MERIWETHER COUNTY, GA - Estate of Martin Owens Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.org/copyright.htm This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by:JodieK444@aol.com Judy Fowler Kilgore Table of Contents page: http://www.usgwarchives.org/ga/meriwether.htm Georgia Table of Contents: http://www.usgwarchives.org/ga/gafiles.htm Estate Settlement of Martin Owens Minutes of the Court of Ordinary, Meriwether County, Georgia, Book 2 (Copied from actual court documents in Probate Office, Greenville, Georgia, May-June, 2003) October Term 1852 (Oct. 4, 1852) Page 337 Whereas William J. Owens having made application in due form of law for letters of administration upon the Estate of Martin Owens, late of said county decd ~ & whereas the said William J. having taken the oath as required by law and entered into bond in the Sum of Two thousand dollars with Peter Kempson and Joshua Cannon as his securities on said bond, that that (sic) letters of administration do issue the said William J. Owens and that his name be entered upon the dockett of this Court as such administrator. D.C. Gresham O.M.C. Ordered That Joshua A. Cannon, Isiah Burton, Alston G. Harris, Peter Kempson and Richard Crowder be and they are hereby appointed appraisers of the Estate of Martin Owens, late of said County decd. D.C. Gresham O.M.C. November Term 1852 (1 Nov 1852) Page 344 Ordered that William J. Owens, administrator upon the estate of Martin Owens, late of said county decd, have leave and be allowed to sell the cotton crop of the present year (belonging to said estate) either at public or private sale upon terms most advantageous to said estate. D.C. Gresham O.M.C. January Term 1853 ( 10 Jan 1853) Page 356 It appearing to the court by the petition of Caleb Reece that Martin Owens, late of said county decd, did in his lifetime execute to said Caleb Reece, his Bond for titles for seven acres of land being a part of lot number two hundred eighteen in the Ninth district of formerly Troup now Meriwether County commencing at the North East corner of said lot & running West to the first small Branch, then down said branch to the Mt. Carmel Spring branch, then down said spring branch to the East line of said lot thence North to the beginning corner containing two and a half acres more or less, and two & a half acres more or less in the North West corner of lot number two hundred and thirty one, extending from the North line of said lot to the above named Spring branch. And it further appearing that said Martin Owens has departed this life without executing titles to said land or in any way providing therefor. And it also appearing that said Caleb Reece has paid the full amount of the purchaise money of said land and has petitioned this court to order and direct William J. Owens Administrator upon the Estate of said Martin Owens decd to execute to him titles to said land in conformity with said Bond. It is therefore hereby ordered that notice be given according to law of such application that all persons concerned may file their objections in the Ordinarys office of said county, if any they have, why said Wm. J. owens administrator as aforesaid should not execute titles to said land in conformity with such Bond. Granted D.C. Gresham OMC May Term, 1853 (20 May 1853) Page 380 Meriwether Court of Ordinary, May Term 1853 Whereas at the last January term of this court there was a Rule ni si granted in favor of Caleb Reece calling upon William J. Owens Administrator of the Estate of Martin Owens late of said Meriwether County decd to show cause why he should not make titles to Seven acres of land being a part of lot. no. 218 in the ninth district of formerly Troup now Meriwether County commencing at the North East corner of said lot and running West to the first small branch then down said branch to the Mt. Carmel Spring branch to the East line of said lot then North to the beginning corner containing two and a half acres more or less, and two & a half acres more or less in the NorthWest corner of lot no. 231 extending from the North line of said lot to the above named Spring branch. And it further appearing that said Rule ni si has been duly published according to the statute in such cases. It is therefore ordered and directed that the said William J. Owens administrator as