Re: Boles of Clay and Jackson Counties, Tn

This is not my line.I have been abstracting Loose Court Papers of Jackson Co., TN, which somehow survived the fire.From Reel #69, which may be ordered from Tennessee State Library & Archives:
[NEW]DUNCAN, ASEL & others vs LITTLE, MARGARET J. & othersChan 1861+
SYNOPSIS:W. C. Mitchell died, Henry B. Fowler was appointed his administrator.At a sale of W. C. Mitchell’s personal property, William Boles/Bowles bought a horse, signed a note, gave money to his brother James to pay the note.James Boles was killed January 1865 before he could pay the note.The case centered on whether James Boles’ widow Margaret J. [remarried to Jacob Little before case ended] was responsible, and whether she had sold any of James Boles’ personal property not properly listed as part of his estate and therefore subject to creditors.
DEPOSITIONS:14 September 1871 in Perry Co. Illinois at residence of John Bowles, taken of James C. Bowles, William Flatt & Elias Williams.Complainant John Bowles, only one of the parties being present.
James C. Bowles [no age].Am Acquainted with Margaret J. Little, formerly Bowles,who was the widow of James Bowles, deceased.She had sold brandy that belonged to James Bowles in his lifetime, about 35 gallons in a barrel, sold at $1.00 per pint, $8 per gallon.Sold on or before October 1865.
I got a mare and some whiskey from John Trout for Margaret on a debt owed to James Bowles, deceased.All this was while she was a widow and before her marriage to Little. s/s James C. Boles
Elias Williams [no age].
Question:Tell whether James Bowles, the first husband of Margaret Little is dead...
Answer:James Bowles is dead.He had at death two barrels of brandy, 30 – 40 gallons.I bought of Margaret about $40 - $50.25 Cents a drink, $1 a pint and $5 a gallon.It was sold after the death of James.Elias [his X mark] Williams
William Flatt [No age.Interrogatories to be asked of him were listed, but no answers given.May be Will Flatt who killed James Boles in Overton Co., TN Jany 1865 - mlj].
1.State if you were acquainted with James Bowles and whether you know his widow.2.State if you & Dr. Sim Hinds and James Bowles were partners in a brandy transaction.3.How many barrels were there?Did you keep one?How much would each barrel hold.
BILL & CROSS-BILL:Asel Duncan, John Williams, John Bowls and Henry B. Fowler vs Jacob Little & wife Margaret J. Little and
Jacob Little & Margaret Little vs Asel Duncan, John Williams, John Bowls and Henry B. Fowler [No new information].
DEPOSITION:Alexander Bowles age about 82.James Bowles, deceased was my son.He lived about 300 yards of me.He was killed in January 1865.His widow Margaret J. Bowles had to buy some corn the year he died.She borrowed my steers to haul it.
I was at the sale of his property by his Administrators Duncan & Bowles.
Question:Say whether Margarett J. worked out in the farm the year her husband was murdered to make bread for herself and her little children.
Answer:She did.She ploughed she was vary [sic] awkward about it but she did the best she could.She was very industrious and saving.
James Bowles bought three hogs from Calvin Bowles before his death.16 February 1869.              Alexander [his X mark] Bowles
DEPOSITION:John J. Brown [No age].I was a commissioner assigned to lay off a year’s support for Margaret, the widow of James Bowles.7 Apr 1872.s/s John J. Brown
REPORT:Cause of Asel Duncan and John Bowles, Admr of William Bowles, deceased and John Williams vs
Margaret J. Little and husband Jacob Little and Henry B. Fowler, Admr of Wm C. Mitchell, decd and
Margaret J. Little and Jacob Little vs Asel Duncan and others [Cross-bill].Since the last term of this court, Henry B. Fowler resigned as Admr of Wm C. Mitchell, decd and [blank] term 1869 Jeremiah A. Roberts was appointed.
