1822 Trespassing Charge

 Michael and Susannah West Charged with Trespassing

While searching through early court records for Mason County, Kentucky, I found an interesting document from 1822.  It was an arrest order for our 3rd great-grandparents, Michael and Susannah West, for trespassing, with damages of one thousand dollars.  In todays dollars, that would be $27,475.

Mason Count Court Case Files
FamilySearch.org'  Image Group Number: 008346200

Transcription:

The Commonwealth of Kentucky, To the Sheriff of Mason County, Greeting: We command you to take Michael West and Susannah his wife if they may be found within your bailiwick, and them safely keep, so that you have their bodies before the Judge of our Mason Circuit Court, at the Court House thereof, in the town of Washington, on the first day of the next November Term, to answer, Moses Thomas of a plea of trespass on the law, damage one thousand dollars.  And have then and there this writ. Witness, Marshall Key, Clerk of our said court, at the court house aforesaid, the 26th day of Augt 1822 and in the 31st year of our Commonwealth. Marshall Key

The court case was postponed from November Term 1822 until May Term 1823.  The case was brought before the judge and jury.  The jury's verdict, "We the Jury find for the plaintiff one cent in damages."

Kentucky, Circuit Court (Mason County)
FamilySearch.org, Image Group Number: 007647301

Transcription:

Moses Thomas plaintiff against In case Michael West & Susannah his wife defendants.  The Jury empaneled and sworn herein on yesterday, upon their oath do say "We the Jury find for the plaintiff one cent in damages” Therefore it is considered by the court that the plaintiff recover against the said defendants his damages aforesaid in manner and form by the Jury aforesaid in their verdict assessed, and also his costs by him about his suit in this behalf expended and the said defendants in Mercy

Since I only found the jury's verdict and not the complete transcript of the court proceedings, I'm not sure what the trespassing charge was all about.  I did read some history of Mason County and it seems that there was some confusion with land claims when the county was first being established.

A year later in 1824, Michael West family moved from Mason County, Kentucky to Ohio.  Our ancestor, Susan Evaline West, was born in Mason County in 1817, as was her older siblings.  

Other posts about the Michael West family:

Michael and Susannah West Family

Michael West Land in Grayson County, Texas
Will of Michael West
Susan West Leffel: "Left me in a sad and mornful condition."
John and Rebecca West Haning of Grayson County, Texas
William and Elizabeth West Boyles

Joseph West - Stagecoach Driver
Mysterious Death of Michael Perry West

DNA Solved Another Family Mystery

Phebe Hatfield Petitions Court for Dower

 Phebe Hatfield Petition for Dower

Newspaper Notice
Published 25 Feb 1860

Phebe Coddington Hatfield was the widow of John Hatfield who passed away on December 9, 1857 in Taylor County, Iowa.  John’s estate entered probate in January 1858.

Phebe Hatfield’s petition is a classic example of a widow exercising her right to dower, and it provides a wealth of detail not only about her but also about her extended family and the land in question.  

A few key takeaways:

- Legal Action: Phebe is formally asking the court to appoint referees (similar to commissioners) to set apart her dower from her late husband John Hatfield’s estate. This was a legal move to ensure she had lifetime rights to a portion of his land.

- Named Heirs and Connections: The notice includes a long list of family members - all children of Phebe and John Hatfield and their spouses - an absolute gem for genealogical research.  They all have a legal interest in the property.

- Land Description: The metes and bounds land description tells us exactly where her dower was to come from—covering parts of Sections 1, 12, and 13 in Township 67 North, Range 35 West. That’s very specific and could be mapped today to visualize the estate.

- Historic Context: Dated December 16, 1859, it reflects not only inheritance law at the time but also sheds light on women's legal recourse in antebellum Iowa.

As seen in the court documents below, Phebe's Dower Petition was granted, referees were appointed, and the land designated in the petition was set aside as her dower.  She stated the need for the courts assistance in setting apart the real estate of her dower because of no mutual agreement with the other heirs.