aforesaid to execute and make titles in fee simple to said Caleb Reece for the lands mentioned in in (sic) the bond of Martin Owens decd made to said Caleb Reece and to fully perform the contract of said decd as perfectly and effectually to all intents and purposes as the said Martin Owens might or could have done when in life. D.C. Gresham O.M.C. Aug. Term 1853 Page 389 Whereas William J. Owens administrator upon the Estate of Martin Owens late of said county decd having previous to this term of the court given his two months notice by publication in the Georgia Banner a publick gazette of this state, published at Newnan, Georgia, of his intended application for leave to sell the lands belonging to the Estate of said decd and whereas it appears to this Court that said estate cannot be fully and completely administered in the absence of the sale of said lands, the sale of the same being necessary for the payment of debts due by said Martin Owens decd and also for division among the heirs of said decd. It is therefore ordered that said William J. Owens administrator as aforesaid be and he is hereby authorized and directed to proceed in terms of the law to sell lot no. 36 = 15th district and first Section Lumpkin County (formerly Cherokee) and sixty two and a half acres more or less of Lot No. 69 in the (U)* 9th Sect. of originally Troup now Meriwether County the same being a part and portion of the lands belonging to the Estate of said decd. D.C. Gresham O.M.C. *"U" in this case refers to the "Upper" Ninth District of Meriwether as shown on maps. A 1910 map of Meriwether shows Land Lot 218 to be the same lot where Mt. Carmel Methodist Church is located. There are many references to Caldwell property also in this area.] Inventory and Appraisements, Meriwether County, Book D, 1852-55 Page 134 Georgia Meriwether County By Davis C. Gresham Ordinary of said County to Joshua Cannon, Isah Burton, Alston G. Harris, Peter Campson & Richard P. Crowder these are to authorize and empower you or any three of you whose names are here above written to attend and appraise the goods and chattels of Martin Owens late of said County decd in Dollars and cents so so (sic) far as the same shall be produced to you by Wm. Owens the Administrator or come to your knowledge or Sight ready money excepted now having first taken an oath before some Justice of the Peace for Said County well and truly (sworn?) do a certificate of which you are required to return and make the appraisement and when the same you have appraised you are to return an inventory thereof signed by three or more of you unto this said court within the term prescribed by law together with this Warrant. Witness my hand and seal this fourth day of October 1852 Davis C. Gresham O.M.C. Page 135 Georgia Meriwether County Appraisement of the Estate of Martin Owens decd. Thirty Barrels Corn ................................................. 60.00 Three Stack Fodder .................................................... 8.00 Two Cows & One Steer ............................................ 35.00 Tho Crop of Cotton ................................................. 150.00 Lot of Plows & Geer ................................................... 2.50 2 Old Saws Arm ......................................................... 1.00 Three Axes Wedger Auger Drawing Knife & shovel ... 2.00 One steelyard (?) ....................................................... 1.00 One Lot Old Waggon Irons ............................................ 1.00 Running Gear of Old Waggon ....................................... 20.00 Two Old Hammers ........................................................ .25 Lot Pot Ware ............................................................... 5.00 Lot of Cooperware ....................................................... 1.00 1 Loom Two Slays (?) & Harness ................................ 8.00 Three Spinning Wheels & one Reel ................................ 4.00 Lot of Old Barrels ........................................................ 1.50 Lot Crockery Bottles Knives forks & Tin ware .............. 2.00 Lot jug ware ................................................................ 1.25 1 Cythe ....................................................................... 1.00 1 Grind Stone ............................................................... 