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Loose Estate Papers
Tyrrell County (C.R.096.508.33), Box 33
Melson, Joseph, 1847
Bond dated 9 Feb 1847 in the amount of $5,000 appointing Thomas B. Midyett special administrator of the estate of Joseph Melson deceased, James Pledger & S. S. Simmons securities.
Petition April Term 1847 of Elizabeth Melson agaist Elizabeth Melson, Mary Caroline, Sarah Matilda & William Melson heirs at law of Joseph Melson deceased. Petitioner shows that Joseph Melson departed this life about 1 Feb 1847 intestate leaving your petitioner, his widow, unprovided for. The said Joseph Melson died seized and possessed of 300 acres joining Joseph McClees Senr., Joseph Caroon and the heirs of Sarah McClees deceased in which the petitioner is entitled to dower. The above named defendants are heirs of the said Joseph Melson and are minors under the age of 21 years. Petitioner prays appointment of a guardian to the defendants and issuance of a writ of dower to the sheriff.
Bond dated 26 Apr 1847 in the amount of $5,000 appointing Lewis Pledger administrator of the estate of Jos. Melson deceased, James I. Pledger & J. B. Spruill securities.
Laying off of the year's allowance of Elizabeth Melson, widow of Joseph Melson, agreeable to court order issued at April Term 1847 by James I. Pledger J. P. and Jesse McClees, Elijah P. Melson & Henry McClees. There was an insufficiency of $43 to be bought by the administrator.
Bond dated 23 Oct 1848 in the amount of $4,000 appointing James Cosgrove guardian to William, Elijah, Sarah & Mary Ann Melson orphans and heirs of Jos. Melson, Saml. Leigh & C. P. Shepherd securities.
Laying off of the dower of Elizabeth Melson in the lands of her deceased husband, Joseph Melson on 17 Jul 1849 by Samuel G. Salyer, Alexander Owens, Turner Cahoon, Benjamin S. Basnight, Jesse McClees, Caleb Galloway, John Sanderson, Jesse Sanderson, Reddick Alexander, William McClees, John McClees & Enoch Ludford. One third of the plantation of 109 acres including the dwelling house and outhouses and joining Joseph McClees and the sound were set off and put in possession of the widow.
Petition October Term of 1849 by James Cosgrove and wife, Elizabeth & William Melson, Elizabeth Melson & Mary Melson, infants by their next friend and guardian, James Cosgrove. Petitioner shows that he is tenant in common with the above named infants and children of Joseph Melson deceased of about six negros viz. Sampson, Amy, Nelson, Eliza, Pleasant & Chany and that your petitioner desires a division of the same.
Division of the negros belonging to the heirs of Joseph Melson on 11 Dec 1849 by Henry McClees, Wm. Basnight & B. S. Basnight.
Valuation as follows:
James Cosgrove and wife draw
Sampson - $300
Chaney - $125
Total - $425
William, Elizabeth & Mary Caroline Melson draw
Anna - $400
Nelson - $350
Elizor - $275
Plesant - $200
Total - $1225
James Cosgrove pays the heirs $12.50.
Bond dated 27 Oct 1851 in the amount of $4000 appointing Henry McClees guardian to William, Elizabeth & Mary C. Melson, orphans of Joseph Melson deceased, Joseph Halsey & John McClees securities.
Warrant dated the 4th Monday of April 1853 and issued 28 Apr 1853 for the sheriff to have James Cosgrove at court on the 4th Monday of July next to answer unto the state of North Carolina in relation to a plea of debt of $4000 by Henry McClees, guardian of William, Elizabeth & Mary Caroline Melson.
Guardian account of James Cosgrove, guardian of the heirs of Joseph Melson, from 1850 to 30 May 1854 and audited by Samuel McClees on 24 Jul 1854. The wards are found to owe James Cosgrove $118.88.
Petition October Term 1857 of Samuel Barnett in right of his wife Elizabeth and of Henry McClees, guardian of William & Mary Caroline Melson, who show that they are tenabts in common of negro slaves Anny, Pleasant, Nelson, William & Harriet. Said Saml. wants his part of said slaves set apart in severalty, to which said Henry consents. They pray commissioners be appointed and the negros set apart.
Division of the negros belonging to the heirs of Joseph Melson deceased per court order of October Term 1857 by Jesse Sanderson,
John McClees, Ephraim Leigh, ? Spruill & Z. Roughton. Valuation as follows:
Anna - $600
Nelson - $900
Pleasant - $600
Harriet - $400
William - $250
Total - $2750
Each Share - $916.66 2/3
Samuel Barnett drew girls Pleasant & Harriet valued at $1000 and pays William & Mary Caroline Melson $83.33.
Bond dated 25 Jan 1858 in the amount of $6,000 appointing Henry McClees guardian to Wm. B. Melson & Mary Caroline Melson minor orphans of Joseph Melson deceased, John McClees & Wm. McClees securities.
Transcriber's Notes:
Tyrrell County marriage bonds show the marriage of Jos. Melson to Betsy Melson on 29 Dec 1834, Jesse McClees security.
The 1850 Census of Tyrrell County shows the household of James Cosgrove (32), Elizabeth Cosgrove (44), Henry A. Pledger (18), Elizabeth Melson (13), William Melson (10), Mary C. Melson (8) and Eliza Garret (26). The 1854 will of Robert L. Pledger shows his mother as Elizabeth Cosgrove and his brother as Henry A. Pledger, indicating a marriage by Elizabeth before that to Joseph Melson. Robert L. Pledger also cites Ann McClees, William Melson, Elizabeth Melson and Mary C. Melson as brothers and sisters. The 1833 estate papers of William Pledger establish that Betsy Pledger was his wife and that she married Joseph Melson after William's death. The papers also cite Henry Pledger and Lewis Pledger as sons. Lewis was one of the administrators of the estate of Joseph Melson. Tyrrell County marriage bonds show the marriage of William Pledger to Betsy Midyett on 15 Mar 1821, Silby Pledger security.
The 1860 Census of Tyrrell County shows the household of Samuel Barnet (23), Elizabeth Barnet (22) and Henry Barnet (2).
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