioners as in duty bound will ever pray &c. Sworn to & subscribed in S. (?) D. Norman open court 7th (?) Jany 1867 M. Cook, CLK. --------------------------------------------------------------------- STATE OF MISSISSIPPI COPIAH COUNTY To the Sheriff of Lawrence County--Greeting- You are hereby commanded to Cite Robert Bardwell, Guardian of Margaret Randall, minor heir of Robert Randall deceased, and distributee of Hiram J. Randall deceased, if to be found in your county, to be and appear before the Probate Court of Copiah County, at a court to be holden at the Court-house thereof, on the first Monday in September next, and on the 4th day of the term, then and there to show cause, if any he hath, or can, why the Final account of Benjamin Harris Administrator of the estate of Hiram J. Randall deceased, now on file in said Court, should not be allowed according to law. And have you then there this writ. Witness, the Hon. M. H. Peyton, Judge of the Probate Court of Copiah County, at the Court-house thereof the 1st Monday in August 1868. Issued the 6th Augst 1868 M. Cook, CLK. By W. L. Haley, D. C. --------------------------------------------------------------------- BACK OF DOCUMENT (ABOVE) Est. H. J. Randall To Sept Term 1868 Copiah Probate Court Cite: Robt. Bardwell, Guard. Executed and ??? Robt. Bardwell by ???? with his wife this the 26th day of August 1868. H. T. Wilson 4th Day Received July 13th (?) 1868 A. -?- Cox, Shff. Fee: (cannot read) Lawrence I have this day executed this writ by leaving a copy at the usual place of abode of Robert Bardwell in the hands of his wife a free white person over the age of 16 years, a member of his family and willing to receive it, he being absent. Aug 26th 1868. A. O. (?) Cox, Shff. By H. T. Wilson, D. S. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- STATE OF MISSISSIPPI THE PROBATE COURT COPIAH COUNTY SEPTEMBER TERM AD 1866 (?) The joint answer of Harmon Randall, Wiley Randall, Elbert Randall, Philip Randall, John Randall, Margaret Randall, Elizabeth Randall, Margaret Randall, Warren Norman, Hiram Norman, Maranda Norman, Matilda Norman and Theodocia Norman, minor heirs, and distributees of the estate of Hiram J. Randall deceased to the petition of Benjamin Harris administrator of the estate of said decedent for sale of certain lands tenements & hereditaments thereon mentioned for distribution &c. (by their guardian ad litem appears stricken out) These respondents by their said guardian ad litem saving (?) &c. for answer to said petition or so much thereof as they are advised it is necessary and proper for them to answer, answering, say, that by reason of their minority and inexperience they are incapable of being properly informed of the matters and things in said petition contained. And can neither admit or deny the same wherefore they submit their interests in this behalf to the care and protection of the honorable Court and pray that the allegations of the petitioner may be required to be substantiated by (??????) and legal proof. And having fully answered your respondents pray &c. M. Cook Guardian ad litem ----------------------------------------------------------------------- IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION OF BENJAMIN HARRIS ADMINISTRATOR OF THE ESTATE OF HIRAM J. RANDALL DECEASED FOR SALE OF CERTAIN LANDS TENEMENTS &C. FOR DISTRIBUTION: On reading the petition of said administrator this day professed (?) to this court, it appearing to the satisfaction of the Court that Harmon Randall, Wiley Randall, Elbert Randall, Joseph Randall, John Randall, Margaret Randall, Warren Norman, Hiram Norman, Marion (?) Norman, Matilda Norman & Theodocia Norman, heirs at law of said decedent, and interested in said lands tenements and hereditaments, have been duly served with citations in this behalf, but that they are infants, under the age of twenty one years, by reason whereof they cannot answer a said petition without having a guardian assigned them for that purpose and Morris Cook, Esq., being present in Court accepts said appointment and thereby agrees to become such guardian and waives further notice. It is thereupon ordered by the Court that said Morris Cook be appointed Guardian ad litem of the said infants, by whom they may answer and defend this petition. (part of this document may be missing) ----------------------------------------------------------------------- THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI COPIAH COUNTY, s. s. Know all men by these Presents: That we, Seleta Randall & Benjamin Harris & N. (?) M. Smith of the county and State aforesaid, are held and firmly bound unto the State of Mississippi, in the penal sum of Two Hundred