1.50 1 Lot Hoes ................................................................... 1.50 6 Shoats ...................................................................... 6.00 Eight Chairs ................................................................. 4.00 One Clock ................................................................... 10.00 One Side Board .............................................................. .75 One Chest ..................................................................... 3.50 One Sugar Stand ........................................................... 3.00 (End Page 135) ...........................................................324.75 (Page 136) Amount Brot Over ......................................................324.75 Two Chests & One Table ................................................ 1.50 One Bed Bedsted & furniture ........................................ 25.00 One Bed Bedsted & furniture ........................................ 15.00 One Bed Bedsted & furniture ........................................ 15.00 One Small Bedsted & furniture .................................... 5.00 One Note on Caleb Reese due 25th Dec 1851 ................ 35.00 One Note on Caleb Reese due 25th Dec 1852 ................ 30.00 One Due Bill on Chas. B. Cochran ................................. 1.68 3/4 One Due Bill on J. Spivey ............................................ 2.66 62 2* Acres of land a part of Lot No. ??? (not decipherable) in the 9th Dist. Meriw County .. 655.00 .............................................................................. .. 1080.57 3/4 We do certify upon oath that as far as has been produced to us by the Administrator the above and forgoing contains a true appraisement of the Estate of Martin Owens decd to the best of our judgment and understanding this 23rd oct. 1852 R.P. Crowder A.J. Harris Peter Kempson Isah Burton I do certify that the above Appraisors ---?--- (duly?) sworn to perform their duty as appraisors according to law. Oct. 23, 1852 Joshua Cannon, J.P. *The second 2 is superscripted and underlined (smaller and slightly to the right above the writing line) Page 137 Sale of the perishable property of Martin Owens Decd Sold 27th Nov 1852 Corn 1st Lot 5 Barrels to Mrs. Owens .... 5.00 Corn 2nd Lot 5 Barrels to Mrs. Owens ..... 8.75 Corn 3rd Lot 5 Barrels to Mrs. Owens ..... 7.50 Corn 4th Lot 5 Barrels to Mrs. Owens .... 7.50 Corn 5th Lot 5 Barrels to John A. Ball ..... 7.50 Corn 6th Lot 5 Barrels to Mrs. Owens .... 4.50 Fodder pr hundred 50 cents Mrs. Owens .. 5.95 Lot Plow Gear ................. Mrs. Owens ... .50 Lot Hoes Mattocks etc. .... Mrs. Owens ... .85 Auger Drawing Knife etc. .. Mrs. Owens .. .50 2 Hand Saws & Hammer .. Mrs. Owens... .35 2 Shovel Plow & single Tr--- Mrs. Owens ... .40 Lot Old Irons & Single Yrw. A.G. Harris .. 2.50 One Ax ..............................Mrs. Owens .. .70 Plow Stock Cl--? & P--? Mrs. Owens ... .75 Pen Shucks ................... Mrs. Owens ... 1.00 Blind Bridle .......................John A. Ball ... .55 One work Oxen.................. John A. Ball ... 9.00 Tar Bucket .................... R.P. Crowder .. .05 Hill Potatoes .................... Mrs. Owens .... .50 Cow & Bell ....................... Mrs. Owens... 3.25 Cow & Bell ....................... Mrs. Owens ... 8.12 E (superscripted) 1 Pair Sleelyards?.............. Mrs. Owens .... .50 Waggon & Harness ............. Mrs. Owens ... 10.00 Tin Pots .......................... Mrs. Owens ... .50 One Tub............................ Mrs. Owens .. .25 Two Water Buckets.......... Mrs. Owens .. .35 One Tin Bucket................. Mrs. Owens ... .10 Spinning Wheel.................. Mrs. Owens ... .50 Loom for Weaving.............. Mrs. Owens ... 1.00 Eating Table..................... Mrs. Owens ... 1.50 jug & Contents................ Mrs. Owens ... .10 One jar........................... Mrs. Owens ... .10 Pot and Two Ovens ......... Mrs. Owens ... 1.00 1 Pr. Tongs ................... Mrs. Owens ... .20 Skillet & Oven.................. Mrs. Owens ... .60 Lot Candle moles (?) coffee mill etc .. Mrs. Owens ... .25 Knives forks & spoons etc ... Mrs. Owens ... .50 (end page 137)................................. 921.72 Page 138 ..............Amt brot over ..... 921.72 Crockery Ware ....... to Mrs. Owens ... 