Marriage Bond For Young Ryal [Royal] & Edee [Edith] Blackman, Duplin County, NC

Transcribed by Joanne Schleier
State of No. Carolina
Duplin County
Know all men by these presents that we Young Ryal and Frances Hill both of the County aforesaid are held and firmly bound unto his Excellency Richard Caswell Esquire Governor of the Said State in the full and just Sum of five Hundred Pounds Currency of the said State to be Paid to the Said Governor or his [missing] in office to which payment Will and Truly be made to we bind our Selves Each of his own heirs Executors and administrators Fondly and Severally firmly by these presents Sealed with our Seals and Dated this 20th day of July- anno Dominic 1779.
The Condition of the above Obligation is Such that whereas the said Young Ryal - above bounded hath the Day of the Date here of Made application for and obtained herein License of Marriage between him and the said Young Ryal and Edee Blackman of the [said County] (Singlewoman) and hath obtained [license], Know if it shall not happen at any time hereafter that there is any lawful Cause or Impediment to obstruct the said Marriage, Then the above obligation shall be Void and of no power  other wise to stand and remains in full force Power and Virtue,
Signed Sealed + Delivered in the Presence of
Wm Dixon, C. C.
Young Ryal {sealed}
Frances Hill {sealed}

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Source: Duplin County, North Carolina, Probate Records, Marriage Bonds, Rhodes-Young, Box 5, For Young Ryal & Edee Blackman, 1779; State Library & Archives of North Carolina, Raleigh. Digital Photo of Original: Copyright 2010 Joanne Schleier. Photo taken with permission on November, 23, 2010.

Updates… LOTS of Them!!!

Forewarned: Long Post Ahead...

 

In continuing with updating my blog theme, I spent some time today looking at other improvements.  I’ve changed all of my labels to cluster them together into categories by hyphenating them.  I wish there was a way that Blogger would create a hierarchy for them.  Then a reader could go to Surnames and then see all of the names under that.  Instead, I changed them, one-at-a-time no less, to Surname – Name.  I also thought this would help designate these names as such.  For example, my Royal surname could be mistaken for Royal as in imperial or sovereign.  I also did that for Places and eliminated counties and towns, keeping just the state.

Also, because the new theme is wider in the posts section, I went back and enlarged many of the pictures and fonts.  That way, viewers may not have to click on them to see them large enough.

Then I started to go through old posts and see if there were any “dangling” items I said I would bring up in a later post and never addressed.  Or updates to posts.  Here goes…

