Online Source: http://files.usgwarchives.net/la/union/court/pratt-aj.txt
1865 - 1866 Succession of Absalom J. PRATT, Union Parish Louisiana
2) A. J. Pratt enlisted as a private in Company C, 19th Regiment Louisiana Infantry
at Corinth, Mississippi on 27 April 1862, shortly after the Battle of Pittsburg
Landing (Shiloh). He was listed as absent, sick in the hospial between May and
October 1862, and from November 1862 through February 1863 sick in the Columbus,
Mississippi hospital. The roll dated June through October 1863 listed him as
``dropped from the rolls on account of long continued absence. Supposed dead.''
Company C, 19th Regiment was formed from men primarily from Claiborne Parish,
including several in northeastern Claiborne, the area that borders Union Parish.
Since in 1860 Absolom Pratt lived in northern Union Parish, it is very likely
that the soldier A. J. Pratt of Company C, 19th Regiment was the man whose
succession is transcribed below.
Union Parish Louisiana Succession Book F, pp. 11 - 16
To the Honorable the Judge or the Clerk of the
The petition of Mrs. Mary F. Pratt, the surviving
Wherefore she prays that she be appointed and
John L. Barrett, Atty.
State of Louisiana 11th Judicial District Court
The premises considered, it is ordered that the
Done and signed in Chambers on 21st day of August
State of Louisiana 11th Judicial District Court
Let the prayer of Petitioner be granted and it is
Done and signed in chambers on this the 21st day of
Thos. C. Lewis, Clerk
State of Louisiana
Do you and each of you solemnly swear that you will
Sworn to and subscribed before me on this the 2nd
State of Louisiana
Be it remembered that on this the Third day of
First, tract of land known as the late
Having completed the foregoing inventory and
O. B. Hill
This October 3, 1865.
ATTEST:
State of Louisiana 11th Judicial District Court
Know all men by these presents that we Mary F.
The consideration of the above obligation is such
Now therefore, if the Mary F. Pratt shall
Done, signed and acknowledged before me on this 3rd
ATTEST: Mary F. Pratt
State of Louisiana 11th Judicial District Court
Whereas Mary F. Pratt have this day been duly and
Given under my hand and seal of office on this the
Thos. C. Lewis
State of Louisiana 11th Judicial District Court
I, Mary F. Pratt, do solemnly swear that I will
Mary F. Pratt
Sworn to and subscribed before me on this [blank]
Thomas. C. Lewis
Tutorship of the minors Wm. F., Alice M. and Sallie J. Pratt
Whereas Mary F. Pratt has been duly and legally
Given under my hand and seal of office on this 30th
Thos. C. Lewis
State of Louisiana 11th Judicial District Court
I, Thomas Ford, do solemnly swear that I will
Thomas Ford
Sworn to and subscribed before me on this 30th day
Thos. C. Lewis
Tutorship of the minors Wm. F., Alice M. and Sallie J. Pratt
Whereas, Thomas Ford has been duly and legally
Now therefore, the said Thomas Ford is hereby duly
Given under my hand and seal of office on the 30th
Thos. C. Lewis
To the Honorable the Judge of the 11th Judicial
The petition of Mary F. Pratt, Administratrix of
Wherefore, she prays for an order from your
John L. Barrett, Atty.
State of Louisiana 11th Judicial District Court
The premises considered it is ordered and decreed
It is further ordered that Mrs. Mary F. Pratt, the
Done and signed in office on this the 2nd day of
Thos. C. Lewis,
A true record, May 20th AD 1866.
Thos. C. Lewis,
Union Parish Louisiana Succession Book F, pp. 481
State of Louisiana
Pursuant to an order of the 11th Judicial
Mrs. W. T. Pratt purchased
Now therefore the purchasers having complied with
J. R. Goyne Mary F. Pratt
A true record, May 20th 1867.
Jas. T. Stokes
NOTES:
1) The writing in this record looks as though Pratt's middle initial is an ``I''.
However, the 1860 census and his military record give it as ``J''.
______________________________________________________
Eleventh Judicial District Court in and for the Parish
of Union, State of Louisiana.
widow of the late Absolom I. Pratt, Decd., a resident
of the Parish and State aforesaid respectfully
represents unto your honorable court that the said
Absolom I. Pratt, her late husband departed this life
in the Army about two years since, sometime during the
year 1863. That he left at his demise your petitioner,
his surviving spouse tether with three minor children,
his heirs, the issue of his marriage with petitioner
to wit: William F., Alice M. and Sallie J. Pratt.
