The Death of Calvin Cook Sellers and his daughter Martha

On 20 March 1852 Calvin Cook Sellers. a Chesterfield County SC native passed away in Wilcox County Alabama. He left a wife and 11 surviving children ALL under the age of sixteen. Shortly after his death, his 4th child and second born daughter Martha died on 5 July 1854. 

I have found no record that indicates his widow, Eliza A. Howell, remarried after his death. She with her eldest son, Calvin Cook Jr., cared for the family until they became of age.

Here’s a reason not to put your faith in a FindAGrave memorial. Calvin Cook Sellers Memorial says he died on 22 March 1852. Yet two-period documents following this memorial image says he died on the 20th of March 1852 (His obituary and his estate file).

The State of Alabama
Wilcox County
Probate Court Special Term, April the 3rd, 1852. Personally appeared in court Joseph D. Jenkins, Jeremiah Fail, Thomas E. McIver and William F. Wheeler, witnesses to the foregoing non-cupative will of Calvin C. Sellers, late of Wilcox County, dead, who after being duly sworn [did] depose and say that the said Calvin C. Sellers departed this life at his late residence in Wilcox County on Saturday, the 20th day of March, A.D. 1852. That on Friday the 19th of March, the day previous to his death and in the time of his last sickness.

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C95W-4QY5?cat=560910

Death of Calvin Cook Sellers

Death of  Col. C. C. Sellers.-Died, at his residence, near Camden, Wilcox county, on Saturday last, 20th inst., Col. C. C. Sellers, for many years a prominent member of our State Senate and a distinguished member of the Bar. In every point of view, he was one of the most respectable men in the State, and his death has created a void particularly in the county of Wilcox, that will be difficult to fill.
                             Advertiser and Gazette

[Alabama Beacon (Greensboro, Alabama) · 26 Mar 1852, Fri · Page 2, col 5.]

Estate of Martha Sellers

It having been made known to the Court that Martha Sellers departed this life in this county and that her death has been more than Sixty days and that no person entitled to administer upon her Estate has applied for letters of Administrations; and no other person having been appointed; And the Court be satisfied that the interest of those entitled to said estate requires that administration of the same should be had, It is therefore ordered and decreed by the Court, that administration upon said estate be and the same is herby committed to John A. Jackson in his capacity of Administrator General for the County, and as such administrator the said John A. Jackson is directed under this appointment to proceed with said administration according to law. 

Martha Sellers deceased
Probate Minutes Book
Book 10, Page 245, Image 321
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C95W-4W9X?i=320&cat=560910

Estate of Martha Sellers}

Be it remembered that on this day before the Probate Court of Wilcox County Ala personally appeared John A. Jackson as administrator of the estate of Martha Sellers deceased. Also appeared Daniel C. Sellers the guardian in fact of Samuel Sellers, Sidney P. Sellers, Emily H. Sellers, F. M. Sellers, Sarah E. Sellers, Lucy H. Sellers and David S. Sellers minors and who are interested in said estate. 

