Newspaper Clippings - Canton, Illinois, 1853

Several of my ancestors died in Fulton County, Illinois in the 1850's, '60's and '70's. Any record of their deaths has been very hard to come by. Earlier this year, I got the Canton Weekly Register on microfilm through inter-library loan to search for their names in death or other notices in the newspaper. Luck was not with me for anything on my family, but I snatched some random clippings with genealogy info to share so that my time spent might help someone else. Here are some from 1853.

Canton Weekly Register, March 5, 1853 

Obituary 

Died, in this place, on Wednesday, March 2d, ASA LEE DAVISON, M. D., aged 59 years and 3 months. 

Dr. DAVISON was born in Rensselaer county, New Yor in 1793. Before removing to this State he resided a number of years in Allegheny county, New York, where he filled several important offices. He afterwards resided in Ashland county, Ohio. He removed to Tazewell county, in this State, in 1833, and to Canton in 1840. He has been connected with this paper as one of the proprietors and senior editor for about two years. 

The deceased enjoyed a well earned reputation as a skillful physician and a faithful and able editor. We mourn the departure of a valuable citizen, a kind and affectionate husband and father. He whose skill has relieved the sufferings and prolonged the lives of many others, has himself fallen, in full strength, before the inexorable destroyer, which neither human skill nor anxious friends could arrest. 

By the sudden death of one so healthy and well known by us all, we are made to feel that we stand in the gate way of eternity, and that the Supreme Being who hold the keys, will soon pass us from this stage of life to the world of spirits. 

Died, on Wednesday, Feb. 23d, GEORGE THOMAS, only son of Joshua and Maria Wheeler, aged on year and twenty days. 

On the 20th December, at Winchester, Iowa, MRS. CATHERINE BAUMAN, aged 90 years and 8 months.

* * *

Canton Weekly Register, March 12, 1853 

Hymenial 

"The silken tie, that binds two willing hearts." 

Married, on Wednesday, the 9th inst. by Rev. S. G. Miner, Mr. E. C. Emmons and Miss Z. A. BIDAMON, all of Canton. 

We wish this couple more joy than would lead a forty horse team.

* * *

Canton Weekly Register, March 19, 1853 

Obituary 

DIED, in Vermont, Fulton Co., Ill., March 7th HARRIET NEWEL, daughter of J. W. and J. A. Ward, late of the vicinity of Canton, in her fifteenth year, from taking cold after having the Measles. She lingered for several weeks, when she was taken down very violently, and after suffering 12 days, she calmly fell asleep in the arms of her Saviour, leaving her friends the best possible assurances that their loss was her eternal gain.

Calm on the bosom of thy God,

Dear spirit, rest thee now;

E'en while with ours thy footsteps trod,

His seal was on thy brow.

Dust, to its narrow home beneath,

Soul, to its rest on high,

They that have seen thy look in death,

No more should fear to die.

* * *

For my previous post with Newspaper Clippings - Canton, Illinois, 1852, click the link.

Walter Boone's Will

"In the name of God Amen,I, Walter Boone of Nelson County, Ky, being in a State of debility, But perfect in mind and memory do constitute and ordain this my last will and testament in the following manner to wit: 1st my will in the first place, that all my debts be faithfully paid of such property as my beloved wife Elizabeth Boone sees proper to dispose of for the same. 

  2nd I will and bequeath to my wife Elizabeth Boone all my land on which I lived and do? proposed of, also my negro man Harry, my house hold and kitchen furniture, and all my stock of horses, cattle, sheep and hogs, and farming utensils to be hers during her life to dispose as she pleases. 

And 3: It is my will that after the death of my beloved wife wife Elizabeth Boone, that my land and all that I have Willed to her, to belong to my son Henry Boone and his heirs to dispose of as he pleases. 

4th It is my will that my son Henry Boone to stay on the place and manage for his mother, So long as they can agree, and if they cannot agree, She can then do any thing that may but suit her Conserning the same. 

5th I will and bequeath to my ten older children each of them one dollar, viz Charles Boone's heirs, John Boone, Christopher Boone, Joseph Boone, Mary Peake's heirs and Henry Carcers? the above named sum of one dollar to be their and their heirs. 