ANSWER:John Bowles and Asel Duncan, Administrators of James Bowles, deceased and John Williams to Cross-bill of Margaret J. Little and husband Jacob Little against these defendants and Henry Fowler.
Respondents John Bowles and Asel Duncan
Since the last term of this court Henry B. Fowler resigned as Admr of Wm C. Mitchell, deceased and [blank] term 1869 Jeremiah A. Roberts was appointed Admr de bonis non [administrator of remainder of estate not yet distributed].
On motion of Bennett Minor, security of Complainants Asel Duncan, John Bowles and John Williams, Minor asks to be released from further liability as security on bonds.B. B. Washburn becomes security for Asel Duncan, John Bowles and John Williams.
ANSWER:Margaret J. Little did not assume and agree to pay $90.25 to defendant Fowler, administrator de bonis non of W. C. Mitchell.States William Bowles executed his note with respondents Duncan and Williams his securities to G. W. Mitchell, Administrator of W. C. Mitchell, deceased for a horse purchased at sale of W. C. Mitchell’s property.William Bowles, principal in his lifetime paid James Bowles, then the husband of Margaret J. Bowles.Margaret J. said she would pay off notes and other debts if no one bid against her at the sale of her husband’s property.No one bid against her, she bought livestock under its value.Charges that the $90.25 is a debt against the estate.2 Novr 1868.              s/s John Bowles, John Williams, Asel Duncan
DEPOSITION:Bennett Minor, age 40.Know Margaret J. Little, knew James Bowles.She was his widow.I bought oxen from Margaret J. six months after James Boles’ death.John Boles said she should sell them.He was tending to her business.s/s Bennett Minor
DEPOSITION:Alexander Bowles 27.My father William Bowles owed a debt to Henry B. Fowler, administrator of W. C. Mitchell’s estate for a bay horse bought at sale of Mitchell’s property.Don’t know how much apple brandy James Boles had on hand at his death.The day James Boles was killed there was 5 or 6 other people at his house and they all drank some brandy.Bennett Minor had a jug of brandy next morning, didn’t see it drawn.Alexander [his X mark] Bowles

[NEW - Misfiled?]DUNCAN, ASEL vs ABNEY G. W. & WIFE [Only thing here on this case.May be more on another reel].
March term 1876, Minute Book H, page 77.A. W. DeWitt took depositions.M. W. Abney said she was to give A. W. DeWitt $25 and did pay $24.50.

[RETURNS TO PRIOR CASE INVOLVING DUNCAN, BOLES, ET AL]
DEPOSITIONS:[One deposition shows “Continued to 16 January 1869, notation at bottom “Certified 2 Feby 1869”, Jackson Co.] :
Simson Hinds 54.Knew James Bowles, know the widow Margaret J. Little.Paid him $40 in Confederate money for a mare.Offered to pay balance in money and he refused.Said he wanted it to go on a debt he owed to Henry Fowler as administrator of someone’s estate.
James Bowles bought 93 gallons of brandy at $3 per gallon from Bennett Minor.It was in Jerry Roberts’ smoke house last I saw of it.He asked if William Flat could come in as equal partners, that I lived too far off and William could help go over there and haul it off... it was in danger of being captured by Soldiers.
Me and James Bowles let Trout have 68 bushels of corn and was to have one gallon of whiskey for each bushel of corn.Margaret Bowles got a filly for the whiskey debt which was sold at the administrator’s sale after he died.Trout has not paid me my part of the whiskey.s/s Simson Hinds[Under his name:“Overton County 16 miles” indicates he probably traveled from Overton Co. to give his deposition].
E. L. Gardenhire, lawful age.Examined papers in cause of Ailey Gardenhire vs John Bowles dated 19 October 1865.I was the attorney for the case.Samuel Little or rather his agent Jacob Little had the papers and note.I paid it to him.18 Novr 1869.s/s E. L. Gardenhire
Henry B. Fowler age 33.Know parties, especially Margaret J. Little and Jacob Little.Her first husband is James Boles.He died winter of 1864-1865.I recognize William Hawkins handwriting as acting Justice of the Peace.He signed warrant and judgment against James Boles.Margaret, his widow, sold oxen and brandy to pay it off.
