COZART DEEDS 1866-1912
Deed
William D. Cozart Heirs to Narrell Spraggins
Registered April 3, 1866
Madison County Deed Book 24, pages 51-52
In 1871 this area became Crockett County Civil District 3
Tennessee State Library & Archives:
Madison County, microfilm roll #12
Copied by Denise L. Cozart
July 2002
Background:
The sale of this Cozart property took place on October 28, 1865, six months after the close of the Civil War. There was a 5-month delay in registering the sale. Tennessee was readmitted to the Union on July 24, 1866. She was the last State to secede and the first to be readmitted.
The sellers were listed in birth order. They were the three oldest children of William Davis Cozart and Susana Boals — Robert "William" about age 29, Joshua James about 27, and Gilbert about 25. The other children who shared in the $2325 were: Henderson about age 24, Newton about 23, and Jasper about 20.
Their dad bought the original tract of 100 acres in January 1838, registered in March. In September 1844 he sold it to his brother Gilbert. In January 1847 Uncle Gilbert Cozart returned the parcel to their widowed mother. He stipulated that the boys were to inherit the property and share alike. In 1848 William D., posthumously, was awarded a State grant of another 50 adjoining acres. It was the whole 150-acre tract that was now being sold.
By the 1860 U.S. Census their mother had remarried. Oldest son Robert "William" had wed Catherine "Fanny" Powell. The boys lived in different households. In 1861 the Civil War began; in 1862 the Union Army began occupation of West Tennessee; in 1865 the Civil War came to a close. The boys had hopes and plans. It was time to get on with their lives and claim their inheritance.
On the deed registered April 1866, we learn that the property was in the 18th civil district of Madison County. In 1871 this area became civil district 3 of Crockett County. Gadsden was the big town of the district.
The land in this deed was measured in poles and acres:
1 pole = 16 1/2 feet
1 link = 7.92 inches
1 mile = 320 poles = 5,280 feet
1 acre = 160 square poles = 43,560 square feet
1 square pole = 272 1/4 feet
640 acres = 1 square mile
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41 |
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R. W. Cozart |
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We R. W. Cozart, J. Cozart and G. Cozart have this day bargained and sold and do hereby transfer alien, convey and confirm to Narrell Spraggins, his heirs and assigns forever for the consideration of Twenty-three hundred twenty-five Dollars to us in hand paid, the Receipt which is hereby acknowledged, a certain parcel of land situated lying and being in the 18th civil district in the county of Madison and State of Tennessee containing one hundred & fifty acres "more or less" and bounded as follows to wit. Beginning at Madison Cozarts North West corner, a Black Walnut & 3 white ash pointers. Thence East 178 1/10 poles to a Stake. Post oak, Black Gum pointers. Thence North 89 1/2 poles to a Stake. Black oak & Post oak pointers. Thence West 178 8/10 poles to a Stake. Hickory and Post oak pointers. Thence West 90 poles to a Stake. Hickory & 3 white oak pointers. Thence South 88 2/10 poles to a Stake. Maple, Ironwood, Hickory & white oak pointers. Thence East 90 poles to the Beginning. To have and to hold the same together with all the hereditaments and appurtenances thereunto belonging to the said Narrell Spraggins his heirs and assigns forever We do covenant with the said Narrell Spraggins that we are lawfully Seized of said land have a good right to convey it and that the same is unencumbered. We do further covenant and bind ourselves our heirs and representatives to warrant and forever defend the title to said described land and every part thereof to the aforesaid Narrell Spraggins his heirs and assigns against the lawful claims of all persons whatever. Witness our hands and Seals This 28th day of October 1865 |
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R. W. Cozart seal |
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Executed & delivered in our presence date given above |
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attest: |
Saml S. Watkins |
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State of Tennessee |
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Personally appeared before me P. C. McCowat Clerk of the County Court of such County the Subscribing Witnesses Saml E Watkins and J M Bledsoe who being first Sworn, deposed and said that they are acquainted with the bargainors and that they acknowledged said Instrument in their presence as their act and deed on the day it bears date. |
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State Tax 1.50 |
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Witness my hand at Office This 3 day of April 1866. |
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P. C. McCowat clerk |
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State of Tennessee |
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I J. R. Chappell Register of Said County do certify that the foregoing Deed with Clerk's certificate and $2.50 in USR Stamps therein was duly filed in my Office this day about 10 o'clock AM & noted in Minute Book 4 on page 186. Witness my hand at Office this the 3 day April 1866. |
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J. R. Chappell Register |
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Decree and Deed
Registered February 8, 1869
Heirs of Gilbert Cozart
Madison County Deed Book 26, pages 538-540
In 1871 this area became Crockett County Civil District 1
Tennessee State Library & Archives:
Madison County, microfilm roll #13
Transcribed by Denise L. Cozart
July 2002
Background:
The father of Hubbard, Gilbert Cozart, acquired land on the waters of the South Fork of the Forked Deer River in Madison County, 10th Surveyor's District, 9th Section (later 9th Civil District).