     And the said John A. Jackson administrator as aforesaid having at a previous time of this court filed an account between himself and said Estate charging himself with all afsets received by him as Such Guardian and giving himself credit for such vouchers and written evidence as he relies for a Final Settlement of Said Estate and he prays the Court now on this day to audit and examine Said account and to State and allow the same. And it appearing to the satisfaction of the Court that due notice of the time and place fixed for this Settlement had been given for three successive weeks by advertisement made in the Camden Republic a newspaper published in Said County. All the parties in interest being thus properly before the Court Thereupon the Court proceeded to an examination of Said account.
     And it appear from Such Examination that the Said Administrator is chargeable with the sum of Five Thousand and Fifty-eight 98/100 Dollars_and entitled to credit to the amount of One hundred and twelve 14/100 Dollars; which leaves a balance in the hands of Said Administrator due Said Estate of One Thousand Nine Hundred and forty-six 84/100 Dollars."
     It is, therefore ordered by the Court that said account so  Stated as aforesaid be allowed and that it be filed and recorded as a Final Settlement of said estates.
     It is further ordered that said Administrator proceed to make distribution of the balance as found to be due, in his hands among those entitled in manner & form as follows.
That is to say:
     To C. C. Sellers [Jr.] the sum of Two hundred and Sixteen 31/100 Dollars which amount is hereby Afsefsed and decreed as his distributive Share of said Estate. And the Said Administrator having made advancements to the said C. C. Sellers to the amount of One hundred and forty Eight 80/100 dollars there still remains a balance due said C. C. Sellers from said admn. of sixty-seven 51/100 dollars and which the said administrator is hereby decreed to pay over to him, and for which let execution ifsue &c.
         To Robert Fulenwider and Mary Fulenwider his wife for the use of Said wife and as her separate Estate the sun of Two Hundred and Sixteen 31/100 Dollars which is hereby afsefsed and decreed as their distributive share of said Estate and which the said administrator is hereby deemed to pay over to them and for which let Execution ifsue &c.
         To Samuel Sellers a minor by his Guardian D. C. sellers the sum of Two Hundred and sixteen 31/100 Dollars which is hereby afsefsed and decreed as his distributive share of Said Estate and which amount the said Administrator is hereby decreed to pay over to him by said Guardian & for which let Execution ifsue &c.
         To Sidney P. Sellers a minor by his Guardian D. C. Sellers the sum of Two Hundred and sixteen 32/100 Dollars which is hereby afsefsed and decreed as his distributive share of Said Estate. And which amount the said Admd is hereby decreed to pay over to him by said Guardian & for which let Execution may ifsue.
         To Emily H. Sellers a minor by his Guardian D. C. Sellers the sum of Two Hundred and sixteen 32/100 Dollars which amount is hereby afsefsed and decreed as her distributive share of Said Estate & which the said Admr is hereby decreed to pay over to her by said Guardian & for which let Execution may ifsue.    
         To Francis M. Sellers a minor by D. C. Sellers Guardian the sum of Two Hundred and sixteen 32/100 Dollars which is hereby afsefsed and decreed as his distributive share of Said Estate and which the said Admr is hereby decreed to pay over to him by said Guardian & for which let Execution ifsue &c. 
         To Sarah E. Sellers a minor by her Guardian D. C. Sellers the sum of Two Hundred and sixteen 32/100 Dollars which is hereby afsefsed and decreed as her distributive share of Said Estate and which the said Admr is hereby decreed to pay over to her by said Guardian & for which let Execution ifsue &c.
         To Lucy H. Sellers a minor by her Guardian D. C. Sellers the sum of Two Hundred and sixteen 32/100 Dollars which is hereby afsefsed and decreed as her distributive share of Said Estate and which the said Administrator is hereby decreed to pay over to her and for which let Execution ifsue.
         To David S. Sellers a minor by his Guardian D. C. Sellers the sum of Two Hundred and sixteen 32/100 Dollars which is hereby afsefsed and decreed as his distributive share of Said Estate and which the said Administrator is hereby decreed to pay over to him by Said Guardian & for which Execution may ifsue &c.
Now come the said Administrator and files Receipts in Satisfaction of certain of said decrees. It is ordered that said decrees  for which Said Receipts are files be Satisfied and that Said Receipts be Recorded. It is further ordered that said Administrator be and he is herby discharged fro further liability for and on account of the further administration of Said Estates. Said receipts are in words & figures as follows to wit:

Received Camden June 11th 1860 from John A. Jackson Admr &c of the Estate of Martha Sellers dec'd Five hundred & Sixteen 31/100 Dollars. payment in full of a decree this day rendered in the Probate Court of Wilcox County on the on the Final Settlement of Said Estate in favor of Robert Fulenwider & Mary his wife for the use of the said Mary.
                                                          R. Fulenwider

Received Camden June 11th 1860 from John A. Jackson Admr &c of the Estate of Martha Sellers dec'd Fifteen Hundred & fourteen 17/100 Dollars payment in full for seven decree this day rendered in the Probate Court of Wilcox Co. Ala. on the Final Settlement of Said Estate each for the sum of Five Hundred and sixteen 31/100 Dollars and in favor of D. C. Sellers as Guardian for Samuel Sellers, Sidney P. Sellers, Emily H. Sellers, Francis M. Sellers, Sarah E. Sellers, Lucy H. Sellers & David S. Sellers minors.
                                                          D. C. Sellers
                                                                   Guardian

Book 11, page 240
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C95W-44DX?i=149&cat=560910

Calvin Cook Sellers is a son of Samuel Sellers and Alice “Allie” Cook.

