Robert LOFTON heir of Thomas LOFTON & Jane BONDS in Franklin Co., MS
In the probate papers (Book G., Page 417) of the estate of Thomas LOFTON (1775 VA - May 1844 FCM) and Jane BONDS (abt 1775 Newbery Co., SC - Jan 1867 Brookhaven, Lawrence Co., MS), found in the Franklin Co., MS Courthouse, the following reference is made: "...Uriah VINING-Executor of the Estate of Robert LOFTON deceased...".
This indicates that said Robert LOFTON is an heir to the estate of Thomas & Jane Bonds LOFTON. This would mean that he is either a son or grandson of Thomas and Jane LOFTON.
In the will of Robert LOFTON (see transcription below), found in Franklin Co., MS, Uriah VINNING, is appointed Executor of said will. Uriah VINNING is the husband of Rachel VINNING, formerly the wife of Dudley LOFTON (a son of Thomas and Jane LOFTON).
Based on the above, the Robert LOFTON, mentioned as an heir to the estate of Thomas & Jane Bonds LOFTON, is one-and-the-same as the Robert LOFTON who executed a Will in FCM in 1867.
The three witness to the will of Robert LOFTON are: George D. LOFTON, Jasper N. LOFTON, W. L. HOWARD. George D. LOFTON is George Darymple LOFTON, s/o William F. LOFTON who is a brother of Thomas LOFTON, husband of Jane BONDS. Jasper N. LOFTON is s/o George D. LOFTON, and I believe W. L. HOWARD to be William L. HOWARD the s/o Elizabeth LOFTON who is a d/o William F. LOFTON, and a sister to George D. LOFTON.
In the will, Robert states that he lives in Tallahatchie Co., MS and has a mercantile business there, called "Bragall", with his partner John W. Powell.
In the 1850 Tallahatchie Co., MS Census the following family is found, which contains a Robert LOFTON:
32167167 Lofton, Louisa36 W1,000 TENNESSEE
33167167 Lofton, Calvin13 WMISSISSIPPIX
34167167 Lofton, Thomas D10 WMISSISSIPPIX
35167167 Lofton, Robert4WMISSISSIPPI
In the 1840 Tallachatchie Co., MS Census the following family is found:
LOFTON, Wm100010000000010001000000004
This William LOFTIN, is in the 20/30 age range. The oldest female in the household is also in the 20/30 age range.
Who is this William LOFTIN/LOFTON? Is he a son of Thomas LOFTON & Jane BONDS, and a father of ROBERT LOFTON.
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The State of Mississippi
Franklin County
By the Probate Court of said County.
Whereas, Robert LOFTON deceased late of said County made in his lifetime, his last will and testament. Which at a term of our said Court began and held at the Circuit therein of said County, on the first Monday of July, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty seven was proved, approved and admitted to record in said circuit and probate thereof granted Uriah V. VINING the executor thereof and therein appointed; and the said Uriah V. VINING having complied with the provisions of the Statute in such case made and provided. Therefore to the intent that the said Will may be well and truly performed we do give grant and commit unto the said Uriah B. VINING the administration of all and singular the goods chattels, and credits of and belonging to the Estate of said testator, with full power to receive the same into his hands and possession. And to ask levy recover, and receive the same wherever they may be in this State, hereby requiring and conferring upon the said Uriah B Vining to make a true and prefect inventory of all and singular the said goods, chattels and credits, which have or shall come to his hands possession in knowledge or into the hands or possession of any other person or persons for him, to Exhibit said inventory to our said Court within the time provided by law, to make a just and true account of his actings and doings therein when thereto required by our said Court. And to well and truly pay and deliver all the legacies contained and specified in the said Will so far as the said, goods, chattels and credits will Extend and the law charge him hereby confirming the said Uriah B. VINING Executor with full power and complete authority to dispose of all and singular the said goods chattels and credits according to the terms of the said last will and testament and the true intent and meaning of the testator, by virtue of these presents.
