Z 2264.000 McNeill (John P.) Estate Papers

Z 2264.000 S
MCNEILL (JOHN P.) ESTATE PAPERS

Biography/History:

1. Will. 1825. 1 folder.
This series consists of the September 9, 1825, will of John P. McNeill that was written one day before his death. In the will, he formally acknowledges his son, John Rutherford McNeill, and the child’s mother, Julia Ann Green, and appoints the executors of his estate. McNeill is concerned with providing for his young son and distributing the residue of his estate among various heirs. Box 2, folder 1
2. Appraisals and Inventories. 1825-1826. 4 folders.
This series consists of two estate appraisals and authorizations, a slave appraisal, and two lists of items sold at auction. The Adams County Probate Court issued the 1825 authorization for the appraisal of goods, chattels, and personal estate of John P. McNeill. The accompanying appraisal lists slave names, livestock, farm equipment, and various household items. The 1826 authorization is affixed to the appraisal of Elmwood, the McNeill property in Claiborne County. It contains the same information as the 1825 appraisal, including slave names. A slave appraisal of an unidentified estate in Adams County lists the names of the slaves and their fair-market value in 1826. On the verso of the appraisal is a receipt from the executor of the Prior McNeill estate stating that he received the total value of slaves from Alexander McNeill, executor of the John P. McNeill estate. The two lists are for items that were auctioned at Springfield, Adams County, and Elmwood, Claiborne County. Both are dated 1826 and list slaves, livestock, farm equipment, and household items. They also include the names of purchasers and the prices they paid. Box 1, folder 1
Box 2, folders 2-3
Box O/Z/6, folder 14
3. Heirs’ Papers. 1828-1842. 2 folders.
This series consists of papers relating to John P. McNeill’s son, John Rutherford McNeill, and nephew, Joshua D. Grant. The John Rutherford McNeill materials consist of three receipts, two bills, and four claims. Two 1828 receipts were submitted to John P. McNeill’s estate for payment of funeral expenses of John Rutherford McNeill. Dr. Samuel Gustine submitted a May 1829 bill to the Adams County Probate Court for services rendered to John Rutherford McNeill. An 1831 receipt attests that Julia Ann Green received money from the estate for care-giving during her son’s illness. A doctor submitted an 1832 bill to Green for services rendered and medicines dispensed to her son. Green then presented two claims to the estate. The first was for the amount of the medical bill. The second was for the medical bill and the cost of caring for her son for two years. The Joshua D. Grant materials consist of three receipts, a transfer, and a note. The 1840-1841 receipts are for funds Grant received as part of his legacy from John P. McNeill. In an 1840 transfer, Grant assigns a portion of his interest in the McNeill estate to Malcom McNeill in order to settle a debt. On the verso of the document, Malcom McNeill stated that he received payment in full for the McNeill legacy from co-executor Alvarez Fisk in 1841. The 1842 note written by Alvarez Fisk acknowledges the power of attorney granted to Pryor Grant by Joshua D. Grant. The power of attorney authorized Pryor Grant to receive any funds owed to Joshua D. Grant by the estate of John P. McNeill. Box 1, folders 2-3
4. Petitions. 1829-1850. 5 folders.
This series consists of continuance and estate petitions. The continuance petitions were filed by the McNeill executors in the Adams County Probate Court. The estate petitions involve legacies that McNeill left to various family members. Box 1, folders 4-8
5. Claims. 1825-1833. 2 folders.
This series consists of claims made against the estate of John P. McNeill. They date from 1825 to 1833 and were presented to the probate courts of Adams County, Mississippi; Concordia Parish, Louisiana; Christian County, Kentucky; Charleston County, South Carolina; and Rutherford County, Tennessee. They were submitted by businesses or individuals that provided goods or services or had commercial dealings with John P. McNeill or his estate. Claimants include doctors, lawyers, tradesmen, and general-merchandise stores, primarily in the Natchez area. Box 1, folders 9-10
6. Promissory Notes. 1825-1829. 1 folder.
This series consists of April 1825 bonds signed by John P. McNeill for land in Concordia Parish, Louisiana, which was purchased from the estate of Jonathan Thompson. There are also five promissory notes for funds owed to the estate. Box 1, folder 11
7. Summonses. 1826-1852. 4 folders.
This series consists of summonses issued by the orphans’ and probate courts of Adams County. The summonses were served to the three executors of the McNeill estate. The executors were required to appear before both courts during each term and render an account of financial activities related to the estate. Box 1, folders 12-15
8. Executors’ Accounts. 1825-1849. 4 folders.
This series consists of double-entry accounts presented by the McNeill executors to the probate court, and possibly the orphans’ court, of Adams County. The statements record financial transactions of the executors in the settlement of the estate. Box 1, folders 16-18
Box 2, folder 4
9. Receipts. 1825-1849. 3 folders.
This series consists of receipts for funds received or disbursed by the executors of the McNeill estate. Included are those for court costs, property taxes, vendor accounts, and cotton sales. The court-cost receipts were issued by the probate court for such expenses as bonds and oaths, clerk’s and sheriff’s fees, document filings, and letters testamentary. The property-tax receipts include those for land and slaves that McNeill owned in Adams and Jefferson counties, Mississippi, and in Concordia Parish, Louisiana. The vendor-account receipts are from businesses and individuals who provided goods or services to McNeill or his estate. Included are receipts for general merchandise and staple goods. There are also receipts for such things as cistern and roof repair and fence painting. Of interest is a January 18, 1826, receipt submitted by auctioneer John P. Phillips. He was possibly the auctioneer who held the sales at Elmwood and Springfield plantations. There are two cotton-sales receipts from Elmwood and Springfield plantations for the years 1825 and 1826. Box 1, folders 19-21
10. Estate Papers (Miscellaneous). 1828; 1832. 2 folders.
This series consists of an indenture and a voucher. The indenture is for family plot number fifty-five in the Natchez City Cemetery. It was purchased by the McNeill estate on October 20, 1828. The May 14, 1832, voucher was submitted to the John P. McNeill estate by the Eliza S. McNeill estate. Box 1, folder 22
Box 2, folder 5