The main reason I went to the Georgia Archives yesterday was to see Calvin Russell Lewis’ probate file. These records were transferred to the Georgia Archives from the Columbia County courthouse in the 1980s and they were never microfilmed. I was hoping that Calvin’s alleged father John Lewis had been made administrator but no such luck. I did find something interesting/puzzling though. Calvin Russell Lewis was born 23 Feb 1824 in North Carolina (Wayne County, most likely). He died on 26 Jan 1851 in Columbia County, Georgia. He was only 26 when he died so it was no surprise that he died intestate. Calvin was married and had 2 small children, ages one and two. Calvin did not own any land and on the 1850 census he was listed as “overseer for Burt” which would be Moody Burt listed as a planter on the same page. Calvin’s wife Emily (Miles) Lewis was named administrix of the estate. The inventory of his possessions amounted to $142.87. You would think that this would be a cut and dried case with a very thin probate packet but that wasn’t the case. His probate drug out for 12 years and I am not sure why. One of the odd things found was there were several people that paid IN to the estate. Emily collected over $2300! These people apparently owed Calvin money. After reading the probate file I am beginning to think he was a loan shark or something. The archi! vist at the Archives looked over the entire probate file with me and he couldn’t figure it out either. He is pretty accepting of the loan shark theory though☺ Michele

Because you loan someone money does not make a you a loan shark. Charging high interest, practicing usury, or causing undo pain to those who fail to pay up on time, yes. Just loaning money, no. I would look into the chancery and see if the wife brought suit against the others for their debts. If not, it would seem that there was agreement on the part of the parties as to the amount due and the term of the loans. Could have been 12 years, we were not there. C. On Fri, Jan 25, 2013 at 5:15 PM, Michele Lewis <ancestoring@gmail.com>wrote: > The main reason I went to the Georgia Archives yesterday was to see Calvin > Russell Lewis’ probate file. These records were transferred to the Georgia > Archives from the Columbia County courthouse in the 1980s and they were > never microfilmed. I was hoping that Calvin’s alleged father John Lewis had > been made administrator but no such luck. I did find something > interesting/puzzling though. > > Calvin Russell Lewis was born 23 Feb 1824 in North Carolina (Wayne County, > most likely). He died on 26 Jan 1851 in Columbia County, Georgia. He was > only 26 when he died so it was no surprise that he died intestate. Calvin > was married and had 2 small children, ages one and two. Calvin did not own > any land and on the 1850 census he was listed as “overseer for Burt” which > would be Moody Burt listed as a planter on the same page. Calvin’s wife > Emily (Miles) Lewis was named administrix of the estate. The inventory of > his possessions amounted to $142.87. You would think that this would be a > cut and dried case with a very thin probate packet but that wasn’t the > case. His probate drug out for 12 years and I am not sure why. One of the > odd things found was there were several people that paid IN to the estate. > Emily collected over $2300! These people apparently owed Calvin money. > After reading the probate file I am beginning to think he was a loan shark > or something. The archivist at the Archives looked over the entire probate > file with me and he couldn’t figure it out either. He is pretty accepting > of the loan shark theory though☺ > > Michele > > > The Transitional Genealogists List was created to provide a supportive > environment for genealogists to learn best practices as they transition to > professional level work. Please respect the kind intentions of this list. > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > TRANSITIONAL-GENEALOGISTS-FORUM-request@rootsweb.com with the word > 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message -- Craig R. Scott, CG President & CEO Heritage Books, Inc. 229 Danagher Ct. Holly Springs, NC 27540 800 876-6103 919 279-3874 Fax 410 558-6574 crscott@HeritageBooks.com Visit www.HeritageBooks.com and HeritageBooks.com on FB Blogs: As Craig Sees It Stump Craig CG (Certified Genealogist) is a service mark of the Board for Certification of Genealogists, used under license by board certificants after periodic evaluation, and the board name is registered in the US Patent & Trademark Office.