Prosser died sometime between February and
May of 1823. A transcription of his Will and many of the original estate
documents can be found at the Jackson County Historical Society Archives.
His wife's Will can also be found at the Jackson County archives. Both
Wills name their children.
|
In the name of God, Amen
First.
Second.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my
hand and seal this 29th day of November in the year of our
Lord One thousand Eight hundred and twenty. Signed, sealed in the presence of: Charles Doughtry (Dougherty) E.Price John
Young
Prosser Horton, L.S. |
The appraisers of his estate were John Randolph, Sr., Clabourn Maddox and Adam Williamson. Jacob Braselton, as Justice of the
Peace, signed the document. Jacob
Braselton Jr., James Cochran and
John Young signed the official
appraisers' document.
His extensive estate included the usual
livestock and household items but also over 50 books covering religion,
geography, grammar and chemistry. A 12 volume encyclopedia is noted. Prosser and his family were likely well
educated.
Some of the more interesting tidbits
gleaned from the Will and estate documents:
- Expenses to the executor for traveling to Alabama to tend to apple trees in Tuscaloosa. Another document
showing that the "nursery of
apple trees" was rented to Amos
Warner.[1]
Another document indicates the trees were located "in the town of
Tuscaloosa". William
Duncan[2] and
Davenport Vokes names are
listed. See "Oldest Known Letter From Tuscaloosa" below.
- Bed & Furniture bought by William Bell for Mrs. Horton (which
Mrs. Horton?).
- James
Hemphill bought a bed from
Prosser Horton.
- An interesting purchase was made by Jacob Braselton who paid 81 cents
for a "Church History".
Prosser was apparently a learned man as there were a number of books about
religion, geography and law among his personal property that was sold to
various buyers.
- Another book listed as "Wesley Sermons"
was purchased by James Horton.
- Truman
Kellogg bought a book listed as
"Explanation of N. Testament".
- Fletcher
Horton bought a book listed as
"Introduction to Christianity".
- A portrait of St. Paul was purchased by James
Horton.
- A book listed as "Georgia Justice" was
purchased by Noah Strong.
This is probably Reverend Noah
Strong (b.1800;d.1858). Noah was from Connecticut and he was one
of the early city councilmen for the city of Cumming, Georgia in 1845. He is buried in the Cumming
City Cemetery.
- Note to Prosser from David Cotton for rent of house and land.
- Payments made to Thomas S. Price (Legacy for his wife).
- Buyers of cattle sold to them in the state of
Alabama - Elijah Nunn, William Clements (1824).
- The land in Wilkinson
County was still in the Horton family in 1906 when Mrs. M.M. Horton,
widow of Prosser (III?) was attempting to sell the land.
FULL LIST
OF NAMES LISTED IN THE ESTATE DOCUMENTS FOR PROSSER HORTON
(Listed in the order in which they appear)
|
Pheraby
Horton Fletcher
Horton Prosser
Horton Sarah
Horton William
Clements Sarah
Glenn Jerome
T. Flanigan William
M. Flanigan Washington
Allen, son in law James
Hemphill executor William
Bell executor Charles
Dougherty, witness E.Price,
witness John
Young, witness William
Cowan William
Cureton Merritt
Chandler David
Cotton Nathaniel
Hall John
Hall Charles
Price Jr Thomas
S. Price for wife Feraby (Pheraby) Hendrick
Lumpkin John
Cavender E.Price
(probably Ezekial) Jordan
Lacy Abraham
Coker Ezekial
Price James
Blackstock Adam
Williamson Elijah
Nunn William
Murphy Camak
Ragland James
Glenn John
Whitmire George
Weems Benj.
