Thomas A Elliott vs. R D Williams(1867) Rutherford Co. TN

Found a folder in the Rutherford County Tennessee Chancery Court Records which contains the documents for a case involving Thomas A Elliott vs. R. M. Williams et al which took place in 1867. 

Using the summarize tool at FamilySearch in the document information I was able to understand what was happening.  I did have to make some corrections were the summary was incorrect but for the most part it stayed on track with a few name transcription errors.  I combined the persons it had duplicated and edited the summary.

Summary:

In July 1867, Thos A. Elliott of Rutherford County filed a complaint in Chancery Court against R. M. Williams, for whom he had signed a draft due in 90 days and payable to R. D. Reed. Elliott accuses Williams of leaving Tennessee to avoid his debts and concealing himself, making it difficult for legal actions to be served. The complaint seeks to have Williams’s property in Rutherford County used to settle the debt, noting some of it is already mortgaged. The case is presided over by Hon. John P. Steele

In 1867  W. C. Cook and R. D. Reed were summoned by the Chancery Court of Rutherford County, Tennessee, to answer a legal matter initiated by Thos. A. Elliott against R. M. Williams and others. The summons required their appearance at the Murfreesboro courthouse on the fourth Monday in October to respond to the court's proceedings. James M. Tompkins acted as Clerk and Master when he issued this order on the fourth Monday in April 1867. 

403 Thos. A. Elliott vs subpoena to answer copy of Bill R. M. Williams et al Issued July 29th 1867 came to hand same day issued executed by summoning R. D. Reed & W. C. Cook leaving a copy of bill with W. C. Cook July 29th 1867 , R. M Williams not to be found in my County October the 24th 1867 Jas . F Fletcher Jr. Deputy Sheriff

In the circa 1867 chancery case, Thomas A. Elliot vs  R. M. Williams and others, including M. Parnell (represented by M. William), were involved in a legal dispute resulting in the bill being dismissed. The court allowed additional time for R. M. Williams and other defendants to respond to the bill in order to prevent any delay in proceedings. Ultimately, the complaint was dismissed and execution was ordered according to legal standards.  What about the Elliot heirs...

The first document mentions a land transaction involving forty acres in Rutherford County, Tennessee, along the West Fork of Stones River, including the site of James Elliott's mill and cotton gin. The property was conveyed in 1867 by George Thompson, Silas Tucker, and John Elliott, who served as executors of James Elliott's estate. James Elliott passed away on January 25, 1837, and the land was transferred as part of the settlement of his estate.  An Adaline Elliot and others are mentioned.  I'm not sure how she connects.  I think she was a Ledbetter before her marriage and if her death certificate is to be believed her mother was a Wilson or Williams. 

The summarize tool was helpful but I still have lots of questions and need to research all the involved parties.  Finding or not finding connections will help me to decide if this is my Wm Clifford Cook mentioned in this document or not.  I'm trying to identify the R.D. Read and R. M. Williams listed within these documents. There are Read/Read and Williams folks in the group of friends, and associates.  Is there a connection?  I don't know yet.

Source:
Rutherford Co TN Chancery Court Records, Thos. A Elliot vs R. M Williams et al(c. 1867); images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QHV-J36T-Q6R4 : accessed 2 March 2026), IGN 8742982, Image 2980-2989 of 3155.

Land Grant to Wm Harrison Mentioned in Bedford Co TN Deed

 I found a deed(E C Harrison to Wm Weaver) that was registered in Bedford Co TN Deed books(1851-1852) in 19 July 1850 though the indenture date was 13 Dec 1825.

The description mentions land Granted to William Harrison(640 acres on Alexander Creek)

"A Certain tract or parcel of land lying and being in the County of Bedford and State of Tennessee, in the Second District, Eleventh Section and said fourth Range. On the waters of Alexander's Creek. And being a part of a six hundred and forty Acre tract of land, Granted to William Harrison"

It wouldn't be the same as the Bounty Land listed in the pension papers for Wm & widow Elvira.  I would think that was federal and the 640 acres would be granted by the state of TN. 

I've contacted the TN State Archives and I'm awaiting their response which hopefully will point me in the right direction for finding out more about this grant.

Source:  Bedford Co Tennessee Deeds Book v. 1851-1852   p 55, E C Harrison to Wm Weaver; FamilySearch(https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSKX-M84Z : accessed 21 October 2025), IGN 8150805, Image 532 of 848.[There is an index at the start of 1851-1852 though the vol is not named(image 486 of 848)]

J.P. Acuff Estate--Van Buren Co. TN(1940)

James P Acuff died in November 1939, about 2 and a half months after his wife's death. They were both living in Madison County, Alabama, at the time they died but still owned land in Van Buren County, Tennessee.  Minnie Acuff Luna was living in Lincoln County, Tennessee.  Mildred Acuff is Ernest Acuff's daughter and the only grandchild listed presumably because Ernest had passed 5 years earlier. I'm not sure why Ovena's name is spelled Evena, but this is not the only case where her name has not been spelled as one would have expected.  

This notice was ordered to be published in the Southern Standard for 4 consecutive weeks.

Dates of publication were:

May 24, 1940
May 31, 1940
Jun 7, 1940
Jun 14, 1940

ORDER OF PUBLICATION

To Evena Sharp, Emma Sanders, Er-

nest Acuff, Mildred Acuff, Sarah 

Thomas and W.E. Acuff
------
W.E. Acuff, Administrator
vs
Minnie Luna et al

In the County Court of Van Buren
County, Tenn.

-------
In this cause it appearing from the
petition which is sworn to, that Evena
Sharp, Emma Sanders, Ernest Acuff,
Mildred Acuff, Sarah Thomas and
W.E. Acuff, the only heirs of J.P.
Acuff, deceased, are non-residents of
the State of Tennessee, they are
therefore, hereby required to appear,
on or before the 1st Monday in July,
1940, before the County Court of Van
Buren county, Tennessee, at the Court
House, in Spencer, Tennessee, and
make defense to the petition filed
against them in said Court, by W.E.
Acuff, administratior, or otherwise the
petition will be taken for confessed as
to them.

