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Monday, March 26, 2007

Yard Sale



The other day on this blog was one-half page of my ancestor Jacob B. Trammell’s estate papers. There were nine and half pages you did not see.

I didn’t show you them because it was mostly dealing with legal jargon and listing all his heirs. The names would have meant nothing to you.

But there is one thing you might find interesting. Jacob B. Trammell owed more money than he had when he died, even though he was consider a wealthy business man of the time (1860). They had to have an estate sale to pay off his debtors. Above is a list of the items sold and who bought them. Click on the copy to be able to read it. You will see his daughter buying sentimental kinds of things, such as a bureau and a book.

His old business partner B.W. Bell was there buying things, which he probably had his eyes on for a long time.

Jonathan Ford was there buying things. Jonathan Ford had been sued for bastardy by Jacob’s daughter Zylpha Trammell. She had a son by him she named Jonathan Ford.

His son Jacob V. Trammell bought a rifle gun for $3.25 and an ax for 25¢ About six years later Jacob was wanted for murder for hitting Rufus Lambert over the head with a rifle or a big stick. I wonder if one of these is the same weapon he bought at his father’s estate sale? Now, that is sentimental!

4 comments:

  1. Isn't that sad, Eddie? Too bad he couldn't leave those things to his children outright. At least they didn't have to take up his debt.

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  2. Judy,
    I wonder if they had life insurance back in 1860? That would have solved a lot of debt-death problems.

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  3. Anonymous2:36 AM

    I will bet they did have life insurance, though thats just a guess.

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  4. Steve,
    I vaguely remember about reading about the first policy ever sold, but I forgot when it was. But, I bet if it did exist, it wasn't commonplace yet.

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