McCutcheon Francis
Meriwhether (Attorney) Oliver
Shaw John
Randolph Clayborn
Maddox William
B. Bell Thomas
Wally Alexander
Reid Bryant
or Brant Ethridge John
Young James
Cawhron Thomas
Niblack |
Ezekial
Price Truman
Kellogg Robert
Orr John
Collins James
Cochran Jerimiah
Waitts Sylveness
Couch James
W. Cook James
Couch Charles
Davenport John
Moon Larkin
Strickland Thomas
Reamey John
Spruce Clayborn
Harris Lewis
Pyron Ruth
Frost Thomas
Treadaway James
Mayo William
Kelley Thomas
Morgan William
Perry James
Bronham John
Moore William
Murphy Henry
Mann John
Weems Williford
Grogan Jesse
Lott Lewis
Barker Beverly
Hudgens Nathaniel
Jarrett Charles
Doughterty Stephen
Butterworth Isaac
Busson Joseph
Hampton Robert
Dowdy James
Hemphill Jacob
Braselton Jr. James
Brinton William
W. Crawford Thomas
Reamey John
Tims James
Horton Nathaniel
Jarrett James
Cavendert Alexander
Reed |
FULL LIST
OF NAMES (Cont'd)
|
John
Tims Fletcher
Horton William
Stewart Alexander
Flannigan John
Tarrant or Trent Samuel
Chapman Isaac
Betts James
Glenn William
Bell Truman
Kellogg Jesse
Horton E.
Barker Elizabeth
Glenn Joseph
Shaw Daniel
Blackstock Noah
Strong William
L Brant or Bryant George
Williamson Sarah
Horton Jacob
Braselton Joseph
McCallister or McLister Fletcher
Horton |
John
Epperson Elias
Putnam James
Hemphill Larkin
Strickland John
Young John
Torrance Jesse
Lott William
Mann Anderson
Glenn John
Moore Truman
Kellogg Francis
McBride William
Duncan John
Coblens Jeremiah
Wright Cicero
Holt Samuel
Niblack Beverly
Allen Benjamin
Mote Allen
Mathews, Attorney Beverly
Hudgins Thomas
Walley |
|
OLDEST KNOWN LETTER FROM TUSCALOOSA Friend Peter, I duly received your
letter of the 1st of April with a great deal of satisfaction. To hear
from friends so dear to me produced sensations. I must say I seldom
experience in this half made wilderness -- by the by -- Let me introduce an
old Bostonian, Mr. Ackers to you. He has been in the same store with me
all the season. He is a fine Fellow and I need not add we are great
cronies. We left Boston in the same vessel and have hung together ever
since -- perhaps he will amuse you with details of our Pilgrimage. Mr.
Taft is in Boston I expect by this time. Give my best respects to him
if so, and say we are all well here. You ask how I can content myself
in such a place. I can only say my hard fortune is such that where I
would otherwise be most content there is least of the "one thing
needful" as you express it it's Hobson's choice. I hope you have
by this time some favorable symptoms of "Dame Fortune's recovering her
long lost sight". For my own part I have been so long under the
influence of her Daughter Miss Fortune that I think but little of the old
lady, and can say at least that the daughter is the mere constant of the two.
-- but don't think Peter I mean to marry the hussy -- for I can never think
of that only when I am in the dumps, which you well know is seldom. Ask
Mr. Tilden and Mr. Badlan to bring down a bottle of their best gin and wine
and imagine me among you and let's take a social drink together again.
You Peter be my representative. You advise me not to stay here thru the
summer and recommend Boston air once a year at least. Excellent
physican: How palatable at least is your prescription. I'll try
to follow it, but, alas, I doubt. I am sorry to hear you
were sick after I left home, but really Peer I do almost envy you your
nursing. I assure you I can pretty nearly appreciate the kindness of Mrs.
H in your nursing. You wish me as much blest here, but ' tis in
vain. The 1 board with the finest woman in the place, Mrs. Bunton
formerly Miss Whiting -- both from Boston -- but in point of society I am
very far from being a subject of envy. Give my love to Mrs. Hawthorne
and Letty -- Mrs. Bell and Ann-- remember me to all my old friends in the
house, Mr. Tilden Badian, Smith, Harris , xxxx and don't forget Rhoda who
sent her love with the rest. Remember me to George the third and say I
am much obliged to him for the honors conferred on me this time -- I have
nothing of import to communicate by way of news. Everything remains as before
except it is not as "Beelzebubs Back Kitchen in Dog days"
here. This is a very healthy spot I think and on the whole a very
pleasant one, not so xxxx as the climate of Georgia and more healthy.
My condition seems somewhat ameliorated of late. I have a glass , tumbler
a pitch and a 5 gal demijohn of rum. I have several good fellows for
associates among them is Mr. T. F. Burrroughs of Boston--a merchant here- but
alas no pretty girls. I am determined to marry the next time I go on xxxx
which I hope will be the coming fall. It is not good for a man to be
alone, you know. The volume sent by Mr.