It is further ordered that this no-
tice be published for four consecutive
weeks in the Southern Standard, a
newspaper published at McMinnville,
Tennessee, there being no paper pub
lished in Van Buren County, Tenn.
Said petition seeks to sell the lands
of J.P. Acuff, deceased, as an insol-
vent estate, to pay his indebtedness.
This May 16, 1940.

W. B. Cummings, Clerk

4t-32

Source:

"Order of Publication," Southern Standard(McMinnville, Tenn.), 14 Jun 1940, Vol LXI, No 35, p 7, col 2; image,

FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QHK-C3TC-GX1H : accessed 25 Mar 2025), IGN 8992355, Image 75 of 1194.

Jas Hitchcock Land--Warren Co TN(1840)

This survey was recorded in the Plat Book just before the Spring of 1840.  James and Lottie's daughter, Nancy A Hitchcock(my 2nd great-grandmother) would be born in Sept of that same year.

March 9, 1840

Jas. Hitchcock 25 acres
State of Tennessee
Warren County
by Scale of 55 poles per inch
surveyed the 18th of Feb 1840 for James
Hitchcock twenty-five acres of land. by virtue of an
entry bearing date the 1st of February 1838 No 4580 Situ
ate in said county on the waters of Collins River. Beg'G on a
white oak Wm Tucks Corner running east with his line twenty-six poles
to Walnut then north sixty (degrees) West with Mountain thirty-two poles to Poplar
on Higginbotham's lines, and with it south fifteen (degrees) west seventy-six pole to
hickory then south fifty-five (degrees) east sixteen poles to hornbeam then south
seventy-six (degrees) east forty-eight poles to red bud ___?___  a corner of a 100
acre survey in the name of George Hitchcock then north forty-four (degrees) east sixty
seven poles to white oak. Then, north sixty-eight (degrees) and west eighty-six poles are to beg. g
Lewis Thomas & Jas Hitchcock CC
A Higginbotham PS.

This entry called for 50 acres

Source:
Warren Co TN Plat Book November 1839–December 1894, Vol 4, p 13, Jas Hitchcock Plat;
FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS4Y-QRH8 : accessed 2 February 2025), IGN 7901843, image 733 of 868.

J P Taylor to Minerva Boyce(1873, recorded 1877)

Beginning on page 266

J. P. Taylor Deed to Minerva Boyce

for a valuable consideration, I have this day bargained and sold and do hereby convey to Minerva Boyce all my right title claim and interest in and to a tract of Land in District No 10 Bedford County Tennessee, bounded on the North by the lands of J. A. Boyce, East by John King and South and west by William Jackson being the tract of land conveyed to me by James Russ to have and to hold the same to the said Minerva Boyce wife of W. M. Boyce her heirs and assigns forever. I covenant with the said Minerva Boyce that I am lawfully seized of said land and have a good right to convey the same and convey and warrant to her such title as I have acquired by the Deed above recited, and will defend only such title. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this Nov 27th, 1873
J. P. Taylor

Test
W. C. Cook
Joseph K Cook

State of Tennessee 

Bedford County

Personally appeared before me R. L. Singleton Singleton Clerk of the County Court of said County W.C. Cook and J K Cook subscribing to the attached Deed who being first duly sworn deposed and says that they are personally acquainted with the above named J. P. Taylor, the bargainor and that he acknowledged the same in their presence to be his act and deed for the purposes therein contained Witness my hand at Office this 5th day of April 1877 

R L Singleton Clerk
by A.A. Cooper DC

Source
Bedford County, Tennessee, Deeds, Vol. NNN, pp. 266–7, J. P. Taylor to Minerva Boyce; Register of Deeds, Bedford County Courthouse, Shelbyville, Tennessee; digital image, Bedford County, Tennessee, Deeds, vol. NNN–OOO, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3QY-K9NN-K : accessed 24 December 2024), IGN 8567899, image 161 of 638.

Which William Cook registered land in Bedford Co TN(1826)

Several weeks back I contacted the Tennessee State Library and Archives with a question about a land warrant(#3793) recorded for William C Cook for land in Bedford Co TN. My specific question was abt the act listed on the warrant in hopes that it would tell how he received the land. In the meantime, I started looking for land transactions or deeds for the people and properties listed in the land description. Specifically Dempsey P Temple and William Chapman. I received a response which included several documents

• An 1823 Act Book page
• Plat Certificate for the William C Cook land

Transcription of Plat Certificate :

By virtue of Entry number 584 dated May 13th 1825
(Entered by certificate No. 15 for 160 acres)
I have surveyed for William C Cook (assignee of Robert P Harrison) 50 acres of land situate in Bedford County on the Waters of Rich Creek a North Branch of Duck River. Beginning on William Chapman's line on Dempsey P Temples northwest corner of an entry of 100 acres No. 229 thence East with Temples line 126 and one-half poles to a cedar thence North 63 and 1/4 poles to two black ash trees thence West 126 and a half poles to an elm and Ash on said Chapman's line thence Southwest on said line to the beginning

Surveyed February 4th 1826           Wm D Orr  DR(note: Deed Recorder?)

William Chapman
Asa Hale
2CC(note: chain carriers?)

