>From Helen Austin To Morgan Co, AL and Blount Co, TN researchers Today at the Morgan Co. Archives on Bank St., Decatur, in the early loose papers manuscript files I found three probate packets for GILLESPIEs The first is most interesting to my research since the papers of the GILLESPIE-HOUSTON MERCHANTILE BUSINESS, operated by Robert GILLESPIE and Matthew C. HOUSTON is the bulk of the estate for the decedent, ROBERT GILLESPIE of Blount Co, TN and Cotaco Co, AL. It seems he died sometime in the year 1817. The papers say 1811, but they have been penned over, and there are promissory notes in the packet from individuals dated in 1817. Some promissory notes are dated as early as 1812. Besides the naming of his heirs by t he court, what is most interesting to me and those looking for evidence of the James GILLESPIE who is NOT AN HEIR of Robert, is a paper from the Blount Co, State of TN and a similar one from Cotaco Co, AL naming JOHN GILLESPIE AND JAMES GILLESPIE as administrators of the estate of said, ROBERT GILLESPIE. They are dated 24 Dec 1821 for TN and 11 Oct 1820 for Cotaco Co, AL. A signature of JAMES GILLESPIE with Florishes is on the papers. Right now I cannot send you a transcription of the total papers. There were 48 pages in the packet. However, I am delighted at finding more information about these GILLESPIE familiies of early Cotaco/Morgan Co. Especially since many of the records for 1817-1819 burned. ============== A petition to the court by James and John Gillespie and attorney Feb 1818, states. Robert Gillespie decd,died intestate, departed this life sometime in the year 1811? (more likely 1817) leaving a widow (to wit: Mary G. Gillespie) and children as follows: Easter H. wife of Matthew C. Houston, Wm. F. Gillespie, above the age of 21, Martha L. Gillespie and James H. Gillespie who have for their guardian James Houston, appointed by the county court of Blount Co, aforesaid, Robert A., and Matthew Milton Gillespie who have for their guardian John Houston last appointed by the county court of said last named county, and Mary E. Gillespie who has for her guardian, Jacob F. ? appointed by the co. court of said county all of which children of the said Robert G. and under the age of 21 years your petitioneer states that letters of Adm. were granted to them in the said Co. of Blount in the year 1821 on said estate. They .....to state that the said Robert at the time of his death was in copartnership with the said Matthew C. Houston in a store in the said county of Morgan and consequently entitled to an undivided half of a certain lot of land in the town of Somerville in said Co. to wit, Lot #139 in the plan of said town which had been purchased and conveyed to the firm of Gillespie and Houston aforesaid. Your petitioner also sates that there are debts against the estate of the said Robert which can only be discharged by a sale of the real estate of which the decd...... They also state that the ......of said lot of land couold not be divided amont the children of the said Robert and that it would be greatly to the advantage of said children for the ahlf of said lot to which the said Robert was entitled to be sold. They therefore pray that your honour may adm. and decree that the said lot above described as a part thereof as the estate of the said Robert may be entitled to be sold upon such certain conditions as to your honour may deem advantageous to the children of the said Robert....... signed James Gillespie and John Gillespie, by their attorney. ============= HELEN: I think that this James and John GILLESPIE later moved to Lawrence Co, AL and are the ones who appear on the 1840 census of that county. If you want I can send you more later. It seems that the ADM names were changed before all the sales were finished. The earlier papers were showing Mary Ann GILLESPIE admx. and Thos. D. Crabb Adm. Sep term 1818. So it does not explain why the Admx and adm were changed to John and James GILLESPIE. The names of slaves appear also in the papers as well as the kinds of merchandise sold at the store and names of all the debtors. I copied as many of these as possible. The archives charges $1.00 per print, so I only copies 7 pages of the manuscripts. Since I live hear, I think I could go back for more copies if I need to. Since the paper has lasted since 1814 and later, maybe it will be there a little longer. Another probate for the intestate, George H. BILLESPIE Dec 17, 1887 is also there. with many papers. He had a very large inventory at this store in Hartselle, AL , named Dickey and Gillespie , a merchantile store. He was the sole owner but had more debts than his goods and real estate would balance. The value was $2500. John F. GILLESPIE was t he adm. of the estate. heirs: J. C. Gillespie, P.M. Gillespie of Madison Co, AL and S.H. Morris, A.W. Sharply, S.N. Shackleford, F. B. Houston and W.A. Bayer? or Morgan Co, AL. IT was interesting that the drugs, medicine and fixtures in the store were worth but $400, but the soda fountain machine was said to be worth much more!. This estate was not settled until after 1893. The adm. had moved to Jefferson Co, AL and had an injunction against him for not settling the finances of the estate.