I realize these documents pertain to North Carolina residents but knowing many members of these families made their way to Williamson and Davidson County, Tn. I thought someone might be able to learn something. My line is Orton and Bryan Karen _______________________________________________________ North Carolina (Source: copies of court documents provided by Rowan Public Library) Rowan County, February Session 1808 To the worshipful - - - - - of the County Court of Pleas quarter session of the county aforesaid the petition of John and Jesse Bryan infant - - -of James Bryan deceased by their guardian John Little, Sr. humbly complaining therewith unto your worshipful that their father James Bryan departed this life some time in the year 1798 or 1799 being your petitioners - - - only male children that _ _ _ is since died without issue your petitioners further ??? that John Brian died in the year 1808 leaving by will 200 acres of land to James Bryan (the father of your petitioners) and directing it to be sold for the use of said male heirs and appointed Joseph Orten and Wm. Little executors of his will who qualified and sold said tract of land for L (can't make the right sign) 287. Joseph Orton in the year 1805 was appointed guardian to your petitioners and took into his possession as guardian the money for which said land was sold on bonds (?) using the payment of the same. Joseph Orton died in the year 1807 and made a will and thereof appointed James or Johnsey Orten, his sons, executors who have proven the same in this court and have qualified and took upon themselves the burden and execution thereof. Your petitioners charge that this same sum of L287 & interest or good bond, for the securing this payment thereof came to the hands of the said executors and Joseph Orten his (?) who refuse to pay or deliver the same to your petitioners guardian John Little, Sr. who was appointed to that trust by the county court at Aug session 1807. Your petitioners by their said guardians pray that the principal sum - - - - - with the int . accruing thereon pay (?) into the hands of the guardian and that your worship will do that, upon the hearing of this petition, may seem just and right, may it please your worships to grant your writ of James & Johnsey Orten. (?) A Henderson for Petitioners State of North Carolina (Source - Copies of Court documents provided by Rowan Public Library) KNOW all men by these presents, that Jno Little, Sr., Jno Little, Jr., John Boon, Zadock Leach are held and firmly bound unto Jno Steele, Esquire, and the rest of the Justices assigned to keep the peace of Rowan county, in the safe and full sum of L500 pounds, current money of the said state, to be paid to the said Jno Steele or their successors: to the which payment well and truly to be made, we bind ourselves, our heirs, executors and administrators, jointly and severally, firmly by these presents. Sealed with our seals and dated this 4 day of Aug Anno Domini 1807 WHEREAS the above bounden Jno Little hath been this day, by the worshipful court of said county, appointed guardian to John Bryan orphan of James Bryan deceased: Now the condition of the above obligation is such, that if the said Jno Little guardian as aforesaid, shall well and truly discharge his said guardianship, by taking care of and improving all the estate belonging to the said orphan; and shall also settle his guardianship accounts with the court of said county, as is required by law; and that he will deliver up to the said Jno Bryan orphan as aforesaid, when he shall attain lawful age, all such estate as he ought of right to be proposed of, or sooner if required, agreeable to the true intent and meaning of the act of the General Assembly in such case made and provided; then this obligation to be void, otherwise to remain in full force and virtue. Signed, Sealed and Delivered In the Presence of John Little, Jr. John Little, Sr. John Boon Zacock Leach State of North Carolina KNOW all Men by these presents, that Jno Little, Jr., Jno Little, Sr. John Boon and Zadock Leach are held and firmly bound unto Jno Steele, Esquire and the rest of the justices assigned to keep the peace for Rowan county, in the just and full sum of L500 pounds, current money of the said state, to be paid to the said Jno Steele or their successors: to the which payment well and truly to be made, we bind ourselves, our heirs, executors and administrators, jointly and severally, firmly by these presents. Sealed with our seals; and dated this 4 day of Aug Anno Domini 1807 WHEREAS the above bounden Jno Little hath been this day, by the worshipful court of said county, appointed guardian to Jesse Bryan orphan of James Bryan deceased: Now the condition of the above obligation is such, that if the said Jno Little guardian as aforesaid, shall well and truly discharge his said guardianship, by taking care of and improving all the estate belonging to the said orphan; and shall also settle his guardianship accounts with the court of said county, as is required by law; and that he will deliver up to the said Jesse Bryan orphan as aforesaid, when he shall attain lawful age, all such estate as he ought of right to be proposed of, or sooner if required, agreeable to the true intent and meaning of the act of the General Assembly in such case made and provided; then this obligation to be void, otherwise, to remain in full force and virtue. Signed, Sealed and Delivered In the Presence of John Little, Jr. John Little, Sr. John Boon Zacok Leach State of North Carolina KNOW all Men by these Presents, That John Johnston, Matthew Brandon and John Locke are held and firmly bound unto George Mumford and John Monrow Esquires, and the rest of the Justices assigned to keep the peace for Rowan county, in the just and full sum of One Thousand pounds, current money of the said State, to be paid to the said Mumford & Monrow or their successors: to the which payment well and truly to be made, we bind ourselves, our heirs, executors and administrators, jointly and severally, firmly by these presents. Sealed with our seals, and dated this 9 day of May, Anno Domini 1810. WHEREAS the above bounden John Johnston hath been this day, by the worshipful court of said county, appointed Guardian to John Bryan orphan of James Bryan deceased: Now the condition of the above obligation is such, that if the said John Johnston Guardian as aforesaid, shall well and truly discharge his said guardianship, by taking care of and improving all the estate belonging to the said orphan; and shall also settle his guardianship accounts with the court of said county, as is required by law; and that he will deliver up to the said John Bryan orphan as aforesaid, when h e shall attain lawful age, all such estate as he ought of right to be possessed of, or sooner if required, agreeable to the true intent and meaning of the act of the General Assembly in such case made and provided; then this obligation to be void, otherwise to remain in full force and virtue. Signed, Sealed and Delivered John Johnston In the Presence of Matthew Brandon John Locke