Land Records for  William Chapman

Transaction 29th Dec 1827

Regd  23 Jan 1828

Kimbrough T. Ogilvie to William Chapman  203 acres ($ 1000)

Bedford Co. TN Deed Book v. W  p. 396

FamilySearch  https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSKX-3Q6Q-X

accessed 12 Sep 2024

IGN 8150800  Image  822  of  902

[Named in Record:  David Dryden, Samuel Winstead Alexander Eakin

The land was part of a larger grant Mark R Cockrell(No 9392) 196 acres]

Transaction 21st Dec 1827

Regd 28th  May 1829

William Chapman to Samuel Winstead  6 acres & 30 poles ($31)

Bedford Co. TN Deed Book v. AA p. 181

FamilySearch 

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSKX-QS83-3 : accessed 11 Sep 2024

IGN 8150802  Image 105 of 591

[Named in Record:  Thomas Allison, Spencer Eakin,  P H Shockey]

Transaction 8th Feb 1828

Regd 28th May 1829

William Chapman to Samuel Winstead  75 acres ($128)

Bedford Co. TN Deed Book v. AA p. 179

FamilySearch https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSKX-QS84-Q

accessed 11 Sep 2024

IGN 8150802  Image 104 of 591

[Named in record:  Mark R Cockrill?,  George Calhoon, Peter Goodwin, Ephraim Hunter, Benjamin Harkness, John Williamson]

Transaction 5 Dec 1832

Regd  13th March 1833

William Chapman to  Ephraim Hunter  79 acres &  120 poles ($184 42 1/2 Cents )

Bedford Co. TN Deed Book v. DD  p.  1

FamilySearch https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS54-S7MV-6

accessed 11 Sep 2024

IGN 8265309   Image 292 of 585

[Named in Record:  Thomas Allison, John Ramsey, James Eakin]

Checking the names from within just these documents using the tax list of Bedford Co TN for 1836-1839 as well as the 1830 US Federal Census which was close to the same time as the deeds shows that most of those people owned property or lived in Dist 17 of Bedford Co TN.  I could hypothesize if this trend continues that he is the William Cook of District 17 but that doesn't explain why he is listed as William C Cook on the Land document.  At all other times, I have found Dist 17 William he was simply William Cook--no middle initial.

Robert P Harrison--William C Cook certificate for land mentions that he is assignee of Harrison

Wm. D Orr-Recorded the Deed

Asa Hale--One of the Chain Carriers

Mark R. Cockrell--The land Kimbrough T Ogilvie sold Wm Chapman was from an early land grant of his.

District 7

Alexander Eakin

Spencer Eakin

Shockley--Did not find P H Shockley but there was a Shockley in this district.

District 11

Thomas Allison

District 17

Ephraim Hunter 

Benjamin Harkness 

John Williamson

John Ramsey

James Eakin

Samuel Winstead

Kimbrough T. Ogilvie

District 18

William Cook

Dempsey P Temple

William Chapman

George Calhoun

Peter Goodwin 

David Dryden

Districts 12-17 were taken from Bedford Co TN in 1836 to form Marshall County.

1830 US Federal Census, Bedford County Tennessee , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XH5S-V8B : accessed 29 Sep 2024), image 13 of 712.[This snippet of the census appears to be some of the District 17 Families whose head of household is among those mentioned in the deeds involving William Chapman].

Another point, even with this William C Cook being listed as the assignee of Robert P Harrison and with my Wm C Cook's Harrison maternal grandparents he would not be of age to be able to own or purchase land without a guardian as far as I can tell.

Samuel Winstead purchaser of the land from William Chapman, is likely the same man named Samuel Winstead who served in the 1st Regiment(Metcalfe's) West Tennessee Militia during the War of 1812.  William P Cook, the probable husband of Elizabeth Harrison Cook, also served in 1st Regiment(Metcalfe's) West Tennessee Militia   

Knowing the district in which the William Cook who received the land lived and his neighbors makes me believe that he was William Cook b. abt 1798 who married Nancy Lentz.  No idea why he was referred to as William C Cook on the land documents.  His Widow's Pension File is listed on Fold3. She had filed for War of 1812 survivor's pension but had been rejected because he was in the Seminole War of 1818 which weren't eligible for pension.

I can safely say that my 2nd Great Grandfather William C Cook b 1811 was not the same William C Cook who received that land. As far as I know, none of the direct male descendants of Wm Cook husband of Nancy Lentz have YDNA tested.  Need to look at the late Jerry Wayne Cook's research.  I think he published it.

Wm G Hight Deed to Wm Putman in Bedford Co. TN(1844)

I found a deed using the Full-Text Search Lab at FamilySearch today and thought it might be fun to see if ChatGPT could plat the land description.  I first had to transcribe the deed which I did using the Full Text transcription and making the corrections.  

https://www.familysearch.org/search/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CST3-19PP-Y

William G Hight to William Putman Deed 92 acres 

This Indenture made and entered into this day one thousand eight hundred and forty four October the twenty third Between Wm G. Hight of the County of Bedford & State of Tennessee of the one part & Wm Putman of the County and State aforesaid of the other part. Witnesseth that the said Wm G. Hight for & in consideration of the sum of four hundred dollars two hundred paid and the balance unpaid for which the land Stands bound, to him in hand by Wm Putman the receipt is whereof hereby acknowledged, hath given, granted, Bargained, and sold, Aliened, conveyed and confirmed unto said Putman his heirs and assigns forever a certain Tract or parcel of land situated & lying & being in Bedford County & State of Tennessee on the Alexander Creek & bounded as follows, to wit, Beginning on Caswells North boundary line at Elm & ash, thence with Johnsons line North Sixty poles to a red Oak and elm in South boundary line Thomas Black. Thence West with one hundred and twenty four and two thirds of a pole to ash, thence South with Hight's line on hundred and thirty four poles to the Middleton road, thence East with said road forty four and two thirds of a pole. One rod East of a post Oak to a Stake then South Lile's line fifty six poles to a stake and hickory in Isham Lains North boundary line thence East with Lains line twenty nine poles to a hickory, Thence North with the Lains line one hundred & thirty poles to a hickory, Lains North West Corner, thence West fifty one poles to the Beginning. Containing in all Ninety two acre of land. Be it the Same more or less. To have and to hold the aforesaid land with all and singular the rights and profits Emoluments, hereditaments and appurtenances of in and to the same belonging or in any wise appertaining to the only proper use & behoof of him Wm Putman his heirs and assigns forever and he the said Wm G. Hight for himself his heirs, executors & administrators do covenant & agree with said Wm Putman his heirs and that the before recited land & bargained premises he will warrant and forever defend against the right, title interest & claim of all and every person or persons whatever lawfully claiming the same. Witness whereof the said Wm G. Hight hath hereunto set his hand & affixed his seal this day & date above written. 