At about age 25 in 1830 Gilbert was awarded a 50-acre land grant from the State of Tennessee. In January 1845 he acquired a 429-acre tract from his father, Joshua. In January 1850 he sold to his father 71 3/4 acres for $3.50. Gilbert had 567 acres when he died of typhoid fever in July 1860. This showed up on the deed registered February 1869.
Both Gilbert and his wife, Mary Ann Kirby, died the summer of 1860, leaving five minor children. Then came the Civil War, 1861-1865 and presumably the loss of farm animals and crops. During this time oldest daughter Ann Elizabeth married Jarriet McLemore.
In 1866-67 some sort of dispute about the estate arose among the heirs. When legal proceedings began in March 1867, Ann Elizabeth Cozart McLemore was 21 years old; Hubbard Theophilus Cozart was about 19-20; Mary Frances was 17; Helen Samantha was 14. Irwin Lafayette was not mentioned. If he were still living, he would have been 10.
Their father, Gilbert, had made a will in Madison County in July 1860. The witnesses of his will were J. J. McLemore, his future son-in-law; G. A. McLemore, and A. H. Cozart, his brother.
Will of Gilbert Cozart [son of Joshua and Elizabeth Marsh],
Thursday, July 12, 1860;
Probate Court, Madison County, Tennessee; Roll 534, Book 7, Pages 76-78
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Gilbert Cozart |
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In the name of God, Amen. I, Gilbert Cozart, being of sound and sane mind, make this my last will and testament; hereby revoking all others heretofore made. 1st — It is my wish and desire that my funeral expenses and all my just debts be paid by my Executor who is hereinafter named, out of any of the moneys that may be on hand as soon after my death as may be practicable. 2nd — I will and bequeath unto my beloved wife Mary Cozart, all of my real and personal estate during her widowhood for the use and mutual benefit of herself and my children, but if she should marry, then in that case it is my wish and desire that my real and personal estate remain in common stock under the direction and control of my wife for the use and benefit of my wife and children until any one of my children shall marry or arrive at the age of twenty-one years of age at which time it is my wish and desire that such an one or ones of my children as may have married or arriven to the age of twenty-one years of age, have their portion of all my real and personal estate allotted unto them by commissioners appointed by the County Court for that purpose making my wife an equal sharer of the same during her natural life beginning with the first and second and so on until the youngest shall marry or become twenty-one years of age. 3rd — It is my wish and desire that after the death of my wife that her portion of my real and personal estate be equally divided between all of my children each to share and share alike. 4th — I will and bequeath unto my wife a sufficient amount of my stock of hogs, horses, sheep and cattle for their support and as much or many of my farming tools as may be necessary to carry on the farm, likewise two yoke of oxen and my wagon for the above named purpose and all household and kitchen furniture the balance to be sold together with the crop after leaving a sufficient amount of corn and fodder wheat for one year support by my Executor hereinafter named. 5th — I give and bequeath unto my wife and my children all the moneys that may belong to my estate after all my debts and legal expenses for settling up my estate shall be paid, to be equally divided between them each to share and share alike. It is further my wish and desire that the moneys belonging to my children be placed in the hands of a Guardian appointed by the County Court, and that they be sent to school and the tuition of each one of them be paid by said Guardian out of the money each one may have allotted unto them. Lastly — I do nominate and appoint Radford Withers my Executor to my last will and testament. In witness whereof I do to this set my hand and seal this 12th day of July 1860. |
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Gilbert Cozart seal |
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Signed, sealed and acknowledged in our presence, and we have subscribed our names as witnesses in the presence of and the request of the testator |
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J. J. McLemore [Jarriet J. future son-in-law] |
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538 |
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1664 |