dollars, for the payment of which, well and truly to be made, we and each of us, do bind ourselves, our heirs, executors and administrators, severally and firmly by these presents, sealed with our seals, and dated this 1st day of April 1867. THE CONDITION OF THE ABOVE OBLIGATION IS, THAT IF THE ABOVE BOUNDEN Seleta Randall as Guardian to : William (?) H. Randall, Wiley P. (?) Randall, Elbert S. Randall, Joseph B. Randall, Hiram J. Randall, Margaret Randall and Elizabeth E. W. (?) Randall--of Copiah County, shall faithfully discharge all the duties required of him by law, shall faithfully account with the Probate Court of Copiah County, for the management of the property and estate of the orphans under his care, and shall also deliver up said property, with its increase and profits, agreeably to the order of said court, or the directions of law, and shall, in all respects perform the duty of Guardian to the said Minors then the above obligation shall cease, otherwise it shall remain in full force and virtue in law. Seleta Randall {SEAL} B. Harris {SEAL} W. M. Smith {SEAL} THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI COPIAH COUNTY To the Sheriff of Copiah County---Greeting You are hereby commanded to cite: Rankin Randall, Sarah Crilley & Patrick Crilley, her husband, Lucinda Neal & Hugh Neal, her husband, Harmon (?) Norman, Hiram Norman, Maranda Norman, Matilda Norman & Theodocia Norman if to be found in your county to be and appear before the Probate Court of Copiah County at a Court to be holden at the Court House thereof, on the First Monday in July next, and on the first day of the Term, then and there to show cause if any they have or can, why the petition of Benjamin Harris administrator of the estate of H. J. Randall, deceased, for sale of land for division & distribution, now on file in said Court should not be granted, according to law. And you have then there this writ, Witness, the Honorable M. H. Peyton, Judge of the Probate Court of Copiah County, at the Court House thereof, the First Monday in June AD 1866 Issued the 11th day of June AD 1866. M. Cook, Clerk By W. L. Haley, D.C. BACK OF DOCUMENT 89 Est H. J. Randall, dec'd. To July Term 1866 ????? Cite: Rankin Randall, Sarah Crilley, Patrick Crilley, Lucinda Neal, Hugh Neal, Warren Norman, Hiram Norman, Maranda Norman, Matilda Norman, Theodocia Norman 1st Day: Copiah Rec'd. June 11th 1866, A. B. Lowe, Shff. Executed personally on all the within named persons but P. Crilley and R. Randall and by copy left at their usual places of residence with their wives who are free white persons over the age of sixteen & willing to rec. the same they not to be found (?). June 21sr 1866 A. B. Lowe, Shff. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI COPIAH COUNTY To the Sheriff of Copiah County--Greeting You are hereby commanded to cite: Harmon Randall, Wiley Randall, Elbert Randall, Philip Randall, John Randall, Margaret Randall, Elizabeth Randall, Joshua Randall, Isaiah Randall, Wiley P. Randall, Hiram P. Randall, Walsingham Randall. (I don't know why these names keep changing unless the individuals had several names and sometimes the documents called them by their first names and other times by names they might have been called more often ...Elaine) if to be found in your county, to be and appear before the Probate Court of Copiah County, at a Court to be holden at the Court House thereof, on the First Monday in July next, and on the first day of the Term, then and there to show cause if any they have or can, why the petition of Benjamin Harris administrator of the estate of H. J. Randall, dec'd., for sale of Land for division & distribution, now file in said Court should not be granted according to law. And have you then there this writ. Witness, the Honorable M. H. Peyton, Judge of the Probate Court of Copiah County, at the Court House thereof, the First Monday in June AD 1866 Issued the 11th day of June AD 1866 M. Cook, Clerk By W. L. Haley, D. C. BACK OF DOCUMENT 89 Est. H. J. Randall, dec'd. To July Term 1866 ?????? 12.50 (?) Cite: Harmon Randall, Wiley Randall, Elbert Randall, Philip Randall, John Randall, Margaret Randall, Elizabeth Randall, Joshua Randall, Isaiah Randall, Wiley P. Randall, Hiram P. Randall, Walsingham Randall 1st Day: Copiah Rec'd. June 11th 1866--A. B. Lowe, Shff. Executed personally on all the within named persons except Walsingham Randall and Philip Randall. Executed on Walsingham Randall by copy left at his usual place of residence with his wife, she being a free white person over the age of sixteen & willing to rec. the same he not to be found. Philip Randall reported to me to be dead--not found. A. B. Lowe Shff. June ??? 1866 H