Estate Settlement of Nathaniel Tanner

The following is part of a collection of documents found in a packet of court records pertaining to the estate 
of Nathaniel Tanner. Although Nathaniel died intestate on 12 June 1875, the final accounting of his estate 
was not until May 1, 1907. I believe the delay was caused by the fact that there were several unmarried 
daughters who lived at the home place until their deaths; the last one died in 1903. This document, which is 
dated 1903, gives a more detailed listing of the heirs than does the final accounting of 1907.

To Honorable George J. Hundley, Judge of the Circuit Court of Appomattox County.

Your complainants, B.N. Tanner, Lelia V. Tanner his wife; John H. Tanner, Louisa V. Reed and wilson B. 
Reed her husband; William A. Tanner, Florence Morris and William Morris her husband, and Thomas A. 
Tanner, respectfully show unto your honor that Nathaniel Tanner, their ancestor died in the year 1876, 
intestate and seized and possessed of a tract of land in the County of Appomattox containing 156 acres, 
about ten miles from the Courthouse of said County on Big Falling River, and adjoining the lands of S.W. 
Cheatham, Mrs. Bettie E. Barksdale and others. The said Nathaniel Tanner had ten children as follows:

Frederick Tanner, Powhatan Tanner, Benjamin Tanner, Nathan Tanner, Pocahontas Tanner, Elizabeth E. 
Tanner, Mary P. Tanner, Nancy J. Tanner, Phoebe Tanner, and Nathaniel Tanner. All ten of said children 
are now dead, but a number of them left children as follows:

(1) Frederick Tanner has now living the following children: Mary J., Minnie A., Lottie A., John W., George 
W., and Martha A., all of whom are non residents.
(2) Powhatan Tanner died without issue.
(3) Benjamin Tanner left but two children, namely: Minnie and Ada F., both of whom are non residents.
(4) Nathan Tanner who left the following children: Florence, who intermarried with William Morris, and 
Jimmie, who intermarried with Thos. A. Tanner and has departed this life leaving surviving her her husband 
and the following children: Pearly, Hubbard and Lonnie Tanner.
(5, 6, 7 & 8) Pocahontas Tanner, Elizabeth E. Tanner, Mary P. Tanner and Phoebe Tanner, leaving no issue.
(9) Nancy J. Tanner, who departed this life prior to the death of the intestate leaving the following children 
[Nancy married her first cousin William A. Tanner, who was killed during the Civil War]: John H. Tanner, 
William A. Tanner [Jr.], Benjamin N. Tanner, who intermarried with Lelia V. Tanner [Lelia's maiden name 
was Cheatham], and Louisa V. Tanner who is intermarried with Willis B. Reed.
(10) Nathaniel Tanner who died leaving the following children: James W. Tanner, Harrison D. Tanner, 
Martha A. Tanner and Thomas A. Tanner, who intermarried with Ola N. Tanner.

Your complainants believe and state that the said real estate is not susceptible of partition among the parties 
entitled thereto owing to the small number of acres contained in the tract and the large number of heirs 
interested therein, and they desire the same to be sold and the proceeds divided among the adult and infant 
parties according to their respective rights; the shares of infants to be held as directed by the law in such 
cases made and provided. Your complainants are satisfied that the interests of those who are entitled to the 
real estate or its proceeds will be greatly benefited by the sale of the land.

In consideration whereof and being remedyless save by the aid of a court of equity where matters of this 
kind are properly cognizable, your complainants pray that Mary J. Tanner, Mineva A? Tanner, Geo. W. 
Tanner, Martha A. Tanner, Minnie Tanner, Ada F. Tanner, James W. Tanner, Harrison D. Tanner, Martha 
A. Tanner, Thomas A. Tanner and his wife Ola M. Tanner, Pearly Tanner, Hubbard Tanner and Lonnie 
Tanner, the last three infants under twenty one years of age, and all unknown heirs of Nathaniel, if there be 
any, may be made parties defendant to this suit, and required on oath to answer the same; That a proper 
guardian ad litem be assigned the infant defendants to defend their interests in this suit, who shall also 
answer this bill; that proper process issue; that the said real estate be sold and the proceeds of such sale be 
divided among the parties entitled thereto; that all proper orders and decrees may be made, and proper 
inquiries be directed, and that all such other further and general relief may be afforded your complainants as 
the nature of their case may require or in equity may seem mete, and your complainants will ever pray, etc.

Floyd & Ferguson, p.q.

Submitted by Maxine Crabtree


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