| Description of the Records of Jefferson County, MS Written in 1902 by Chancery Clerk, Steve D. McNair |
Hunston, afterward changed to Greenville, was the county site of Pickering
(now Jefferson) County until the year 1825. The old records of this county
were kept in Adams County until 1802, then removed to Greenville and, then
in 1826, were removed to the present county site, Fayette. The first
courthouse built in Jefferson County, at Fayette, was torn down and a new
courthouse erected in 1881, which was destroyed by fire the 19th of March,
1901, but, fortunately, none of the record books were destroyed by the fire.
The oldest record book in the office of the Chancery Clerk is Book W,
commencing on the 31st July, 1790. Among the first deeds recorded is one
from Parker Carradine to John J. Carradine, the 9th May, 1798. Another is
from William Carney to Arthur Carney, dated 1795. There is, also, a bill of
sale dated September 23, 1790. Another document from the Spanish
government to John Rankin Wilie, dated in Louisiana, 1792. This deed is
recorded in the Spanish language and bears the signature of Don Carlos
Trudo, Agrimens Realy particular de la Provincia de la Louisiana. This
record book contains many deeds written and recorded in the Spanish,
French and English languages, and contains deeds up to 1818. Book A (2),
another old book, contains deeds, certificates of marriage, marks and
brands, plats of land sold by Spanish and British governments from 1794 to
1804. One deed of record, Deed Book A, dated 1775, begins: 'George the
Third, by the grace of God,' etc. The next record dates from 1804 to 1813,
and contains conveyances of land recorded in Jefferson County.
All these old books were imported from London. The surface of the paper
is rough, but the use of the quill made a beautiful record. The ink, plats,
penmanship in these old books are as clear and distinct as if done but
yesterday. An examination of these old books is very interesting, bringing to
memory the names of many who figured in olden days in Mississippi history.
The next book, a large, well preserved book, brings the deed of records up
to the year 1826, and contains plats of the town of Fayette and Rodney, and
also the orginal deed of conveyance of date May 21st, 1825, from Henry
Platner to George Robinson, Joseph Parmerlee, Thomas Shelby, Abner
Marble and David Willis, commissioners under an act of the General
Assembly of the State of Mississippi, laid off as the town of Fayette.
The oldest wills recorded in Jefferson County are in Will Book A and are
from 1800 to 1830.
The county of Jefferson has no courthouse at present, but one under way
of construction and, when completed, we shall have one of the best fire proof
record rooms in the State. At present, the records are kept on the lower
floor of the jail, a brick building, and are guarded at night by a special
watchman.
~ ~ ~
The link to this page is:
http://old-new-orleans.com/Jefferson_County_Records_letter_1902.html
My G-Grandfather's Attic - Home
(now Jefferson) County until the year 1825. The old records of this county
were kept in Adams County until 1802, then removed to Greenville and, then
in 1826, were removed to the present county site, Fayette. The first
courthouse built in Jefferson County, at Fayette, was torn down and a new
courthouse erected in 1881, which was destroyed by fire the 19th of March,
1901, but, fortunately, none of the record books were destroyed by the fire.
The oldest record book in the office of the Chancery Clerk is Book W,
commencing on the 31st July, 1790. Among the first deeds recorded is one
from Parker Carradine to John J. Carradine, the 9th May, 1798. Another is
from William Carney to Arthur Carney, dated 1795. There is, also, a bill of
sale dated September 23, 1790. Another document from the Spanish
government to John Rankin Wilie, dated in Louisiana, 1792. This deed is
recorded in the Spanish language and bears the signature of Don Carlos
Trudo, Agrimens Realy particular de la Provincia de la Louisiana. This
record book contains many deeds written and recorded in the Spanish,
French and English languages, and contains deeds up to 1818. Book A (2),
another old book, contains deeds, certificates of marriage, marks and
brands, plats of land sold by Spanish and British governments from 1794 to
1804. One deed of record, Deed Book A, dated 1775, begins: 'George the
Third, by the grace of God,' etc. The next record dates from 1804 to 1813,
and contains conveyances of land recorded in Jefferson County.
All these old books were imported from London. The surface of the paper
is rough, but the use of the quill made a beautiful record. The ink, plats,
penmanship in these old books are as clear and distinct as if done but
yesterday. An examination of these old books is very interesting, bringing to
memory the names of many who figured in olden days in Mississippi history.
The next book, a large, well preserved book, brings the deed of records up
to the year 1826, and contains plats of the town of Fayette and Rodney, and
also the orginal deed of conveyance of date May 21st, 1825, from Henry
Platner to George Robinson, Joseph Parmerlee, Thomas Shelby, Abner
Marble and David Willis, commissioners under an act of the General
Assembly of the State of Mississippi, laid off as the town of Fayette.
The oldest wills recorded in Jefferson County are in Will Book A and are
from 1800 to 1830.
The county of Jefferson has no courthouse at present, but one under way
of construction and, when completed, we shall have one of the best fire proof
record rooms in the State. At present, the records are kept on the lower
floor of the jail, a brick building, and are guarded at night by a special
watchman.
~ ~ ~
The link to this page is:
http://old-new-orleans.com/Jefferson_County_Records_letter_1902.html
My G-Grandfather's Attic - Home