In testimony whereof, I have to set my hand and seale this 16th day of January, one thousand eight hundred & forty seven.  Walter ^his mark^ Boone  {seal}   

Witnesses    

Geo. Clark  

Joseph ^his mark^ Clayton  

Pius Hagan 

At a County Court begun and held for Nelson County At the Courthouse in Bardstown on the 12th day of April 1847This last will and testament of Walter Boone dec'd was Executed in Court proven by the Oath of Geo. Clark, a Subscribing witness thereto who also made oath that Joseph Clayton & Pius Hagan the other subscribing witnesses thereto Signed their names, to said will in his presence of and <----> Testator at his request, whereupon the said will is ordered to record.Attest Nath'l Wickliffe Olh"

Walter Boone was born in Prince George's County, Maryland before 1760. He and his wife, Mildred Edelin, were the parents of more than ten children, according to his Will. The only children named are: Charles, John, Christopher, Mary, Joseph and Henry. There may be an Inventory of his Estate to be found at Family Search, but I'm not finding the time to look for that. It will have to wait.

My Husband's Relationship to:

Walter Boone: Third Great Grandfather

The lineage:
1. My husband's Third Great Grandfather Walter Boone
2. My husband's Great Great Grandfather Christopher Boone
3. My husband's Great Grandfather Robert I Boone
4. My husband's Grandmother Charlotte Boone
5. My husband's Father
6. My husband

Wayne County, KY John Adair's Estate

The name John Adair is a common one. One John Adair was Governor of Kentucky 1820-1824. My ancestors were John Adair Sr who died in Knox County, Tennessee in 1827 and his son John Adair Jr who died in Wayne County, Kentucky in 1843.

In March of 2015 I wrote a post for the Slave Name Roll Project in which I included a part of John Adair Jr's Will. I have since found the entire Will online at both Family Search and Ancestry.  He names his "friend" Isaac Burnett as his Executor. I'm looking for the connection between John Adair's family and Isaac Burnett, his name appears in several documents relating to my ancestors. Witnesses were Mark Foster and John Hurt. The appraisers of the estate were Giles M Loyd, Isaac Cooper and Washington Young Sr., no known connection there but all bear looking into. The maiden name of John Adair's wife Mary is unknown and these names might be a clue.

"I, John Adair of the County of Wayne and State of Kentucky do hereby make my last Will and testament in manner and form following, that is to say, I desire that all my debts and funeral expenses be paid, after the payment of my just debts and funeral expenses I give
my daughter Polly Parmley my negro girl named Milley and her three children Julie Ann, William and Franklin & the clothing, beds & bedclothing that belongs to my house and a flax wheel.I also give my son John Adair my negro woman Hannah and half the price of my land.And the balance of my money ? and chattles I give and bequeath to Robert Parmley's children, to be equally divided among them.And lastly I do hereby constitute & appoint my friend Isaac Burnett executor of this my last Will and testament hereby revoking all other or former Wills or testaments by me here before made.In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed my Seal this 6th day of October in the year One thousand eight hundred & forty two.Signed, Sealed & published & declared to be the last Will & Testament of the above named John Adair in presence of us   

Mark Foster John ^his mark^ Adair *Seal 

 John Hurt"

Also searching deep through the caverns of the Family Search catalog, I found the Inventory Appraisal of his Estate and the Sale Bill of the property sold.  In the Sale Bill, some of the names that are related to John are: Garner Parmley (his son-in-law), Polly Parmley (his daughter) and John Bell (his grandson). I used a "D" in place of what looks like "Dr" in the original handwritten list, I'm not sure but I believe it's meant to indicate that the person named bought the item listed. I've transcribed all 9 pages below as well as I could read it, here's page one just as an example.

