Sumner Co. TN - Estate of William Durham - 1827

From Lawsuit 6986 Sumner Co TN

"To the Worshipful Co Court of Sumner Co now in session. 

The humble petition of John Durham, William Durham, James Durham, Henry Durham, Thomas Durham, Joseph Mason and his wife Susan Mason and William Smith guardian of Henderson Durham, Gatewood Durham, Nancy Durham, and Bettey Durham,  children of Samuel Durham deceased,  all heirs of William Durham, deceased,  Sheweth that William Durham died, some time ago in Sumner County and left at his death six sons and four daughters.  His sons were John Durham, William Durham, James Durham,  Henry Durham,  Samuel Durham and Thomas Durham.  His daughters were Polly  Sherring wife of Thomas Sherring,  Nancy Arear (O'rear) wife of William Arear,  Patsey Moody wife of Dinsing Moody and Susan Mason wife of Joseph Mason.  The said Samuel Durham is now dead and William Smith is guardian to his fourchildren Henderson Durham,  Gatewood Durham, Nancy Durham and Betsey Durham.  The said William Durham deceased, died seized of two tracts of land, lying in Sumner County  ".....300 acres and 200 acres...tells where)

"The premises being considered, your petitioners humbly pray this worshipful court to appoint five commissioners to divide the said two tracts of land between the said heirs of said William Durham deceased as the law directs.  signed  William Durham, William Smith, James Durham, John Durham, Henry Durham, Thomas Durham, Joseph (black spot) Susan Mason,(something unreadable) a big spot of ink and a space,  then.....months notice given in the Nashville Whig & Banner to William O'Rear, Nancy O'Rear, Vinnig Moody, Patsy Moody, Thomas Shearin, & Polly Shearin, not ______ ____ partition____made at this time.  signed by 5 names,  'appointed commissioners to mark partition.'  [I think this is proof that the last children listed were not living in the area]

Estate Record #88 gives property sale which took place Dec 1822,  behind
these pages on the film were the plans and platts for distributing the 500
acres.  Lot no 3,  26 acres and 5 poles is listed by the name of Thomas
Shearing-Feb. term 1827.  On another page, in 1828, it looks as if Wm
O'Rear & James Durham are under a plea of debt by John Durham admin. of Wm
Durham's estate.  

Children and spouses given in the DAR paper and on other family sheets:
John Durham m. Ann Center (Senter)
James Durham b. 10 March 1786 m. Lydia Gillespie
Thomas Durham b.13 May 1791 m. Mary West
Henry Durham m. Jane Richardson
Samuel Durham m. Sally Morris
William Durham m. Frances Marshall
Polly  Durham m. Thomas Sherring (Shearin)
Nancy Durham m. Solomon Durham,m.2 William O'rear
Patsy Durham m. Dinnon Moody
Susan Durham b. 1796 m. Joseph Mason
All children are shown b. in Warren Co NC.