On May 15, 2012, I did a post entitled “When Did Joel Brock Die?" The only known source of an actual date is “Broken Fortunes”[1] which lists 1 March 1865 as Joel’s death date. But we know this is wrong because of documents within his estate naming the administrator and appraiser with January 1865 dates of completion or assignment. Administrator appointed 16 January 1865; appraisal of assets completed 20 January 1865.
I was in the Court House doing some research on 9 December 2012 and found this Land Deed related to Joel’s estate. [2].
The below Land Deed shows the sale of Joel Brock, 270 Acres farm as decreed by the Probate Court. It also names all of Joel W. Brock siblings along with the spouses of those that were married. This is why Land Deeds are so important when doing genealogical research.
Hugh Craig Judge of Probate to John T. Lee Deed[3]
The State of South Carolina
To all whom these presents shall come or be made known or whom the same may in any wise concern I Hugh Craig Judge of Probate for the County of Chesterfield in the State Send Greetings: Whereas James P. Brock on or about the nineteenth day of November in the year one thousand eight hundred and sixty nine [1869] did exhibit his petition on the Court of Probate at Chesterfield Court House, in the county of Chesterfield, and State aforesaid, representing that Joel W. Brock, late of said County deceased, was at the time of his death seized and possessed of a certain tract or tracts of land lying and being in said County on Big Westfield Creek and desiring and praying that a summons in partition do issue to be served, on Sam’l Brock, Sen. Adm. of said Joel Brock, Leonard Davis and Wife Sarah, Wm. P. Brock, Ann Brock, Thomas Brock, Sam’l Brock, Jr., Eli Brock, Eli Whittington and wife Elizabeth and James P. Brock requiring them to appear in the Court of Probate to be held at Chesterfield Court House on the 29th day of November A. D. 1869, to show cause if any they could why the said real estate should not be divided or Sold. And the cause being at issue, before the Honorable Court aforesaid, cause on it to be heard on the Eight day of December one thousand eight hundred and Sixty-nine, where the sad Court, after a full hearing thereof, and mature deliberations on the premises did order, adjudge and decree, that the tract or parcel of land of two hundred and Seventy [270] acres more or less herein after mentioned and described, should be, sold at public auction by the Sheriff of Chesterfield County, on the time and, for the purpose mentioned on said decretal order as by referenced thereto in the Registry of the said Court will appear and the said P. J. Spoffoad, Sheriff of Chesterfield County after having been duly advertised the said tract of two hundred and Seventy [270] acres more or less for Sale, by Public Outcry on the third day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred, and Seventy, did then, openly and publicly, and according to the customs of auctions, sold and dispose of the said tract of land below described unto Jesse C. Smith who after bidding off the same did transfer Vis Vis for the same, as will appear by and <sic> instrument of writing hereunto annexed for the sum of three hundred and fifty-five dollars being at that price, the highest bidder for the same. Now know all men that I the said Hugh Craig Judge of Probate of Chesterfield County, in consideration of the premises and also in consideration of the sum of three hundred and fifty-five dollars to me paid or secured to be paid me by the said John T. Lee the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged. Have granted, bargained, sold and released and by these presents do grant, bargain, sell and release unto the said John T. Lee and his heirs and assigns all that tract or parcel of land situated in said County on Big Westfield Creek bounded by lands of the Estate of Lucy Hinson, Isham Wallace, Samuel Brock and others sold by virtue of a Decree of the Probate Court as the property of the Estate of Joel W. Brock referenced being had to a deed from Dr. Thomas E. Powe to said Joel W. Brock will more fully appear together with all and Singular the rights, members, hereditaments and appurtenances whatsoever to the said tract of parcel of land, belonging or in anywise appertaining and the reversions and reminders, rent, issues and profit thereof: and also all the Estate rights, title, interest, dower, possession, property, benefit, claim and demand, whatsoever, both at law and in Equity of the said Joel W. Brock, and of the parties to the said suit and of all other persons rightfully claiming or be claim the same or any part thereof, by, from or under them or either of them. To have and to hold the said tract of land with its hereditaments, privileges and appurtenances unto_ the said John T. Lee, his heirs and assigns forever.In witness whereof I the said Hugh Craig Judge of Probate for Chesterfield County under and by virtue of the said Decree have hereunto set my hand and seal at Chesterfield C. H. this third day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand and eight hundred and seventy, and in the ninety fourth year of the Sovereignty and Independence of the United States of America.
Sealed and delivered}
In presence of } Hugh Craig {seal}
Samuel J. Parker} Judge of Probate
J. C. Smith}
State of South Carolina
Chesterfield County}
Personally appeared before me J. C. Smith and made oath that he saw Hugh Craig Judge of Probate Sign Seal and as his Act and deed, deliver the within written deed and
that he with Samuel J. Parker witnessed the execution thereof.
Sworn before me} J. C. Smith
3 January 1875}
T. F. Mulloy (no seal)}
Clk.
Personally appeared before me J. C. Smith and made oath that he saw Hugh Craig Judge of Probate Sign Seal and as his Act and deed, deliver the within written deed and
that he with Samuel J. Parker witnessed the execution thereof.
Sworn before me} J. C. Smith
3 January 1875}
T. F. Mulloy (no seal)}
Clk.
Recorder 24th Feby 1875
Original Del’d to John T. Lee
Original Del’d to John T. Lee
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[1] Randolph W. Kirkland Jr., Broken Fortunes: South Carolina Soldiers, Sailors and Citizens Who Died in the Service of Their Country and State in the War for Southern Independence, 1861-1865 (Columbia, South Carolina: University of South Carolina, 1997), page 39. and William J. Rivers, Roll of the dead: South Carolina troops, Confederate States service (Columbia, South Carolina: South Carolina Department of Archives and History, 1994), page 39.
[2] Chesterfield County, South Carolina, Estate Folder #55, Joel W. Brock; SC Archives & History, Columbia, South Carolina.
[3] Chesterfield County, South Carolina, Deed Book 2: Pages 323-324, Hugh Craig Judge of Probate to John T. Lee Deed (Joel W. Brock Land); Register of Deeds, Chesterfield, Chesterfield County, South Carolina