Family Search, Appraisals, Inventories 1839-1853 Vol B

Starting mid-page 342:
"Inventory and appraisment
of the estate of
John Adair dec'd

Was at the January term of the Wayne County Court, 1844, filed for and ordered to be recorded and is in words and figures following viz -

Wayne County ?
 A true and just inventory and appraisment of all the personal estate of John Adair deceased which was produced to us by Isaac Burnett his Executor
1 Negro woman named Milley about 25 years old .....  400.00
1 Negro girl named Julia Ann 7 years old .....  250.00
1 Negro boy 5 years old named William .....  250.00
1 Negro boy 3 years old named Franklin..... 175.00
1 Negro woman named Hannah about 45 years old .....  200.00
1 Negro man named Andy about 60 years old .....  125.00
1 Bay mare   ..... 25.00
1 Bay horse  .....   10.00
Amount brot down   ...... $1435.00

342*  Amount brot forward .....   $1435.00
1 Bay horse mare  .....  21.00
1 Bay mare waggon  .... 30.00
1 yoke of oxen  .....  14.00
2 young steers  .....  8.00
6 cows & 2 calves & 2 heifers  .....  40.00
3 head of hogs shoats  .....  18.00
3 sheep and 1 bell  .....   2.00
1 Log chane  .....   4.00
3 Pair of harness & singletree and some old chains  .....  1.25
2 Bells  .........  .41 1/2
1 Cutting knife & 1 inch chisel  .....  1.00
1 foot ads & howell  .....  1.25
2 shovel plows  .....  1.25
1 Brand axe  .....  1.50
1 Rat trap  .....  .12 1/2
1 Brand chisel & 1 drawing knife and one old hand saw  .....  1.25
1 singletree & chains & rod and tang plow  .....  1.00
2 old axes & 1 three grater auger  .....  1.25
1 hose 1 grubing hoe  .....  .75
1 Raw hide  .....  1.00
1 Pair of hand irons & 1 wedge  .....  1.25
1 Tub 1 pail 2 piggins ......  1.12 1/2
2 skilets  .....  .50
1 Pot rack 1 shovel  .....  1.37 1/2
1 Pot  .....   1.50
1 Tub 3 old pails 1 old churn  .....  .50
2 ovens 2 lids 1 kitel .....  2.00
1 mare saddle ...... 5.00
1 womans saddle  .........  8.00
1 Gun  .............. 4.00
1 Kittle  .....  2.00
1 Clock  ..... 8.00
2 Chest 1 table  .....  5.50
4 Chairs 1 soap stand ...... 1.00
2 jugs 2 jars 2 crocks ..... 2.00
1 Lot of cupboard furniture  .....  3.00
1 Bar of Iron  .....  .75
2 tin trunks 1 pocket book  ..... 1.50
3 Beds and furniture  .....  25.00
2 Pair of sheep shears  ...... 1.00
1 Pair of Hyllands & Hung Plow one rod and 1 half inch auger  ..... 2.00
Amount brot down
*Should be 343

344  Amount brot over
Cash on hand  .....32.61

Notes and accounts towit,
One note on Isaac Burnett calling for one thousand dollars due the 1 day of March 1844...1000.00
One note Robert Parmley calling for one hundred and thirty five dollars due 23 of Sept 1844 ... 135.00
One on Garner Parmley calling for eighty five dollars due the 19 of February 1838  ...... 85.00
One on John S. Bell for forty five dollars due 1838  .....  45.00
One Note on Garner Parmley for fifty five dollars due 24 of December 1837, with credit on it for twenty seven dollars paid 15th October
One Note on Garner Parmley for one hundred dollars due the 16th day of March 1833  ..... 100.00
One Note on Hiram Gregory for thirty two dollars 19 cents due 16 of Juen 1839  ....  32.19
One Note on James Sandusky calling for twenty three dollars due 9th of March 1840  .....  **
One smoothing iron ........  .62
One lot of Corn judged to be 24 barrels ......  16.00
1 flax wheel 1 chec reel 1 sifter 1 bread tray  .....  3.00

I do certify that the foregoing inventory contains all the personal estate of John Adair dec'd which hath come to my hands at this time on Beaver Creek.
Isaac Burnett

We do certify that the foregoing appraisment was truly and justly made of the personal property of John Adair deceased which was produced to us by his Executor to the best of our judgement all of which we respectfully report to the Wayne County Court.
Given under our hands this the 8th day of December 1843.
Giles W. Loyd
Isaac Cooper
Washington Young Sr
**Amount not listed in the column

