My great-great-grandfather was David G. WILKINSON who married Sarah H. BYRD. Probate records exist for her father, Moses BYRD, who lived in Old Texas - Pine Apple area. Probate was in Monroe Co. but they lived right on the Wilcox Co. line. I've never found the will. It probably got mixed in with other papers, accidentally or deliberately, and removed from the Court House. Below is my attempt to transcribe the probate records for the will of Moses BYRD, Monroe Co., Alabama ca 1871. People mentioned in Probate T. L. FEAGIN Asa WILKINSON H. A. J. WILKINSON Sarah H. WILKINSON, (wife of D. G. WILKINSON, daughter of Moses BYRD) Caroline STINSON (wife of George Stinson but she was a widow by 1871) Isaac BYRD Wm BYRD Rosaline FEASTER, wife of John FEASTER Allen BYRD Jane BROWN wife of James BROWN Andrew BYRD Josiah BYRD Ann WARD Caroline WARD Elija BYRD Mary F. BYRD Martha J. BYRD Wiley BYRD Martha CATES wife of Hiram Cates Moses WARD William WARD John De LOACH John OWEN D. L. NIVILLE Probate Court, Monroe County Special Term February 20, 1871 This day came Mary Byrd by her attorney and filed her petition in writing therefore producing and filing in this court an instrument of writing purported to be the last will and testament of the said Moses Byrd, decd, and propounded the said will for probate in this county, Which Said instrumentb appears to be attested by T. L. Faegin, Asa Wilkinson, and H. A. J. Wilkinson. It is therefore ordered by the court that the Second Monday of March next be appointed a day for hearing testimony in proof of Said instrument as such will. It is further ordered that the said T. L. Feagin, Asa Wilkinson, and H. A. J. Wilkinson be subpoenaed to be & appear before the court on the Said Monday of March next, to testify as to the validity of such instrument as such will. It is further ordered that Sarah Wilkinson, wife of D. G. Wilkinson, Caroline Stinson, Isaac Byrd, Wm. Byrd, Rosaline Feaster, wife of John Feaster, Allen Byrd, Jane Brown, wife of James Brown, Andrew Byrd, Josiah Byrd, Ann Ward, Caroline Ward, Elija Byrtd, Mary F. Byrd, Martha J. Byrd, Wiley Byrd, Martha Cates, wife of Hiram Cates, Moses Ward, William Ward have notice by citation to be personally served on them ten days before the said second Monday in March, next. It is further ordered that John De Loach be and he is appointed guardian ad litteram for all minors interest and that he have notice of said appointment. Probate Court Monroe County March Term 1871 Moses Byrd Decd, Estate of} This day came Mary Byrd, the same having been appointed for hearing her aplication for the probate of an instrument of writing purporting to be the last will and testament of said decedent. Also came John De Loach who was heretofore appointed guardian ad litteram for all the minor heirs of said decedent, and the notice required by a previous court having been given to all parties off interest. It appears from the testimony of Asa Wilkinson that he signed the instrument of writing purporting to be the last will and testiment of said decedent, in the presence of the said testator and in the presence of the other subscribing witness o the same, the said testator declaring that the said instrument constitutes his last will, that the said testator was of full age of twenty one years and upwards at the time of making said will, and that he was of sound mind deposing memory and fully capable of making his said will. It is therefore ordered adjudged and decreed by the court that the said will of the said Moses Byrd decd be recieved by the court that same is hereby declared to be fully proven as the last will and testament of said decedent and as such admittred to probate. It is further ordered that the same with the proof thereof be recorded and placed on file. Moses Byrd Decd, Estate of} On the application of Mary Byrd it is ordered that she be and she is hereby appointedv Executrix with the will ammended of said estate and she gave bond in the sum of One Thousand and Six hundred dollars, ordered that the bond this day filed by Mary Byrd as Executrix aforesaid in the sum of One Thousand and Six hundred dollars with Allen Byrd and John Owen as her securitors be and the same is hereby appointed and thatb letters as Executrix issue to her accordingly. It is further ordered that said bond be recorded and placed on file. Probate Court Monroe County May Term 1871 Moses Byrd Decd, Estate of} This day came Mary Byrd and filed a new bond as Executrix in said estate in the sum of One thousand dollars with Allen Byrd and J.J. Simpkins as her securities. It is ordered by the court that said bond be approved recorded and placed on file. Moses Byrd Decd, Estate of} This day came Mary Bryd Executrix and filed a new bond as Executrix of said estate and filed her inventory and appraisment of the personal property belonging to said estate in writing and under oath. It is ordered that the same be recieved recorded filed. Probate Court Monroe County Regular Term Aug. the 14th 1876 Moses Byrd Decd, Estate of} This day came Mary Byrd Administrator of thje estate of Moses Byrd decd with the will annexed and filed her account vouchers and evidences for an annual settlement of saifd estate. Whereupon it is ordered by the court that the third Monday in September 1876 be appointed for said settlement, and that publication be made by advertisment at the courthouse door and three other public placesd in said Monroe Co. for three successive weeks, so that all person concerned in adverse interest may appear and contest said statement if they think proper. Probate Court Monroe County Regular Term Sept. 18th 1876 Moses Byrd Decd, Estate of} This being the day set to hear and pass when the account heretofore filed by Mary Byrd Executrix of said estateb, for a partial settlement of her administration. Now comes the said Mary Byrd and moves the court that her said account be passed and allowed vand it appearing to the court that due notice of the time and nature of this settlement has been given by posting notice at the Courthouse door and three other public places in the ccounty and D. L. Neville who is appointed guardian ad litterm for and to protect the minors ionterested in the proceedings, afferimig in open court and contesting this settlewment. The court proceeds to examine said account, and hear the proofs in relation thereto, whereupon it appears that said Executrix has recievd in cash of the assets of said estate the sum of One hundred Forty-Nine and 55/100th dollars and has justly expended in thebpayment of cost & charges & debts, againstb said estate, the sum of $520.35/100 dollars leaving a ballance due said Executrix in the settlement in the sum of $370.81/100 dollars. It is therefore ordered by the court that said account be and the samebvhereby is in all things past and allowedvbas above stated. It is further ordered that said account be recorded and placed on file. Grant Johnston, Chico, CA Maybe the grass is really greener on the other side of the fence. But it's probably because your neighbor uses more fertilizer and water.