Montgomery County Genealogy, Wills, Estates, Property Taxes,
Images of Will Book 1, 1796 to 1809
Images of Wills, Book 2, 1809 to 1817
Testators:Baker, Josiah; Barkett, Gardner ;Bratten, James ;Burk, Samuel ;Connor, Daniel ;Deyerle, Peter ;Dulaney, Samuel; Farmer, Thompson ;Frazer, Henry ;Gardner, John Sr. ;Goodson, Thomas ;Graham, Jacob ;Harless, David ;Huff, Absalom; Henderson, John; Kent, Jacob ;Kester, Philip ;Kirby, William ;Lykins, Marcus ;McNeely, William ;Pate, Christina; Rayburn, James ;Robinson, Gertrude ;Scott, Matthew ;Shell, Jacob ;Shelton, Lawrence ;Smith, Margaret ;Taylor or Traylor, George; Taylor, John ;Thompson, James ;Townsley, James ;Walwood, William;West, Isaac ;White, Richard;Wood, James
Images of Will Bk 3, 1818 to 1813
Names are not listed here due to lack of space.
Indexes to Probate Records
- Index to Wills, Estates, Deeds, 1796 to 1809.
- Index to Wills, Estates, Deeds, 1809 to 1817.
Tax Digests
- Property Tax 1782
- Property Tax 1787 to 1789
New Updates
Marriage Records
- Marriage Bonds 1777-1788
- Marriage Bonds 1704-1811
- Marriage Bonds 1812-1818
- Marriage Bonds 1819-1825
- Marriages 1831-1854
4 Big Clues for Genealogists
Your ancestor may not have left a last will and testament, however, the estate may be recorded at the courthouse, after a death, an administrator was appointed, inventory made, and other records began to accumulate. Of most important note is the Annual Return which was filed every year until the last heir was paid. The first return records payments to funeral directors and miscellaneous expenses leading to the funeral. Postage is even purchased where relatives from other areas were contacted. If you think is trivial, take note of where the letter was sent. This is your First Big Clue of other places to search. The name listed on the annual returns and the amounts should be carefully gone over because they were neighbors who owed your ancestor debts, or relatives being reimbursed for a number of interesting items. Eventually, there is a substantial amount listed beside a name. That is the Second Big Clue. This is a payment to an heir. All heirs are not paid at once or listed on the same page. There is property to be sold which is not necessarily the home place, rather additional farms, and is listed on the inventory of the estate, the acreage, and the name of the county. That is the Third Big Clue where to search next. One continues year after year with the examination of the Annual Returns. Surnames other than that of the ancestor appear on each page. That is the Fourth Big Clue. Each name should be carefully examined and determined whether or not it was a friend or an in-law. To learn the latter, go to the county records and determine if that person was married to one of the daughters. Married daughters could not inherit in her name: it has to go to their husband who was responsible for her legal affairs!
A Critical Tool to Help Genealogists
When researching probate records, do you also search the “vouchers?” This search is singly more important than anything else because the vouchers are “receipts”s; from heirs and other interested persons. Every male name should be examined in the marriage records to determine how or if he was related to one or more of the daughters. While visiting the family burial plot, it is wise to write down the names of adjoining plots, in the event those names appear later. One may not always find a book of vouchers because sometimes miscellaneous records were contained in folders and designated as “Loose Estates.” No stone should be left unturned for anything and everything concerning the demise of your ancestor.
The Holston Settlements
Do you have a Colonial Ancestor?
Every Ancestor Leaves Something Behind. Did you find it?
Tracing ancestors is more than compiling a chart of names and family group sheets. Discovering the heritage is not simply a picture of a leaf or tree, but rather real people who existed. Many people trace their ancestry to patriots of the American Revolution and to the first Colonists to America. But there is one thing certain: somewhere, someone immigrated to this country and began writing the story of their lives. It all begins in county records, where the first land grant was acquired or deed filed of record. Then taxes were paid and recorded on tax digests. Sons and daughters were given in marriage and these certificates were filed at courthouses in old newspapers. Later on, people died, leaving estates to be dealt with. Wills, inventories, sales, receipts, and https://jeannetteaustin.medium.com/the-holston-settlements-in-western-virginia-north-carolina-and-tennessee-47f777ed8617https://jeannetteaustin.medium.com/the-holston-settlements-in-western-virginia-north-carolina-and-tennessee-47f777ed8617annual returns surrounded this process, all filed in the county courthouse where the genealogist begins to unravel the details of a story somewhat inconsistent with family legends and tales. It is the truth. In essence, it is a gift bequeathed to all of the heirs going forward. By that, I mean that the eyes of your descendants will have privy to the information hundreds of years into the future. For this reason, it is also your story. Perhaps now is a good time to discover the details of the dreams of your ancestor, the love which he bore his children., and the heritage which was bequeathed to you. List of Traced Virginia Families on this website