345  Wayne County Ky
A true and just inventory and appraisment of all personal estate John Adair deceased which was produced to us by Isaac Burnett his Executor
One Clock five dollars  .....  5.00
2 Stills and ivories 18 tubs 1 dollars  ..... 16.00
1 brill syths 2 bells one ax 75 cts  .....  .75
2 Sythes Cradles one dollar  .....  1.00
6 Tubs at one dollar 37 1/2 cts  .....  1.37 1/2
1 Lot of plonder at  .....   .75
2 Plows and ot of plonder  .....  2.00
1 Steel trap one dollar  .....  1.00
1 Loom one dollar & fifty Cents  .....  1.50
2 Wheels 1 tub 1 bellow  .....  1.50
1 Cupboard six dollars  .....  6.00
3 Books at fifty cents  ....  .50
1 Sheep at fifty cents  .....  .50
12 Hogs at twelve $ fifty cents  .....  12.50
...................... $50.37 1/2

I do certify that the foregoing inventory contains all the personal estate of John Adair deceased which hath come to my hands at this time on the Little South fork.
Isaac Burnett

We do certify that the foregoing appraisment was truly and justly made of the personal property of John Adair deceased which was produced to us by his executor to the best of our judgement all of which we respectfully report to the Wayne County Court.
Given under our hands this the 16 day of December 1849.
Isaac Cooper
Washington Young Sr
Washington Young Jr


346 Sale Bill of the estate of
John Adair dec'd
Was at the January term of the Wayne County Court 1844 filed and ordered to be recorded and is as follows

1st Garner Parmley D for a lot of hogs ..... 18.50
John W Higginbottham D. for a waggon ...... 25.00
C S Higgenbottham one lock chain  .....  4.00
Isaac Cooper D for Sheep .....  1.00
Garner Parmley D for a yoke of oxen .....  10.00
John Parmley D for two steers  .....  8.50
William Heriford D for one cow  .....   4.75
Isaac Cooper D for two cows .....  7.25
T J Cooper D for 2 cows 1 calf  .....  6.18 3/4
Washington Young D for 1 cow 2 heifers  .....  5.68 3/4
T J Cooper D for one bay mare  ......  15.00
C S Higgenbottham D for one bay mare  ......  10.25
Garner Parmley D for one horse  .......  2.00
Garner Parmley D for oxen   .....  1.25
Jacob M Cooper D  - - - -  .....  1.50
Isaac Cooper D for one hand saw  ...... .12 1/2
Washington Young D for a lot of tools  .....  2.31 1/4
Garner Parmley D for a lot of tools  ......  1.77
Garner Parmley D for a pair of Shylands  ......  .50
Wm A Wright D for one pot and skillet   .....  1.38
Wm A. Wright D for one lot of plunder  ...... 1.00
John Morrow D for one lot of plunder   .....  1.40
John Bell D for a braid axe and auger  ...... 1.70
Washington Young D for a lot of plunder  ......  1.10
William Carter D for 1 kittle and iron  .....  2.12 1/2
William Bell D for a mans saddle  ......  2.62 1/2
Thomas Baker D for one saddle  .......  4.00
John Parmley D one gun  ....... 3.31 1/4
William A Wright D for a lot of plunder  ...... .81
Garner Parmley D for a lot of cover  ......  10.00
Washington Young D for 1 pocket Book  .....  .18 3/4
John Morrow D for 1 lot of plunder  .....  1.70
2nd James Parmley D for one block  ..... 3.50
John Parmley D for one still worn & eight tubs .....  5.25
Robert Parmley D for one still & nine tubs  .....  2.00
Washington Parmley D for one lot of tools .....  1.06 1/4
Edward Young D for one sythe cradle .....  .50
Washington Parmley D for one sythe cradle  .....  .37 1/2
Jonathan Burnett D for 6 tubs  .....  1.00
Jacob Sandusky D for one lot of tubs  ..... 1.18 3/4


