LAND DEED PROBATE RECORDS

ROBERTSON CO., TN

Tennessee State Library Film 425,278

Partial Abstration by Larry Hallstrom
© 2008

No. 47 Jacob House & Nancy House to David Wells

No. 99 Deed from Pennington Byrd to William H. Haggard for undivided interest in a tract of land. 5 Aug 1833

No. 100 A Mortgage from John C. Payne to Jane Payne for his interest in his father’s estate. 31 Jly 1833

No. 154 Deed of Trust from Samuel Shannon to William Burney & Cavit Armstrong for the benefit of James & Hugh Shannon, 225 acres 10 Sept 1833

No. 157 Deed from Thomas Byrd to Benj. Gains for 100 acres 19 Sep 1833

No. 223 Deed from John Parks to Samuel Shannon for 40 acres 14 Nov 1833

No. 300 Deed Jacob House to Jno. Couts, 128 acres 10 Feb 1834

No. 314 Deed Braden Jernigan, Senr to David Jernigan, 101 ½ acres.

Witness: John H. Jernigan & H.W. Jernigan 10 Feb 1834

No. 317 Deed from Hamilton Parks to David Jones for 125 acres.

Witness: Anthony Jones & Wm. Long 10 Feb 1834

No. 335 Deed Barnett Payne to Toliver Hughlett, 10 ½ acres 12 Feb 1834

No. 347 Deed from James Holland to Asa Harper, 50 acres.

Witness: Wm. Huddleston Senr 19 Feb 1834

No. 529 Deed Barnett Payne to Toliver Hughlet, 10 acres 24 Oct 1834

No. 536 Deed from John Ellison to Aaron Ellison, 85 acres.

Witness: William D.R. Durrett & Francis R. Durrett 27 Oct 1834

No. 537 Deed from Aaron Ellison to Abram C. Gains, 85 acres 27 Oct 1834

No. 565 Bill of Sale from Holden W. Cole to Richard Chowning for personal property. Witness: William Shannon & Richmond S. Cole 12 Nov 1834

No. 578 Deed from Azariah Hundly to Jesse Shannon, 50 acres 10 Dec 1834

No. 579 Deed from Azariah Hundly to Hugh Shannon, 50 acres 10 Dec 1834

No. 704 Deed from James Shannon to Hugh Shannon for 169 acres 13 Apr 1835

No. 719 A Deed from Philip Shanklin to John Young for 640 acres of land half? Proven.

State of Tennessee }

Robertson County } Personally appeared before me William Seal Clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for the County aforesaid at my office in the town of Springfield Jacob Young who is personally known to me and produced to me a certain writing purporting to be a deed of conveyance from Philip Shanklen to John Young which is the within and the said Jacob Young being first duly sworn depose and say that he was well acquainted with the said John Young and Philip Shanklin the Grantor and Grantee mentioned in said deed and in his presence the said Philip did on the day of the date of said deed sign, seal and deliver the said deed or writing to the said John Young as his act and deed and on such execution and acknowledgement he the said Jacob Young became a subscribing witness thereto, and he the said Jacob do further depose and say that he was well acquainted with Robert Johnson and Adam Class the other two subscribing witnesses thereto, that he signatures thereto purporting to be theirs are assigned in their proper hand and that as he is informed and believes that the said Robert is dead and that the said Adam is now a resident of the State of Illinois. Witness my hand at office this 23^rd day of April 1835.

W. Seal

No. 759 Marriage Contract between Solomon Payne and Anne Farmer proven

State of Tennessee }

Robertson County } Personally appeared before me William Seal Clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for the County aforesaid John Wilson on the 16^th day of May 1835 and Moses M. Cauly on this day subscribing witnesses to the above deed who being first sworn depose and say that they are acquainted with Solomon Payne and Ann Farmer the above named parties and that they acknowledged the same as their presence to be their act and deed upon the day it bears date. Witness my hand at office this 20^th day of June 1835.

W. Seal

No. 795 An Article of agreement between the heirs of Abraham Young Dec’d ack’d and proven.

