Hi Norm,
Re. your e-mail of June 22/99:
The Carmacks of Henry Co. TN remain a family without a past. Agnes Jones
has stated to me that a number of persons have attempted to trace their
antecedents with out success. We know that they ( William b. 1785 and
Sarah b.1791) were in Henry Co. in 1830 and were still there in 1860,
(Census Data). In the 1850 TN Census of Henry Co. They both identified
their birth state as NC, (Microfilm #522 P.283).
In 1830, John Carmack 60+ was living with them. I have a copy of the
probate record of his estate. ( I sent a copy to Agnes Jones and Dale
Carmack.) Tenn. State Library and Archives County Henry, Roll No. 102,
Book C Jan. 1833-June 1834. Type Record: Pobate. The record is 3
pages long and there is much in it that I do not understand for two
reasons. Some of the copy is difficult to decipher, and some of the
terminology is not known to me. A lawyer might find it easier to
understand. However, some information is forthcoming.
"State of Tennesee Henry Co.
Agreeable to an order of Court to us directed from the worshipful Court
of said County September term 1833 We the commissioners have this day
proceded to examine the papers relative to the Estate of John Carmack
just Died in the hands of William Carmack (Jr?) .... .... and find the
amount of the Estate to be 197.48 3/4"
Then there is a heading that appears to be "Contra Credit". and a list
of judgements and accounts. There are a number of names and amounts.
Two of the names are Solomon Carmack and Eli Carmack. Are these charges
against the Estate? I think so, because included is an amount "allowed
William Carmack for serving as administrator $15.60." If these are
debts they total $180.60 1/4.
(Does anyone know what these fractions represent?)
Page one is signed at the bottom by two commissioners and dated 16 Nov.
1833
Page two appears to be a sale of property, including a potter's wheel,
hoes, saws, drawknife, etc. and slaves, at least four, and stock. Total
value 2,221.45 3/4.
Page three is another hearing dated 16 Nov. 1833 and another list headed
"Contra Credits". Among the entries are amounts for :"crying the
sale", a fee to the clerk for "keeping act. of sale.", amounts for
"medicines and nourishment for the family in time of their affliction",
and "allowed William Carmack for attending on his father and family in
time of their affliction with the .... ..... $51.25." and "Allowed
William Carmack (Jr?) for his services as administrator and his
attention to stock and other property $10.00". Solomon Carmack is
again mentioned.
Questions:
1. Are there two William Carmacks identified by the Document? It
refers to William Carmack taking care of his father and family, but
twice refers to William Jr. (If I am interpreting the writing correctly)
as administrator. William Jr. could not have been the son of John.
Anyone else reading the document please comment. If there were a
William Jr. it might help to answer anoter question that has been
worrying me.
2. In the 1840 Henry Co. Census, Green(e) L. Carmack is three years
old. His birth year would have been 1837. He is in the household of
William and Sarah, and has been thought to be their son since he shows
up again in the 1850 census. But William would have been 52 and Sarah
46 years old in 1837, and what are the chances of their giving birth to
a child at that age? If there were a William Jr. around in 1833, would
he have been more logically the father of Green(e) L. my gggrandfather?
I have not found any other reference to a William Jr. in Henry Co. Does
the document clarify or muddy the record? Any comments.
So, Norm,
We know that William was the son of John Carmack.
There were two other Carmacks in Henry Co. in 1833, Solomon and Eli.
Since they appear in the probate record, were they related to John and
William? What was the relationship? We have found no other record of
them to date. Although a reference may be on record in Paris TN
according to my Brother Robert.
We have the family record from Green(e) L. Carmack to the present, but
to date nothing for sure past the Henry Co. Census of 1830.
Agnes Jones has stated the possibility of a connection with John
Carmack of Bledsoe Co. who lived on Rainey's turnpike. Since there was
an Elizabeth and Esther Rainey living with William and Sarah in 1860
according to that year's Census. I have no more info on John of Bledsoe
Co.. If anyone can supply some, I would appreciate it.
I hope I have not kept you too long. Talk with you again. Jim