347 Amount brot forward

James Parmley D for one plow  ......  1.00
Washington Young Jr D for one plow  ..... 1.00
Washington Young Jr D for one steel trap  ...... 1.06 1/4
Isaac Burnett for one cupboard  ...... 6.00
James Parmley D for 2 wheels & one bellows  .....  2.50
Jonathan Burnett d --one cupboard--  ..... ***
James Parmley D
Jonathan Burnett D for one ? four dollars ..... 4.00
William Crabtree d for one sheep  .....  .56 1/4
Jeremiah Burnett d for three books  ......  .37 1/2
Isaac Burnett D for 12 head of hogs  ......  12.50
3rd
A list of the remainder of property sold on Beaver Creek, at the last sale
[Transcription by Laura Mattingly, Old Trunk in the Attic]
William Sear D for one clock  .....  4.00
Garner Parmley D for 2 trunks  .....  .87 1/2
Garner Parmley for chest  .....  .62 1/2
Garner Parmley D for 5 chairs  ......  .86 1/4
Polly Parmley D 1 reel 1 wheel  .......  .18 3/4
William Sarr D 1 set of plates & forks 3  .....  1.06 1/4
William Sarr D 1 dish 3 glasses  ...... .62 1/2
William Sarr D for 1 lot of ware  ...... .50
William Sarr D for 1 pitcher  ...... .50
Garner Parmley D for 1 table  ...... .50
Galeon Socker D for 1 chest  .....  2.63 1/2
William Herriford D 1 pocket compass  ..... .10

Settlement with the --Executor--^ Administrator of the estate of
John Adair Dec'd
Was at the          term of the Wayne County Court 184__  Ordered to be recorded and is in these words and figures towit.
Upon the application of Isaac Burnett and Robert Parmley administrators of the estate of John Adair dec'd (who were both present) the undersigned two of the commissioners appointed by the Wayne County Court to state and settle the accounts of executors, administrators and guardians, within the County of Wayne, did on Thursday the 8th day of
*** Looks like 6.00 was erased


348   January 1846 meet at the Clerk's office in Monticello, for the purpose of stating, and settling the accounts of said administrators, and it appearing from the Sheriff's return upon the summons filed herein against the heirs, distributors and Guardians that the same had not been served. It is therefore agreed between said Commissioners, and said Administrators that an alias summons issue against said hears and Guardians returnable to the 24th day of January 1846 and that all further action herein on the part of said commissioners be suspended until the said 24th day of January 1846 and then to agreeable at the above renamed place for the purpose of making said settlement.
W Simpson Court

And whereas afterwars towit, on the 24th day of January 1846 said commissioners and said Administrators assembled for the purpose above named (the alias summons issued herein having been regularly served according to law and proceeded to the discharge of their duties and report as follows viz.
1st said Commissioners upon an examination of this sale bill of the personal property returned and recorded, of the estate of the said John Adair dec'd bearing date the     day of      18     a certified copy of which is herewith filed as an exhibit in this settlement that said administrators are chargeable to this sum of 212.77 1/4

Said Commissioners upon an examination of the Inventory and appraisment list returned and recorded in the County, a certified copy of which is herewith filed as an exhibit in this settlement, that said Administrators are chargeable to the further sum for cash on hand 32.61
To One Note on Isaac Burnett due the first day of March 1844 for   ..............  1000.00
" One do on same due 16th day of Dec 1843
   per additional Inventory of Notes (B)  ..............................................................  19.06 1/4
" One do Robert Parmley due 23rd Sept 1844  ..................................................  135.00
" One do on do Due 3rd Dec 1843
   per additional Inventory of Notes C   ................................................................. 40.00
      Amount brot down  ...................................................................................  $1439.44 1/2


349  Amount brot forward  $1439.44 1/2
One Note on Robert Parmley Inventory of Notes D  .....  2.00
   due 15 Dec 1843
T  One do on Garner Parmley due 19th Feby 1835  ..... 85.00
     Interest on same list 13th July 1844
T  On do on same due 24th Dec 1831 for $55
     with a credit of $27 pd 15th Oct bal & interest  .....  49.14
T One note on Garner Parmley due the 16th March
     1833 on which was brought in the Wayne 
      Circuit Court by Said Admrs and on
      which Judgment was rendered at the
     April Term 1844 for $100 Subject to a
     Credit of $50 paid 16th March 1833
     balance principal of $50
     Interest on same 34
          Balance   .....  84.00
T  One do on John S Bell due 1838  .....  45.00
T  One do on Hiram Gregory due 16th June 1839
     $32.19 with a credit of $10 pd 17 August 1844
     balance including interest   .....  33.94
T  One Note on James Sandusky due 9th March 1840  .....  23.00
     Interest collected on same   .....  3.00
T  One Cupboard on Inventory not sold  .....  6.00
T  12 head hogs  .....  12.50