State of Tennessee }

Robertson County } personally appeared before me William Seal Clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for the County aforesaid Wilson Hutchinson, Jno. S. Young, Samuel Martin, Thomas Price, Wm. B. Young, J.K. Hutchinson & B.F. Young part of the above bargainers with whom I am personally acquainted and who acknowledged that they executed the above article for the purposes therein contained. Also personally appeared before me Jacob F. Young & Dudley E. Brook subscribing witnesses to the above article who being first sworn depose say that they are acquainted with Nancy Young, Mary Young, Lucinda Young, Eliz ? Young, and Nancy Young the bal. Of the above named bargainer and that they acknowledged said article in their presence to be their act and deed upon the day it bears date. Witness my hand at office this 12^th day of August 1835.

W. Seal

No. 799 A Deed from James H. True to Rolen B. Dorris for 3 ¾ acres of land proven.

State of Tennessee }

Robertson County } Personally appeared before William Seal Clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for the County aforesaid Joseph Dorris and James Sprouse subscribing witnesses to the above and who being first sworn depose and say that they are acquainted with James H. True the above named bargainer and that he acknowledged the same in their presence to be his act and deed upon the day it bears date. Witness my hand at office this 22^nd day of August 1835.

W. Seal

No. 982 A Deed from Joseph Dorris to James H. True for 4 acres of land proven.

State of Tennessee }

Robertson County } Personally appeared before me William Seal Clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for the County aforesaid James Sprouse and John Baldwin subscribing witnesses to the above deed who being first sworn depose and say that they are acquainted with Joseph Dorris the above named bargainor and that he acknowledged the same in their presence to be his act and deed upon the day it bears date. Witness my hand at office this 10^th day of November 1835.

W. Seal

No. 1087 A Deed from William Pride to James Long for an undivided interest in a tract of land acknowledged. 2^nd May 1836.

1850-1856 Land Probates (Film )

p. 69

To the Worshipful County Court of Robertson County Ten. Nov’r Term 1852

Your petitioners Dempsey House & wife Mary formerly Mary Johns, F.J. Beasley & Susan Johns citizens of Robertson County Tenn of full age and Nancy Johns & ?.G. Johns Minors by their Regular Guardian R.M. Rose, N.G. Johns & J.N. Johns Minors by their Regular Guardian Sml S. Simmons also citizens of Robertson County & State, Wm. Johns, Wm Rose & wife Elizabeth formerly Elizabeth Johns of the State of Missouri would show your worships that they are the distributees and heirs at Large of Reese Johns dec’d. That said Johns at his death was seized & possessed in the County of Robertson of the following properties Viz: A tract of Land containing about two hundred & Ninety Six acres in the 2^nd Civil District. Also the Negro Slaves to wit, Calive, Peter, Mary, Rebecca, George, Saphsary, Wesley, John, Milissa & Josephina your petitioners would further allow that at the last term of your worships Court they petitioned this worshipful court to device a division & partitions of said Land & Negroes amongst them, which was ordered but hey would show that said decree only appointed three commissioners which they and a divised is illegal & any division or partition made in accordance therewith would be void, and that said decree directed that said commissioners also take into their estimate any advancements made to ___ of your petitioners. By the said Reese Johns dec’d which they are advised cannot be done by order of this court it having no jurisdiction of the subject of the advancement your petitioners therefore pray your worships to order a division and partition of said Land & Negros amongst your petitioners and appoint five commissioners for that purpose and that the decree heretofore made in the cause. So far as the same is in conflict and at variance with the objects of this petition be vacated and for nothing held and your petitioners as in duty bound will ever pray.

Woodward & Stark

Sol

Dempsey House & Others }

Expartee to divide Land & Negroes }

Be it remembered that on this day the 2^nd Nov 1852 this cause came to be heard and was heard by the Justices of the County Court for Robertson County, Tenn in Session and the Matters & things arising upon said petition being seem & understood by the Court. It is by the court ordered adjudged & Directed that S.H. Burton the County Surveyor John Luisser, Benjamin Gambill, Cannor Kelly, Warren Price and they are hereby appointed commissioners three of whom may act as commissioners to partition & divide said Land & Negroes amongst the distributees and heirs at large of Reece Johns dec’d and in so doing said commissioners will charge the most valuable dividend or dividends with such sum or sums as they shall judge ____ to be paid to the dividend or dividends of __rior value in order to make an equitable division.

