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Archiver > OHGUERNS > 2001-08 > 0998705591


From: "Denise Ervasti" <>
Subject: [OHGUERNS] Court procedures
Date: Fri, 24 Aug 2001 21:17:58 -0700


I am trying to trace the final records of my ancestor James Larrow/Larue who, according to a special session of the Court of Common Pleas in Guernsey County, must have died Oct-Nov 1825. The fall session of the Court of Common Pleas in Guernsey County ended on 23 Sep 1825. A special session was held on 25 Nov 1825 as requested by the heirs of James Larrow, dec'd.

In this session James widow, Elizabeth declined administration, and William Larrow and John Larrow Junr. were appointed administrators (James two eldest sons). Surety was approved of Stephen Ballard (a neighbor of James in Richland twp. and soon will be the above John Junr. father-in-law) and John Larrow (James brother who lived in Wills Twp.) . During this court session the appraisors were also appointed. To the side of the court minutes in rather faded script is written the notation "Filed Feb 16, 1826".

I have already checked the Court of Common Pleas for that date and there is nothing regarding James Larrow. So....what would be the next step in the settlement of his estate? I was informed by the Recorder of Guernsey County in 1999 that there is no will for James. And I quote her response to me:" I checked the records (I forgot to ask which records)and found nothing from James to his children (this referred to his land and its transfer, and I KNOW that he owned land and that it is found in his childrens possession). Maybe it transferred through his will. The deed where he took title was dated 1811 but not recorded until 1891 the same year his son Laban sold the property (not sold by Laban, but at auction by his executors to Hans Weaver). I checked the Probate court for his will but found nothing. (I checked probate index also, on microfilm). The deed stated James of Belmont County Ohio, you might try Belmont County Probate Court."

First of all, James lived in what was called Belmont County when he purchased the land, and that area later became Guernsey County. Secondly, would a Guernsey County court(the above mentioned Court of Common Pleas) have passed this decision onto another county, when the deceased and his heirs were all residents of Guernsey County? Therefore, the "filed" notation means what? Where was his estate settled. He DID HAVE an estate and it does go to his children. One by one they sell off their shares to their brother Laban, who provides a home for his mother and unmarried sisters. Can some one shed some light on where else or what else I should be looking at or for?

It is essential that I look at every paper in reference to James and John Larrow in the earliest days of Guernsey County, as NO ONE knows where these two men have come from or who their parents were. (And many have searched for many MANY years). Sure, there have been plenty of allegations, but absolutely NO PROOF. Just recently when I found the Court of Common Pleas case, I was able to date James death at Oct-Nov 1825, rather than the previously suggested 1823. The 1825 date is further substantiated by his appearance on the 1825 tax list for Guernsey County, as a resident.

If someone out there can help me with James and Johns early land records and the settlement of either estates I would be eternally grateful. John bought his land in Wills Twp (13-1-1) in 1825. He sells it to his nephew John Junr. in 1832. Up until then John is found on these land records and on the 1820 and 1830 Fed Cen. He is also found on the 1825 Guernsey County Tax List as a resident.

PLEASE HELP!
Denise

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