_____________________________

[1] "Death of Calvin Cook Sellers," Obituary, Alabama Beacon (Greensboro, Alabama), 26 March 1852, Page 2, col 5; Digital On-Line Archives, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/ : viewed 24 April 2020).

[2] Find A Grave, Inc., Find A Grave, database and digital images, (http://www.findagrave.com : accessed 3 May 2020); Memorial page for Calvin Cook Sellers; (30 September 1811–20 March 1852); Find a Grave memorial # 126097264, Citing Sellers Family Cemetery; Millers Ferry, Wilcox County, Alabama, USA.

[3] https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C95W-4W9X?i=320&cat=560910

Estate of Samuel Sellers~Administrative Bond, 1852.

Samuel Sellers and Alice Cook moved their family from Anson County, NC to Wilcox County, Alabama about 1829. Samuel and Alice raised a family of 5 daughters and 4 sons. On 23 August 1852, Samuel Sellers passed away. His wife, Alice Cook had died 5 years earlier in February 1847. There were four surviving children – Elizabeth, Daniel Cook, Harriett and Sarah.

Transcription: 

Page 90
The State of Alabama} Know all men by these presents that
Wilcox County} we Daniel C. [Cook] Sellers are held and and <sic> firmly bound unto John G. Jackson, Judge of Probate Court of said county and succefsors in office in the Penal sum One hundred Thousand Dollars for the due and faithful payment of which same well and Truly to be made we bind ourselves our heirs Executors and Administrators jointly and severally firmly by these presents Sealed with our seals and dated this 4th day of October A. D. 1852.
The condition of the above obligation is such that whereas the above bound Daniel C. Sellers has been duly appointed Administrator of the Estate of Samuel Sellers late of Wilcox County, dec'd. 
    Now therefore should the said Daniel C. Sellers well and truly do and be for, all the duties which are or may be required of him by law as such Administrators then this obligation to be void else to be and remain in full force and effort.
                                               D. C. Sellers {seal}
                                               N. A. McMillen {seal}
                                               L. W. Bridges {seal}
                                               Jeremiah Fail {seal}
                                               Harriett Pritchett {sea;}
                                               Sarah Sellers {seal}

Signee to the $100,000.00 Administrative Bond for the Samuel Sellers Estate


D. C. Sellers  >>> Daniel Cook Sellers (Oldest Living Son)
N. A. McMillen >>> Neil A. McMillen, Lawyer (any other connection unknown)
L. W. Bridges >>> (haven’t identified this individual)
Jeremiah Fail >>> Son-in-Law, husband of daughter Elizabeth Sellers
Harriett Pritchett >>> Daughter of Samuel; wife of William J. Pritchett
Sarah Sellers >>> Daughter No 4 of Samuel Sellers










__________________________________
[1] Wilcox County, Alabama, Will Book 3: page 90; Administrative Bond Samuel Sellers Estate; Probate Office, Camden, Wilcox County, Alabama.

Amanuensis Monday~Estate Lands of John M. Sellers

Amanuensis Monday is a genealogy blogging theme. It was started by John Newmark who writes the TransylvanianDutch blog.

His definition of Amanuensis is:
Amanuensis: A person employed to write what another dictates or to copy what has been written by another.