That he the deceased also left a small estate
consisting of land cattle, hogs, household and kitchen
furniture, farming utensils, cotton, rights and
credits and some debts, and that an administration of
the Estate is necessary.
confirmed the Natural Tutrix of her said minor
children to wit: William F., Alice M. and Sallie J.
Pratt and that letters of Tutorship be issued. She
taking the oath required by law also that this her
application be duly advertised according to law and
after the legal delays, she be appointed
Administratrix of the Estate of Absolom I. Pratt, Decd.
that letters of Administration do issue to her on her
give in bond and taking the required oath, that an
Inventory and Appraisement of the said Estate be
ordered and for all further orders and decrees
necessary in the premises either in law or equity and
for general and equitable relief.
Parish of Union
within application of Mrs. Mary F. Pratt to be
appointed Administratrix of the Estate of Absolom I.
Pratt, Decd. be advertised according to law. It is
further ordered that William C. Smith, parish Recorder
&c be and he is hereby authorized to make an Inventory
and Appraisement of all the property belonging to the
said Estate and due return make to this office.
AD 1865.
Thos. C. Lewis, Clerk
Parish of Union
hereby ordered and that Mrs. Mary F. Pratt be
appointed and confirmed as Natural Tutrix of her
following minor children to wit: William F., Alice M.
and Sallie J. Pratt and that Thomas Ford be and he is
hereby appointed Under Tutor of said Minors and upon
their taking the oath prescribed by law, that letters
as such do issue to them.
August AD 1865.
Parish of Union
faithfully and impartially appraise the property that
may be presented to you belonging to the Estate of
Absolom I. Pratt, Decd. at its cash value to the best
of your judgment. So help you God.
of October AD 1865.
Parish of Union
October AD One thousand eight hundred and sixty five
pursuant to an order issued from the Honorable 11th
Judicial District Court in and for the Parish of Union
and State of Louisiana and to me William C. Smith,
Recorder and Ex Officio Notary Public in and for said
Parish and State directed and being assisted by
William Jacobs and Oliver B. Hill, male citizens of
the Parish of Union of Lawful age who being duly
appointed and sworn by me as appraisers and in the
presence of lawful witnesses did proceed to make an
Inventory and Appraisement of the property belonging
to the Estate of Absolom I. Pratt, Decd., late of the
Parish of Union, State of Louisiana as herein after
set forth.
residence of Absolom I. Pratt, Decd.
situated in the Parish of Union, La.
containing 150 acres more or less
apprd. @ $1.50 per acre $240.00
25 head stock hogs more or less apprd. @ $3 75.00
20 head stock cattle more or less apprd. @ $6 120.00
1 brown horse apprd. @ 60.00
1 yoke of work oxen apprd. @ 60.00
1 old wagon apprd. @ 30.00
Four bales of cotton in the hands of
Wm. L. Spears taken from Mr. H.
Rester's gin house belonging to the
Estate of Absolom I. Pratt, Decd. 1800
pound of lint more or less apprd. @ 33
cts. Per pound 450.00
$1035.00
appraisement, I have on this the 3rd of October AD 1865
closed the same, in testimony whereof, I have caused
said appraisers to sign their names hereto in the
presence of Henry A. Hill and [blank], male witnesses
of lawful age and domicile who have signed with said
appraisers and me the said Recorder.
Wm. Jacobs
Henry A. Hill Wm. C. Smith, Recorder
A. J. Jacobs
Parish of Union
Pratt as principle and John P. Spears and Thomas Ford,
as her securities are held and finally bound unto
Honorable J. D. Watkins, Judge of the 11th Judicial
District Court for the time being or to his successors
in office in the just and full of one thousand and
four hundred ($1400.00) dollars. To the true and
faithful payment whereof well and truly to be made,
we bind ourselves, our heirs and assigns,
administrators and legal representatives firmly by
these presents. Dated at Farmerville, La. on this
30th day of December AD 1865.
that whereas the above bounden Mary F. Pratt has been
duly and legally appointed and confirmed as
Administratrix of the Estate of Absolom I. Pratt,
Decd. and she has taken the oath prescribed by law.
faithfully and impartially discharge all the duties
appertaining to said appointment and shall render to
the Judge of said Court a true and correct account of
all the acts and doings in and about said Estate and
shall whenever legally required so to do pay over all
sums of money and deliver all the property of
whatever nature belonging to said Estate in her
possession to the proper person or persons to receive
the same, then this obligation to be null and void.
Otherwise to be and remain in full force and nature
against the principle and her said securities.
day December AD 1865.