Probate Court Taylor County, Iowa
1859 - 1860
Pages 80-81

Probate Court Taylor County, Iowa
6 Feb 1860
Pages 82-83

Phebe continued to live in Taylor County, Iowa for the next several decades.  She can be found in census records for Taylor County in 1860 and 1870.  Phebe died on Oct. 9, 1883.  Her obituary is found in the Taylor County Republican Newspaper, 11 Oct 1883, page 4.

Phebe Hatfield, mother of L. D. Hatfield, Esq., of Ross township, who has been confined to her bed for the past two years, died at the residence of L. D. Hatfield on Tuesday, October 9th, at five o'clock, p. m. She has received the kindest care and attention at the hands of Mr. and Mrs. Hatfield and her grandchildren during her long illness, and her every want had been supplied. She met death with composure and fell asleep in Christ, in whose second coming and the resurrection of the dead she was a firm believer. She leaves a large number of relatives and friends to mourn her loss.

John Hatfield Probate

 John and Phebe Hatfield Family

Born on December 4, 1800, in Hamilton County, Ohio, John Hatfield was the son of George Hatfield and Rachel Bell. His early years were spent in Butler County, Ohio, where he lived until about 1820. In 1817, tragedy struck as John lost his father, shaping the course of his life.

By the mid-1820s, John had moved to Indiana, where he married Phebe Coddington, likely in Parke County. Phebe, the daughter of William Coddington and Dorcus Girton, was born on July 31, 1807 in Ohio. Over the next two decades, John and Phebe built a family, welcoming nine children while residing in Parke County. They established their home in Parke County, securing land through a patent from the General Land Office in 1837. The census records from 1830 and 1840 reflect John's presence in the area, painting a picture of his steady life as a husband, father, and landowner.

Around 1847, John relocated his family to Peoria County, Illinois. Two more children were born there, and the 1850 U.S. Federal Census recorded his household in Peoria. As the years passed, he continued to seek new opportunities, moving once more in 1856 to Bedford, Taylor County, Iowa.  

This photograph below is thought to be a photo of John Hatfield Sr.  It would have been taken in the mid 1850s  

John Hatfield Sr

John's life came to an end on December 9, 1857, in Taylor County, Iowa. He was laid to rest in Graceland Cemetery near his son Leonard Hatfield.  The following year, John's estate entered probate, marking the final chapter of a life shaped by family, migration, and resilience. 

John Hatfield Headtsone
Graceland Cemetery, Bedford, Taylor, Iowa

Children of John and Phoebe Hatfield:

1. William Hatfield (1826-1894) md (1) Charlotte VanCamp, (2) Margaret Hawkins, (3) Martha Bone; 13 children
2. John Martin Hatfield, Jr. (1829-1898) md (1) Martha Jay, (2) Maria Butler, (3) Caroline Lewman, Jemima Atwood; 13 children
3. Leonard D. Hatfield (1831-1906) md Parintha Phelps, 9 children
4. Cyrus W. Hatfield (1834-1906) md Clarissa Lamb, 8 children
5. Hannah Amanda Hatfield (1835-1920) md John R Harrison, 11 children
6. George Washington Hatfield (1836-1874) md Precious True, 4 children
7. Rachel Elisa Hatfield (1840-1923) md Alpheus L Rathbun, 9 children
8. Mary Hatfield (1843-1893) md Tobias Fruit, 4 children
9. Francis M. Hatfield (1845-abt 1863) 
10. Elihu Hatfield (1849-1880) md Frances, 2 children
11. Rebecca J. Hatfield (1853-1929) md (1) John Reddick, (2) John Gilbert, (3) Jesse Cummins; 6 children

John Hatfield Probate

John's estate entered probate on January 13, 1858 in the Taylor County Probate Court.  Leonard D. Hatfield was appointed administrator of his father’s estate.  After appointing an administrator, the next order of business to take place was an inventory of all the personal effects of the estate.  Many of the items were "set off to widow".  Also listed are loans that several of the Hatfield children had previously been given by their father. 