          Amt of delinq (?)  ........  $1815.63 1/2

Said Commissioners now find and allow said administrators the following Credits per vouchers and receipts to us produced & numbered and herewith filed viz - 
By Note on John S Bell due 1838 which was discharged by the obligor. by a Plea of infancy as per Certificate, of Giles W. Loyd JP. before whom the Cause was tried  .....  45.00
By Fee bill pd M. P. Buster Ds  .....  .84
"  "  "  pd Wm Harder J.P.  .....  .37 1/2
"  "  "  "  G W Loyd J.P.  .....  1.12 1/2
"  "  "  "  Shff W C  .....  1.67
"  "  "  "  do  do  ....  .80
Amt Paid G W Loyd for Coffin  .....  4.00
"  "  Thos Baker, Crying property  .....  1.50
"  "  do  do  Serving notices  .....  4.00
Fee bill pd C. I. Higginbottham J. P.  ....  1.00
Paid Washington Younger appraiser  .....  4.50
"  Isaac Cooper  same  .....  4.50
"  G W Loyd     same  .....  1.50
Amt of Credits brot down  .......... $70.81


350 Amount of Credits brot over    $70.81
Paid Washington Young Jr appraiser  .....  1.00
"  Harry Chrisman witness  .....   .50
"  Wm Redman ac  ......   .37 1/2
"  Miles Gregory SWC  .....  1.75
"  Wm P Gooding work on graves  .....   20.00
"  Joseph Beck fee bill  .....   .25
"  Amount pd F. P. Stone atty at law
     $25 pr receipt filed, Adm. however
     only instilled to a Credit of $20 as
     $5 was taxes in bill of costs & collected  .....  20.00
By a Judgment and costs in favor of Hiram Gregory in the office of W. P. Harder  ..... 5.49
" Taxes pd Shff for 1841  .....  5.99
" Clerks fee bill 1844  .....  2.75
"  do  "   "   1844  .....  4.62
"  do  "   "   1843  .....  3.81
"  do   "   "   1845  .....  3.90
"  do   "   "   1846  .....  4.50
Amount pd Comms for making this Settlement three days Service  .....  9.00
Said Commissioners find from an examination of an article of settlement between the heirs of John Adair dec'd bearing date 25th April 1844 a copy of which is herewith filed that the Costs of a Inst brought in the Wayne Circuit Court by the Guardian and heirs of Robert Adair dec'd to set aside the Will of John Adair dec'd, and which pursuant to said agreement was dismissed at the April term 1844, were to be paid out of the estate of the said John Adair dec'd. We therefore allow said administrators an account filed by Thomas Baker Guardian for Robert Adair's heirs pd S Beard and Jacob B Calling for advising and bringing and prosecuting the above named Inst.  .....   80.00
By Account due Isaac Burnett for Keeping and     
     feeding hogs .....  6.00
     Shffs fee bill 1844  .....  9.92
Said Commissioners allowments said Adms for their services and trouble in administering on and winding up Collecting and disbursing said estate the sum of eight per Anton (?)  .....  $815.63
     Amount of Credit brot down  .....  $316.61

351  Amount of Credit brot forward  ....  $316.61

and four percent on the $1000.00 owed by Isaac Burnett to said estate as compensation for disbursing said $1000  ......  $40.00
        ............................$356.61

Amount of Debit brot down  .....  $1815.63 1/2
Amount of Credit deducted  .....   $356.61
Leaving in Adms hands the sum of   .....  $1459.02 1/2
Fourteen hundred and 59 dollars & two cents
Given under our hands this 27th day of January 1846.
Wm Simpson
M Phillips    Coms"

My Relationship to:

John Adair: Fifth Great Grandfather

The lineage:
1. My Fifth Great Grandfather: John Adair Jr
2. My Fourth Great Grandmother: Mary "Polly" Adair Bell
3. My Third Great Great Grandfather: John Silas Bell
4. My Great Great Grandmother: Martha Bell
5. My Great Grandpa: Cicero Bell
6. My Grandpa
7. My Mom
8. Me

Christopher Boone's Will

Christopher Boone's Will found at Family Search

In the name of God the Lord AmenI Christopher Boon make this my last will and testament - I wish my daughter Margaret the wife of William Boon, and my daughter Susan each to have a hundred dollars set apart for them above an equal division of the rest. I then make an equal division of my estate with all of my children, except my son William's children who have got as mutch as I intend giving them.  June the 13th 1865

Christopher Boon

Witnesses

Henry Sutherland

Wm Sutherland

At a County Court held for Nelson County on the 13th day of May 1873, this paper writing purporting to be the Last Will and Testament of Christopher Boon, deceased was produced in open Court and duly proven by the oath of Henry Sutherland a subscribing witness thereunto who also proved the signature of William Sutherland the other subscribing witness to said writing who signed the same in the presence of and at the request of said Testator, and all being in the presence of each other & etc. whereupon said will was ordered to be recorded.

Att J D Elliott Clk

Nelson County Court

Christopher Boone

Born in 1792 in Prince George's County, Maryland, the son of Walter Boone & Mildred Edelen, Christopher Boone died maybe just before May 13, 1873 in Nelson County, Kentucky.  He farmed in Nelson county for over 40 years.

He was married to Ann Rhodes on October 2, 1824 in Nelson County.  He was survived by four daughters,  Mary Louise Wimsett, Mary Loucretia Fowler, Margaret Boone and Susannah Elizabeth Boone and two sons, Henry M., and Robert I.  He was preceded in death his eldest son, William Ignatius in 1864.

See also my previous post on my husband's "Boone Ancestors". 

My Husband's Relationship to:

Christopher Boone: Second Great Grandfather

The lineage:
1. My husband's Great Great Grandfather Christopher Boone
2. My husband's Great Grandfather Robert I Boone
3. My husband's Grandmother Mary Frances Charlotte Boone
4. My husband's Father Joseph Hamilton Mattingly
5. My husband

A Peek in the Windows of David Bell's Home

David Bell died in 1818, and here 199 years later is a listing of his personal belongings for all to see on the internet.  Both Family Search and Ancestry have these digital images of "Appraisals & Inventories" from the 1800's for Wayne County, Kentucky.  David died at 24 years old with a wife and four small children. I posted his Will earlier this year. Fortunately for his wife Polly, he wrote in his will that she was to have all his estate. 

Three men signed this Valuation, dated December 18, 1818. Only one of those three men also signed the statement below in 1828 - ten years later. I read somewhere that the first person listed who appraised the estate was the person the deceased owed the most money to, as he would benefit the most from the items being sold at the highest price. David's estate, though, was not sold. The second appraiser would likely be someone related to the widow to represent her interests. The third appraiser was someone with no interest in the estate but knowledge of the value of things. I don't think that's the case here, the name David Dunkin/Duncan comes last on the valuation and first on the statement. I'm interested in the name Isaac Burnett because of some other documents I have with that name on them. I'm looking for the maiden name of Polly Bell's mother, and I'm wondering if there's a connection there.

From this valuation list, I get a total of $402.19, a difference of $99.86 from the total in the statement with no explanation for that. There isn't much family information here, but it is interesting. The handwriting is a little hard to read and I'm not familiar with some of the terms, so I may have some transcription errors (it looks like "fan heat" to me, but after the "Great Coat and Leggings" "Fur Hat" makes more sense). I don't know what the marks mean at the beginning of the lines that start under "one small pot", or why it mentions shillings when the dollar was the currency at that time. And there is no mention of the 100 acres of land David Bell bought in 1815 in Wayne County. So, for what it's worth, here it is.