Signed & sealed in presence of Wm G. Hight 

State of Tennessee Personally appeared before me Robert Hurst Clerk of the County Court of said Bedford County County William G. Hight the within named bargainor with whom I am personally acquainted and who acknowledged that he executed the within deed for the purposes therein contained. Witness my hand at Office this 24th October 1844 Rob Hurst Clerk Recd & Noted October 24th 1844 at 1 O clock PM Registered October 24th 1844 Andrew Vannoy Register 

Not a perfect transcription but I think the original has some omitted words.

I then copied and pasted the land description immediately after my prompt asking it to plat the land and label it.  It did as I asked.  Looking at its plat, I questioned its placement of Johnson's land(it had it North and I thought it should be East.)  After my questioning, it agreed with me and mentioned the same reasoning or logic I had used(in my head) to come up with the location of Johnson's land.  Is the plat correct?  Nope-- but that should improve with updates.  I am at my limit today so that won't happen for this article.  

ChatGPT tries to plat using the deed description

I am more excited about finding the deed with Wm Hight and Wm Putman than I am about trying to get ai to plat. The date on this is 23 of Oct. 1844. Elvira Cooper Harrison was still alive at that time.  If Wm Putman's wife Anna was a Cook and the sister of Wm Clifford Cook then Wm G Hight and Wm Putman's connection would be by marriage thru the Harrisons. The Harrison land was on Alexander Creek.  The land owners seem to be Bedford Co. Dist 9 folks. The neighborhood where Elizabeth Cook is enumerated as HOH in 1830 is District 9(conclusion reached comparing the tax list to those in surrounding households.)  This is also the neighborhood that Wm Cook would have been in 1830 around the time of the Williams vs Wm Putman, Zephaniah Anglin, and others. Just some things to think about.

More Records of the Johnson Co IL Hights

Robert Doak Hight--Johnson Co IL Deeds at FamilySearch

Wm R Whiteside & wife Rachel To Robert D Hight 8 Oct 1845

Robert D Hight Quit Claims to Pleasant Grissom 4th Oct 1849

John J Jones to R D Hight 27 May 1859

Joseph and Mary McCorkle to Robert Doak Hight 13 Aug 1859

Isaac Worley and Wife Nancy to R D Hight 28 Oct 1859

Landowners Map of the Hights in Johnson Co. Illinois 
Generated via HistoryGeo

These Hights were from Maury & Bedford Counties of Tennessee.

Robert D Hight was the son of Sion H Hight

Sion H Hight to Rachel Rieter
18 acres 76 poles x 38 poles
Christmas Creek in Rutherford Co TN
15 Dec 1819 [This is the same land description of the 15 acres in Rutherford Co TN(76p x 38p) that was on record to Sion on 9 Oct 1818 and Recorded 24 May 1819 which was a part of a larger grant from NC based on the military service of Robert Whitlock.]

Sion Hight purchased 8 Geese at the Estate Sale of Archibald Hight Maury Co TN 1822

Cook & Putman descendants share atDNA with Sion Hight's descendants.  The largest amounts seem to be with the descendants of his grandson James Franklin Hight's descendants.

Smith, George Washington. 1912. A History of Southern Illinois Vol. 2, Chicago, IL: Lewis Publishing Company, p 758, James Franklin Hight Biography; digital image  HathiTrust (https://hdl.handle.net/2027/umn.31951001959853m?urlappend=%3Bseq=234%3Bownerid=114607231-268 : accessed 18 August 2024)

Shem Cooke Deeds to William Cooke land in Franklin Co. NC(1804)

 

This indenture made the 6th March in the year of Lord
one thousand eight hundred and four Between Shem Cooke
of the county of Granville and State of N. Carolina of the
one part and William Cooke of the county of Franklin and
State aforesaid fo the other part.  Witnesseth that for and
In consideration of the sum of one hundred and fifty pounds
Current money of Virginia by the same William Cooke to
the said Shem Cooke in hand paid, the receipt whereof
is hereby fully acknowledged the said Shem Cooke
hath bargained  & sold by these presence doth grant
bargain & sell unto the said William Cooke his heirs
& assigns a certain piece or parcel of land lying &
being in the county of Franklin aforesaid on the south 
Side of Tar River, Beginning at a Beach on the
River bank running South 206 pole along Davis's
line thence East 206 poles then North 45 degrees
West along Bennetts line to the beginning Containing
by estimation 131 acres be the same more or less to
have & to hold the aforesaid 131 acres with the apper-
tenances & improvements thereunto belonging to him the 
said William Cooke his heir & assigns forever & the said
Shem Cooke his heirs and assigns doth hereby
agree with the said William Cooke that the Said William
his heirs and assigns will forever hereafter presumably
occupy and possess the aforesaid granted premises free
from all incumbrances whatsoever and the said Shem Cooke 

doth ablige himself and his heirs and assigns defend the aforesaid 

granted lands & promises to him the said Will-

iam Cooke his heirs and assignes forever against the claims 

of  all persons whatsoever in witness where of the 

said Shem Cooke hath hereunto set his hand
and seal the day and year above written
Signed Sealed & Delivered    Shem Cooke (Seal)

In presence of
J. Knights                 Jureat
Joseph Jenkins

Franklin County  Sept Session 1804

The within Deed was exhibited in open

court and duly proved by the oaths of

Jonathan Knight and on motion ordered 

to be recorded

Test                            G. Hill J C C

The foregoing Deed is truly

registered   Test           Jer Perry P.R.

"North Carolina Deed records or real estate conveyances, 1779-1951, and index, grantor and grantee, 1776-1949," entry for Shem Cooke to William Cook, 6 March 1804, digital image, 155 of 797, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G96M-W3J1?i=154&cat=181225 : accessed 12 January 2024); Franklin County, North Carolina, Register of Deeds, "Deed Book, v. 12-15 1783-1811," 12:109; FHL microfilm 427052.

Transcription Homestead Application No 7026 Lawrence Co Ark

Below is my transcription of the documents contained within the Land Entry Case File No 7026 of W. C. Cook. This may or may not be my Wm C Cook...or anyone related to him with the same name.
I do not have enough information to draw a conclusion though I will say at this point it does seem unlikely given where I would expect him to be in 1873 and 1874.

