Mississippi Estate #783~William B. Dickson

About 1836, Mary Ann Purvis daughter of James Purvis and Sarah McMillan married William B. Dickson.

Shortly after their marriage, William and Sarah migrated to Hinds County, Mississippi. There they begin to grow their family and William acquired very much property in the counties of Hinds and Copiah.

Sometime prior to 28 October 1844, William B. Dickson passed away leaving his pregnant widow, Mary Ann Purvis and 4 children; 3 daughters and a son. 

On 28 October 1884, A court order was issued the appraise the property of William B. Dickson. Named as appraisers were:

• Wm. Stafford
• George W. Osburn
• Wm. B., Shearer
• W. G. Jennings
• E. H. Watson
• or any 3 of the named individuals

 

Mary Ann petitions the Courts for provisions to enable her to care for her children.


Transcription:
State of Missis]sippi}    Octob  Probate Court
[Hinds Cou]nty}            October Term 1844

Page torn             E. H. Watson, G. W. Osburn
Page torn             Shearer + J. B. Fairchild be appointed Commissioners
Who after being duly sworn Shall proceed
To allot and Set apart to the Widow +
relict of Wm. B. Dickson dec’d, her portion
of the personal Est. of said dec’d to wit:
One Cow, and Calf, one bedstead and
bedding + provisions for the Support of herself
And family one year, and such other
household furniture She may think proper
to Select provided the Same does not
amount to more than fifty dollars.
And also one House, the value of which
is not to Exceed one hundred dollars.
And, that that <sic> they make report of the
same to the next Term of the Court.

    Witness the Hon. H. G. Johnston
     Judge of the Probate Court of
     Said County, the 30th day of
     October 1844.
     Attest.     H. Smith Clk



A letter to the Courts by the Administrator, John Stewart, dated 26 December 1845 shows that Mary Ann Purvis Dickson and her children had returned to Chesterfield, South Carolina. [Image 1082]  



Transcription:
“shows that the said, Mary Ann Dickson, and the minor heirs of the said W. B. Dickson, now resides in the State of South Carolina; and that you petitioner believes a speedy re-sale of said lands would be for the benefit of the heirs, as stated in said Mary’s petition aforesaid, by reason of an early…”

Then on 5 May 1848, the local newspaper ran notice on the final settlement of the estate of William B. Dickson.



Transcription:

FINAL SETTLEMENT

NOTICE is hereby given, that at the July term 1848, of the Honorable Probate Court of Hinds County, state of Mississippi, the undersigned, administrator, if the estate of WM. B. DICKSON, deceased, will present his account for final settlement and allowances at which time all persons interested may attend if they think proper.
                                                              JOHN STEWART, Adm’r.
May 4, 1848.

THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI}
     Hinds County}
In the Probate Court of said county, at the April Term 1848, thereof.
In the matter of the settlement of the estate of Wm. B. Dickson, dec’d.

JOHN STEWART, administrator of said deceased, having this day presented to the court, a petition for publication and notice of his intention of making a final settlement as such administrator, and the Court being satisfied from the proof &c., therein set forth, that said estate is now in a condition to be finally settled: It is therefore ordered by the court, that said administrator give notice of the presentation of said account, and his application for final settlement, by publication, in the “Raymond Gazette,” a newspaper printed and published in the Town of Raymond, for the space of sixty days, citing the unknown heirs and distributees and all persons interested in said estate, to be and appear before this court at its next July term, 1848, to show cause, if any they can, why said administrator should not be allowed to make said final settlement as prayed, and be discharged from all other and further liability.
  WITNESS, Hon. Amos R. Johnston, Judge of said Court, the 24th  day of April 1848.
Attest:        W. H. HAMPTON, Clerk
May 4, 1848 ----46-9t

  Image 1145, Dated 28 June 1845 - Named as Heirs

• Mary Ann Dickson, [Widow]
• Sarah Dickson, [Daughter]
• Laura Dickson, [Daughter]
• Samuel Dickson, [Son]
• Harriett Dickson, [Daughter]

Last 4 all minor heirs of William B. Dickson



William B. Dickson, Mississippi Estate Folder # 783

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89QC-Z21B?i=1077&wc=M7M1-J6X%3A344538201%2C345940301&cc=2036959





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https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89QC-Z21B?i=1077&wc=M7M1-J6X%3A344538201%2C345940301&cc=2036959

Mrs. Mary A. Dickson to George W. Williams + Co. Lien

Mary A. Purvis was the daughter of John Purvis and Sarah McMillian. John Purvis was a large land owner in Chesterfield County.

About 1836, Mary A. Purvis married William B. Dickson. Almost immediately after marriage, they moved to Hinds County, Mississippi. Their first child was born in 1837 and the 1850 Census states that she was born in Mississippi. By 1850, Mary with 5 children is back living with her parents in Chesterfield and she is listed as a widow.

