How finding the will led to a deed

In Discovering Historical Records Up Close and Personal, I discussed finding the will of my great uncle, Lewis (sp) Johnson.  After I left the Greenwood County Probate Records Office where I had discovered the will, I visited the Clerk of Court down the hall.  I knew Arie Anna had been named the executor of his estate, so I figured her name would be among the records.

Searching the index

I started with searching the grantor deed indexes for the Johnson family surname. I discovered Arie Anna's name.  As you can see below, the corresponding book (17), page (280), and year (1911) appear on the index.

Grantor deed index for Arie Anna Johnson, executor of estate of Louis Johnson, Greenwood County Courthouse

Locating the deed

All the deeds have been digitized, so with the book and page number I went over to the computer where the copies of deeds are stored.  A clerk assisted me with locating the electronic folder.  This is where I learned what happened to Lewis' property:

"Whereas, my husband, Louis Johnson, died on the 1st day of Oct. 1909, leaving a last will and testament which has been duly probated in the Office of the Judge of Probate for G'wood County and whereas, under the said will I have been appointed executive and have qualified as such and

Whereas one of the provisions of the said will empowers me to sell all real and person property for the purpose of paying debts and there is a mortgage on the said real estate which must be paid and it is for the best interests of myself and children that the said real estate be sold then."

Louis Johnson, Grantor Deed Book 17, page 280 (electronic file), Greenwood County Courthouse, Greenwood, South Carolina

More to learn

90 3/4 acres were sold for $2730.00 to pay debts.  For me this findings raised more questions and avenues of research:

• Locate the purchase of this property or mortgage by Lewis.  
• Determine if Lewis' name is spelled L-o-u-i-s or L-e-w-i-s.  I cannot assume the spelling is L-o-u-i-s from the deed because his wife's name is spelled wrong on the record.
• Determine if an estate inventory exists.

At any rate, I am learning so much more about available records in this Greenwood County by researching the holdings at the library and the courthouse.  I have found so many more records offline than there are online.

I hope that everyone who reads this will take ample time to research the records in courthouses, libraries, and archives especially if online records have  not enabled you to realize your research objectives.  Be sure to submit your e-mail above so that you can keep up with my blog posts.

Read Full Story...

Discovering historical records up close and personal

Greenwood County Courthouse, Robin Foster 26 February 2014

I spent the first eight years of my move to South Carolina in Columbia researching in the archives, libraries, and getting to know cousins there.  I have worked my way back to the 1800's in my research. Our family decided to move to Greenwood, South Carolina at the end of the summer last year where I could be closer to research in the area where my ancestors lived before Columbia.

Walking in their footsteps

I live just down the street from the place where my 2nd great grandparents spent their lives as slaves and experienced emancipation (1847-1919).  I have been working on mapping important sites to gain further insights for my research.  Yesterday was the first day I actually walked into the courthouse in Greenwood to look for records.  I wanted to see if I would be able to find marriage records, probate records, and land deeds.  

Courthouse scavenger hunt

After walking through the security scan at the Greenwood County Courthouse, I went upstairs and dialed the number four on a phone just outside a glass door which led to the probate records.  I explained that I wanted to look at marriage records and probate records.  I looked through the marriage books first where I found a few marriage records (more on those later).

I just wanted to share my greatest find.  My great uncle, Lewis Johnson (Andrew and Jane Johnson) married my great aunt, Arie Anna Vance (Beverly and Matilda Vance).  Both Lewis and Arie Anna are related to me. Their parents are my 2nd great grandparents.  I have researched this line backwards and forwards never finding the death date for Lewis who died leaving Arie Anna to raise a large family.

I searched the probate index and discovered an entry for Lewis Johnson, packet 64 -6:

 Index to Estates in Probate Court, Volume Number 1, 1895 to July 1st 1946, Greenwood County, South Carolina 

I really did not know if this was the correct Lewis Johnson until I removed the packet from drawer 64 and saw Arie Anna's name on the front:

 Lewis Johnson will (1909), Greenwood County Estate Packet 64 -6, Probate Records Office, Greenwood, South Carolina

I found him long ago on the 1880  and 1900 Censuses, but he was not on the 1910 Census. He never appeared again on any census with his family, so I presumed he had died sometime before 1910.  Deaths were not recorded in South Carolina at that time.  

Leave no stone unturned

I assist a lot of people who frown when I suggest they check probate records.  I often hear, "My family never owned anything.  I do not think he had a will."  They even chuckle a little.  Well for my family, I do not presume anything.  I look under every nook and cranny to discover everything that might be there.  I inspect every record known to exist, and it is that kind of persistence that has brought me the success that I have had so far. 

I am so glad the room was empty yesterday while I had this experience.  I took my time and basked in the joy and excitement over this find.  I could not believe my eyes when I unfolded the contents of this packet and saw Lewis' will which he had put together just before he passed away:

 Lewis Johnson will (1909), Greenwood County Estate Packet 64 -6, Probate Records Office, Greenwood, South Carolina

Records up close

I have a lot to go through here with all the contents of the packet.  One thing that I took away this day was the fact that casting your eyes upon the original historical documentation on your own family feels much different than looking at an image on microfilm or a computer screen.

Granted, not everyone can travel to the places where the records exist, but this is my way of connecting  with the people that I never knew in this life --the people whom I have come to love and feel close to.  My reward is feeling their presence and help.  

I know I am getting closer to discovering even more significant things.  This move has been good for me.  I do admit that I am getting a little nervous.  I do not know if I will be able to bear the discoveries that await me.  Maybe that is why they are unfolding a little bit at a time.

My scavenger hunt at the courthouse was not over.  This record led me to another record which I will discuss next time.  Be sure to subscribe above so you that you do not miss the next post. 

Read Full Story...