Rockbridge County, VA Chancery Order Book 1847-52, pp. 371, 404,
482. 

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Rockbridge County, VA Chancery Order Book 1847-52, p. 371
(Transcript)

Circuit Court 19 April 1851
        Adam Wilhelm and Margaret his wife, John Morris and
Elizabeth his wife and Andrew Hayslett trustee in a marriage
contract between said Morris and wife.  Plaintiffs
                        against
Hiram Vess in his own right and as Administrator of Samuel Vess
decd, Addison Vess, George W. Vess, Samuel Vess, Elias Vess, John
Vess, William Vess, Andrew Vess, Archibald D. Rowsey and Mary his
wife, William Alphin, Andrew Lindsay, William Dixon, James Johnston,
William Elliot, William Denton, and John Ford.                 
Defendants

        The Defendants Elias Vess, John Vess and John Ford who are
out of this county and against whom the plaintiffs appear to have
proceeded in the mode presented by law against absent defendants
still failing to appear and answer and the subpoena awarded in this
cause having been returned executed on the Defendants Addison Vess,
George W. Vess, Samuel Vess, William Vess, Andrew Vess, Archibald D.
Rowsey and Mary, his wife, William Alphin, Andrew Lindsay, William
Dixon, James Johnston, William Elliott and William Denton, and they
still failing to appear and answer the two months have elapsed as
well since the Plaintiffs filed their bill as since the service of
the subpoena.  On the motion of the Plaintiffs by Counsel, their
Bill is taken for confessed as to the said Defendants.
        Whereupon, the cause coming on this day to be heard upon the
Bill and exhibits and the answer of the Defendant Hiram Vess in his
own right & as administrator of Samuel Vess decd with the
replication thereto was argued by counsel.
        On consideration whereof and by consent of the parties by
their attorneys, it is ordered and decreed, that partition and
division of the lands in the Bill mentioned be made between the
Plaintiffs and Defendants, the heirs at law of Samuel Vess decd.  or
the vendues of such as may have sold or transferred their shares and
that the same be assigned to the said parties to be held by them,
their heirs and assigns forever by metes and bounds in severally but
liable to be charged for any balances which may be found due from
any of the said [parceners] to the estate of the intestate, upon a
settlement thereof, to be hereafter directed.  And a commission is
awarded to be directed to James C. C. Moore, Henry McCorkle, James
F. Harper, William B. Wilson, and Samuel R. Moore any three or more
of whom may act to make the said partition and division and they
will report their proceedings to the court in order to a further
decree.

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Rockbridge County, VA Chancery Order Book 1847-52, p. 404 
(Abstract)

        17 September 1851  Same vs. Same

        Ordered that commissioner Charles Chaplin ³do take, state
and settle the accounts of Hiram Vess Administrator of Samuel Vess
deceased,² and sd. commissioner to take into account any
advancements made to any of the children of said Samuel Vess in his
lifetime.

        Commissioner apptd. by decree of April last to divide the
lands of said Samuel Vess among those entitled have failed to make a
division on account of two of them, Henry McCorkle and James F.
Harper, having an interest in some of the shares.  Same
commissioners ordered to make partition & division of said lands &
report their proceedings to the Court.

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Rockbridge County, VA Chancery Order Book 1847-52, p. 482 
(Abstract)

        15 September 1851    Same vs. Same

        It appears from the master's Report that there is a balance
due the estate in the hands of the Defendant Hiram Vess
Administrator of Samuel Vess deceased of $57.27 w/ int from 1 Sep
1852.  Also debt still due from the   to J & J Poague of $47.27 1/2
w/int on $28.76 1/2 cents from 1 Sept 1852.  Ordered Deft to pay
debt.

        Hiram Vess also indebted to plaintiffs Adam Wilhelm &
Margaret his wife $58.27 and to John Morris & Elizabeth his wife
$23.07 for property belonging to them and sold by sd. Hiram Vess. 
Hiram ordered to pay these debts w/ int. from 1 Sep 1852.

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