1. In 2010 Has Arrived! I mention that I’d like to start a hand-written diary.  Didn’t happen.  Other priorities.  My around-the-house improvements are in full swing!  I am pulling things out of storage, clearing out, cleaning up and de-cluttering continuously and with fervor!  {It helps that hubby and I became empty-nester’s in July… and no one has moved back home yet:-)  I’m plugging away at that cross-stitch and, after attending a Sampler’s Guild meeting by happenstance (you know I believe there are no accidents) I picked up some tips, a better frame, and magnification clip-on glasses, which all help immensely.  I go on to say that writing down my goals for that post helped to put it all in perspective.  My latest ProGen assignment was to write an education plan, in which I included some other goals and unfinished items “to-do list” style.  Once again, I emphasize how that helped me keep my goals on the forefront of my mind and keep them there until they’re addressed.  MAKE A LIST OF YOUR GOALS!!!  In: life in general, related to your research, or anything else!  It really does help.
2. In My Genealogical Superpower I talked about how I like to help others and teach.  Since then, I have signed up to be a contributor at Find-A-Grave, done look-ups for two people at the GA Archives for friends across the country on GenealogyWise and agreed to repeat my “Internet Tools for Genealogy” at my county society’s upcoming Beginner’s Course 2011 in addition to another one about logging your research and citing sources (details have not been discussed further).
3. In the Land Records for Female Ancestor? post I talked about how I’m cleaning up records in my Ancestry.com family tree to show actual records instead of text.  I am STILL doing this as I work on any family line.  What a pain!  Can’t we get the Software people to work with Ancestry so that GedCom files can be synchronized instead of merely uploaded or downloaded?  (I think Family Tree Maker does this, but I don’t use that one). Also, I’ve learned a whole lot more about researching land records since then and it makes me smile at my naiveté’ back then! ;-) 
4. I have not worked on my pockets mentioned in Threads of Time.  I put that away to focus on my unfinished cross-stitch project mentioned above.  However, I did make a unembroidered pair of pockets for their practical use out of plain linen and an 18th century women’s wool cloak with the hood lined in silk.  I finished a new polonaise style dress and coordinating petticoat.
5. More of Tee's Crewel: I have continued to work on cleaning out my storage room and found yet another of Tee’s pieces of crewel work!  But you’ll have to wait to see that in another post!  I still need to hang it and take a photo.
6. Keeping up with my goals, see Progress for Goals in 2010, I am still archiving photos and VHS tapes at home – a long-term project.  I’ve pulled another of my grandfather’s trophy’s from a yacht race and polished it (silver), I’ve printed a couple of retouched photos to frame, and decided I don’t like all the clocks together on one wall and plan to move them around the house into places where I’d like them better and separate from each other.
7. Organizing Photos: Manage Folders on Your Computer: I finished making a new folder structure.  However, I have many subfolders in my Dump_From_Camera folder that need to be named, tagged, edited and moved.  Will it ever end?
8. From FGS Conference 2010: Recovering Back Home: I still have not gone through my FGS materials.  They are on my desk in one of  my To-Do project pockets.  Oh, and those same friends that “hate me for winning all the time” were at our genealogy meeting the other night when our speaker announced that she had 2 door prizes.  Her lecture was on the Georgia Land Lotteries.  She asked us to identify the date of a particular year’s land lottery when they started issuing grants (referring to her handout). I was the first to see the dates from July 22 to August something. Then the speaker clarified asking “what was the starting date?”  “July 22nd”, someone else answered.  We all thought the person with the answer would be the winner when she said,  “Who has a birthday around July 22nd”?  My hand went up… “July 28th”.  Followed by someone else.  Speaker asks “is is less than 6 days from the date”?  “Nope”.  I felt daggers in my back from my friends eyes and glanced over my shoulder to see them looking at me with “that look” and big smirks on their faces!  They told me later that they “were going to make me buy the chicken wings at dinner because of this”!  Geez, I can’t help when I was born!!!… and, oh, by the way, we all thought it was the first to answer who got the prize, not a birthday thing!  Maybe I just should keep my mouth shut!  HAHA!  But I won a CD entitled “Georgia Colonial and Headright Plat Index, 1735-1866” by Mary H. Abbe published by the R.J. Taylor, Jr. Foundation and Georgia Archives in 2005.  I can use this for my McVicker/Royal/Brown ancestors of Henry and Dooly Counties, Georgia!  How exciting!!! 

(They love to tease me, but they still love me too).

Copyright © 2010 Joanne Schleier
Photo credit: called REBOOT! by  http://www.flickr.com/photos/mark-magnusson/.

Will of Young Royal: July 12, 1818 Sampson Co., NC

Source:
Sampson County, North Carolina, Probate Records
Wills, 1778-1953 Rachels-Ryall
Young Royal, 1894 (3 pages)
State Library & Archives of North Carolina, Raleigh 

Photo taken with permission
Digital photo of original: Copyright 2009 Joanne Schleier

As Transcribed by Joanne Schleier:

[Page 1]

In the Name of God Amen 

I Young Royal of Sampson County & State of North Carolina being of perfect mind and memory (blessed be God) and Calling to mind the mortality of man knowing that ' Tis allotted for all men Once to die do make this my last Will and Testament; But first of all I Recommend my Soul into the hands of Almighty God who gave it to me and my Body to be decently Buried at the discretion of my Executors but Touching of Such Worldly Estate as it has pleased God to bestow me I give and bequeath in the following manner and form (to wit) 

First I Give and bequeath unto my Beloved Son Rezin [Reason] Royal the land that I Bought of John Major Known by the name of the Phillips place and all the property which I have Given him heretofore. 

Secondly I Give and bequeath unto my beloved Daughter Sally Butler wife of Travis Butler one Negro Girl named Lynder [Linda] and the property which I have here to for given her. 

Thirdly I Give and bequeath unto my beloved Daughter Sabra Brown wife of Robert Brown One Negro Girl Named Hannah and the property which I have here to for given her. 

Fourthly I Give and bequeath unto my beloved Son William Royal One Negro Boy Named Harry Also One Bed and Furniture. 