And put each into possession of his respective share of said Land and deliver to each his due as their distributive portion of said Negroes. Either in person or by their Guardians and that commissioners or a majority of them report their proceedings under their hands & seals giving the exact Boundaries by Survey of each parcel of land. Also a correct Report of the division of Said Negroes, their ___ value & come to the next term of this court and that the decree heretofore made in this cause so far as the same is in conflict and at variance with this decree and the same is hereby vacated, annulled & for nothing held.

We the commissioners appointed by the worshipful County Court for Robertson County at its Oct’r Term thereof in 1852, to divide the Negroes and allot and partition the land mentioned in the order and decree by which we were appointed have met together on the premises and after being duly sworn have performed the duties assigned to us as follows:

We have first taken into consideration the Advancements made by Reese Johns dec’d to his ___tive children as heirs.

First. Jesse B. Rose & wife Elizabeth advance by $81.25

2^nd Wm. Johns advanced by 87.25

3^rd Susan Johns advanced by 00.00

4^th Townely Johns Heirs advanced by 87.00

5^th Daniel Johns Heirs 85.75

6^th Dempsey House & wife Mary 135.25

7^th F.J. Beasley & wife Martha 53.50

Total Advancements $540.00

Secondly we have divided the Negroes in seven lots as follows:

First lot Cavline age 38 years & Josephine aged 2 years both valued at $700

2^nd Lot Frany age 9 yrs & John aged 5 yrs $800

3^rd Lot Wesley aged 7 yrs & William aged 4 yrs $750

4^th Lot Peter aged 17 yrs valued at $800

5^th Lot Mary aged 15 yrs valued at $650

6^th Lot Rebecca aged 13 yrs valued at $550

7^th Lot George aged 11 yrs value at $600

Total Valuation of the Negroes $5830

Making to each share at lot $770

Lot No.1 Drawn by Susan Johns consisting of Caroline & Josephine valued at $700

Susan Johns to be paid by Wm. Johns who drew Lot No. 3 47.25

And by F.J. Beasley who drew lot No. 2 22.75

His Distributive share 770

Lot No. 2 Drew by F.J. Beasley & wife Martha 2^nd Lot consisting of Frany & John valued at $800.00

Lot No. 3 Drawn by Wm. Johns consisting of Wesley & Melissa valued at $750.00

Lot No. 4 Drawn by Wm. Rose & wife Elizabeth consisting of Justen valued at 800.00

Lot No. 5 Drawn by Townley Johns Heirs consisting of Mary valued at $650.00

To be paid by F.J. Beasley who drew lot No. ? 26.00

And by Wm. Johns who drew lot No. 3 7.00

And their advancement being 87.00

Their Distributive share 770.00

Lot No. 6 Drawn by Dan’l Johns heirs consisting of Rebecca valued at 550.00

To be paid by Wm. Rose who drew lot No. 4 121.25

And by Wm. Johns who drew lot No. 3 13.00

And their Advancement being 85.75

Their Distributive share $770.00

Lot No. 7 drawn by Dempsey House & wife Mary consisting of George valued at 600.00

To be paid by F.J. Beasley who drew No. 2 34.75

His Advancement being 135.25

His Distributive share $770.00

We have Surveyed and partitioned the land as follows:

That is by Survey and estimation three (hundred) and 2.9 acres which we value at Twenty one hundred dollars, which we have allotted and partitioned as follows:

Lot No. 1 Drawn by Townley Johns heirs containing 60 acres valued at three hundred dollars and bounded as follows: Beginning at a large Spanish oak thence North 56 ¾ East 104 poles to pointers thence North 82 poles to a stake in a field. Thence West 88 poles to a stone thence South 236 poles to the beginning.

Lot No. 2 Drawn by Wm. Johns containing 33 acres valued at three Hundred dollars, beginning at a hickory tree thence North 73 poles to post oak __ish thence West 55 poles to a stake, thence South 114 ½ poles to pointers & the S.E. Corner of Lot No. 1, thence North 56 ¾ East 32 poles to a post oak, thence North 47 East 47 poles to the beginning.