Lawrence County Arkansas Homestead Application
of William C Cook application No. 7026


Homestead Application


William C Cook
Little Rock Arkansas
July 27th 1874
Section 12 Town 18 N Range 3 W
canceled October the 11th 1881
letter of R&R No. 61682 Sept 14 81

additional markings:

2-151 WDD

__________Page Break__________

Homestead
Application No. 7026 Land office Little Rock
July 27th 1874

I, W(illiam) C Cook, of Lawrence County
Arkansas, do hereby apply to enter, under the provisions
of the act of Congress approved May 20, 1862, entitled “An act to secure
homesteads to actual settlers on the public domain,” the SE ¼
of Section 12 in Township 18N of
Range 3W, containing One Hundred & Thirty acres

(Signed) W C Cook

:Land Office of Little Rock Ark
July 27th 1874

I Geo W Denison, register of the Land Office
do hereby certify that the above application is for Surveyed Lands of the
class which the application is legally entitled to enter under the Homestead
Act of May 20, 1862, and that there is no prior, valid, adverse right to the
same.
(Signed) Geo W Denison
Register

__________Page Break__________

Receiver’s Receipt No 7026 Application No. 7026
Homestead

Receiver’s Office, Little Rock Ark
July 27 1874
Received of William C Cook the sum
of fourteen dollars —---cents;
being the amount of fee and compensation of Register and Receiver for the
entry of South East ¼
of Section 12 in
Township 18 North of Range 3 West, under
the act of Congress approved May 30 1862, entitled, “An act to secure home-
steads to actual settlers on the public domain.”

(Signed) Henry M Cooper Receiver

$14.00

__________Page Break__________

Homestead
(affidavit)
Land Office at _________________________
_____________________________________ 187?

I W(illiam) C Cook of Lawrence County
having filed my application, No 7026, for an entry under the
provisions of the act of Congress approved May 20, 1862, entitled “An act
to secure homesteads to actual settlers on the public domain.” do solemnly
swear, that I am a citizen of the US and the head of a family
that owing to the distance & expense it is impossible
for me to go to Little Rock & make this sworn statement
before Register & Receiver and that I am actual settler on the SE ¼
of Section 12 in Township 18 North Range 3 West
that said application No.7026, is made for the purpose of actual
settlement and cultivation; that said entry is made for my own exclusive
benefit and not directly or indirectly for the benefit or use of any other
person or persons whomsoever; neither have I heretofore perfected or
abandoned an entry made under this act.
(signed) W C Cook

Sworn to and subscribed this 12rd day
of Sept 1873? Before Mr Wm McBryde
County Clerk of Lawrence County & I certify
That W C Cook is a bonafide citizen of Lawrence
County Witness my hand and affixed seal
this day above written
Wm McBryde Clerk
By J P Coffin D C.

__________Page Break__________

Non Mineral Affidavit
County of Lawrence
State of Arkansas

William C Cook being
duly sworn according to the law deposes
and says that he is the identical W C
Cook who is an applicant for forenamed?
title to the SE 1/4 of Section 12 in T18
N R 3 West, that he is well acquainted
with the Character of said described land
and with each and every subdivision
thereof having frequently passed over the
same, that his knowledge of said land
is such as to enable him to testify understanding
with regard thereto that there is not to his
knowledge within the limits thereof, any
vine or lode of quartz or other rock in
place bearing gold, silver, cinnabar, lead, tin
or copper, or any deposit of coal that
there is not within the limits of said land
to his knowledge, any placer cement
gravel or other valuable mineral deposit
that no portion of said land is claimed
for mining purposes under the local
customs or rules of mines? or otherwise
that no portion of said land is worked
for mineral during any part of the
year by any person or persons that said
land is essentially non mineral land
and that his application therefore is

__________Page Break__________

not made for the purpose of fraudulently
obtaining title to mineral land, but
with the object of securing said land
for agricultural purposes
W C Cook

Subscribed and sworn to before me this 23rd
day of September A D 1873 and
I hereby certify that with the foregoing
affidavit was read to the said W
C Cook previous to his name
being subscribed thereto; and that
deponent is a respectable person
to whose affidavit full faith and credit should be given
Wm McBryde Clerk
By J P Coffin D.C.
(seal)

Source:
Document retrieval by Gopher Records from
National Archives Washington DC 

Records of the Bureau of Land Management 

Record Group 49 

Pre-1908 Land Entry Files 

Arkansas Little Rock 

Homestead (Cancelled) 

Application No. 7026

W. C. Cook

A Cancelled Land Transaction in an Arkansas Tract Book

Over Thanksgiving break, I found an entry in the US Bureau of Land Management Tract Books for a William C Cook. The transaction is noted as cancelled on Oct 14th 1881. This makes sense as Wm C Cook passed in January of 1882 and his wife Elizabeth died from a fall in September of 1880. William & Elizabeth's older sons traveled to Arkansas in the early 1880s. Cass B Cook, youngest son of William Clifford Cook received the family bible which contained several clippings that seemed to suggest that might have been planned to travel to Arkansas during the 1870s.  I was able to come up with that date by finding digitized papers which contained the ads using my Newspapers.com subscription.

"United States Bureau of Land Management Tract Books, 1800-c. 1955," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9W3-7QR8?cc=2074276&wc=M7W3-VM9%3A356162401%2C356168701 : 12 June 2023), Arkansas > Vol 10 > image 161 of 313; Records Improvement, Bureau of Land Management, Washington D.C.

At Newspapers.com

I've placed an order with a document retrieval company for the Case Entry File of the cancelled transaction of William C Cook.  Hopefully, the file can be found.  While I'm waiting I took the time to look at the transactions surrounding the cancelled one of Cook as well as to note the names and locations of those on adjacent land.   I did this using the search at Bureau of Land Management's General Land Office Records search.

HistoryGeo,com makes it easier to see the earliest land owners.