[Page 2]

Fifthly I Give and bequeath unto my beloved Wilson Royal One Negro Boy Named Jorden [Jordan] also one bed & furniture; and if Either William or Wilson Royal should die and never return to receive said property that the one who Shall Return to have both their parts; and if it Should so happen that Neither of them Returns the property that I have left to them to be Equally divided amongst the rest of my Children. 

Sixthly I bequeath and Give unto my beloved Daughter Betsey [Betsy] Westbrook One Negro Girl named Clarrender [Clarinda] also the property which I have heretofore Given her. 

Seventhly I Give and bequeath unto my beloved Daughter Polly Royal wife of Hardy Royal One Negro Girl named Hazel also the property which I have heretofore Given her. 

Eighthly I Give and bequeath unto my beloved Daughter Mary Butler wife of Robert Butler One Negro Girl named Phillis [Phyllis] also the property which I have heretofore Given her. 

Ninthly I Give and bequeath unto my Beloved Daughter Rebekah [Rebecca] Royal Two Negro Girls by the names of Ciller [Cilla, possibly short for Priscilla] & Cherry one bed and Furniture. 

Tenthly I Give and bequeath unto my beloved Raiford Royal All the Lands That I Now Possess Except the piece that I bequeath to my Rezin [Reason] Royal to belong to the said Raiford after 

[Page 3]

his mother death also I Give and bequeath unto my beloved son Raiford Royal Two Negro boys by the Names of Simmon [Simon] and Jonas also one bed and Furniture and all the Plantation Tools of Every Description Except the Blacksmith the Tools. 

Also I Give and bequeath my beloved Wife Edith Royal the Remainder of my property which I have not mentioned or Given to my Children after paying my Just Debts During her natural life time and after her death to be Equally Divided among my Children heretofore mentioned. 

P.S. William and Wilson Royal are to Receive their part of my property when Called for by them which I have above stated. 

I hereby make and appoint my son Rezin [Reason] Royal and my son in law Travis Butler Executors to This My Last Will and Testament this annulling all other Wills or bequeaths by me hereuntofore made this 12th Day of July One Thousand Eight Hundred and Eighteen. 

Signed Sealed and Acknowledged before
"H." Royal and Robert (his "x" mark) Butler
Young (his "x" mark) Royal
[End] 



Copyright © 2010 Joanne Schleier

Brown Family: Henry County, GA Deeds

Here are some extracts of deeds pertaining to the Brown family in Henry County, Georgia. I first found them indexed in a book and later got copies of the originals from the Georgia Archives. There were more entries within this book (see bibliography at the end of the post), but these are the ones I had time to make note of during a trip to The Brown House in Henry County.

Also of note, in one of them, the justice of the peace is my fourth great-grandfather Duncan McVicker - signed "D. McVicker, J.P." His eldest son, John McVicker, married Mary Brown, thereby linking the two families. 

Unfortunately, the hard copies I printed from microfilm are so bad that I won't bother scanning them to post here. Perhaps I'll be able to get a digital copy with my thumb drive next visit to the state archives.

These records proved, among other things, that John McVicker's wife's father's name was Robert Brown and that Robert Brown had once lived in Dooly County, Georgia.

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From Deed Book H., page 575 & 576:
Mar. 31, 1838
Francis Adams sold to Sabry Brown both of said County on Mar 31, 1838 for the sum of $400 Lot #186 in Dist. 2, 202.5 acres.
Wit. Wm. Kimball
Wm. Adair
Rec.d October 4, 1838

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From Deed Book J., page 189:
Dec. 20, 1838
Jordin R. Richardson sold to Balus Brown, both of said county, for the sum of $300, 101 & 1/4 acres of land lying in Lot #199, Dist. 2.
Wit. Wm. Kimbell
Geo. W. Thurston
Rec. Dec. 14, 1839

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From Deed Book J. , page 189:
Feb. 3, 1839
Geo. W. Thurston to Baylous Brown, both of said county, for the sum of $160, 101 & 1/4 acres of land lying in the east half of Lot #199, Dist. 2.
Wit. T. Dixon
D. McVicker, J.P.
Rec. Dec. 13, 1839

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From Deed Book J., page 166:
Sept. 13, 1839
Jasper M. Sansom sold to Balis Brown, both of said county, for the sum of $775, 101 & 1/4 acres, being of south half of Lot #247 in Dist. 2.
Wit: Lewis Tyrus
Abel Lemon J.J.C .
Rec'd. - Sept. 30, 1839