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Be it remembered that heretofore, to wit At a County Court began and held for the County of Madison and State of Tennessee on the 1st Monday being the 4th day of March in the year of our Lord 1867, Present the Worshipful Archibald S. Rogers, chairman and Presiding Justice, Howel H. Madson and Ambrose R. Reid associates The proceeding following on the succeeding pages of this sheet were had in said Court and appear on the Records thereof to wit March 6th 1867 On this day came on this cause for further hearing upon the Report of the Clerk & Master on the Sale of the Land mentioned in the pleading in this cause which Report being unesscepted [unaccepted?] to is in all things confirmed and it appearing to the satisfaction of the Court from said Report that the Clerk & Master in obediance [sic] to the orders heretofore made in the cause did after Advertising as the law directs, Sell said land at the highest bidder at the Court House door in the town of Jackson on the 1st Monday in December 1866, when and where the same was struck off to Jarrett J. McLemore at the sum of Three dollars thirty cents per acre, who afterward on the 4th December 1866, transferred his bid to Hubbard T. Cozart, who with Parker Lacy paid the Cash payment and Executed this Note with Reuben H. Eppenson and John Lacy as security for the deferred payment. It is therefore ordered Adjudged and Decreed by the Court, that the said Sale be and the same is in all things confirmed and ratified, and that all the right, title, & Interest which the complainants and Defendants - except Hubbard T. Cozart in & to the said land lying in Madison County Tennessee, on the waters of Forked Deer River and 9th civil District and bounded as follows on the North and West by the lands of Sugars McLemore, on the East by the lands of the Estate of A. G. McClellan Dcd [deceased] containing 567 acres be divested out of them and vested in Hubbard T. Cozart and Parker Lacy as joint Tenants in common, their heirs & assigns, Subject to a lien to Secure the unpaid purchase money, it is further ordered that the Clerk retain the costs and pay out of the Cash fund, the attorneys fee and the balance of said fund and hereafter to be collected pay to the legatees of said Gilbert Cozart according to their respective rights. |
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State of Tennessee |
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I, P.c. McCowat clerk of the County Court of said County, do hereby certify that the foregoing is a "true copy" of a Decree pronounced by said Court at its March Term 1867, as the same appears of Record on the Minutes of said Court Witness my hand at Office this 8th day of February 1869 |
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P. C. McCowat clerk |
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State of Tennessee |
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I Joel R. Chappell Register of said County, do hereby certify that the foregoing Decree with clerk's certificate & 3 cents in U.S.R. Stamps thereon was duly Filed in my office for Registration this day at 3 o'clock PM and so noted in Minute Book No 4 on page 348. Witness my hand at Office this 8th day of February 1869 |
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J. R. Chappell Register |
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[page] 539 |
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1665 To: Deed W. P Lacy Regst Feby 8, 1869 |
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This Indenture made 1st day of February one Thousand Eight Hundred and Sixty Nine, between W. P. Lacy and H. T. Cozart of Madison County Tennessee. H T Cozart part[y] of the first part and W P Lacy of the Second part in of Madison county and State of Tennessee part of Second part. Witnesseth That the said party of the first H T Cozart and for the consideration of the sum of One Thousand two Hundred Dollars lawful Money of the United States to him in hand paid by the said party of the Second part at or before the ensealing & delivery of these presents, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged have remised released and quit claimed and by these presents do remise release and quit claim unto the trade party of the Second part & to his heirs & assigns forever, all that certain piece or parcel of land lying & being situated in the County of Madison and State of Tennessee in civil District No. 9, lying on the waters of Forked Deer River & bounded as follows: On the North and West by the lands of Sugars McLemore on the East by the lands of the Estate of A. G. McClellan decd [deceased] containing in all 567 acres above mentioned, the intention of this Deed is to convey one half or all of my part to said W. P. Lacy together with all and Singular the tenements hereditaments & appurtenances thereunto belonging or in any wise appertaining and the revision and revisions remainder & remainders, rents, issues & profits thereof and also all the Estate right title interest Dower and right of Dower property possession claim and demand whatsoever so well in law as in Equity of the said parties of the first of or to the above described premises and every part and parcel thereof with the appurtenances To have and to hold all and singular the above mentioned and described premises together with the appurtenances unto the said party of the Second part his heirs & assigns forever Witness whereof I set my hand and seal |