Thos. C. Lewis, Clerk John P. Spears
Thomas Ford
Succession of Absolum J. Pratt, Dec.
State of Louisiana 11th Judicial District Court
Parish of Union
legally appointed and confirmed as Administratrix of
the Estate of Absolom J. Pratt, Decd. and she has
given bond with good security and has taken the oath
prescribed by law. Now therefore, the said Mary F.
Pratt is hereby duly and legally authorized and
empowered to do and perform all the appertaining to
said appointment according to law.
31st day of December AD 1865.
Clerk, District Court
Parish of Union
faithfully and impartially discharge all the duties
incumbent on me as Natural Tutrix of my following
minor children to wit: William F., Alice M. and
Sallie J. Pratt according to the best of my ability
and understanding. So help me God.
day of [blank] AD 1865.
Clerk, District Court
State of Louisiana 11th Judicial District Court
Parish of Union
appointed and confirmed as Natural Tutrix of her
following minor children to wit: William F., Alice M.
and Sallie J. Pratt and she has taken the oath
prescribed by law. Now, therefore the said Mary F.
Pratt is hereby duly and legally authorized and
empowered to do and perform all the acts appertaining
to said appointment according to law.
of December AD 1865.
Clerk, Dist. Court
Parish of Union
faithfully and impartially discharge all the duties
incumbent on me as Under Tutor of the following minor
heirs of the Estate of Absolom I. Pratt, Decd. to wit:
William F., Alice M. and Sallie J. Pratt according to
the best of my ability and understanding. So help
me God.
of December AD 1865.
Clerk, District Court
State of Louisiana 11th Judicial District Court
Parish of Union
appointed and confirmed as Under Tutor to the
following minor heirs of the Estate of Absolom J.
Pratt, Decd. to wit: William F., Alice M., and Sallie
J. Pratt and he has taken the oath prescribed by law.
and legally authorized and empowered to do and perform
all the acts appertaining to said appointment
according to law.
day of December AD 1865.
Clerk, District Court
District Court in and for the Parish of Union, State
of Louisiana.
the Estate of Absolom I. Pratt, Decd. respectfully
represents that the said Estate is insolvent, that a
sale of all the property of said estate is necessary
for the payment of the debts and that the creditors
desire a sale for cash.
Honorable court authorizing her to make a sale of all
the effects of said Estate both real and personal
according to Law for the purpose of paying the debts
of said Estate so far as the assets will go for all
orders and decrees necessary in the premises and for
general relief &c.
Parish of Union
that the prayer of the above petitioner be granted and
all the property both real and personal belonging to
the Estate of Absolom I. Pratt, Decd. be sold in
accordance with Articles 990 & 991 of the Code of
Practice.
Administratrix of said Estate, be and she is hereby
authorized to make the said sale and due return
thereof make according to law.
January AD 1866.
Clerk, District Court
Clerk, District Court
______________________________________________________
Parish of Union
District Court in and for the Parish and State
aforesaid authorizing the sale of all the property
both real and personal of the Estate of Absolom J.
Pratt, Decd. having advertised the same according to
law by publishing for more than thirty days prior to
this date to wit from September 10, 1866 to October 13,
1866 in the Union Record, a Newspaper published in the
Parish of union at the [blank] and having read the
said advertisement in a loud voice to those present at
the residence myself near Spearsville on this the 13th
day of October 1866 and having made known the terms of
sale as set forth in the said advertisement, a copy of
which is hereto appended, were called. I proceeded to
offer the following and after crying the same a
sufficient length of time by a crier appointed by me
for the purpose, M. F. Pratt became the purchaser,
being the last and highest bidder which property is
thus described to wit:
20 head of meat cattle @ $5 per head $100.00
Also 20 head of hogs @ $5 per head 100.00
Also 1 horse @ 40.00
Also 1 yoke of oxens and wagon 40.00
$280.00
Also one tract of land thus described as 160
acres more or less known as the late
residence of Absolom J. Mathews, Decd.
being and lyint in Union Parish, La.
@ $1.50 per acre 240.00
Sum total of sale $520.00
terms of said sale, I by the authority vested in me as
Administratrix of the Estate of A. J. Pratt, decd. do
make, bargain, grant, sell, adjudicate and deliver to
the said M. F. Pratt all of the aforesaid property to
have and own for her own special use and benefit
forever with the legal warranty. In testimony whereof
I have hereto set my hand officially in presence of
J. R. Goyne and W. D. Murray on this the 22nd of
October 1866.
W. D. Murray
Deputy Clerk