Hi!
Today I searched LDS microfilm #1314637, Jackson County, IN Probate Order Book v. 00.
pages 408-418--extensive court work on Sarah Sally Rich, widow of Joseph Rich Sr. and the
minor heirs David, Jonah and Phebe. The court appointed Sarah guardian of the minor
heirs. The court saw to it that she received her dower. The court appointed Hiram Noe as
a guardian of the children after 1839, apparently after the remarriage of Sarah Rich to
Preston J. Pitcher. The documents also mention John B. Rich and Samuel P. Mooney who
helped provide security of $800 for the appointment of guardianship. The court documents
begin about 17 March, 1837.
Vol. 1 1829-1838 item 2 contains a number of brief references to the Sarah Rich probate
case.
page 333, 10 May, 1837; administrators named in vacation by clerk of the court William
Crenshaw to Walter D. Benton, Hiram Noe, and William D. Benton.
page 346, May 1837; filed appraisal of the estate of Jos. Rich.
page 418, Feb., 1838; distribution to heirs of Jos. Rich.
Vol. 2, 1838-1843
pp. 15-16, 17 March, 1838; land of Jos. Rich sold to Sally Rich.
I have to assume that Joseph Rich died in February or early March of 1837. As for John B.
Rich, no documentation as to whether he might be a son or brother of Joseph Rich Sr. My
gut instinct is that he was a son. The 1830 census does list 4 boys and 1 girl in the
family. John B. Rich was likely a non minor son.
I am related to this family. David Rich was my third gr grandfather. He was married to
Sarah Ann Sally Shelton, who had previously been married to Nathaniel Dismore.
I suspect that Hiram Noe was related to this Rich family. If anyone knows anything about
the Noe family, I'd appreciate hearing!
Robert Schneider