Section 12
Township 18N Range 3W

One interesting find so far is the Benj. F Austin.  I am familiar with him.  In 1850, the ancestors of several of my DNA matches were living in Dickson Co TN.  These matches have ancestry in common with the Hall, Estes, Cathey, Marsh and Goodwin lines of that area.  I've yet to determine the exact connection but can tell my connection to those matches comes from my PGF's ancestors. At this point I feel like they are more likely in the King / Manire line judging by the shared matches rather than in the Cook line. but with tangled roots it's hard to say for sure.  😀

I would recommend the book Land and Property Research in the United States by E. Wade Hone for anyone who is researching ancestry in the US.  It was very helpful in finding answers about where to look and what documents to expect.  You should be able to find it at several of the online bookstores and maybe even at your local library. Consult WorldCat, Bookfinder, Thriftbooks or your favorite search engine.  If you use the Chrome Browser, you might also find the Library Extension useful when searching for books.

Joseph Cook Registers a Land Purchase in Franklin Co NC(Sept. 1803)

I've found yet another mention of David T W Cook.  This one is as a witness to the sale of land to Joseph Cook with whom he frequently appears around the time period of the early 1800s. 

Franklin Co NC Deed Book 12 was microfilmed by North Carolina Dept. of Archives and History in 1964.  FamilySearch has it and the other deed books in their digital film collection as Franklin County, North Carolina, Deed records or real estate conveyances, 1779-1951, and index, grantor and grantee, 1776-1949.  Film #427052 contains Deeds, book 12-15 1783-1811.  I wanted to see Deed Book 12 page 96 which the index said contained the recorded deed for land conveyed from Robert & Bennett Duke to Joseph Cook.  That page was Image 137 of 797 hosted on FamilySearch. The land is "on the waters of the Tar River. " The deed mentions Kelly's line and Mill Creek along with more specific measurements to the land which contains 140 acres. The Dukes sold the land for 635 Spanish milled dollars.

See:  https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L96M-W3DB?cat=181225

Signed sealed & delivered & acknowledged

In presence of
David T W Cook
John Hayes
J Cook 
By 
Robert Duke (seal)
B. Duke  (seal)
Franklin County(NC)
September Session 1803
The foregoing deed was exhibeted and
duly proved by the oath of John Cook
and on th Motion ordered to be Registered
This Deed is Duly Registered 
Test    G. Hill C C
Test    J Hill P R

 I have several other posts about David T W Cook some of which include several occasions where he was a witness for Joseph or Joseph was a witness for him.  You can find these by doing a search of posts using the search box in the upper left corner of this blog.

This is the first time that I have noticed another Cook other than Joseph listed along with David T W Cook.  Not sure if that means anything or not.

Thomas & Francis Adcock Deed 40 Acres in Dekalb Co TN to A E Adcock

"Deed books, 1838-1897; deed index books, 1838-1968"
Dekalb Co TN Register of Deeds
Filmed by TSLA, 1969.
digitized by FamilySearch.org
Dekalb Co TN Deed books, v. M-N 1876-1880 Film 593066 DGS 8320320
Image 285 of 714 Dekalb Co TN Deed Book M page 529
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSTM-33B9-T

Thomas Adcock & Wife 

Deed to A E Adcock

Know all men by these presents that we Thomas Adcock and wife Francis Adcock have this day bargained and sold transferred and conveyed to A E Adcock and his heirs and representative all the right title and claim we have in and to a certain tract or parcel of land lying and being in District # 7 Dekalb County Tennessee for the consideration of one hundred dollars to us in hand paid the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged and known as one half of the Webb Lands and bounded as follows to wit on the North by William Pinegar on the South by the lands of Tilford Glenn on the west by the lands of W R Dunham and the widow Neal on the East by the lands of N E Adcock we covenant with the said A E Adcock his heirs and representatives that we are lawfully seized of said lands and have a good right to convey the same and we also warrant and defend the right and title of said land to A E Adcock his heirs and signs forever hereunto we wright our hands and seal this Dec 1st 1877

Thomas Adcock
Francis Adcock

State of Tennessee To N Z Judkins Esquire you are hereby authorized
Dekalb County and impowered to take the examination of Francis
Adcock wife of Thom Adcock relative to her free
execution of the annexed instrument and the s--- so
taken to certify under your hand and seal witness E J Evans Clerk of the county court of said county at office this 1st day of Dec 1877 E J Evans Clerk

Francis Adcock wife of Thomas Adcock having personally appeared before me and having by virtue of the authority in me vested been examined privately and apart from her said husband and she having acknowledged the due execution of the answered judgement by her freely voluntarily and understandingly with out compulsion or constraint by her said husband and for the purpose there in expressed the same is therefore certified witness my hand and seal this 1st day of Dec 1877.
N Z Judkins
Justice of Peace Dekalb County Tenn.

State of Tennessee }Personally appeared before me E.J. Evans clerk of the county
Dekalb County }Court of Dekalb County Tennessee Thomas Adcock the
within named bargainer with whom I am personally
with and he acknowledged the within deed to be his act
& Deed for the purpose there in contained Dec 30 1877
E J Evans Clerk

Recevd the above deed of conveyance from Thomas Adcock & Wife
To A E Adcock with the clerk & commissioner certificate
thereto on 3rd inst. at 10 o'clock A M and Noted in
Note Book to Page 254 and duly recorded in Book M
Page 527 done at office 3rd December 1877 J B Atwell Register for Dekalb County Tennessee.

Land Sale in Versailles(TN)--1819

Transcribed from an advertisement announcing land for sale in Versailles, Tennessee.  (see source below transcription)

The Town of Versailles.

The undersigned, Trustees, having laid off. 
and agreed to sell
Fifty Half Acre Lots,
In the Above named Town,
will proceed, on the
First Thursday in March next,

On a credit of twelve months, to sell the said
Lots on the premises

Versailles is situate in Williamson

County. adjacent to the place where
the county-lines of Williamson, Rutherford
and Bedford counties unite.--This place, has
heretofore been known by the name of Ray's
Horse Mill. The public road leading from
Florence Through Columbia to Murfreesboro'
passes through Versailles, as also the
roads from Pulaski to Jefferson from Win-
chester to Franklin, and from Nashville to
Shelbyville, etc etc--Versailles is situ-
ate 33 miles from Columbia, 28 miles from
Franklin, 38 miles from Nashville, 18 miles
from Shelbyville, 15 miles from the Fishing
Ford on Duck River, and 14 from Murfrees-
bourough.