Question:State if James Boles was not killed several miles from home and if Margaret did not see him until after he died, and if he was in service and if so what captain.
Answer:Did not know Margaret before her husband died.James Boles was sometimes with Hamilton’s men, do not know if he belonged to the service.He was a good trader.s/s H. B. Fowler
Miley A. Bowles, age 40.My husband’s name was William Boles.He died in November 1864.My husband and James Boles were brothers.James died January 1865... best recollection.       Miley A. [her X mark] Bowles
David Whitaker, age 30 [Testimony re brandy and cow sold].David [X] Whitaker
John Trout, age 60.Margaret J. collected debt I owed her husband James after he died.Understand Crafford Flatt and Cal Boles were Federal soldiers.s/s John Troutt
William Williams age 50.Settled with Margaret J. while she was the widow of James.I had Spiveys son working with me...
Question:Did you pay it to Margaret J. or to Calve Bowles.
Answer:Did not pay Margaret... saw it handed to Margaret.s/s William Williams
William H. Hawkins age 36.I think Margaret J. can read writing but I have never seen her write [Questioned as to her being “nearly illiterate”].s/s W. H. Hawkins
Tench Carmack age 36.Helped James Boles tend corn crop the year before he died, 20-22 acres, 5 or 6 barrels per acre.Boles died 7 January 1865.Tench [his X] Carmack
Andrew Flynn 55.[Verbatim]:I let James Boles have a Navy pistol.It was called a army Navy pistol it was the same pistol that Will Flatt took from him the day he was killed.There was William Spivey Isaac Adcock Jackson Flin Bennett Richardson John Boles Senr James Boles, Charles Poston Calvin Boles George Abney & myself were all concerned with said pistol and we all agreed to meet at James Boles on a certain day and sell said pistol to the highest bidder we met at the time appointed all but George Spivey and Charles Poston the pistol was not offered for sale James Boles treated the crowd to some brandy”...
Question:State how you know it was the same that was captured from James Boles by Will Flatt the day that he murdered him.
Answer:I saw the same pistol in Will Flatt’s possession after James Boles was killedd... small gap in the mussel [sic] of the pistol.Will had two Navy pistols on the day James Boles was killed.
Question:Was Will Flatt a desperate man who would as soon tell one tale as another?
Answer:He was.              Andrew [his X mark] Flin
James Raglan 29.Sold some whiskey for Margaret J. the spring of 1865, some to a Yankee... did not pay for and some to William Roberts, did not pay for.Sold some for $1.50 and $2.00 per quart, some for $5.00 per gallon.Kept $1.00 [for selling].
The children that Margaret widow of James had at his death were Mc Boles about 10 or 11, John W. Boles about 7 or 8, Melissa Boles about 5 or 6, Toby Boles about 3 or 4, Isabell Boles about 2 and one other born in March after he was killed in January is called James.They are all living.I live about 1 ½ miles away.Margaret is a very industrious woman.James [his X mark] Raglan
Sarah L. Williams, age 20.I lived at James Boles’ about a month before he died, was living there when he died and with his widow Margaret two years after.He bought brandy, sold for $5 per gallon, $2 per quart, $1 for a pint and 25 Cents per glass.
Elias Williams was a tolerable good customer.Sold some to John Bowles, David Whitaker, James Raglan, Anderson Hardy, John Casson, Card Masters.Margaret J. and Cal Boles counted the money.
She sold whiskey to Job Johnson and Jonathan L. Smith.Margaret bought a load of corn from Sallie Duncan which was at Samuel Flatt’s in Feby after James died.