1.00 Spinning wheel chair & chain .. Mrs. Owens ... .50 Crop cut Saw & chain to Peter Kempson ... 2.05 Jug ............................. Mrs. Owens ... .45 2 Barrels .................. Peter Kempson ... .30 1 Barrel & Contents ... Mrs. Owens .... 1.30 1 Barrel .....................Mrs. Owens .... .45 1 G---?---- & Peas .... Mrs. Owens ... 1.35 1 Wheel & O----? ....... Mrs. Owens ... 1.00 1 Grind Stone .......... James Bell Jr. ...2.05 1 Well Bucket & chain ... Mrs. Owens .. .25 Six Hogs ........................Mrs. Owens ... 7.50 1 Bed Bedsted & furniture .. Mrs. Ball ... 10.00 1 Bed Bedsted & furniture ...Mrs. Owens ... 6.00 1 Bed Bedsted & furniture ... Mrs. Owens ... 7.25 1 T---?--- .......................... Mrs. Owens ... 3.00 1 Chest ............................... Mrs. Owens .... .25 1 Table ............................... Mrs. Owens ... .25 1 Trunk .............................. Mrs. Owens ... .05 1 Painted Chest .................. Mrs. Ball ....... 2.00 1 Sugar Stand ...................... Mrs. Owens ... 1.80 8 Split Bottom Chairs .......... Mrs. Owens ... 2.00 1 Spring Clocke .................... Mrs.Owens ... 6.05 1 S---? & contents .............. Mrs. Owens ... 1.00 1 Contents of Mantle Pieces .. Mrs. Owens .. .10 1 Clock reel ........................... Mrs. Owens ... .25 1 Barrel ................................ Mrs. Owens ... .65 Rent of Premises ................... Mrs. Owens ... 63.00 1 Auger ................................ A. Caldwell ... .20 ................................................................... 214. 12 12 (superscripted) Terms all sums under $5 five Dollars Cash and all sums over five Dollars 2 months credit. W.J. Owens Administrator ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Notes: Martin Owens was born about 1801 somewhere in Georgia, according to the 1850 Meriwether County census. He married Martha Kennedy (or Kanady) in 1827 in Upson County where they lived until sometime after 1830. Martin drew land in the 1832 Cherokee Land Lottery but whether he ever moved to that area is not known. He did claim the land as part of it is noted in his estate (Lumpkin County, formerly Cherokee). Sometime before 1850, Martin and Martha moved to Meriwether County and settled in the area of Mt. Carmel Methodist Church. Their children were William J. Owens, b. abt 1830; Mary A. Saphronia Owens, b. April 1833; Martha Amanda Owens b. abt. 1838; Sarah Elizabeth Owens, b. abt. 1842; Matilda C. Owens, b. abt 1844; Lucinda Caroline Owens, b. 1 Jan 1847, and Robert Martin Owens, b. abt 1851. Martin died sometime before October 1852 and left no will. His estate was administered by William J. Owens, thought to be his son, who moved with Martha and the children to Fayette County in 1854. Martha applied for guardianship of her minor children there, with William J. Owens as her security, and they all appear in the 1860 Fayette county census. Mary A. Saphronia Owens married Jonathan A. Ball in Meriwether County in 1852 and, following her father's death, moved to south Georgia with her husband and died in Enigma, Berrien County in October of 1900.Jonathan is said to have founded the town of Enigma and was a turpentine manufacturer, judge and postmaster. They had four known children, James W. Ball, Josephine Ball, Frances Ball and Emmett Varnon Ball. Martha Amanda Owens and Robert Martin Owens, brother and sister, moved to Campbell County by 1870 and lived in the Campbellton area next door to their sister, Lucinda Caroline Owens who married William Jethro Fowler. It is thought that Robert Martin Owens married Julia A. Bailey in 1876 in Coweta County, moved to Carroll County and died there about 1890. Two of their children were Robert Lee Owens and William Alston Owens. Lucinda Caroline (Lula) Owens Fowler moved to Cleburne County, Alabama, with her husband and children, and died there in childbirth in 1886. She was my great- grandmother. Their children were Oscar Fowler, Mattie G. Fowler Gay, John O. Fowler, Lula Love Fowler Johnson, Cecil Mary Fowler Hand, William Walter Fowler and Luther Clarence Fowler (my grandfather). Lula's husband remarried and had five more children. What happened to Martha and the other Owens children is unknown and this time and subject to further research. ~~Submitted by Judy Fowler Kilgore, June, 2003