The neighborhood of Versailles taken
as a whole, is happy in its local situation. The
surrounding country produces, not only the
comforts, but the luxuries of life, in the great-
est and most plentiful abundance. This
district seems to possess a peculiar excel-
lence for the culture of cotton and tobacco,
which are its two principal exportable com-
modities. The land is equal to any in the
famed Alabama Territory, and
Could nature's bounty satisfy the breast,
The sons of New Versailles were surely blest.
The "planter's toil" will be as well repaid
by cultivating the soil of this neighborhood
as in any part of the western county. We
forbear, however to expatiate further upon
the advantages of Versailles and its
neighborhood, which all those wishing to sa-
tisfy themselves of, can ascertain by attend-
ing at the day of sale.

It is known that the counties of Ruther-
ford, Williamson, Maury and Bedford, pos-
sess more territory than their constitutional
limits, and if a new county should hereafter
be laid, Versailles will without doubt,
become the seat of justice for the new coun-
ty. With a view to the happening of this
very probable event, the town has been laid
off with a large public square, for the erec-
tion of public buildings, and lots will also be
reserved for the use of an academy, church,
etc. which are given by way of donation by
the proprietors.

The town is watered by several excellent
spring, which never fail in the driest sea-
sons; and in fact, in every other respect,
presents a most handsome opening for the
farmer, the merchant, the speculator and
mechanic.

Trustees:
Francis Jackson
Azariah Kimbro
A B Potts
J.O.K Wood

January 25--54-2w.

Source:  “The Town of Versailles” The Clarion and Tennessee State Gazette, 26 Jan 1819, p. 4, col. 3; digital images, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com : accessed 4 Dec 2021).

Joseph Cook of Greene Co GA Land Records

 Expanding further on the Joseph Cook of Greene Co GA referenced in the previous blog post

It appears that the Joseph Cook of Green Co(GA) had land dealings with Milly Mann. As referenced on page 77 of the book in the source listed below.

Source:  Davidson, Grace Gillam. 1997. Early Records of Georgia - Vol II - Wilkes County. Baltimore, MD: Genealogical Publishing Company. p. 77. Available At Google Books 

Pg. 288--Cook, Joseph to Milly Mann, Both of Wilkes Co., bill of sale for slaves Andrew and Jenny, household goods etc. Dec 21 1790. Presley Rucker, Benj, Bragg, Thos. Kennedy, test.

Pg. 289--Cook, Joseph of Greene Co., to Milly Mann of Wilkes Co., 200 acres on Buffalo fork of Long creek purchased by said Milly from Nathan Nalls and Benj. Allen adj both and Edmond Jourdin.  Dec. 26, 1790 Presley Rucker, Benj. Bragg, Thos Kennedy, test

Pg. 291--Cook, Joseph of Greene Co. to Milly Mann of Wilkes Co., 400 acres on Cosby's creek, orig grant from the Gov. to said Milly, Dec 28, 1790.  Henry Hill, John Fannin, Presley Rucker, test.

Pg. 292--Cook, Joseph of Greene Co., to Milly Mann of Wilkes Co., 400 acres on Matthews Creek orig grant to said Milly Dec 28, 1790 Henry Hill, John Fannin, Presley Rucker, test.

pg. 294--Cook, Joseph of Greene Co. to Milly Mann of Wilkes Co.,400 acres on Big creek orig grant to said Milly, Dec. 28, 1790 Henry Hill, John Fannin Presley Rucker, test.

Pg. 306--Cook, Joseph of Greene Co. to Wm. Stubblefield of Wilkes Co., bill of sale for slave Simon. Feb 30(sic) 1791. Peter Stubblefield, E Bradley, test.

More info on Jackson Co GA land of Shem Cook

Shem Cook Bounty Land Record
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9YMM-FDD?i=510&cc=1914217

Source: "Georgia, Headright and Bounty Land Records, 1783-1909," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9YMM-FDD?cc=1914217&wc=M617-R3F%3A200589401 : 22 June 2020), Headright and bounty documents 1783-1909, Cone, Aaron-Cooner, James > image 511 of 546; Georgia State Archives, Morrow.

Misc Records, Jackson Co GA

October 8 1799 Joseph Cook of Greene County, to John Depriest of Jackson Cty., adm. of Shem Cook, Decd., land on Walnut fork of Oconee River, Being in the Continental Reserve, granted as bounty to Shem Cook May 24, 1784.  Test G W Foster, John Gilmer.

Source: Miscellaneous records, Jackson County, Georgia--by Joseph T Maddox & Mary Carter imaged on FamilySearch https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/records/item/791097-miscellaneous-records-jackson-county-georgia?offset=22 

Book p. 54(digital image 60)

Found in Jackson Co GA Deed Index
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSQQ-SSFK-L?i=34&cat=228627
An index listing of the above mentioned land with an additional note that it was recorded 24th Feb 1800.in Book AAB pg 276.

This raises more questions and I need to find the Deed Book mentioned above in which it was recorded.

This almost sounds like a quit claim.  

William C Cook Witnesses Deed Bedford Co. TN (Dec 1843)

My 2nd Great Grandfather William C Cook as a witness to a Deed. 

Persons involved:

Thomas B Carlton--Bargainer (Bedford Co. TN)

James T Byler--Trustee for Meeting House (Williamson Co. TN)

Thomas Cole --Trustee for Meeting House (Williamson Co. TN)

Renwick Gault-- Trustee for Meeting House (Bedford Co TN)

William C Cook--Witness

Ivey Phillips--Witness

Robert Hurst--Clerk Bedford Co. 

Andrew Vannoy--Registrar Bedford Co.

Dates Mentioned:

Bargained--23 Dec 1843

Witnessed by Clerk 2 Dec 1844

Received, Noted & Registered 2 Feb 1845.