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From Deed Book J., page 346:
Oct. 3, 1839
Bales Brown sold to Jasper M. Sansone, both of said county, for the sum of $775, 101 & 1/4 acres of land described as the south half of Lot #247, Dist. 2.
Wit. John P. Puckelow J.P.
John Kimbell
Timothy T. Parham
Rec. Oct. 2, 1840

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From Deed Book J., page 576 :
Feb. 19, 1842
Baylous Brown to Sabra Brown, both of said county, promissory note in the sum of $100, Lot #199, Dist. 2.
[Signed] Baylous Brown
Wit. Archibald Brown
Wm C. Ferrell
Rec. May 29, 1842

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From Deed Book M., page 407:
Jan. 25, 1843
Rec'd of Sabra Brown $198 in full in right of my wife for the balance of her legacy as her part from her deceased father Robert Brown.
[Signed] John McVicker
[Wit.: none]
Rec. May 17, 1851

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From Deed Book M., page 407:
Feb. 17, 1844
Rec'd of Sabra Brown, administrator of the estate of Robert Brown, late of Duly [Dooly] County, Georgia, in full payment of my said estate.
[Signed] Archibald Brown
[Wit.: none]
Rec. May 17, 1851

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From Deed Book M., page 407:
Jan. 29, 1846
Rec'd of Sabra Brown, administrator of the estate of Robert Brown, Dec'd, and Guardian of my wife, Atha Brown, $85.50 in full payment and right of my said wife as her part of the estate of her father, Robert Brown.
[Signed] Robert Sandifer
[Wit.: none]
Rec'd - May 17, 1851

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Bibliography:
Turner, Freda R., editor. Henry County, GA., Land Records, 1824-1838, Deed Books C/D, F, G, H. 2 Volumes. McDonough, Georgia: Genealogical Society of Henry and Clayton Counties, Inc., 1993.

Marriage Record for Archibald Brown and Amelia Kimbell: January 23, 1853

SOURCE:
Henry County Probate Records Office
Henry County, Georgia.
Marriage Record Book, 1851 - 1868

Page 32

Photo taken with permission at the Henry County
Probate Records Office, McDonough, Georgia.
Digitized version of original - Copyright 2009 Joanne Schleier

Copyright © 2010 Joanne Schleier

Will of Sabra (Royal) Brown: February 17, 1844

SOURCE:
Henry County Probate Records Office
Henry County, Georgia.
Will Book A, Page 339, Henry County

Photo taken with permission at the Henry County
Probate Records Office, McDonough, Georgia.
Digitized version of original - Copyright 2009 Joanne Schleier

Transcription:

Georgia, Henry County
In the name of our God amen, I, Sabra Brown, being of sound mind yet frail in body knowing the uncertainty of life & the certainty of death wishing to settle all my worldly affairs agreeable to my desire do make this my last Will & Testament in manner & form following (viz,)

In the first place, I bequeath my soul to God who gave it & my body after death to the dust from which it came to be decently intered in some family or church burying ground.

Secondly) I wish all my lawful debts & funeral expenses punctually & promptly paid.

Thirdly) I give & bequeath unto my three eldest children (viz) Baylons Brown, Eliza Richardson, & John Brown each Five dollar's as their portion to them & their heirs forever.

Item 4th) I give & bequeath unto my son, Archibald Brown, the Hundred acres of Land I now live on being the North half of Number One hundred & Eighty Six in Second District of Henry County also blue feather bed & furniture to him & his heirs forever.

Fifthly) I give & bequeath unto my two youngest daughters, Mary McVicker & Atha Brown, my negro boy, DemSe [Dempsy?] & all the residue or remainder of my property both real & personal not other wise dispostd of, the Nett amount after all expenses paid to be equally divided between my said two daughters, Mary McVicker & Atha Brown to them & their heirs forever.

Lastly, I do hereby constitute & appoint my worthy friends The Heart, William Kimball, William Adair & Richard B. Jones, Executors to this my last Will & Testament Given under my hand & seal

This 17th of Feby 1844. Signed, sealed, publish & declared, In the presence of us the undersigned
Sabra {her "+" mark} Brown

Wit:
Wm. C. Farrell.
Wm. H. Kimball.
Benjamin F. Kimball.

Copyright © 2010 Joanne Schleier

Finding the Sandifer Cemetery [VIDEO]

My apologies to those of you who've been waiting to see this! I tried to upload it to YouTube and it was one minute and 17 seconds too long and had to find an alternative to post it!