Witnesses, the Honorable Thos A MAGEE Judge of Probate of said County at the Courthouse thereof, the first Monday in July AD Eighteen hundred and Sixty seven. Signed the 2nd day of May AD 1867.
F J WHITLEY Clerk
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The State of Mississippi
Franklin County
In the Probate Court of said County
At the April Term 1867 thereof
In the matter of a certain instrument of writing purporting to be the last will and testament of Robert LOFTON deceased.
Be if remembered that at a term of Probate Court of Franklin County State aforesaid begun and held at the Court House of said County on the first Monday in Apr AD 1867. Personally appeared in pen court W. L. Howard one of the subscribing wittiness to a certain instrument of writing purporting to be the last will and testament of Robert LOFTON late of said county deceased. Made the 17th day of March 1867. Who swearing first being duly sworn deposed and saith , that the said Robert LOFTON signed sealed published and ordained said instrument as his last will and testament in the presence of the deponent and in the presence of Jasper N. LOFTON & George D. LOFTON the other subscribing witnesses thereto on the day of the date thereof that the said testator was then of sound dispensing mind and memory and he being more than twenty one years of age and that this deponent subscribed said instrument as a witness thereto at the insistences and request ___ by the presence of said testator and in the presence of the other subscribing witnesses who also subscribed said instrument in the presence of said testator and in the presence of this deponent on the day and year aforesaid.
W. L. HOWARD
J. N. LOFTON
Sworn to and subscribe in open court the 1st day of Apr 1867 by W.L. HOWARD
T. J. WHITLEY Clerk
Sworn to and subscribe in open court by J. N. LOFTON the 6th day of May 1867.
T. J. WHITLEY Clerk
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God all powerful Amen,
I Robert LOFTON of the county of Tallihatchie State of Mississippi but residing temporarily in the County of Franklin in said State, being of sound and despairing mind and memory though weak in body. Do make publish and declare this to be my last Will and Testament hereby revoking all others or former Wills by me heretofore at any time made.
1st. I give and bequeath unto Mrs. Rachel VINNINGS formerly Rachel LOFTON, my watch and wearing apparel of any and every kind.
2nd. I give and bequeath unto the said Rachel VINNINGS all my rights titles claims and interest in a certain mercantile business in Tallihatchie County, Mississippi at a Landing on the Tallihatchie River called Bragall, which business is conducted by my partner John W. Powell. It being my intention to devise with the said Rachel VINNING my equal on half interest in and to the stock in trade, Book accounts notes and whats____ of value Property belonging to me in the said Mercantile business.
3rd. I do hereby appoint Uriah B. VINNINGS sole Executor of this my last will and Testament.
Robert LOFTON (seal)
Signed Sealed and delivered in presence of
George D. LOFTON
Jasper N. LOFTON
W. L. HOWARD
The State of Mississippi
Franklin County
Know all men by these present, that we Uriah B. VINNINGS, W. W. WRENTWORTH, R K WEBB, W. L. HOWARD and Lewis HUTTO are held and firmly bound with the State of Mississippi in the sum of Twenty five Hundred Dollars for which payment will and truly to be made we bind ourselves our heirs Executors and Administrators Jointly and Severally firmly by these present. Signed by us and sealed with our seals this sixth day of May in the year of our Lord Eighteen hundred and Sixty Seven.
The condition of the bond is that if the above bound Uriah B. VINNINGS as Executor of the last will and testament of Robert LOFTON deceased shall well and truly carry out and execute the will as far as the same may be consistent with law, and faithfully, truly and promptly perform and disperse all the surety required of him by law or by order of Court, then this obligation to be evict; otherwise to remain in full force.
Uriah B. VINNINGS (Seal)
K. R. WEBB (Seal)
Lewis HUTTO (Seal)
W. L. HOWARD (Seal)
W. M. WENTWORTH (Seal)
Signed, Sealed, and Acknowledged in presence of F. J. WHITLEY
I Thos A. MAGEE, Judge of Probate Court of said County of Franklin hereby approved the performance Bond and Securities Trust. Thos A. MAGEE Judge of Probate.
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