Kentucky Probate Records, Appraisals, Inventories 1816-1838 Vol A. at Familysearch.org

A valuation of the Estate of David Bell dec'd

Value made the 18th December 1818 by the undersigned

One Sorrel Mare & Colt appraised to ..................................50.00 current money

One Young Sorrel horse appraised to ..................................50.00

One Sorrel horse appraised to .............................................60.00

Value of cattle twelve head of cattle .....................................78.00

One Saw, drawing knife, auger & Chisel value ......................4.00

One Shovel plow, axe shoe & Iron wedge .............................5.75

One log chain four dollars ......................................................4.00

One pr drawing chains ..........................................................2.00

One Shovel plow & collar .......................................................3.12

One little wheel  ......................................................................2.50

One Check Reel .........................................................................75

One Big wheel .........................................................................1.25

One Man Saddle appraised to ...............................................15.00

1 Great Coat & leggings ........................................................10.50

1 Fur Hat appraised to  ............................................................3.00

1 Bed of furniture   .................................................................24.00

1 Bed Bed appraised to ..........................................................11.25

Dresser furniture   .....................................................................7.75

One small pot  ...........................................................................2.00

(?) some bed clothing thirty one shilings  .................................5.16 2/3

(?) 1 chest  ................................................................................2.00

(?) five chairs ten shillings   ......................................................1.66 2/3

(?) Geese & ducks thirty three shillings  ...................................5.50

1 cow & steer   .........................................................................11.00

Beef hide   .................................................................................2.00

(?) 13 hogs   ............................................................................21.00

(?) 14 hogs   ............................................................................19.00

Isaac Burnet

John Kogan

David Dunkin

Appraisers appointed by Court

Kentucky Probate Records, Appraisals, Inventories 1816-1838 Vol A. at Familysearch.org

"Kentucky Wayne County Sct

The undersigned having been appointed by an order of the Wayne County Court, made at their last August term Commissioners to settle with the Executor of the Estate of David Bell decd. have discharged the duty assigned us & make the following report, to wit, we find that the Estate of the said decedent in the hands of John Adair and Robert Parmley, his Executors after deducting the amount paid by Sd Executors of Moneys & property due and Owing from Sd Estate is worth the Sum of $502.05. Give under our hands this 22nd Sept 1828.

David Duncan

Joseph Hurt

Moses Sallee"

My Relationship to:

David Bell: Fourth Great Grandfather

The lineage:
1. My Fourth Great Grandfather David Bell
2. My Third Great Grandfather John Silas Bell
3. My Great Great Grandmother Martha Bell
4. My Great Grandpa Cicero Bell
5. My Grandpa
6. My Mom
7. Me

Friday's Faces from the Past - Photographer Soderberg

Here's another unidentified photo from the Old Trunk in the Attic. This Cabinet card measures about 6" x 8" with about a 1" mat on each side. The photographer mark on the bottom is "Soderberg, Sutton, Nebr."  Pater Soderberg was a photographer in his 50's living in Sutton in 1910. His wife Anna and son Clyde were enumerated with him. By 1920, he and Anna moved to Pasadena, California. 

As for who the bridal couple is, I don't have any clues. They may have lived in Clay, Hamilton or York county Nebraska. If you recognize them, please leave a comment or send me an email.

Menke Farm Sale August 15, 1944

For 65 years, this farm near Clatonia was in the Menke family.  My Second Great Grandparents, Henry & Eliza Menke, bought this farm in the spring of 1879. Henry died in 1915, and in his will (written in 1913) eleven of his children were given an equal share. Eliza lived on this farm until past her 90th birthday, and owned it until her death at 102. Six months after her death when the farm was sold, only six of Henry & Eliza's children were still living.

According to the 1885 Agriculture census, Henry grew mostly corn with some oats, wheat and a little rye and some potatoes. He raised chickens, hogs and a few cattle. In her obituary, it says that Eliza was the first in this part of the country to have a mechanical chick incubator and brooder and she was one of the first to operate a sorghum mill. She grew big flower and vegetable gardens and developed new species of fruits from seeds. All on this farm. 

Their youngest son, my Great Grandfather Albert operated the farm for his mother for many years. I suspect it may have been the depression which led him to find other employment. In 1940 he was working in a rock quarry as part of the Works Progress Administration projects. My Grandpa, my Dad, my brother and also now my nephew have all followed in Henry Menke's footsteps and made their living on their own farms. Six generations of Menkes have been farming in Nebraska since 1879.