Probate Will of Andrew Jackson Smith Jr.

December Term of Court 1935
Be it remembered, that on this the 6th day of November 1935. Before Hon. N. A. Link, County Judge of Stewart County of Stewart County, W. A. Baggett produced in open court a paper writing, purporting to be the last will of Andrew Smith, signed thereto, and being subscribed by Alex Dougherty and Mary Bee Stacker, as attesting witnesses, and moved the court that the same be admitted to probate, and record as the last will of Andrew Smith, deceased, and it appearing from the testimony of Ales Soughtery and Mary Bee Stacker, as attesting witnesses and that said instrument was executed by the said Andrew Smith on the day it bares date as and memory, and was more than 21 years of age, and it further appearing that the said Andrew Smith, lately died in Stewart County Tennessee, and his usual place of residence at the time of his death was in said count. It is so ajudged.
And it is adjudged and declared by the court that said instrument is the true, whole and last will and testement of said Andrew Smith, deceased, and the same is hereby admitted to probate as such, and the clerk is directed to file and record the same.

It appearing in the court that Andrew Smith late citizen of Stewart County, Tennessee, departed this life testate in which he hath appointed W. A. Baggett, as executor and he having appeared in open court and given bond, the sum of Thirty Five Hundred (3500) with the surities thereon: W. H. Baggett, Mrs. Bertha Ballard, Mrs. Irene Gray, Miss Angeline Smith, Mrs. Albert Hightower, Mrs Grace Burns, Mrs Lillian Hollis, and Mrs. Ethel Smith, it was ordered by the court, that he be clothed with all power and charged with all duties and that letters of executors issue.

William Manning

William Manning was born in 1669 in Norfolk County Virginia. He was the son of John Manning and Sarah Wafford. William married Mary ?. They had seven children together. William died in 1763 in Norfolk, Virginia.


William and Mary Manning’s Children

1. Mathias Manning Born ca 1706 in Norfolk County Virginia. Married Margaret M ?(b. 1708) in about 1728. Mathias died in May of 1789 (see below).
2. Moses Manning Born ? Married ? Died ?
3. Sarah Manning Born ca 1712 Married ? Died ?
4. Mikel Manning Born ? Married ? Died ?
5. William Manning Born ? Married Morning ? Died 1791. Left a will dated 4 April 1791 (no probate date) Wife Morning – negro girl Tarecy, mare & saddle, ect. Eli Mannin – cow & yearling. Residue to be sold & after debts paid, residue to sd wife. Ex. Brother Benjamine Mannin Wit. Hardy Sandeford, Mary (X) Sandeford.
6. John Manning Born ? Married ? Died ?
7. Benjamine Manning Born ca 1720 Married ? Died ?

Happy Birthday Dad.

Happy Birthday Dad,

It's hard to believe that you have been gone 29 years already.

I love and miss you

Lambert Zells (Sills) Part 4

In 1745 we begin to see that Lambert starts to sell some of his land. It appears that he sold most of his land to his sons. This is taken from court records of Virginia. On the 21st day of August 1745 Lambert Zell sold to John Zells and Morris Zells for 10 pounds current money 250 acres on the south side of Nottoway River (being part of a patented granted said Lambert Zells on the 25th day of August 1731. Recorded 21st day of August 1745 signed Lambert Zells. On the 12th of Febuary 1746 Lambert Zells of Albemarle Parrish sold to his sons William Zells and Lambert Zells Jr for love and affection and 10 pounds, 250 acres on the south side of Nottoway River in Albemarle Parrish and bounded by said Lambert Zells and Col, Philip Lightfoot. Recorded on the 18th day of Febuary 1746 signed by Lambert Zells. Again on the 5th of November 1750 Lambert Zells and wife Elizabeth Zells of Albemarle Parrish of Surry County sold to Benjamine Jones of Martins Brandon Parrish of Prince George for 75 pounds current money, 250 acres on the south side of Nottoway River in Albemarle Parrish. Witnessed by Joseph Carter, James Wortham, and Daniel Winn. Recorded on the 20th day of November 1750. Signed Lambert Zells.
Albemarle Parrish records show that Lambert died suddenly (cause unknown) on the 13th day of April 1751, in Sussex Co. Va. Lambert left no will, but there were records of probate. In the will and probate records of Sussex Co. Va. pg 744 is recorded Lambert Zells Sr, inventory. Date the 31st day of July 1751. Rec: the 20th day of August, 1751. Elizabeth Zells presenting and, John Pennington, Clement Hancocke and John Pennington as the appraisers. Again on pg 764, it is entered Lambert Zells account current. Date 1751. Rec: the 19th day of November, 1751. Elizabeth Zells, executrix, John Mason Jr, auditor. Below is an account of both records.
His wife Elizabeth made her will on the 14th day of December 1755, in Sussex Co, Va. She mentions a son named Thomas Brewer, he apparently was from a previous marriage. She also mentions hers sons Isham Zells, David Zells, and a daughter Elizabeth Clark. Elizabeth died in 1762. Other entries named Elizabeth’s heirs as being Lucy and Polly. Her will was probated the same year