Lot No. 3 Drawn by Susan Johns containing 35 acres value at three hundred dollars and bounded as follows. Beginning at a post oak with the N.E. corner of Lot No. 2, thence North 56 poles to a Maple, thence West 82 ½ poles to pointers. Thence South 88 ½ poles to a stake in the line of Lot No. ?, thence east 28 ½ poles to a stake in the N.E. Corner of Lot No. 2, thence East 35 poles to the beginning.

Lot No. 4 Drawn by Wm. Rose & wife Elizabeth containing 35 acres and valued at three hundred dollars bounded as follows. Beginning at a black jack thence North 42 poles to a stake, thence West 42 poles to 3 post oaks. Thence North 6 poles to a hickory, thence 88 poles to a stake. Thence South 56 poles to pointers. Thence East 49 poles to a Maple N.E. corner to Lot No. 3, thence North 7 1/3 poles to a post oak thence west 19 poles to the beginning.

Lot No. 5 Drawn by Daniel Johns heirs containing 30 acres valued at three hundred dollars bounded as follows. Beginning at a post oak in R’d Rose S.W. Corner thence East 132 poles to a stake, thence South 41 poles to pointers. Thence west 103 poles to a post oak in the west boundary line. Thence North 20 poles to a black jack. Thence west 29 poles to a stake. Thence North 29 poles to the beginning.

Lot No. 6 Drawn by Dempsey House & wife Mary containing 54 acres valued at three hundred dollars, bounded as follows. Beginning at a post oak the S.W. Corner of Lot No. 5. Thence south 68 ½ poles to pointers thence Eat 138 ½ poles to a stake in a field. Thence North 41 ½ poles to pointers the N.E. corner of Lot No. 3 Thence West 35 ½ poles to pointers. Thence North 27 poles to pointers. Thence West 103 poles to the beginning.

Lot No. 7 Drawn by F.J. Beasley & wife Martha containing 25 acres valued at three hundred dollars, bounded as follows. Beginning at two black jacks in a field. Thence East 138 ½ poles to a stake the ?? corner of Lot No. 3. Thence North 50 poles to a stake in S.E. Corner of Lot No. 6. Thence South 50 poles to the beginning.

Which in our opinion constitutes an equal division of the land. Given under our hand & seals this Oct’r 13^th 1852.

S.H. Burton {Seal}

John Gunner {Seal}

Benjamin Gambill {Seal}

S.H. Burton’s fee as surveyor & courier $18.00

J. Turner’s fee as courier & chain carrier 5.00

Benjamin Gambill's fee as courier & chain carrier 5.00

______

$28.00

Dempsey House & others }

Expartee to divide Land & Negroes }

Be it Remembered that on this day the 6^th of Decr 1852, this cause @ _____ to be heard and was heard before the worshipful County Court of Robertson County. Upon the report of the commissioners heretofore appointed by this court to partition and divide the land and Negros belonging to the estate of Reese Johns dec’d which report is in the records and figures Following to wit: (here insert the report) which report being ____cepted to is by the court in all things confirmed. And that the titles to the Several dividends, parcels, lots & numbers of the land and Negroes, together with the description, boundaries and names as set out & described in said report be divested out of the heirs at Large and distributees of said Reese Johns dec’d and vested Absolutely and in for Simple in the several distributees and heirs at Large of said Reese Johns dec’d as all Attest assigned, set apart, named, valued & described n said report that said report together with the annexed plot of said land be ___ by the clerk of this court and enrolled in his office and registered in the resisters office of Robertson Count, and that the petitioners pay the costs of this forwarding equally for which execution may issue.

