Lee and List:
I have certified copies of what records that have survived concerning the
estate of Leonard Cagle (1798-1866) from the NC State Archives. Whether
Leonard left a will or not cannot be determined because the original filing
by his widow in Transylvania Co. NC in the fall of 1866 has been lost, so
there is no record of distribution of assets. All probate records covering
that period in Transylvania are lost, but some of the proceedings are
mentioned in the later records.
Records received from the Archives concern only property in NC and cover the
period from April 1867 through 1889. [ R.093.508.2 and CR.050.14]. There are
gaps and skips in the record but the picture emerges that James Henry Cagle,
who was the only son of Leonard to remain in NC, is administrator after his
mother dies. The heirs of Leonard are named a number of times:
J. Henry Cagle, Administrator
Joshua Orr and wife, Jane
Benjamin Merrill and wife, Louisa
Jacob Cagle
Charles Cagle
Caleb Orr and wife, Ann
Noah Rabb and wife, Ruth
This list covers all the living children of Leonard and Mary Osborne Cagle.
The only mention of John Summey concerns property sold to him by James Henry
Cagle under Court Order on 22 Oct 1867.
Descendants of Nancy Cagle Summey are convinced that she was a daughter of
Leonard. Because of this, I believe there was a close family relationship.
Perhaps she had even been raised in Leonard's household. However, had she
been his daughter, I am sure the Courts would have listed her as an heir
during the many years of litigation.
Dana Meara