Below are the actual probate pages found in the Taylor County Probate records on FamilySearch.org.  The file consisted of nine pages, seven pages of written information.  Below the probate pages are transcriptions of the first couple of pages - if reading the old cursive handwriting is difficult.  Click on pages to enlarge.

Probate Court Taylor County, Iowa January 13th 1858 pages 2-3

Probate Court Taylor County, Iowa January 1858 - January 1860 pages 4-5

Probate Court Taylor County, Iowa 1858 - 1862 pages 6-7

Probate Court Taylor County, Iowa 1859-1864 pages 8-9

Note: "Do" means Ditto
Transcription of pages 3-4:

Page 3
Probate Court Taylor County Jany 13th 1858 Whereas it was made to appear to said Court that John Hatfield late of said County died intestate about the 9th day of December A D 1857 having property at the time of his decease personal property in this State which may be lost or destroyed or diminished in value if Speedy care be not taken of the same it was therefore Decreed by the Court that L D Hatfield be appointed administrator of said Estate whereupon the said L D Hatfield Filed the requisite Bond and was duly sworn to discharge the duties of administrator of said Estate also to said John Lambert and Caswell Will were appointed appraisers of said Estate Witness my hand this 13th day of January AD 1858  Probate Judge

Inventory of the Estate of John Hatfield Decd late of Taylor County Iowa a true inventory of all the personal Effects of John Hatfield of Every description which has come to my knowledge embracing all Book accounts which do not appear to have been settled by set off to Widow

2 Head of Horses 
1 Spring Colt 
2 Yoke of Oxen 
2 Milk Cows 
2 Spring Calves 
4 Head fatting Hogs 
1 Breeding sow 
8 Head of Pigs 
200 Bushels Corn 
2 Load Hay 
1 Wagon 
8 Bushels Wheat 
1 Mantel Clock 
1 Cooking stove and utensils 
1 Sett Cupboard ware 
1 Table 
1 Fancy Bedstead 
3 Beds & Bedstead 
Continue on next page

Page 4
Inventory of the Estate of John Hatfield Decd
Continued
1 Sette Chairs
2 Trunks & chests
4 Barrels 1 BL Pork 1 Bl Pierced Ham
1 Looking Glass
1 Note on Abel Hatfield 26.00
with credit on same for $ 7.00
Balance due on said note 19.00
1 Note on Cyrus Hatfield 100.00
1 Note on Cyns Hatfield 1300
1 Note on William Hatfield (Credited on 380.00 note) 24.18
One  Do   Do    Do  (Credited on 380 dollar note) 38.35  
One  Do   Do    Do  (Credited on 380 dollar note) 95.00
One  Do   Do    Do  (Credited on 380 dollar note) 36.54
One  Do   Do    Do  (Credited on 380 dollar note)  38.88
    Interest on the note for 36.54 (Interest included in Note) 10.40
One Note on John M Hatfield 17.00
    Interest on note of 37.88 (Interest included in note) 18.20
One account on John C Vancamp 30.00
One account on Richard Servell 3.30
One account on Abel Hatfield .85
Also apts left in hands of Peter Anton a Justice of Peace in Peoria County Illinois 1,101.22
     One Thousand One Hundred and one dollars and twenty two cents
Signed L. D. Hatfield Admr

Report for year Ending Jany 13th 1860
Jany 13^th 1860 This is a true Report of my doings as administrator
Of the Estate of John Hatfield Decd late of Taylor County Town , for the year
ending Jany 13th 1860.
Received of William Hatfield on the following Notes
Money that I have paid out in the year ending Jany 13^th 1860
Paid to Washington Baker $63.35
Paid to John Van Camp order Executed by William Hatfield on note 15.10
Paid to Abel Hatfield order Executed by Wm Hatfield 22.00
Said Estate is indebted to Benj W Ball & others  $120.00
Given under my hand this 13th day of January AD 1860
Signed L. D. Hatfield Admr

Related Posts:

