Thursday, April 21, 2011

Powers of Attorney - Caldwell County, Kentucky 1835-1840

A Power of Attorney is a written instrument whereby one person appoints another as his agent to perform specified duties on his behalf. In early Kentucky, these records are often recorded in deed books. The following entries have been abstracted from the original, loose documents, found in a box marked Power of Attorney in the County Clerk's Office, Princeton, Kentucky.

Joshua Longstreet of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, merchant, and his wife Sarah W.  appointed Fidelia C. Sharpe of Hopkinsville, Christian County, Kentucky their lawful attorney to sell a lot of ground in Princeton on Main Street adjoining F. Princes new Brick House opposite the Court House and also an out lot formerly belonging to Samuel Longstreet and Joshua Baily, trading together under the firm of Longstreet and Baily and being part of their co-partnership.  Recorded 20 March 1835 in Deed Book J, page 196.

William Griffith of Feliciana Parish, Louisiana appointed Joseph McConnell his agent and attorney to receive and convey his part of a legacy coming from Reuben Cooks estate. 23 September 1835. Witnesses: Wilson L. Pollard, John H. Campbell, Jeptha Griffith. Recorded in Deed Book H, page 45 15 October 1835.

Elvira L. Edwards, Executor of her deceased husband, Ninian Edwards, appointed Cyrus Edwards of Madison County, Illinois her attorney to sell any & all lands in Kentucky belonging to her husband's estate. 13 October 1835. Recorded Caldwell County 28 October 1837 in Deed Book H, page 570.

Samuel Laughlin and his wife Nancy of Lincoln County, Missouri appointed James Laughlin of same place their attorney to make & deliver to William Hobby of Caldwell County a general warrantee deed in fee simple to 330 acres of land in Caldwell County, formerly belonging to James Laughlin and of which he died possessed. 30 November 1835. Recorded Caldwell County Deed Book H, page 114, 29 February 1836.

Whereas our Brother John L. Young has lately departed this life testate, leaving a considerable estate in Negroes, lands &c in Caldwell County and in Tennessee and whereas William B. Young has administered on his estate, and we being his heirs at law,  appointed their brother William B. Young their attorney to sell & dispose of the Negroes and lands belonging to sd. estate in Kentucky and Tennessee. The Negroes were to be sold at public auction. The Negroes to be sold were Ned, Martha and Violet and Violets two children Sally and James infants were not to be sold, but were to be emancipated.  William B. Young and Wilson Hutchinson were authorised to put out the two children to good men until they arrived at 21 years and then they were to be free. Young and Hutchinson were authorised to sell the lands belonging to John L. Youngs estate in Kentucky and Tennessee ... and the proceeds after the payment of all just debts  divided according to our several interests and should Young not be able to sell the lands for a fair price, he  was authorised to rent the same until a sale could be effected. 17 November 1836. It was further agreed that William B. Young was allowed all necessary expenses he  incurred in putting out Violet's two children. [signed] B.F. Young, Nancy Young, Nancy B. Young, Lucinda Young by attorney W.B. Young, Sally Martin by her attorney W.B. Young, Wilson Hutchinson, J.F. Mitchusson, W.B. Young, Nicea Young, Mary Young.  Recorded in Deed Book H, page 281.

Isham C. Kilgore of Audrain County, Missouri appointed his trusty friend William Menser of Caldwell County his attorney to transact all his business in Kentucky in the estate of David Kilgore dec'd in Caldwell County. 11 February 1837. Recorded Caldwell County Deed Book H, page 620 on 5 March 1837.

Whereas there is a certain article of covenant between members of Cumberland College association and John Barnett now in the hands of Chas. B. Dallam, Clerk of Caldwell County Court, and whereas it was not convenient to him to as one of the association members, Terry A. King appointed John H. Rackerby his attorney to sign his name to the article of covenant. 20 March 1838. Recorded in Deed Book I, page 13, 16 April 1838.

Nathan Gates of Caldwell County appointed Seth B. Wigginton his attorney to sell, convey and dispose of all his lands in Kentucky; also to sue for and collect debts due him and to dispose of all his personal property in Kentucky.  29 April 1839. Recorded 28 December 1840 in Deed Book H, page 18.

James Greer of Marengo County, Alabama appointed Hezekiah George of Caldwell County his attorney with full power to sell and convey a tract of land on the dry fork of Eddy Creek in Caldwell County; also to sell and convey an undivided part of 26 acres on same creek. 1 September 1839. Witnesses: Levi Greer, Jesse Greer. Recorded Caldwell County 18 July 1839 in Deed Book J, page 261.

Sarah Ramey of Macoupin County, Illinois appointed Martin Ramey of same place her attorney to sell and convey a tract of land in Trigg County, Kentucky 21 October 1839. Recorded Caldwell County 4 November 1839.

Young Rucker appointed John P. Bryan his agent and attorney to sell and convey all his interest in a certain house and lot in Princeton, Kentucky known as the "Eagle Tavern Stand," being lot No. [blank] 7 December 1840. Recorded in Deed Book K, page 9.


Copyright on text and photographs
by Brenda Joyce Jerome, CG
Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog

2 comments:

D Betschart said...

I had shelved my "Kilgores" for a while, having gotten frustrated with the search. I am trying to track down any information on Isham C Kilgore. I would love to find out if he had a son named David born in 1828 or possibly finding information that eliminates the connection. Do you have any ideas as to where to go next with this one?

Brenda Joyce Jerome said...

Without knowing what you have already checked, it is difficult to make suggestions on where to look next. I assume you have checked Caldwell County records?