logo from The Ancestry Insider
When I read this blog from The Ancestry Insider – New FamilySearch Add On: Find A Record – I was intrigued, and I gave it a try. I narrowed my search to Chesterfield County, SC where my Grant ancestors lived for many years.
From the choices I was provided, I chose to focus in on probate records. The records were mostly indexed which helped aplenty. Also, the records I wanted to see are housed at the SC Dept. of Archives and History (SCDAH). Applause from me for the SCDAH. They are awesome to work with!
I called the SCDAH. They took my information about the three probate records I was looking for, said they’d research for the records, and invoice me for the cost of the research and copies. Yes, I called them and they did this. Like I said. They are awesome to work with. 🙂
Invoice arrived, check sent, and then the waiting game.
Last week, my packet of papers arrived. It was like Christmas in July as I opened the tightly stuffed envelope. Two of the records were average probate records. Names, dates, signatures, value of the estates, etc. All interesting and worth the cost for research and copying.
Tintype photo believed to be D. B. Grant
The final record was a juicy one, though. Jeremiah Grant, my 3rd great-grandfather died without a will. As expected, his oldest living son, my 2nd great-gandfather, Daniel Baity Grant (aka D.B. Grant) would be the likely executor named by the probate court. But two of D.B.’s sisters weren’t keen on that idea.
His sisters, Ella Grant Gardener and Malinda Grant Quick, petitioned the courts requesting that D.B. not be named as executor. Their reason: D.B. ‘is not a successful business man’ and ‘has proved a failure and is today without any property and is hopelessly in debt’.
Modern day version of D. B. and his sisters?
The sisters also said in the petition ‘that said D.B. Grant has no interest in the estate, his father having advanced to him in his life time, as needed, more than he would be entitled to receive from said estate.’ I can hear the sisters now, “Daddy always like you better.” They also provided evidence that D.B. was in debt for nearly $6000. The court ended up appointing D.B. as the executor anyway.
I still have some chicken scratching from the sisters’ lawyer to interpret. Who knows what else I might find out about D.B.!
I certainly will be using this FamilySearch Add On again. Thanks, Ancestry Insider, for blogging about it.
Copyright © 2014 Nancy H. Vest All Rights Reserved
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