This is the story of my journey to finding the burial location of my third great grand aunt. The video is about 11 minutes long.

The following shows my relationship to her (my direct line is bold):

Robert Brown married Sabra Royal
children were:
Baylons Brown
Eliza Brown
John Brown
Archibald Brown
Mary Brown
*Atha Brown (she is the subject of the video)

Mary Brown married John W. McVicker
their son, William Archibald McVicker married Emily Susan Simpson
their son, Henry Ermon McVicker married Edna Mae Williams
their daughter, Living McVicker married Sterling Norman Beard Jr.
their daughter, Living Beard had a child with Living Rodriguez
Joanne Schleier - that's me!

UPDATE (August 31, 2009) - I noticed since posting this that there is a skip in the audio at a moment when an important point is made. We had to get the manager because this cemetery is behind a locked gate! If you wish to make a visit to the cemetery yourself, you should call ahead to make arrangements.

*Hint: to watch this in full screen click the button to the left of the numbers in the lower right-hand corner.

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Letter of Dismissal Guardianship

In continuation of The Probate Records Index of Mary Brown...

This post consists of Item #5 & #6 in the above referenced index, both appearing in the same Minutes of the Court Book on page 201 (See source below).

This concludes all of the entries listed in the General Index under Brown, Mary (minor).

Transcription follows the image.

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From Keeper of the Records

SOURCE:
Henry County Probate Records Office
Minutes of the Court 1840-53, Henry County
Page 201

Photo taken with permission at the Henry County Probate
Records Office, McDonough, Georgia.
Digitized version of original - Copyright 2009 Joanne Schleier

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Transcription:

Upon the application of Sabra Brown Guardian of Archibald Mary + Atha Brown for letters of dismissian from said Guardianship

It is ordered by the Court that the clerk of this Court do issue a citation in the premises requiring all persons Interested to show cause on or before the next July term of this Court wife said Guardian should not be dismissed from her said Guardianship and that disorder be published in some public Gazette of this state according to law

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Annual Returns for 1838-1841

In continuation of The Probate Records Index of Mary Brown...

Item #4 lists annual returns from Sabra Brown to the court of Henry County (see prior post). This post is page 2 of 2.

It would appear from this document at each of the three minor children listed continue to have a slave/servant for the years of 1838, 1839, 1840, and 1841.

Transcription follows image.

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From Keeper of the Records

SOURCE:
Henry County Probate Records Office
Annual Returns Book C 1840-53, Henry County
Page 63

Photo taken with permission at the Henry County Probate Records Office,
McDonough, Georgia.
Digitized version of original - Copyright 2009 Joanne Schleier

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Transcription:

March Terme 1838

The Inferior court in session present their Honors
John C. Sheffield Thomas Marshall Talton Kemp

At this time of the court Sabra Brown was appointed Guardian of Archibald Mary + Atha Brown minors of Robert Brown Deceased and gave Bond with securities in honors of the Court

1838 December 1st
returned on assc of Archibald Brown pardant $2868 1/4
collected for Negro hire $56.00

an assc of Mary Brown pardant $32,33 1/4
collected for Negro hire $106.00

an assc of Atha Brown pardant $29.16 1/4
collected for Negro hire $86.00

1839
an assc of Archibald Brown pardant $12.00
collected for Negro hire $138.00

an assc Mary Brown pardant $6516 1/4
collected for Negro hire $175.00

an assc of Atha Brown pardant $59.46 3/4
collected for Negro hire $137.00

January Term 1841
The Inferior court in session for Ordinary business and the representation of Sabra Brown that she was desirous of remaining the guardianship from this County and had given bond in the County of Henry ordered that livve be granted her remain said Guardianship
Extract from the minutes
Alexdr Meriwether
Recorded January 31st 1842
Abel A Lunan DCCS

1840
an assc of Archibald Brown pardant $7568 3/4
collected for Negro hire $61.00

an assc Mary Brown pardant $111.00
collected for hire $61.00

an assc Atha Brown pardant $7247 1/2
collected for hire $100.00

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Annual Return for 1841

In continuation of The Probate Records Index for Mary Brown...

Item #4 is for Annual Returns that Sabra Brown was required to file once she became Guardian of her minor children, Archibald Brown, Mary Brown & Atha Brown after the death of her husband.

This annual return equated to submissions for the hire of a "Negro" or slave/servant; one for each child.

