Numerous Barbour County, AL probate records were located on George Monroe Howell, (1855-1933) and John Edward Howell, (1857-1902), sons of Turner Howell, (1831-1907) and Mary Jane Wise, (1838-1908). Summaries of some of those are documented as follows: >From book 28, pg. 124, on 21 January 1896, G. M. Howell promised to pay $70.00 to the Foy brothers for one black cow named Cherry, in order to make a crop on Betsy Drishels plantation. The note was paid in full, 19 May 1897. >From book 28, pg. 125, on 21 January 1896, G. W. Murphy promised to pay G. M. Howell $152.65 for one black mule about 5 years old, named Alex. >From book 27, pg., 278, recorded 1 January 1896, Andy McElroy promised to pay John E. Howell $105.25 for one black mare mule named Queen and a crop of cotton, cotton seed, fodder, and sugar cane. It was noted as paid in full 10 November 1897. 6 April 1900, a lien was recorded on G. M. Howell for $77.62. Collateral used was one sorrel white face mare named Fanny, one white speckled colt and interest in a one-horse wagon. >From book 38, pg. 299, recorded 2 February 1901. On 24 Dec 1900, a contract was entered into between George Monroe Howell and Walker Howard. Howell agrees to give $7.00 per month and two acres of ground, $4.00 at the end of the month if not taken for. Howell agrees to let him have al of his cottonseed that he makes on his patch. Howard agrees to do good work when able and help feed Howell's stock. George Howell agrees to let him have $8.00 on the contract to be worked out in the next year. Book 38, pg. 299-300, documented a contract that was entered into between George Howell and Burrell Howard on 24 December 1900 for the year 1901. George Howell agreed to furnish Burrell Howard a one mule farm of good land and give him ½ of everything he made except cottonseed. Burrell Howard agreed to do good work and take care of everything. George Howell agreed to furnish 55 lbs. of meat per month, 2-peck meal and $2.00 cash. George Howell was to let him $12.00 on the contract to be paid over the next year from his farm. >From book 38, pg. 300, another contract between George M. Howell and Dan Howard. Dan Howard was to hire himself to George M. Howell as farm labor from 26 January 1901 to 22 Dec 1901 for $8.00 per month and ½ pound of meat with one peck of meal per week. Dan Howard was to render himself respectful, obedient and to provide faithful service to George Howell. Dan Howard agreed to feed, water and attend to stock of George Howell. >From Deedbook V, page 217, recorded 22 January 1925, G.M. Howell and his wife Maude sold timber rights for $300.00 to Abbeville Lumber Company for a period of eight years. The land was situated NE ¼ of the NE ¼ of Sec 25, Township 9, Range 27. After George Monroe Howell died in 1933, his Estate settlement did not go very smoothly, with his second wife and his children apparently having differences of opinion. The inventory of his estate included cows, mules, farming equipment, plows, plow tools, wagons, cane mill and kettle buggy, a Ford 1927 model touring car, household and kitchen furniture, consisting of feather beds, cotton mattresses, pillows, bed steds, one piano, chairs, wardrobe, dressers, wearing apparel and clothing on hand, one gun, a quantity of corn, hay and fodder, corn estimated at 200 bushels, a quantity of cotton seed estimated at 2 tons, and a quantity of peanuts, estimated at 2 ½ tons. It appeared to have been over 700 acres of land left to the estate also. The heirs of G.M. Howell were listed as Dan Howell, John Howell, both of Glendale, CA; Will Howell, Laura V. Gibbons, Alice Ward, Rosa Rush, of Barbour County; Archie Howell, residing in Henry County and Myrtle Brock, a minor, living with her step-mother. G.O. Wallace, father of former Alabama Governor George C. Wallace, was the presiding Judge of Probate Court. ============================================================ Richard Price SOS 6-3