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H. T. Cozart seal |
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Witness |
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State of Tennessee |
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Personally appeared before P. C. McCowart clerk of the County Court of said County, the foregoing named bargainor Hubbard T Cozart, with whom I am personally acquainted and acknowledged that he esecuted [sic] the foregoing Instrument for the purposes therein contained. Witness my hand at office this 8th day of February 1869 |
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P. C. McCowart clerk |
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State of Tennessee |
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I Joel R. Chappell Register of said County do hereby certify that the foregoing Deed with clerks certificate and $1.50 in USR Stamps thereon was duly Filed in my office for Registration this day at 3 o'clock PM and was so Noted in Minute Book No 4 on page 348 Witness my hand at Office this 8 day of February 1869 |
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J. R. Chappell Register |
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Deed
W. H. Marlow & Wife (Mahulda Cozart) to R. B. Vaughter
Registered July 25, 1870
Madison County Deed Book 27, pages 470-471
Madison County District 9; became Crockett District 1 in 1871
Tennessee State Library & Archives:
Madison County, microfilm roll #13
Transcribed by Denise L. Cozart
July 2002
Background:
William H. Marlow and his wife bought out brother and sister co-heirs of father Joshua Cozart's property. See deeds dated during the 1850s. Now in 1870, both about age 47, they were selling 120 3/4 acres of the Joshua Cozart tract. They may have used this money to move to Obion County. By the 1880 U. S. Census Hulda was no longer listed. William was living in Obion County, TN with his daughter Helen, 24, who was "keeping house," and son Martin 22.
The land in this deed was measured in poles and acres:
1 pole = 16 1/2 feet
1 mile = 320 poles = 5,280 feet
1 acre = 160 square poles = 43,560 square feet
1 square pole = 272 1/4 feet
640 acres = 1 square mile
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470 |
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W. H. Marlow & Wife |
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We W. H. Marlow and Huldah Marlow formerly Huldah Cozart have this day bargained and Sold and do hereby transfer and convey to R. B. Vaughter and his heirs forever for the consideration of $4224.50. Four Thousand Two Hundred dollars and twenty four dollars and fifty cents, to us in hand paid, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged a tract or parcel of land in the State of Tennessee, Madison County, and District No. 9, the same being devised in the last will and testament of Joshua Cozart deceased formerly of Madison County Tennessee, containing by estimation one hundred and twenty and three fourths acres, be the same more or less and bounded as follows Beginning at a Stake with Elm & Dogwood pointers, in the S.E. corner of said tract of land. Thence North 110 poles to a Stake with two white oak pointers. Thence West 129 3/4 poles to a Stake with Post oak & Persimmons pointers. Thence South 74 3/4 poles to a Stake with 2 white oak and Sasafras [sic.] pointers. Thence West 30 poles to a Stake with two Black oak pointers. Thence South 76 poles to a Stake with Poplar pointers. Thence East 96 poles to a Stake with Plum bush pointer. Thence North 40 3/4 poles to a Stake with 3 Black oak pointers. Thence East 61 3/4 poles to the Beginning. To have and to hold the same to said R. B. Vaughter his heirs and assigns forever. We do covenant with the said R. B. Vaughter that we are lawfully seized of said land, have a good right to convey it and that the same is unencumbered We do further covenant and bind ourselves and our representatives to warrant and forever defend the title of the said land & every part thereof to the said R. B. Vaughter his heirs and assigns forever against the lawful claims of any & all persons whatsoever. This the 23rd day of December 1869. |
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W. H. Marlow |
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State of Tennessee |