Today’s subject is the Estate Lands of John M. Sellers, 1871.¹



Transcription:


Rilah Sellers  to  Sam’l Sellers Deed


South Carolina}
County of Chesterfield}
             Know all men by these presents, that I Rilah Sellers of aforesaid County and State, for and in consideration of the sum of five hundred and Seventy-five dollars to me in hand heretofore paid by Samuel Sellers of the Same County and State have granted, bargained, Sold and released, and by these presents do hereby grant, bargain, sell and release unto the said Samuel Sellers all my right, title, interest and Estate in and to all and Singular the real Estate now belonging to the Estate of John M. Sellers deceased – the same being a tract of land Situate in the County aforesaid on the Waters of Deep Creek Containing one one <sic> hundred and fifty acres more or less, the same being my undivided interest in the Said land as one of  the Heirs and distributee of the said John M. Sellers, Together with all and Singular the rights, members, hereditaments and appurtenances to the said premises belonging or in any wise incident or appertaining; To Have and to Hold all and Singular the said premises to wit my interest in the same unto the said Samuel Sellers His Heirs and assigns forever.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal this 30th day of January A. D. 1871.
Signed, Sealed and delivered}                    Rilah Sellers {Seal}
in the presence of}
Ransom X his mark Hinton}
Hugh Craig}            U. S. Stamp amounting to
                                One Dollar properly canceled.
State of South Carolina}
Chesterfield County}
         Personally appeared before me Hugh Craig and made oath that he was present and saw Rilah Sellers sign the within written Deed, and he and R. Hinton witnessed the execution thereof.
Sworn to before me }                        Hugh Craig
Feby 3 1871}
T. F. Mulloy}
Clk}

Recorded 28th Feby 1871
Original del’v to S. Sellers

Rilah and Samuel Sellersare my 1st Cousins 4 times removed.

_______________________

[1] Land Deed - Rilah Sellers to Sam'l Sellers Deed; 30 January 1871; Deed Book #3; Page(s) 289 + 290; Register of Deeds; Chesterfield, Chesterfield County, SC; 6 April 2018.

Treasure Chest Thursday-Probate of Jeremiah Fail Estate

Transcription:
To the Honorable J. H. Burdick, Judge of the Probate court for Wilcox County
Your petitioner, William G. Fail, a resident citizen of Wilcox County over the age of twenty- one years, respectfully represents that Jeremiah Fail, who was at the time of his death, a resident citizen of Said County, departed this life on or about the 13^th day of May, 1872, intestate.
That the said Jeremiah fail was possessed of & owned a large real & personal estate, which your petitioner estimated to be worth about forty thousand ($40000,); the major part of which said estate is in the county aforesaid.
That the said testate left heirs surviving?, his widow, Mrs. Eliza Fail & your petitioner, who is his only son, & Mrs. Margaret Reddish, who is his only daughter, and that they are his next of kin & only heirs at law, & that they both are over the age of twenty one & reside in Wilcox County.
That Mrs. Eliza Fail, the widow of said intestate, died in Wilcox County, Alabama about two weeks after the death of said Jeremiah Fail, and no one has as yet been appointed administrator of her Estate.
Your petitioner furthers states that he is informed & believe that he is entitled to precedence in the administration of his father’s estate, he therefore prays Yr Honor to Appoint him administrator of the estate of said Jeremiah Fail, deceased; & that that such proceedings may be his? that letters of Administration may be duly and legally granted to your petitioner.
Sworn to & published}                  Respectfully,
Before me this 20, day}                W. G. Fail
Of June, 1871}
J. H. Burdick,
Judge of Probate
 
Jeremiah Fail was twice married. He married his second wife, Elizabeth Sellers, daughter of Samuel Sellers and Alice “Allie” Cook on  14 July 1841 in Wilcox County, Alabama.
Jeremiah and Elizabeth had a 3rd child, Harriett, that died prior to May 1871.
Elizabeth Sellers Fail is my 2nd Cousin 5 times removed.

Amanuensis Monday~Samuel S. Sellers Will

Amanuensis Monday is a genealogy blogging theme. It was started by John Newmark who writes the TransylvanianDutch blog.
 

His definition of Amanuensis is:
Amanuensis: A person employed to write what another dictates or to copy what has been written by another.