The brandy was buried... whoops [sic] gave way and a good deal leaked out.
Margaret J. and her brother Henry Gordon had the barrel in the house putting a whoop [sic] on it.Margaret put her molasses in the barrel after the brandy was taken out and it leaked and the hogs wallowed in it.
Think Margaret sent Mart Gorden after some whiskey... don’t know if he got it from Troutt.Sarah [her X mark] L. Williams
George W. Abney age 40.Went with Margaret J. to John Trout’s in Overton Co. to see if she could get him to pay a debt.There were soldiers at Butler’s Landing and she tried to get them to make Troutt pay his debt.Don’t think he did at that time.
I helped Margaret raise [dig up] a barrel of brandy and we buried it again in the smokehouse.s/s G. W. Abney[Appears he could barely write his name – mlj].
John Bowles 34.James Bowles was my brother.Lived about 1 ½ mile from him.Margaret J. only had a boy age 13 to assist her... soldiers in the country, Civil War going on, James killed in January 1865, administrators were appointed in November.Margaret had 6 children, 5 of them younger than the one spoken of.There were no soldiers stationed at Butler’s Landing, but guerillas through the country.
Margaret J. went in a cart to where James her husband was killed.Suppose Jim [James Bowles] rode the ball face horse there.I was riding Andy Flatt’s mare and met them at Bill Williams.James Boles was then a corpse.Did not see anyone kill James Boles, heard Will Flatt say he did.Andy Flatt was Will Flatt’s brother.Margaret J. they [sic] were hauling the corpse from Will Flatt’s to my father’s... in a cart.I was attending to the suit Margaret J. brought against Will Flatt for killing her husband.
Question:State whether Margaret J. regarded the Illinois debt claimed by her brother against her husband James Bowles was a just debt.
Answer:Don’t know anything about it, only the amount... about $85.The administrator of the estate hasn’t paid or been sued on it.John [his X mark] Boulds, ex
ANSWER:Jacob & Margaret Little to Bill of Complaint by Asel Duncan & others.Margaret Little states A. Bowles, father of her deceased husband then James Bowles, agreed to give her the land where she and her deceased husband James lived if she would pay him 8 barrels of corn per annum as long as he lived.She agreed.A. Bowles is still living.
Respondent had a suit against Will Flatt for the murder of her husband for damages in Overton Co. Court for $1500.24 June 1868.s/s Jacob Little, Margaret J. [X] Little
BILL OF COMPLAINT:Asel Duncan, John Bowles and John Williams of Jackson Co. against Margaret J. Little and husband Jacob Little and Henry B. Fowler, all of Jackson Co.
William Bowles is now dead.Orators as security executed a note to G. W. Mitchell, executor of W. C. Mitchell for $90.25 dated May 11, 1861.
8 March 1867 said H. B. Fowler, administrator de bonis non of said W. C. Mitchell caused warrant to issue against William Bowles the maker of said note and Orators John Williams and Asel Duncan were his securities.Judgment was rendered 13 April 1867 against William Bowles who was dead and had been for some time.He died in 1864.Asel Duncan and John Williams were appointed administrators November term 1865.Judgment is null and void... rendered against Bowles who was dead.William Bowles before he died paid his brother James to pay off the debt for a horse William Bowles purchased at sale of C. W. Mitchell deceased.James Bowles agreed.James Bowles died [blank] Jany 1865 before he paid the note to Henry B. Fowler, admr of C. W. Mitchell.After James died, widow Margarett J. married Jacob Little.Margaret Little offered to pay off the debt, and on 5 October 1865 paid $21.00.
Margaret J. Little has 120 acres in Jackson Co.Also 300 acres remainder interest or undivided one-half interest in land adjoining William Hawkins, [?Wm or Mrs] Dale and William Hardy on waters of the southerly fork of Mill Creek, same land once owned by William Flatt.26 February 1868.s/s Asel Duncan, John [his X mark] Williams
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