Inspirational Message

Inspirational Message

Saturday, August 9, 2014

Probating Royal Hazelton

A couple of weeks ago I searched through microfilmed images of the entries for the probate court of Greene County, Missouri Volume D, film #C2543.  I found entries for Royal Hazelton on pages 127, 147, 177, 208-209, 220, 241, 340, 371-372, and 379.

The top of page 127 states "September Term Probate Court Sept. 1, 1851."  The entry for Royal is found at the bottom of the page. "This day exhibited was the bond of Thomas and Royal H. Hazelton Administrators with the will amended of Royal Hazelton dec'd and it is order that the same be appended and recorded. Now at this day comes Royal H. Hazelton one of the administrators of the estate of Royal Hazelton decd and files herein his inventory of said estate which is approved by the court and it is ordered that the administrators of said estate be charged with the sum of nine hundred thirty five dollars and eight and one half cents."
Page 147 - March Term of Probate Court March 4, 1852 second paragraph," $184.37½ Which amount is ordered to plaud to his credit  Ordered that Thos and Royal Hazelton administrators of the estate of Royal Hazelton deceased repare the farm of said deceased and report the cost thereof to this court."
The story is that Royal, along with Thomas, left Missouri in 1849/50 to go to the gold fields in California.  Apparently the farm was in ill repair since no one had taken care of it in his absence. 

Page 177, June Term Probate Court June 12th 1852 is indexed as having an entry, but I couldn't see it on the page.  Can you?

Page 208, December Term of Probate Court Dec 7th 1852, bottom half of the page "Ordered by the court that Thos Hazelton er of the estate of Royal Hazelton deceased sell the remaining personal estate of said deceased wither at public or private sale as may seem best." "Ordered that said exc rent the farm of said Royal Hazelton for the year 1852 for grain rent." "This day comes Thos Hazelton executor of the estate of Royal Hazelton and makes his settlement as follows: 

By Jas Arnolds fees $ 248 - By Tax for 1851 410 - By Newtin Recept 1312½  - By John Woods Do 525 - By William Clibourne Do  1625  - By Wm Victor 250 - By Tax 1852 300."


Page 209, "By Thomas Dodds Allowance $19.25 Amount $96.45" "Ordered that he be credited with the sum of ninety six dollars and 45 cents." "Ordered by the court that Thos Hazelton executor of the estate of Royal Hazelton deceased loan out the money of said estate on a credit of twelve months that may be in his hands with good and sufficient security."

Page 220, "Saturday, December 11th 1852 Probate" "Ordered by the court that the inventory of the personal of Royal Hazelton deceased be approved and filed as the law directs."

Page 241,"March 7th 1853 Term of Probate Court" 
"M L Brittain vs. Estate of Royal Hazelton - Now at this day comes the Plaintiff and files his apt $15 and notice being legally served on the executor Thos Hazelton of said estate and the parties appearing and the testimony being heard and all and singular the premises fully understood it is ordered by the court that the Plaintiff have and receive of and from said estate the sum of Eleven dollars and 75 cents in the 6 class."  From: 
"Biographical Sketch of George W. Britain, Greene County, Missouri, Pond Creek TownshipFrom "History of Greene County, Missouri," St. Louis: Western Historical Company, 1883.     ***************************************************************************    This Gentleman is the son of John (W.) and Catherine (Hensley) Britain, and was born in McMinn County, Tenn., June 20, 1827. His parents were natives of that State, His father was a soldier of the War of 1812, and his grandfather was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. In 1836 his parents moved to Greene County, Mo., where his mother died in 1837, and in 1838 his father moved to Bates County, Mo. In 1840 his father died while on a trip back to this county, so George was left an orphan at the age of thirteen years. The children were brought back to this township, and George was bound out to Royal Hazelton, then of Brookline township. "
I don't know the connection of George W to M L cited in the probate record below. 
In the book "Rhea and Van Natta Families and Their Ancestors," the author wrote that Thomas Hazelton was given guardianship of the three Brittain boys. I need to do more research at the archives and find the court documents on this case.  I don't know what "6 class" means in the probate court entry above. Searches on Google led me to other transcriptions but I could not find a definition.

Page 340 "December Term of Probate Court Dec 12 1853" "Ordered by the court that Thos Hazelton one of the executors of the estate of Royal Hazelton deceased be permitted to sell the rent corn and the estate wither at public  or private sale which ever seems best." "Ordered by the court that Thos Hazelton executor of the estate of Royal Hazelton deceased rent the farm of said estate for the year 1854 at private sale." "Ordered by the court that Thos Hazelton executor of the estate of Royal Hazelton deceased be charged with the amount of one hundred seventy seven dollars and 70 cents the amount of rents for the year 1852. "177.70"


Page 371-372, "March Term of Probate Court March 8th 1854" "Now comes this day Thos Hazelton one of the executors for the estate of Royal Hazelton deceased and shows to the court that he has administered as the law directs that he wood apply at this term of the probate court for a final settlement of his administrator in said estate and it appearing to the court that said estate has been fully administered on therefor it is ordered by the court that said executor be permitted to make his final settlement as follows:
By widows recapt $25 00 - By Peter L Anderson Receipt  2.75 - By John Woods receipt 2.00 - By Peter L. Anderson Do 8.00 - By H. Fulbright Sheriff fee 1.00 - By H. Graves receipt 2.50 - By L. M. Brittain allowance 11.75 - By Jno Dollison court fees 2.40 - By Exrs apt for labor done on farm 21.91 - By Exrs protem 66.92 - By court fees to date $1.15"
"It is ordered that he be credited with the amount of one hundred ninety five dollars and 38 cents and that he pay over to the widow of said deceased one thousand and forty six dollars and 62 cents the amount found due against him on his final settlement."
Page 371
 
Page 372
Page 379, "March Term of Probate Court March 11th 1854" "Ordered by the court that Thos Hazelton executor of the estate of Royal Hazelton deceased be credited with the sum of One Thousand Forty Six dollars and 62 cents." Another sentence at the bottom of the page is illegible. 

Royal's widow, Mahetable Hazelton, moved to Iowa with Thomas and was granted a land patent, #96651 for 40 acres, as Royal's widow on the 1st of June in 1855.  The patent was for Royal's service as a corporal in Captain Meengers Company New York Militia in the War of 1812. I still have many more questions left to be answered.  Check back, I love the hunt! 

1 comment:

  1. I'm impressed with the handwriting on the pages. It is so legible!

    ReplyDelete