Land:  26 poles x 14 poles rectangular tract containing 2 acres more or less

Source:

Bedford County, Tennessee deed books and index, 1808-1966; imaged at FamilySearch on Deeds v. OO-QQ Jan 1845-May 1849 image 38 of 775(Original Record Deed Book "OO" pg 26) 

pg 26 

Thos B Carlton to Jas T Byler & Other Trustees to Meeting house

This indenture made the twenty third day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty three, Between Thomas B Carlton of the County of Bedford and State of Tennessee of the one part and James T Byler of the County of Williamson and State aforesaid and Thomas Cole of the County of Williamson and state aforesaid, and Renwick Gault of the County of Bedford and state aforesaid of the other part as commissioners, witnesseth for and in the consideration sum of five dollars to me in hand paid, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, hath given, granted and bargained sold aliened conveyed and confirmed, unto the said Byler, Cole and Gault as commissioners of a Liberty Meeting house, and to their successors in office forever, a certain tract or parcel of land, the rail timber reserved for said Carlton lying and being in the county of Bedford and state aforesaid on the waters of Duck River Bounded as follows(viz) Beginning on a red bud running East twenty six poles to a pin oak, thence South fourteen poles to a red bud, thence West Twenty Six poles to a rock, thence North fourteen poles to the beginning.  Containing by estimation two acres be the same more or less.  To have and to hold all and singular the rights profits, endearments hereditaments and appetences of and unto the same belonging or in any wise incident or appertaining to the only proper use of a Liberty Meeting House and behoof of them the said commissioners and heir successors in office forever.  I the said Thomas B B Carlton for myself my heirs and assignees doth covenant and agree to and with the said commissioners and their successors in office forever that the before recited land and bargained premises he will warrant and forever defend unto the said commissioners and their successors in office forever against the right, title, interest or claim of every person or persons claiming the same or any part thereof.  In Witness where of the said Thomas B Carlton doth hereinto set his hand and fix his seal this day and year above written, for the  use of a Liberty meeting house for all Orthodox Christians to preach in and have churches in, the first church to have its days unmolested and so on in Succession 

---Thomas B Carlton

Attest 

William C Cook

Ivey Phillips

(For Certificate see next page)

pg 27 

State of Tennessee

Bedford County

Personally appeared before me Robert Hurst Clerk of the County Court of said County Thomas B Carlton the bargainor to the foregoing deed with whom I'm personally acquainted and who acknowledged that he executed the foregoing deed for the purposed therein contained.

Witness my hand at office this 2nd day of Dec 1844------Robt Hurst Clerk

Rec'd & noted Feby 1st 1845 at 11 o'clock A M

Registered Feby 1st 1845   Andrew Vannoy Register

Another David T W Cook sighting

Went looking thru the land deeds for Franklin Co NC at FamilySearch.  I focused on the ones covering 1800-1825 for the most part.  Found more of David T W Cook's paper trail 

(you will want to log in to FamilySearch before clicking on links--it's free)

Franklin Co NC Deeds

https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/181225?availability=Family%20History%20Library

Cook indexed Entries start at 

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-896S-Q9F8?i=154&cat=181225

David TW Cook to John Person deed identifies the land as land which David TW Cook bought from John Davis of South Carolina. (Description included in entry)

Amount of Land: 150 acres
Purchase Price: $310
Bargain made: Oct 12 1802
Recorded: Sept 1804 session
Witnesses: Francis Taylor and Joseph Cook

Direct links to images 461 & 462 (Franklin Co NC Deed Book 3 pg 259 & 260)
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G96M-N9HK?i=460&cat=181225
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-996M-N9Q6?i=461&cat=181225


Joseph Cook Deed to John McLeroy Jr.(Franklin Co NC Deed Book 15 pg 5)
Amount of Land: 156 acres
Purchase Price: $936
Bargain Made: 17 Jan 1809
Recorded: June Session 1809
Witnesses: Richard Jones and J Person

Direct link to image 592 (Book 15 pg 5)
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L96M-WQN5?i=591&cat=181225

In Franklin Co NC Deed Book 16 pg 211 there is an entry which is indexed as David Cook and Joseph Cook and their wives to Benj L Rainey. Looking at the document you can see it contains corrections using editing marks that show the surnames as Crook. The wives names are Rebecca and Eliza which doesn't come remotely close to being the names of either Joseph or David's wives(which were Tamor and Lydia.)
Direct link to the entry:
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-896M-HHQF?i=147&cat=181225

Sheriff's Sale involving Anglins--Rutherford Co. TN--November 1833

By virtue of two orders of sale to me directed from the county court of Rutherford county, I will sell for cash at the court-house door in the town of Murfreesborough on Saturday the (blank) day of November next, all the right, title, claim and interest that Beverly Harris has in and to a certain tract or parcel of land, lying in the said county of Rutherford, beginning at a stake on D. McRay's line, thence with said line to a cedar corner, thence west to Wendell's line, thence south to an elm, thence east to an elm. thence north ot a walnut and oak, thence west to the beginning, containing 35 acres, to satisfy two judgments, one in favor of Zepheniah Anglin, and one in favor of Anderson Anglin, sale about 12 o'clock.

Geo. S. Crockett Sh'ff
Rutherford County

Source:  "Sheriff's Sales"  National Banner and Daily Advertiser(Nashville, Tennessee) Wed. September 4, 1833 page 3 col 3; imaged at Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com) accessed Dec 20, 2019

Middle TN Land Grant No 3793--Land Sold

Land Grant of a William C Cook in Bedford County Tennessee. My 2nd Great Grandfather W C Cook would have only been about 16 yrs old at the time of the sale so I do not believe it is him however it may be a relative.

North Carolina and Tennessee, Early Land Records, 1753-1931 (Ancestry)
Browse to Middle TN Land Grants:  Roll 100 Book 5  Image 126 of 474
(Original Grant to William C Cook)

Sale of that land to Samuel J Noblin in May 1827 by William C Cook
Deeds v. X-Y Apr 1827-Aug 1828  pg 144 of book (FamilySearch)
Image 90 of 477 (Sale recorded in Bedford Co Books)