Smith I believe is on its way up the river but cannot get here for want of
water. Business has been dull in the extreme -- Money scarce.
Cotton worth 12cents, I have just heard from Providence R. I. I find religion
the xxx of the days there. My informant says 600 persons come over
to the faith in two months. Look out for failures now: Some
mischief brewing, I fear -- for Prov. is a curious place -- I hope you will
write on rect. of this for it is probable I shall at all events stay here
long enough to get a letter from you.. I should have written some time since
to Mr. Tilden but could not give him anything more favorable as respects the
county -- it is only fit for a u---d poor fellow like myself as that I should
do wrong to encourage anyone, much more a friend to waste any portion
of their lives in such miserable country. You will please plead my
excuse. I mean, the I have seen
as neglectful theretofore, to write you oftener in the future, and my taking
week for it at leisure times perhaps I can make my letters more interesting
to you in spite of the "The--- tidings of the times.: But I well
know that you will find a very correct walking journal in my friend Mr.
Ackers which will make up for all deficiencies. Sister H. will please
give my love to my intended, tell her I remain true as the needle to the
pole. I have had many pleasant
games of whist with the cards you gave me, in company with Mr. Tufts. I
must add I always thought I was more lucky with them than any others.
Remember me Peter in your morning arisens and evening glasses and believe me
most sincerely. Your friend till death
and afterward. Amos Warner From Amos Warner Tuscaloosa, June 18,
1820 To Peter Wainwright, Esq. Boston, Mass 15 Newberry St. Mr. D.H. Ackers.
___________________________________________________________________________ The state of Alabama was officially formed in 1819 and Tuscaloosa was
its early capital city. Like Jackson County, GA, it truly was the edge
of the frontier. |
Figure 1
Oldest Known Letter From Tuscaloosa Alabama
(Alabama
State Archives)
Prosser's widow Sarah contested the Will
on March 23, 1823 for several reasons: 1) She claimed that he was not of sound
mind and disposing memory; 2) That he had already disposed of some of the
bequeathed property; 3) That he was heard to have said that he was not
satisfied with the Will; and, 4) There was a great deal of property that he
possessed at the time of his death that was not disposed of at all. She
sought to invalidate the Will. Hugh
Montgomery[3]
was one of the Judges that heard the complaint.[4]
Sarah Horton died on March 15,
1834. Some of the documents for her estate can be found at the
Jackson County Historical Society archives. Her maiden name is
unknown. Her son Prosser (Jr)
and Elijah Oliver provided bond and
Prosser (Jr) was the executor of her estate. Buyers were Zachariah Eckridge, John Randolph, John Watts, Adam Williamson
and Alexander D. Ethridge. Payments
were made to Wm. Cowan and Jacob Braselton. Jacob Braselton appears to have been one of the appraisers.
The Georgia Journal,
May 13, 1823
(Georgia
Historic Newspapers)
The Georgia Journal (Milledgeville), July 27, 1824
(Georgia
Historic Newspapers)
Southern Recorder, June 5, 1830
(Georgia Historic Newspapers)
The Athenian, July 20, 1830
(Georgia Historic Newspapers)
The Athenian, February 1, 1831
(Georgia Historic Newspapers)
The Athenian, September 20, 1831
(Georgia Historic Newspapers)
The Athenian, January 3, 1832
(Georgia
Historic Newspapers)
[1] The
University of Alabama has a transcription written by Amos Warner dated in 1820
stating that it is the oldest letter from Tuscaloosa known to exist. Amos
was from Boston, Massachusetts. See transcription above.
[2] There
is a William Lane Duncan (War of 1812 soldier) that married Sarah Horton.
Sarah is said to be from Orange County, NC (son of Thomas). William and
Sarah were married in Elbert County, GA.
[3]
Brother of James McConnell Montgomery – The James M. Montgomery of Fort
Peachtree/Standing Peachtree near present day Atlanta.
[4] Faye
Stone Poss, Jackson County, Georgia Will Abstracts, Books A & B, 1803-1888, (Wolfe
Publishing)
(This page was updated on 10/6/2021)