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Personally appeared before me E. D. Farris clerk of County Court of said County, W. H. Marlow the bargainor [sic.] to the foregoing and hereto attached Deed, with whom I am personally acquainted and who acknowledged that he executed the same for the purposes therein contained. And Huldah Marlow wife of the said W. H. Marlow having appeared before me privately & apart from her husband the said W. H. Marlow acknowledged the execution of the said deed to have been done by her freely, voluntarily & understandingly without compulsion or constraint from her said husband, and for the purposes therein expressed, Witness E. D. Farris clerk of the Court at office this 23rd day of December AD 1869. |
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E. D. Harris, clerk |
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State of Tennessee |
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I Joel R. Chappell Register of said County, do hereby certify that the foregoing Deed with clerk's certificate and $4.50 in USR Stamps thereon was duly Filed in my office for registration this day at 1 o'clock PM and was so noted in Minute Book No 4 on page 412. |
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Witness my hand at Office J. R. Chappell |
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Deed
Robert "William" & Catherine F. Cozzart [Cozart] to Carroll Jackson
Registered December 2, 1875
Crockett County Deed Book 8, page 544
Tennessee State Library & Archives:
Crockett County, microfilm roll #8
Transcribed by Denise L. Cozart
Junly 2002
Background:
According to the 1860 U.S. Census Robert "William" and his bride Catherine "Fanny" were living on the old home place where he had been raised, next to Uncle Madison Cozart and family. This was in Madison County, District 18, near Cypress Creek. Their post office was Gadsden.
In 1865 this familiar property was sold (see Cozart Heirs to Spraggins deed). Robert "William" and Catherine "Fanny" then apparently bought 85 1/2 acres in Gibson County Civil District 16, where Fanny had been brought up. William was around 29; Fanny about 22. On the 1870 Census they were in Gibson County with post office of Humboldt/Gadsden. In 1871 this area became Crockett County Civil District 4. One of the leading communities was Coxville.
In the following deed William and Fanny were selling back to the previous owner, Carroll Jackson, 30 acres "of the 85 1/2 acre tract deeded to me by said Jackson."
In March 1912 William and Fanny, 75 and about 68, sold another 19 1/2 acres to their oldest daughter, Demetrie Cozart Ethridge. William lived until November 4, 1915; Fanny until February 12, 1929.
According to family tradition, both William and Fanny were buried at "Salem Chapel," which likely was Salem Cumberland Presbyterian. This may have been Fanny's childhood church. It was about three or so miles south of the intersection of State Route 152 W and Salem Road. Cox's Chapel was less than a mile south of this same intersection on Salem Road. On the map Salem Road was just east of Coxville on State Route 152 W. Salem Road ran south to Gadsden from this intersection. (directions courtesy of Hugh Dunlap)
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544 |
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R. W. Cozzart |
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We R. W. Cozart [spelled with one "z"] and Catharine F. Cozart [spelled with one "z"] wife of the said R. W. Cozart have this day bargained and sold and hereby transfer and convey to Carroll Jackson and his heirs forever for the consideration of the sum of two hundred and seventy three dollars and fifty five cents in hand paid the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged for a tract of land in the state of Tennessee crockett county Range 3 section 11 in 4 civil district of crockett county containing containing [word repeated] thirty acres more or less and bounded as follows Beginning at a stake black oak pointer on Martha Jane Williams west boundary line runs thence north one hundred and 9 5/10 poles to a stake sweet gum pointer thence west 39 1/4 1/10 [?] poles to a white oak thence south 79 8/10 poles to a stake thence east 24 poles to a stake black oak pointer thence south 30 poles to a stake black oak pointer thence east 61 1/2 1/10 [?] poles to the beginning containing thirty acres more or less being part of the 85 1/2 acre tract deeded to me by said Jackson to have and to hold the same to said Carroll Jackson his heirs and assigns forever we do covenant with the said Jackson that we are lawfully seized of said land have a good right to convey it and that the same is unencumbered we do further covenant and bind ourselves our heirs and representatives to warrant and forever defend the title to said land and every part thereof to the said Jackson his heirs and assigns against the lawful claims of all persons whatever given under our hands and seal this the 23rd day of November 1875 |
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R. W. Cozzart seal her |
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state tax $.25 paid |
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State of Tennessee |