To view post about father, George Hatfield, click here 

To view post about Hatfield photos, click here  

To view post about son John Hatfield Jr, click here  

This Day in Our Family History

On This Day, June 3rd, in Our Family History

Family Events on June 3rd

1595 - Marriage: Ulrich Traub and Elisabetha Leyrer, Heiningen, Wurttemberg, Germany
1673 - Birth: Hannah Gray, Plymouth, Massachusetts 
1681 - Death: Edward Gray, Plymouth, Massachusetts
1686 - Death: Thomas Hewitt 
1704 - Death: Anna Cole, Plymouth, Massachusetts
1746 - Birth: Sarah Hawkins, Frederick, Virginia 
1773 - Birth: Lydia Coddington, Woodbridge, Middlesex, New Jersey 
1799 - Birth: Valentine Fuhr, Wurttemberg, Germany 
1817 - Birth: Susan Evaline West, Mason, Kentucky 
1827 - Birth: Jabez Haning, Meigs, Ohio
1833 - Birth: Eliza Ann Martin, Alabama
1835 - Birth: Hannah Amanda Hatfield, Parke County, Indiana 
1849 - Birth: Margaret Elizabeth Butler 
1862 - Birth: Merton Joy Keys, Linn County, Iowa 
1885 - Death: Jesse Gresham McNeil 
1890 - Death: Mary Cock
1894 - Birth: Charles Harvey Miller, Itasca, Hill, Texas
1908 - Burial: Agnes Cinderella Buckles, Evergreen Cemetery, Champaign, Ohio 
1909 - Birth: Wilton A. Stine, San Joaquin, California 
1910 - Death: Samuel Preston Stewart 
1915 - Birth: Clifford Kernahan, Nunda, Livingston, New York 
1917 - Death: Elizabeth Sparrow
1919 - Death: William Walter Junkins, Baldwin City, Douglas, Kansas 
1922 - Birth: Wanda Maxine Rees, Garfield, Oklahoma 
1924 - Birth: Esther June Kaser, Dove Creek, Dolores, Colorado 
1933 - Burial: Andrew George Rose, Admiral Cemetery, Callahan, Texas 
1940 - Burial: Oliver Jacob Davis Kaser, Longview Memorial Park, Cowlitz, Washington 
1941 - Death: Laura Etta McAdams 
1955 - Death: Richard Wilson Boyles 
1961 - Burial: Roscoe Baldwin, Eliasville Cemetery, Young, Texas 
1965 - Death: James Adolphus Marrs, Saliad, Chaffee, Colorado 
1967 - Death: John Charles Kane, Mountain Park, Kiowa, Oklahoma 
1974 - Death: Minnie Myrtle Hatfield, Bellingham, Whatcom, Washington 
1995 - Death: John Venton Wilson, Mexican Hat, San Juan, Utah

This list was made using RootsMagic, which I use as my personal genealogy software.  Go to the "Publish" page, select "All Reports and Charts", then select "On This Day" list.😊

Happy Birthday 2nd Great-Grandma Susan!

Today is the birthday of Susan West Leffel

She was born 208 years ago today

This morning I received a notification from FamilySearch that today was the birthday of my 2nd great-grandmother, Susan Evaline West Leffel, born June 3, 1817 in Kentucky.  She was the daughter of Michael West and Susannah McKee.  Susan married David Miller Leffel on May 3rd, 1817 in Springfield, Ohio.  They were the parents of eight (8) children.

Over the years, I have spent a large amount of time and money trying to find out more about Susan's life.  I have traveled to both Texas and Ohio so that I could conduct research for Susan in county courts, local libraries, and state archives.   I can vividly remember sitting in the Texas State Archives when the archivist brought out a file containing a letter Susan had written in 1869.  As I carefully held and read the letter, time and space seemed to disappear.  I felt as if Susan was sitting there in the archives beside me reading her letter to me.  

To read about Susan's life and her 1869 letter to the Governor of Texas, click here.  
To read about Susan's husband, David M Leffel, click here. 
To read about Susan's parents and siblings, click here.

Happy Birthday Grandma Susan!