Donald's idea certainly makes sense to me. We should all try to understand the activities, etc. during the time when the activity occurred. The probate laws have survived through the centuries (with a few modifications.)However, in this case, they simply put it off, possibly because they did not want the $ to be known or as Donald said, they just didn't think it necessary at the time.
Carolyn H Pappas, A.G
Mclean VA
________________________________
From: "Wilson, Donald L" <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Thursday, October 6, 2011 2:37 PM
Subject: Re: [VA-ROOTS] A niggly question
My feeling about your case is that the family delayed taking the
inventory as long as they could. Before Nancy married (in Jan. 1822)
there was no incentive to do it. The children were all minors, living
at home with their mother. If no one in the family cared, then it could
be put off.
Once Nancy married, she and her new husband would be interested in
getting a share of the estate to help them get started in life. If she
had no bequest (no will) the only way that would happen is if her
father's property were inventoried and divided. Voila, they suddenly
decide to settle the estate.
Donald L. Wilson, Virginiana Librarian,
Ruth E. Lloyd Information Center
for Genealogy and Local History (RELIC),
Prince William Public Library System,
Bull Run Regional Library,
8051 Ashton Avenue, Manassas, VA 20110-2892
703-792-4540 www.pwcgov.org/library/relic
-----Original Message-----
Date: Tue, 4 Oct 2011 16:57:40 -0600
From: nelhatch <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: A niggly question..............
Steve,
Here are the children of Jeremiah Hatcher. The inventory was taken Nov
1822.
1 - Nancy bn 1804 md Jan 1822
2 - William bn 1806
3 - Jane bn c1808
4 - James bn c1810
5 - Jeremiah bn 1812
6 - Archibald bn c1814
7 - Wilson bn c1816
The guts of the will seems to indicate either death or marriage of the
widow, Elizabeth.
"Item It is further my Will and desire that in the event of the Death or
marriage of my Wife Elizabeth that my Estate with its Increase if any be
disposed of in the following manner, in case of her marriage I lend unto
her during her natural life one third part of my Estate to be
ascertained by valuation; the balance at the same time be equally
divided between my seven children before named.
item, It is further my Will and desire that in case of neither death
nor marriage of my wife Elizabeth before all or any of my children
before named should arrive at lawful age or marry, that each as they
respectively arrive at lawful age or marry receive out of my estate one
horse and saddle and one feather bed which property when so received is
to make a part of their respective proportions."
I'm reading this to mean that each child as they are of age or marry
will receive a horse, saddle and feather bed. NO REASON to call for an
inventory at that time. That seems to preclude Nancy demanding her
inheritance after she married.
The date of this Inventory seems to imply that Elizabeth has either died
or remarried before Nov 1822. As I mentioned there may be a marriage of
an Elizabeth where we've assigned her to the wrong parents. To the best
of my knowledge there was no other document for this case in the Bedford
Wills & Deeds so no "final distribution" available. Nothing found in the
chancery cases.
Which brings me to Harold Gill's suggestion - check the court order
books to see what prompted the taking of this Inventory. Thank you,
Harold!!!! That is a weakness in my ongoing education - not knowing what
prompts each action in the overall process.
Sooo - Am I heading down the right road in my thinking??
Nel
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