p. 89

To the Worshipful County Court for Robertson Count, Tenn

D.F. Campbell of Ill & David Campbell of Miss your petitioners L.T. Campbell, Sam'l Gilbert & ___ of ___ of Margaret Harper & her husband Thomas Harper, D.D. Holman assignee of Martha Campbell, Mary Jane Campbell, H.W. Campbell, Balis Campbell the 2^nd Minors who approved petition by their regular Guardian D.D. Holman all of Robertson County and respectfully represent unto your worships that some time since say about 1840 or 1842, and Eadley Campbell died intestate in said County, seized & possessed in his own right of two certain tracts of land estimated to be about 250 acres, ling in the 1^st civil District of said County, and _____ ing the Lands of Petitioner Gilbert, Jno. Hutcheson, Jos. Swann & J.M. Roney, that your petitioners and those therein before spoken of as their wards & vendors were his heirs, that _____ out of said Lands was regularly assigned to Jane Campbell the widow of said intestate by a decree of the Hon. Chancery Court for said County about its Septr Term 1852 Said ____ being about 72 acres Petitioners show your worships that their ___ances as your remember interests in full in said Dower tract should be sold that the same would sell for a full or high price at this time that the improvements on the same are considerably out of repair, and goint to ____ that said land will ____ deteriorate unless sold t___ therefore pray your worships to decree a Sale thereof and for funeral relief.

Jno. E. Garner, Sol’r

p.142-144

Townley Johns Heirs, sale of Negroes from Reese Johns

p.227

Daniel Johns Heirs, sale of Negros Rebecca

p.274-277

To the Worshipful County Court of Robertson County at Springfield presiding.

Honorably ____ your petitioners Wm. D. Baldwin & wife Elizabeth formerly Elizabeth McMurry, Samuel McMurry, Geo. W. McMurry, Thomas McMurry & David McMurry a minor under 21 years of age by his Regular Guardian A. Baldwin, Sandifer Wilson & wife Almedia formerly Almedia McMurry, Edward Adams & Melissa Adams both minors by their Regular Guard'n Wm. H. Adams, Wm. McMurry a Minor by his Regular Guard’n A. Cook, Thos. Crutcher & wife Caroline formerly Caroline McMurry, A. Baldwin & wife Martha Ann formerly Martha Ann McMurry, and Robert McMurry all citizens of Robertson County Tenn & Thos. D. Watkins & wife Mary formerly Mary McMurry citizens of McNairy County Tenn would show unto the worshipful Court that one Sam’l McMurry departed this life in Robertson County Tenn sometime in the year 1828 leaving a last will & Testament which was duly admitted into probate. And which said last Will and Testament will be shown to the Court upon the hearing of this cause if necessary in which he appointed his two sons Robert & David McMurry his executors to his said will & they accordingly qualified as the executor to said will & they have executed it in a ___ ___ With the directions therein contained. He also left a widow Elizabeth McMurry and three children: to wit. Robert McMurry, David McMurry & Elizabeth Jones and her husband Richard Jones. In his will the said ____ & his wife Fanny & John & his wife Wirney?? Together with certain other articles of property for & during this time of her Natural life or widowhood. And the Remainder of the property after making some specific bequeaths to be equally divided amongst his said children. Your petitioners would show the Court that David McMurry sometime perhaps in March 1829 purchased of the said Richard Jones & his wife Elizabeth Jones, their undivided interest in the Remainder estate of their Said Father, Saml McMurry a certified copy of which conveyance is herewith shown to the Court, that the said David did?? Same 10 or 12 years since having all the above petitioners his distributors except Robt McMurry. Petitioners would further show the court that the said Elizabeth McMurry departed this life in said county about the 20^th day of May 1855, leaving the above mentioned negroes & their increase _____ting in number to Geo, namely Winney aged 40, Mary, 28, Ezekiel 22, Kate 18, John 14, Angeline 12, Amanda 6, Jariler? 4, Zack 3 & and infant not named.

Together with a small amount of perishable property including the growing crop, all of which the Negros is not worth more than $200. Your petitioners A. Baldwin & Robert McMurry would show at the present time of the court they have qualified as the Admr's of the said Elizabeth McMurry and that they join in this petition in their individual & fiduciary capacities. Petitioners would state that Robert McMurry is entitled to one third of the estate of the sd Elizabeth McMurry dec’d and all the other petitioners are entitled to the other two thirds of the sd state. They would show the Court that in consequence of the number of Distributees a division of the aforesaid Negroes amongst & between them coming” to their great contract as to their ages & sizes of them would be utterly impracticable injustice to petitioners as they think especially as there will not be a sufficient amount of money arising from the sale of the other property after paying off the liabilities of the estate to make the shares equal. Petitioners think this will be manifest to the court. They therefore ask the court to order a sale of the said Negroes upon such terms as to the court may seem just & Right for the purpose of distribution amongst & between the distributees of the said estate & c & c