This is 1 of 2 pages for this entry. The next post will be entry #4, 2nd page.

Transcription follows image, as usual.

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From Keeper of the Records

SOURCE:
Henry County Probate Records Office
Henry County, Georgia.
Annual Returns Book C 1840-53, Henry County
Page 62

Photo taken with permission at the Henry County
Probate Records Office, McDonough, Georgia.
Digitized version of original - Copyright 2009 Joanne Schleier

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Transcription:

Annual Return of Sabra Brown Guardian for the orphans of Robert Brown deceased for this year 1841

Amount of articles furnished Archibald Brown 3624
" " " Mary Brown 5291
" " " Atha Brown 6228

Boy Servant Recd for the hire of of Negro Woman Harriet 25,00
Amount Recd for the hire of Negro Man Arthur 90,00
Amount Recd for the hire of Mavindo 3550

Sworn to before me
January 6, 1842
Abel A Lunan

Sabra "her X mark" Brown

Recorded January 31st 1842
[signed] Abel A Lunan

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Letters of Guardianship (from the letter book)

In continuation of The Probate Records Index of Mary Brown...

Item #3 is a Letter entry in Letter Book A related to the guardianship of the minor children of Robert Brown.

Transcription follows image.

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From Keeper of the Records

SOURCE: Henry County Probate Records Office

Letter Book A

1835-1852

Henry County

Page 26

Photo taken with permission at the Henry County Probate
Records Office, McDonough, Georgia.
Digitized version of original - Copyright 2009 Joanne Schleier

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Transcription:

Georgia
Henry County

Know all men by these presents that Whereas at this Term of the Inferior Court Sitting as a court of Ordinary for the County aforesaid in the year Eighteen hundred and Forty Sabrey Brown made Application for the appointment of Guardian of Archibald Brown Mary Brown and Athea Brown Orphan Children of Robert Brown Decd And the said Sabrey Brown having taken the Oath and Given the Bond Prescribed by law These are therefore to authorize and Require the Said Sabrey Brown Guardian as aforesaid to Take charge of all the goods and chattels lands and Livements Rights Credits and effects which May come into her hands as Guardian of the said Boards and also to take Charge of the Said Wards and to do and Perform all and Singular the duties required of her as Guardian of the Said Archibald Brown Mary Brown + Athea Brown by the Laws of this State in Such cases made and provided Witness the Honorable Abel A. Lernon one of the Justices of said Court this 16th Day of November 1840

William L. Gordon, CGO
Recorded this 28th Day of Nov 1840
[signed] Wm L Gordon Clerk

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Guardians Bond

In continuing with The Probate Records Index for Mary Brown ...

Item #2 is the actual Guardians Bond specifying that Robert Brown's widow, Sabra Brown, has posted the amount of $5000 dollars to the court for the guardianship bond of hers and Roberts minor children. It also obligates her to maintain, educate, and clothe them. From this point forward, she will be required to file an annual return with the court proving that she has provided for the "orphans".

It's hard for me to imagine those times for Sabra. I still do not know what it was that made her move to Henry County. Could she have already had family there?

In 1840 her son Archibald was 19 years old, daughter Mary is 16 and Atha is just 12.

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From Keeper of the Records

SOURCE: Henry County Probate Records Office, Georgia

Guardians Bond Book 1838-71, Henry County

Page 35

Photo taken with permission at the Henry County Probate Records Office, McDonough, Georgia.
Digitized version of original - Copyright 2009 Joanne Schleier

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Transcription:

Georgia, Henry County.
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS,
That we, Sabrey Brown William Adair Samuel Stigall and William Kimbell

acknowledge ourselves jointly and severally bound unto the Judges of the Inferior
Court when sitting as a Court of the Ordinary of said County, and their successors and
assigns, in the just and full sum of five thousand

Dollars, to the payment of which, well and truly to be made, we bind ourselves, and
the heirs and executives of us and each of us, jointly and severally, by these Pres-
ents. Sealed with our seals, and dated this sixteenth day of
November 1840

The Condition of the above Obligation is such, That if the above bound
Sabrey Brown
who was this day appointed Guardian of the person and property of
Archibald Brown Mary Brown and Athea Brown
Orphan Children of Robert Brown
deceased, she acknowledging of the same by acceptance of
said appointment, and of Letters of Guardianship of this date; shall well and truly
maintain, clothe and educate said orphans according to their circumstances, and
shall take good and lawful care of their persons and property according to the
laws of this State, and shall annually make a just and true return of all her
actings and doings here in, unto the said Court, then this obligation to be void: else
to remain in full force.

