Each week, on Sunday, I will select an Estate Folders from the Estate files of Chesterfield County and discuss its contents. No known estates exist for the period before the Civil War. They were destroyed with the burning of the Courthouse. There are a few “Equity Records” in the State Archives. Do not overlook this valuable resource if you are looking for ancestors in Chesterfield County, South Carolina.
Today we will be looking at the following Estate folder:
#439
Mary E. Davis, et al 1
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:939L-JZS6-5S?i=1124&wc=MPP1-PTL%3A190567401%2C190561002%2C190567402%2C190970801&cc=1911928
On 6 February 1863, Carroll Washington Davis passed away in Chesterfield, SC. Three weeks later, his 2nd wife, Mary B. Boatwright Davis, sister to his deceased wife, passed away leaving 7 orphan children under the age of twenty one.
The obituary2 for the oldest son claims that he (William Benjamin “Uncle Doc” Davis) was returning home from the War and
“After reaching home on stick and crutch he helped look after and care for his six orphan brothers and sisters, his father and mother having died February 6 and 28, 1863, respectively.”
In December 1870, Michael Davis (my 3rd Great Grandfather) was named Guardian of the youngest of these 7 children – Mary Eliza Davis, b. 22 February 1863.
Transcription:
State of South Carolina}
Chesterfield County}
To Hugh Craig, Judge of Probate
The petition of D. R. Davis Adm. Of C. W. Davis – Sheweth that Mary E. Davis is an infant about the age of 8 years and is entitled to a distributive share of the estate of C. W. Davis dec’d. and has now no guardian.
Your petitioner therefore prays that some suitable person be appointed guardian of this person and estate of said infant – Dec. 25, 1870.
Court of Probate
Chesterfield County Dec 23rd 1870
Upon hearing the above Petition and after examining and having testimony it is ordered and decreed that Michael Davis be appointed guardian for the person and estate of Mary E. Davis-
Hugh Craig
Judge of Probate
I accept the guardianship of the above named Mary E. Davis – Dec 23rd 1870.
Witness D. R. Davis Michl X his mark Davis
Mary B. Boatwright 2nd wife) and Elizabeth Boatwright (1st wife ) of Carroll Washington Davis were daughters of Lewis Boatwright, Jr. and his wife Elizabeth Rebecca Davis. Thus, the 7 children were all grandchildren of Lewis and Elizabeth Rebecca Boatwright.
We know that Lewis Boatwright., Jr. died on 7 March 1863. Up until this point all that was known about Elizabeth Rebecca (Davis) Boatwright was that she died after 1870.
1870 CENSUS: Court House, Chesterfield County, South Carolina; Roll: M593_1491; Image: 139; Family History Library Film: 552990, Page: 307A(stamped); Line 18, Dwelling 376, Family 376; E. R. BOATWRIGHT, female, age 72 <1798>, born in NC.
I believe this estate folder sheds some light on when Elizabeth Rebecca (Davis) Boatwright passed away.
In Image 1171 of this estate we find the following document:
Transcription:
South Carolina}
Chesterfield County}
To W. J. Hanna Probate Judge
The Petition of
1st Sheweth that they are minors under the age of twenty-one years and over the age of fourteen years.
2nd That they are entitled to a small personal Estate from the Estate of Lewis Boatwright – They therefore prays that James F. Perkins may be appointed their Guardian to take charge of said Estate and your petitioners will ever pray +c.
Mary E. X her mark Davis
Margaret E. X her mark Davis
Lewis B. X his mark Davis
Witness W. B. Davis, Jr. Catherine J. Davis
There is no date on this petition but the next Image 1172, The Guardian Bond, is dated and the date on the Guardian Bond for James F. Perkins is 2 November 1874.
As stated above, Lewis Boatwright, Jr. died in March 1863 at which time his surviving spouse and children inherited his estate. I believe the death of Elizabeth Rebecca (Davis) Boatwright occurred sometime about November 1874 triggering the court action requiring new guardianship of the surviving grandchildren who were the heirs-at-law in this estate.
The children in this Estate are my 2nd Cousins 3 times removed.
Michael Davis is my 3rd Great Grandfather.
His sister, Elizabeth Rebecca Boatwright is my 3rd Great Grand Aunt.
_________________________
[1] "South Carolina Probate Records, Files and Loose Papers, 1732-1964," Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints, Family Search (https://www.familysearch.org/ : Viewed January 2012), images, "Mary E. Davis, et al; Probate File #439," images 1125-1175; South Carolina Archives and History.
[2] William B. DAVIS obituary, The Chesterfield Advertiser, Chesterfield, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, 3 October 1929, page 4, col. 5.
