Estate Settlement (Bishop/Hines)

Enslaved Persons Named: Stephen, Jenny [or Jemy]

Type: Estate Settlement

On July 18, 1849, Martha Bishop, widow of John Bishop and one of the heirs of her deceased father David Hines, of Simpson County, Mississippi, released Charlton Hines, the executor of David Hines’ will, from all liability as executor. It was noted that one Sarah Stewart, deceased of Liberty County, “was left a legacy consisting of Stephen and Jenny [or Jemy] with directions that they should be retained in the hands of my uncle Charlton Hines, Executor of said last will until the death of my father David Hines and that after the death of the said David Hines the property should be sold and the proceeds thereof paid over to the heirs of the said David Hines.” The Clerk of Simpson County probate court, M.A. Banks, witnessed that on July 20, 1849, Mrs. Martha Bishop had signed the document above in his office in Westville. It was recorded on May 24, 1850, by J.S. Bradwell, Clerk [of Liberty County Superior Court]. 

In a related document on the next page, on June 15, 1849, Elbert Hines, of Sabine County, Texas, referred to the same Sarah Stewart legacy and also said that he had received his full proportion of the legacy and thus discharged his uncle Charlton Hines from any liability on account of the legacy. Notary Public of Sabine County E.A. Whittlesey witnessed Hines’ signature. 

On the following page, J.W. Eason, of Sabine Parish, Louisiana, guardian for the minor children of Henry Hall and Eliza his wife, attested that he had received the sum of $200 from the sale of “said negroes,” referring to the legacy left by Mrs. Sarah Stewart of Liberty County in the hands of Charlton Esquire. He released Charlton Hines from all liability on April 23, 1850, in the presence of J.B. Elam and John G. Randolph. 

The above documents were recorded in Liberty County Superior Court on May 27, 1850, by J.S. Bradwell, Clerk.