Draughan. Burton

Solrs for Petitioners

A. Baldwin & R. McMurry adms & others } Petition to Sell Slaves Decree

Exparte }

Be it Remembered that on this 4^th day of June 1855 this cause comes to be heard & was heard before the worshipful court of Robertson County, Jus. Woodard Esqr chairman presiding. When it appeared to the satisfaction of the Court that all the parties interested are before the court, that a division of the Negroes mentioned in the petition would be impracticable. It is therefore as ___adjudicated & directed by the court that A. Baldwin Robert McMurry be appointed Special Commis'r to Sell the Negroes mentioned in the petition named as follows: Winney aged 23, Mary 25, Ezekill 22, Kate 18, John 12, Angeline 12, Amanda 6, Parilee 4, Zack 3 & an infant not named, and___ of 12 More? The purchaser giving Bond & two good Securities in the County. After giving 20 days Notice of the time & place by printed hand Bills and that they Report to the next term of this court.

Heirs of Saml McMurry decd } To Sell Slaves

Exparte } Be it Remembered that on this 2^nd of July 1855 this cause came an to be heard before the worshipful County Court of Robertson County upon the Reports of A. Baldwin & R. McMurry Special commrs which Reports is in the following words & figures following.

Pursuant to a decree of the worshipful County Court of Robertson County at its June Term 1855, directing me as Special commrs to Sell the Negroes belonging to the estate of Samuel McMurry dec’d upon a credit of 12 Months taking bond & 2 good securities in the county, after giving 20 days Notice of the time & place, we did on the 26^th day of June 1855 offer for sale to the highest bidder f??? having given 20 days notice of the time & place Said Negroes when F. C. Wastin? Became the purchaser of the woman Winney aged 24 years & her child Zack aged 2 years, at the price of Four hundred & ninety dollars ($490.00) that being the highest and best bid and he executed his note for 12 months for $490.00 with W.D. Baldwin & C.A. Sugg his securities. S.H. Benton became the purchaser of woman Mary aged 24 & her infant child aged about 4 months and also her child Parilee aged about 3 years at the price of one thousand & fifty Dollars ($1050.00) and he executed his note at 12 months for $1050.00 with B.C. Burton & G.C. Benton his securities. Thos. Savage became the purchaser of boy Ezechill aged 22 years at the price of Eleven hundred & five dollars that being the highest & best bid & he executed his Note at 12 months for $1105.00 with W.H. Adams and John Pelton? His securities. Vincent McMurry became the purchaser of the girl Amanda aged 5 years at the price of three hundred & Twenty one dollars, that being the highest & best bid and he executed his note at 12 months for $321.00 with Grandison McMurry and M. McMurry his securities. John Cook became the purchaser of girl Kate at the price of Seven hundred & fifty, that being the highest & best bid for her. And he executed his note at 12 months for $750.00 with David Huey? & B.H. Adams his securities. Stephen Jones became the purchaser of Angeline aged 12 years at the price of Seven hundred & sixty eight dollars that being the highest & best bid for her and he executed his note at 12 months for $768.00 with Allen Jones & B.H. Baggett his securities. Allen Jones became the purchaser of Boy John aged 14 yrs at the price of Nine hundred & thirty dollars, that being the highest & best bid for him, and executed his note at 12 months for $930.00 with Stephen Jones & Jno P. Dorris as his securities.

The aggregate amounts of the sale of the ten Negroes $5414.00 all of which is Respectfully Submitted to the worshipful court this 26^th day of June 1855.

A. Baldwin {Seal}

R. McMurry {Seal}

A. Baldwin & R. McMurry admrs of }

Elizabeth McMurry deceased } Exparte to Sell Negroes

Be it Remembered that on this day this cause came on for further hearing, when it appeared to the satisfaction of the Court that the funds in the hands of the Special Comrs A. Baldwin & R. McMurry is ready for distribution. It is therefore ordered & decreed by the Court that the said Comrs pay out & distribute sd funds to & amongst the distributees of the estate of the sd estate first paying the cost of this cause.