In Mar 1854, her Father, John Purvis passed away.
[#108] Craig, J.C. + wife vs. Charles G. Pervis + others - Bill for injunction + general relief 1866
John Purvis died intestate in March 1854, leaving his widow, Sarah Purvis and children: Mary A., widow of William B. Dickson; Charles G. Purvis; John C. Purvis; and Laura S. intermarried with James C. Craig. Additional information: The children of James C. and Laura Purvis Craig: Sallie P. Craig; John J. Craig; Alexander W. Craig; Laura E. Craig; Mollie A. Craig; Edgar Craig; Irene Craig; Leola Craig and James Craig who died at age 11. Alexander J. Purvis died 3 July 1860, leaving as his heir his mother and brothers + sisters; Sarah Purvis died intestate in April 1863; John C. Purvis died intestate 13 October 1864, leaving as his heirs Laura S. Craig, Mary A. Dickson, and Charles G. Purvis.

When the estate was settled about 1866, Sarah and two more of her children had passed away and only 3 siblings remained -  Laura S. Craig, Mary A. Dickson, and Charles G. Purvis.

On 20 March 1869, Mary A (Purvis) Dickson executed a lien on her property for $150.00 in order to obtain supplies to be used and expended on the planting of said plantation and cultivation of the Soil.

She agreed to pay 12% interest per annum

She agreed that all crops would be sent to the lender (George W. William and Co.) so that he could sell them at a commission.

She agreed to pay the loan/lien off by 15 November 1869.



Transcription:

Mrs. Mary A. Dickson to George W. Williams + Co. Lien

The State of South Carolina
             Memorandum of agreement made and entered into this twentieth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and Sixty nine between  George W. Williams, Edward C. Williams, James M. Taylor, William Birarie, Edward Platt, Joseph R. Robertson and James Bridge Jr doing business and trading under the name and style of George W. William + Co. of the State aforesaid of the first part and Mrs. Mary A. Dickson resident of the County of Chesterfield State of aforesaid of the second part.
First, The parties of the first part agrees with the party of the second part who is engaged in the cultivation of the soil upon a plantation in same County and State 4 miles west of Cheraw to make advances to him during the current year in money or supplies to be used and expended on the planting of said plantation and cultivation of the Soil the said advances not to exceeds in all the sum of One hundred and fifty Dollars the said party of the second part first giving to the party of the first part a lien on the Crops which may be made during this year upon the lands in the cultivation of which the advances so made shall have been expended in preference a full liens existing or otherwise to the extent of such advances with interest thereon at the rate of Twelve (12) per cent per annum in accordance with the provisions of the Act of Assembly of the said state in such case made and provided.
Second, the party of the Second part covenants and agrees with the parties of the first part in consideration of the advances so made and to be made by them to him that he will expended and apply the whole of said advances in and upon the planting and cultivation of his plantation in in <sic> which he is now engaged and for and in consideration of the premises the said party of the second part hath given and granted and by these presents doth give and grant to the said parties of the first part and to the Survivor or Survivors of them and the Executors and administrators or assigns of such Survivor a lien on the entire crop which shall or may be made during the current year upon the land in the cultivation of which the advances so made by the party of the first part shall be expended, in preference to all others liens existing or otherwise to the extent and amount of such advances together with interest thereon at the rate of twelve (12) per cent per annum in accordance with the provisions of the Act of Assembly of the said State entitled "An Act to secure advances for agricultural purposes" ratified on the twenty-fifth day of September eighteen hundred and Sixty-Six and subject to all the powers, conditions and provisions therein contained.
Third The party of the second part covenants and agrees with the parties of the first part on consideration of the advances so made and to be made by them to him that he will send to them for sale on commission the entire crop of cotton made on said plantation and in default thereof that he will pay to them a commission of two and one half percent on the estimated value of every bale of cotton not sent to them for Sale And further the party of the second part gives the party of the first part a lien on the entire crop for said commission in the same manner as far advances previously named.
Fourth The party of the Second part obligates to send to the partied of the first part sufficient Cotton to pay all advances prior to 15th November next In testimony whereof the parties hereto have hereunder set their hands the day and years first above written.
Signed and delivered
In the presence of
W. R. Morris                                  Geo. W. William + Co.
J. M. Sell
J. C. Craig                                      M. A. Dickson
C. W. Craig

The State of South Carolina}
Charleston County}
         Personally appeared before me W. R. Morris and made oath that he saw the within named James M. Taylor of the firm of Geo. W. Williams + Co., sign and as their act and deed deliver the within written agreement and that he with J. M. Lee witnessed the execution thereof.
Sworn to before me this 9th}                W. R. Morris
Day of March 1869}
J. Murray {LS}}
Notary Public}

The State of South Carolina}
Chesterfield County}
         Personally appeared before me one C. W. Craig and made oath that he saw the within named Mrs. M. Dickson sign and as her act and deed deliver the within written agreement and that he with J. C. Craig witnessed the execution thereof.
Sworn to before me this 23rd}                C. W. Craig
Day of March 1869}
Henry D. Malloy}
Notary Public}

Recorded 5th April 1869
Origl Dlv to D. Malloy

Was this lien redeemed? It's unclear whether it was redeemed. A common practice during this time was to annotate along the edges of the document whether the lien was redeemed or in default. There is no annotation on this lien.

Tomorrow we will look at another land deed and speculate on the impact of this Lien on the circumstance documented within the forthcoming land deed.




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[1] Land Deed - Mrs. Mary A. Dickson to George W. Williams + Co. Lien; 20 March 1869; Deed Book #1; Page(s) pages 407 & 408; Register of Deeds; Chesterfield, Chesterfield County, SC; 22 November 2018.