State of Louisiana
Parish of Feliciana
To the Honorable the Judge of the Court of the Parish aforesaid.
The Petition of Francis Smith humbly showeth
That Your Petitioner is the daughter of the late Michael Williams (deceased) of this Parish and having died intestate, leaving his wife and eight children to heir his Estate.
Your Petitioner desirious [sic] of having her proportion of the said Estate confirmed to her as soon as possible, therefore prays that your honor will cause a decree to pass for that purpose.
And your petitioner will ever pray
Frances Smith
September 10th 1815.
Filed 18 Septr. 1815
Let the prayer of the Petitioner be granted & Henry Flower be notified to settle this accounts as Curator on the 25th instant
John H. Johnson
J.C.P.
Source: West Feliciana Clerk of the Court, St. Francisville, LA
Probate file for Mrs. Mary Ann Williams & Michael Williams, Box 114.
Michael Williams Sale
State of Louisiana
Parish of Feliciana
The following is a proces [sic] verbal of the probate sale of the succession of Michal [sic] Williams deceased made by Hugh W. Hill Judge of said Parish for the purpose of effecting a partition between the heirs of said succession, after carefully complying with all the formalities required by law in such cases. The land and slaves are sold at one, two, and three year credit purchases giving approved security and consenting that this proces [sic] verbal shall be noted in the mortgage book and _______ as a special conventional mortgage on this ___________ purchases imparting a confession of judgment and the personal property and credit of sixty days purchases making this note with approved security. Done on the premises this 28th day of January one thousand eight hundred and twenty three
G.C. Depriest 1 lot pots & kettles 1—
William Cook 1 plough 1—
William Cook 1 plough 2.25
William Cook 2 pairs gear 2—
William Cook 1 lot ____ & hors [sic] 4.25
William Cook 1 lot gear 1.25
Thomas Spiner 1 lot sundries .50
William Cook 1 grindstone 1—
John Black 1 chest & Tools 1.75
Thomas Spencer 1 lot Bells [Belly?, Belts?] .25
Andrew Collins the stock of cattle 62—
Andrew Collins the stock of hogs 43—
____________
` 120.25
The tract of land and plantation being the former residence of the said deceased containing five hundred and nine arpents being repeatedly cried was adjudged to Mary Ann Williams the widow for three thousand dollars she being the last and highest bidder who signs in compliance with the terms of sale and John Williams signs as her security
Mary Ann Williams (her mark)
Jno Williams
Witnesses
P. Fishburn
C. Messford
The negro boy Tom being repeatedly cried was adjudged to Andrew Collins for six hundred dollars he being the last and highest bidder who signs in compliance with the terms of sale and Henry Flower signs as his security
A Collins
Henry Flower
Witnesses
C. MessfordThe negro woman Hannah and her child Sylvia being repeatedly cried were adjudged to Andrew Collins for six hundred and twenty five dollars he being the last and highest bidder who signs in compliance with the terms of sale and Henry Flower sings as his security
A Collins
Henry Flower
Witnesses
C. Messford
P. Fishburn
Total of sales $4345.25
Source: West Feliciana Clerk of the Court, St. Francisville, LA
Probate file for Mrs. Mary Ann Williams & Michael Williams, Box 114.
Mrs. Mary Ann Williams
To R Duen Do
1823: For medical attendance during her last illness $28.50
Cost of Probate .50
_________
29.
Recd the above amt twenty nine dollars of Gilbert Pier May 9th 1825 A Duen
State of Louisiana
Parish of West Feliciana
Personally before me Joseph Benard a justice of the place in & for the Parish aforesaid appeared Doct. R. Duer to being duly sworn according to Law say that the within ___ twenty Nine dollars exhibited Just & true & unpaid.
Subscribed & Sworn R. Duer before me this 9 May 1825
Joseph Bernard JP
Source: West Feliciana Clerk of the Court, St. Francisville, LA
Probate file for Mrs. Mary Ann Williams & Michael Williams, Box 114.
State of Louisiana
Parish of Feliciana
Be it remembered that on this 8th day of March A.D. 1824, Before me Thos W[.] Chinn Judge of said Parish personally came and appeared Henry Flower, Henry Barnes, Gilbert Piper, Jonas Moore & William T. Mills as the friends of the heirs of the late Mrs. Mary Ann Williams decd (there being no relations to said heirs that could be had) who being convened for the purpose of forming a family meeting; and in being duly [sworn] & singular(?) organized as such, proceeded in take the subject matter of a petition presents to the Court of Probates of the Parish by the heirs of the said estate, praying for a sale of a tract of land belonging to the said succession for the purpose of ^paying debts &^ making a partition among the heirs of said estate, some of whom being minors.
And after mature deliberation the said family meeting gave it as their decided opinion that said tract of Land should be sold, on a credit, of one third due on the first of January 1825, one third on the first of January 1826 & the remaining third on the first day of January 1827 – purchaser to give good personal security & mortgage with confession of judgement sale to be made in the town of St. Francisville, after the Legal notice.
In testimony whereof we the said meeting sign our names hereunto with the said Judge in presence of H.C. Withers & James Bradford witnesses.
day & year aforesaidWitness
James M. Brandford
H.C, Withers
State of Louisiana
________ iciana [torn]
I certify [torn] of a Fa___ [torn; probably “family”] meeting was truly recorded in Probate [torn; probably “book”] B this 8th day of March 1824
Thos. W. Chinn
Parish Judge
Source: West Feliciana Parish Clerk of the Court, St. Francisville, LA
Probate file for Mrs. Mary Ann Williams & Michael Williams, box 114