Today’s subject is the Last Will and Testament of Samuel S. Sellers. ¹

I started this journey by looking at Probate Folder #650 which was thought to be the Probate Folder for Mary Eliza Sinclair Sellers. I wrote about her yesterday.

http://carolinafamilyroots.blogspot.com/2016/05/chesterfield-county-sc-estatesestate.html
 
While browsing through the folder I found within it the Will for Samuel S. Sellers which is presented here today. His wife was also a Mary E. Sellers. The Will has now created another problem – Just who is Samuel S. Sellers. Other than this Will, I can find no other mention of a Samuel S. Sellers. There are several Samuel Sellers but not another document has been found that mentioned Samuel S. Sellers other than the Will in Probate Folder #650. 

I’m going to make a very bold statement until I am proven Wrong – I believed this Will is for a nan known as Samuel Joseph Sellers who married Mary Elizabeth Hurst. The Will was written on 22 February 1886. I have Samuel Sellers death recorded as July 1887.

Conversely, only one form filled out for a Civil war marker shows Samuel Sellers middle name as Joseph. Samuel Sellers did have a son borne in 1861 that was named Samuel Joseph Sellers.

1880 CENSUS: Court House, Chesterfield, South Carolina; National Archives Film T9-1225; Family History Film: 1255225; Enumeration District: 005; Page: 320B(stamped); Line 39, Dwelling 184, Family 184; Saml SELLARS, male, age 43, farmer, born in SC; Elizabeth SELLARS, Wife, age 40, born in SC; Margaret SELLARS, Daughter, age 22, born in SC; John M. SELLARS, Son, age 21, born in SC; Saml J. SELLARS, Son, age 19, born in SC; William A. SELLARS, Son, age 15, born in SC; Luke H. SELLARS, Son, age 13, born in SC; Thomas F. SELLARS, Son, age 11, born in SC; Minnie E. SELLARS, Daughter, age 9, born in SC; Georgia E. SELLARS, Daughter, age 8, born in SC; Albany F. SELLARS, Daughter, age 6, born in SC; Jerusha A. SELLARS, Daughter, age 4, born in SC; Helen SELLARS, Daughter, age 10M, born in SC. ²


.
State of South Carolina}
County of Chesterfield}
In the name of God Amen I Samuel S. Sellers of the County and state aforesaid being of Sound mind and memory do make publish and declare this as and for my last will and testament in manner and form following
That is to Say
1^st It is my will and desire that my Funeral expenses and just debts all be paid.
2^nd I give bequeath and devise unto my beloved wife Mary E. Sellers all my property both real and personal money Bonds and Mortgages and choses in action of whatsoever kind I may be die seized and possesses of to have and to hold during the term of her natural life in lien of Dower after the death of my wife Mary E. Sellers It is my will and desire that my property be equally divided equally <sic> among my children Share and Share alike the child or children of any deceased child taking the Share to which their parents would have been entitled to if living
I hereby nominate constitute and appoint my wife Mary E. Sellers, Executrix of this my last will and testament hereby revoking all former wills by me made
In testimony whereof I have hereunto Set my hand and affixed my Seal this 22nd day of February A.D. 1886
Signed Sealed and}
Declared by Samuel} Samuel S. Sellers {Seal}
S. Sellers as and for}
His last will and}
Testament in the}
Presence of us who}
In his presence and }
In the presence of each}
Other and at his request}
Have subscribed}
Our names as witnesses}
To the Same.}
W. J. Hanna
C. B. Craig
E. N. Redfearn










 
______________________________
[1] "South Carolina Probate Records, Files and Loose Papers, 1732-1964," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1-19383-12994-28?cc=1911928 : accessed 30 April 2016), Chesterfield > Probate Court, Estate records > 1865-1927 > Cases 0638-0757 > image 214 & 215 of 1623; county courthouses, South Carolina, and South Carolina Department of Archives and History, Columbia.
[2] 1880 U S Census, Chesterfield, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, House, Chesterfield, South Carolina, enumeration district (ED) 005, Page: 320B(stamped); Line 39, Dwelling 184, Family 184, Household of Saml SELLARS; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 9 October 2013); citing National Archives Microfilm T9-1225.