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Personally appeared before me, Francis J. Wood, clerk of said county, R. W. Cozzart the bargainor, with whom I am personally acquainted and who acknowledged that he executed the within Deed for the purposes therein contained, And Catharine Cozzart wife of the said R. W. Cozzart having appeared before me privately and apart from her husband the said R. W. Cozzart acknowledged the execution of the said Deed to have been done by her freely, voluntarily, and understandingly without compulsion or constraint from her husband, and for the purposes therein expressed, Witness of Francis J. Wood, clerk of said county at office, this 2nd day of December 1875 |
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Francis J. Wood, |
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State of Tennessee |
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I certify that the foregoing Deed and certificates were recd. For Registration December 2nd 1875 at 1 O'clock P.M. |
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R. T. DeFouche, Register |
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Deed
Robert "William" & Catherine "Fanny" Cozart to Demetrie Ethridge
Parents to Daughter
Registered April 4, 1912
Crockett County Deed Book U
Tennessee State Library & Archives:
Crockett County, microfilm roll #A4267
Transcribed by Denise L. Cozart
July 2002
Background:
Robert "William" and Catherine "Fanny" Cozart bought a 85 1/2-acre tract around 1865 when the area was part of Gibson County Civil District 16. In 1871 this became Crockett County District 4. Coxville was the big town of the district.
Thirty acres were sold to Carroll Jackson in 1875; 19 1/2 acres to oldest daughter Demetrie Ethridge, age 49, in 1912. Since her husband was not mentioned, it is likely she was a widow.
William was 75 in April 1912. He would live until November 4, 1915. Fanny was around 68. She would live until February 12, 1929.
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437 |
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R. W. Cozart & Wife |
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The indenture made and entered into this the 26 day of March 1912 between R W Cozart of the first part of the County of Crockett and State of Tennessee and Demetrie Etheridge of the second part of the County and State of foresaid witnesseth that the said R W Cozart has this day sold to Demetrie Etheridge for the consideration of $780.00 Seven Hundred & Eighty dollars ... in hand the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged a certain tract of land in the County of Crockett and State of Tennessee in the 4th Civil District and bounded as follows Beginning at a Stake in the North boundary line of Sec Selph [? was Section 11 in 1875] thence West 37 ... poles to a stake thence south to a stake 85 poles thence East to a stake 37 poles thence North to a stake 85 poles to the beginning containing by estimation 19 1/2 acres more or less to have and to hold the same to the said Demetrie Etheridge to her And her heirs and assigns forever the said R W Cozart doth covenant with the said Demetrie Etheridge her heirs and and [word repeated] assigns that he is lawfully seized of said land and the same is unencumbered and that I have a good right to convey the same and I do further Covenant with the said Demetrie Etheridge that I and my heirs and legal representatives will forever warrant and defend the title to the same against the lawful claims of all persons whomsoever: in testimony I have Signed my name this 26 day of March 1912. |
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R W Cozart her |
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State of Tennessee |
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Personally appeared before me R S Conyers Clerk of the County Court of said County R W Cozart the bargainor with whom I am personally acquainted and who acknowledged that he executed the within instrument for the purposes therein contained and Mrs C F Cozart wife of the said R W Cozart having personally appeared before me privately and apart from her husband the said Mrs C F Cozart acknowledged the execution of the said deed to have been done by her freely voluntarily and understandingly without compulsion or constraint from her husband and for the purposes therein expressed, Witness R S Conyers Clerk of said Court at office this 4th day of April 1912. |
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R L Conyers |
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I certify that the above deed was Received in Record April 4 1912 at 4 O clock PM and so noted in minute Book no 3 page 282 & 283 |
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G L Bennett |
Go to Cozard Deeds 1850-1858
Return to Madison County Records
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