Lambert Zells (Sills) Part 3

Elizabeth was a probably a very busy person herself. She made candles, churned butter and spun wool. Her duties would also include quilting, knitting stockings, sewing in general, caring for the children and cooking. There are no indications of servants being present in the household via the census records and her first daughter was not born until 1720. Her son may have helped some, but would have gone the fields with their father when big enough.
The diet of the Zells family would have consisted of pork, beef, mutton, deer and some fish. They would have grown in the family garden certain vegetables such as corn, squash, turnips, greens and the like. Sugar and coffee would have been purchase. Molasses and meal may have been made there at home. Evidence of a cider cask may indicate that they may have grown apples which would allow that cider and apple butter may also have been made and enjoyed at home. There would have been nuts and berries available seasonably to the family.
Most early family records were kept at County Parishes. We found good records of the Zells at the Albemarle Parrish in Surry Co; Va. Albemarle parish was created in 1738 from parts of Lawne’s creek and Southwark parishes that lay southwest of the Blackwater river. Albemarle was the first Anglican parish in Surry County. The Zells family appeared to be Christian. With all the records in the parish, it is good to say that they were active in religion and parish activities. These parish records have been a good source in helping us find the marriages of his children, the births of grandchildren, and family deaths.
Early Virginia court records show us that the Zells family had purchased many acres of land over a course of 27 years. County records indicate that Lambert received 3 land grants totaling 685 acres. One was patented the 14 of July 1718 in Albemarle Parrish, Surrey, Co. Va. It contained 215 acres in Surry County on the south side of Nottoway River for 25 shillings. Another parcel consisted of 220 acres in Surry County on the South side of Nottoway River beginning on the north side of the Flatt Swamp, adjacent to Thomas Weathers and John Jones line. This dated March 24th 1725 for 25 shillings. On the 14th of August 1730 Lambert Zells sold to Richard Rives for 18 pounds current money, 220 acres on the south side of Nottoway River and bounded by the north side of Flat Swamp. Thomas Weathers and John Jones. Witnesses were James Gee and Christopher Tatum recorded on the 19th day of August 1730 and signed by Lambert Zell. Lambert also received 2 other grants, one on the 25th of August 1731 for 250 acres in Surry County on the south side Nottoway River adjoining his own land for 25 shillings, the other on the 20th of September 1745.

Willian Franklin Boneparte Clinton Stalls

William Franklin Boneparte Clinton Stalls was born on the 17th day of Febuary 1827 in Stewart County Tennessee. William was the 1st child born to James and Nancy Stalls. William married Mary Jane Manning on the 30th day of June 1853, by a Methodist preacher by the name of Tom Stewart. Mary was the daughter of Lawerance and Nancy Manning (see elsewhere in this writing). William and Mary were both of the Methodist faith. It is said that William became a christen at the age of 70 years. William died on the 24th day of March 1913, and is buried in Benton Kentucky.


William and Mary Stalls Children


1. William Elbert Stalls Born on the 26th day of May 1854. in Stewart County Tennessee. Died on the 30th day of December 1882.
2. Lucy Emer Stalls Born on the 15th day of May 1858 in Stewart County Tennessee. Died on the 15th day of August 1867
3. Jefferson Davis Stalls Born on the 16th day of August 1877 in Stewart County Tennessee. Died on the 27th day of March 1934. Married Minnie Susan Johnson. Minnie was the daughter of David H. Johnson and Emily Barrow. Jefferson and Minnie were married on the 19th day of March 1890.
4. Charlie Stalls Born on the 15th day of January 1872 in Stewart County Tennessee. Died on the 2nd day of November 1965. Married Arminta Williams.
5. Odessa Lee Stalls Born on the 15th day of August 1865 in Stewart County Tennessee. Died on the 15th day of October 1866.
6. Ora Lee Stalls Born on the 30th day of June 1869 in Stewart County Tennessee. Died on the 8th day of June 1938. Married Milton Otis Hicks, son of James Madison and Parthenia Sills Hicks (seen earlier).
7. Dan Stalls Born ? Died ? Married ?
8. James L Stalls Born on the 15th day of August 1860 in Stewart County Tennessee. Died on the 5th day of September 1864.
9. George Lawrence Stalls Born on the 30th day of June 1863. Died on the 10th day of September 1864.

Songs My Mother Sung

When we were little and went on road trips, my mom would sing us songs or tell us story's or rhymes, whatever just to keep us entertained. This song here is a cowboy song that I absolutely love..

When The Works All Done Next Fall

VERSE 1
A jolly group of cowboys,Was talkin' one eve. One said, I'll tell you something If you will listen please. I am an ole cowpuncher. Here all dressed in rags. I used to be a tough one. Took on great big jags.

VERSE 2
But I left my home, boys. A good one you all know. Although I haven't seen it. Sometime ago I'm going back to Dixie Once more to see them all I'm going to see my Mother When the work's all done this fall

VERSE 3
When the roundup days 'er over An' the shippin' 'er all done I'm goin' home, boys Before my money is gone For I have my mine, boys To no more will I fall I'm going to see my Mother When the work's all done this fall

VERSE 4
O, when I left my home, boys My Mother, for me cried She begged me not to leave her For me she would have died My Mother's heart is breaking For me, that's all An' with God's help I'll see her When the work's all done this fall

VERSE 5
That very night that cowboy Went out to stand a guard Th night was dark an' stormy Cloudy an' stormin' very hard The cattle they got frightened An' rushed in a wild stampeed Th cowboy tried to head them While riding in full speed

VERSE 6
While riding in the darkness So loudly he did shout Tryin' his best to herd them Turn the cattle about His saddle horse stumbled An' on him, he did fall Poor boy won't see his Mother When the work's 'er done this fall

VERSE 7
Boys, send my Mother my wages The wages I have earned For I'm afraid, boys My last ride, I have done I'm going to a new ranch To hear my Master's call An' I won't see my Mother When the work's all done this fall

VERSE 8
Poor Charlie was buried at sunrise No tombstone at his head Nothing but a little board N' this is what it said Poor Charlie died a sun-day He died from a fall Poor boy won't see his Mother When the work's all done this fall