Stephen GOLDSBY – SIMPSON
Letter form Stephen Goldsby to his nephews, Thomas and James Goldsby Simpson concerning the settling of their Grandfather’s (James Goldsby) estate. Copy in Goldsby papers of Ruth Dale Goldsby Brown Transcribed by Doris Bratcher of Clarkson, KY (1982)
State of Tennesee, Weakley Co., March 30, 1843
Dear Nephews, I, now have selected a few monents from the busy scenes of life to inform you that through the mercy of God, we are all in common health at this time with the exception of a bad colds with is common in our county at this time. Hoping these few lines may come saft to your hands and find you all in good health.
I recieved your letter dated the 7th on the 17th which gave me great satisfaction to hear that you was all well. Agreeable to your request in relation to your grandfather’s will. His will in the first part bequeathed to your grandmother as much stock as she wanted, and household and kitchen furniture to be sold and equally divided between all his heirs.
Secondly, he than give her the old negroe woman, Tener and Fill, the oldest man, or three hundred dollars in money, instead of the negroes, left to her choice to take the negroes or the money, and then says the will, the heirs that got land in Kentucky, they was to be charged with one hundred and fifty dollars each for the land, and when those that never got land recieved one hundred and fifty dollars, then the balance of the estate to be equally divided between all the heirs.
On the first Monday in January last, when myself and Mr. GILBERT, the executor went to court to prove the will, I found there might be some difficulty arise, if we sold the negroes not mentioned in the will at all. So we proved the will and entered into bond with approved security in the sum of eight thousand dollars for our faithful performance as co-executors and had to file a petition in the circuit Court for a decree to sell the negros, and on 19th of January we sold the most of the stock and farming tools, corn, oats, and fodder which sold amounted to about $300 to be due at Christmas next. So on the 3rd day of February there being some tobacco and some stock and other articles that not recollected at the other sale to abougt the amount of $40 or $45. Due at the same time and on the 13th fo February our petition came on to heard in the Circuit Court.
By this time your Grandmother begin to find she could not get along so well without some money, she concluded to have Terner and Fill put in the petition which was done and the Court decreed that we sell the negroes after first advertising twenty days, and requiring the purchaser to pay 3% in hand and fiving bond and approved security payable at next Christmas and a lien retained upon the negroes till payed for. So on Thursday last the 16th, we sold all the negroes. They brought $2,387.06 1/4.
Your grandmother bought Tener and Fill for $125.00. Stephen A. BRADY bought a lame woman for $150. Adam PERKINS bught Luda and 3 children for $896.00 1/4. Ambrose DUDLEY bought Lewis for $313.00. Edwin GOLDSBY, your uncle Edward’s son, bought a boy about 11yrs old for $400. And there was one girl 13 years old was bought out of the family for $503 and there is some oweing to the estate I have not as yet been able to collect and for that reason connot give a correct account of the debts as it is somewhat difficult collecting in this county in consequence of the pressure of money. I expect the proble amount of the estate after all expenses is deducted and debts paid may amount to $2,3000 or thereabouts. If there should be no bad debts made which is a matter almost unavoidable these hard times as there is numbers of our biggest men braking daily almost. That is besides the land which is to bought. And at Mother’s death it is to sold and divided between all the heirs. Your grandmother is as well as could be expected and is living on the place and I expect will remain there.
I think you wanted to know something about our relatives in this county. There are all well as far as I know or was the other day. S. A. BRADY lives a mile of here. Adam PERKINS lives in Henry County near where he did when you was here. Ambrose DUDLEY, he married your Aunt Ann, lives in Carroll County. Your Uncle W. T. GOLDSBYs widown lives in Warrich Co, Linnville. (Indiana). I received a letter from them a few days ago, they are all well. If you see Moses AKIN, give him our complements and tell him to write to us and let us know whether his mother is living or not. Write to us and let us know when you are coming. I must close this epistle for want of room. So no more but remains your Uncle til death. Give my compliments to Archiblad MOORE and all other inquiring friends. I have only five children living and ghree grandsons and one granddaughter. Stephen Goldsby.
Note: Stephen Goldsby was Justice of the Peace in 1856, as he was performing marriages. Submitted by Peggy Miller Trevathan w Mary S. Williams and Bill Green.