In Witness whereof, we have hereunto set our hands and seals, the day
and year above written,

Wm L Gordon G., C., O.
Recorded this 20th day
of Nov 1840
Wm L Gordon clk

Sabrey his "X" mark Brown L.S.
William Adair L.S.
Samuel Stigall L.S.
William Kimbell L.S.

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Letter of Guardianship (from minutes book)

In continuing to follow The Probate Records Index for Mary Brown...

Item #1 is a Letter of Guardianship from the minutes of the court book in which the widow, SABRA BROWN, posted to the court the sum of $5000 dollars bond for the guardianship of her three minor children: ARCHIBALD BROWN, MARY BROWN, and ATHA BROWN. Transcription follows image.

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From Keeper of the Records

SOURCE:
Letter of Guardianship
Book: Minutes of the Court 1840-53, Henry County
Page 49

Photo taken with permission at the Henry County Probate
Records Office, McDonough, Georgia.
Digitized version of original - Copyright 2009 Joanne Schleier

---

Transcription:

Ordered by the court that Sabrey Brown be and she is hereby appointed Guardian of Archibald Brown Mary Brown and Athea Brown orphan children of Robert Brown Deceased by her giving Bond and Security in The Sum of five thousand Dollars

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Probate Records Index for Mary Brown

Well, this may not seem like much for those readers anticipating great "AHA!" images, but this is where I started on my trip to Henry County and I would like to publish what I found in chronological order, if only just because it makes sense to me. 

My goal was to find parents of my third great-grandmother Mary Brown. I began with the general index book and searched under her name finding a "minor". This proved to be the first "X" on the treasure map I was about to begin and prove to be invaluable. I am pretty sure to zoom in or download your own copy of the image just click on it. It should take you to my Web album on Picasa. So for a start, here it is: 

SOURCE: The General Index to Proceedings of Estates, Court of the Ordinary, Henry County, Georgia Book No. 1 from 1821 to Dec. 31, 1939, Henry Co. Page 55, BROWN, Mary (minor) Photo taken with permission at the Henry County Probate Records Office, McDonough, Georgia. Digitized version of original - copyright 2009 Joanne Schleier.

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Marriage Record for John McVicker and Mary Brown

This is the marriage record for my 3X great-grandparents on my biological mother's maternal line: John McVicker and Mary Brown. They were married in Henry County, Georgia, on October 20, 1842.

From Keeper of the Records

SOURCE: Marriage Record Book 1837-1851 Henry County, Georgia Page 206 Photo taken with permission at the Henry County Probate Records Office, McDonough, Georgia. Digitized version of original - copyright 2009 Joanne Schleier.

Now do you want to know why this is so awesome to me? This record is held at the Henry County Probate Records Office in McDonough, Georgia. This is about an hour drive from where I currently live. 

Back story: I was born in Texas and then was officially adopted. My new family moved to New Hampshire where I was raised. After my adopted parents divorced, my father moved to Georgia. Beginning when I was about seven years old, my brother and I spent our summers with our father. Finally, the week of my 13th birthday, our mother moved the family down to Georgia so we could be closer to our father. 

It was not until I was 26 years old that I was reunited with my birth family: father, mother and half siblings, aunts, cousins, my paternal grandparents and my maternal grandmother. They all still lived in the western United States. Nanny, as my grandmother is called, spoke of her ancestors being descended from Tennessee and North Carolina as far as she knew and with some Cherokee lineage. 

Forever the inquisitive one about both family trees, I began to take my quest for answers about my families seriously and began learning more about genealogy, joined my local genealogical society, and finally admitted my new-found obsession. My biological sister, Jennifer, got me started on our mothers maternal line. All of the information she gave me was well documented and some lines very well developed. In this particular case, the McVicker line was very well developed; yet, John's wife, Mary, remained elusive and we only knew the couple to have lived in Texas. 

My further research on this line found them earlier in Louisiana and earlier than that in, none other than, Henry County, Georgia! So, my biological line, which I didn't grow up knowing about, had lived very close to where I live now because my adopted Dad ended up moving here! Now, I do not believe in coincidence. There are no accidents. God has a plan and everything is laid out in perfect order. And so, I have come full circle back to the place of my family's origins. I am home.

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