In this final letter, from Rebecah W. (Pettus) to John Springs, the administer of her father William Pettus's estate, she makes reference to her brother Samuel Knox Pettus, brother William Wadkins Pettus, mother Mary (Knox) Pettus, and brother-in-law Moses A. House. She also refers to a lawsuit between her brother Samuel Knox Pettus and brother-in-law Stephen Sutton that was heard in the Spring Term of 1849 in York County, South Carolina. That suit was promptly appealed to the South Carolina Court of Appeals (and can be read here). It appears that this feud over the settlement of William Pettus's estate probably created a permanent rift in the family.
Mr. John Springs Dyer C Tennesse
25th Jan 1849
D Sir after a long absense I take pen in hand to inform you that we are enjoying the blessing to health at present through the mercy of God hoping thes lines may find yourself and family well I have nothing of great importance Brother S K family and Brother W W family are all well at presant they receive letters from their I am not any thing the better they in general keep what they hear friend if you feel yourself not able to attend to my part any ? what ever you think proper is to act in your place if it is please the Lord to spare you until that period I would rather that you still keep it in your hands if you are willing I would be glad to hear how they manage the suit between Mother Brother S and Moses A they think they will gain it A H talks of coming next fall to attend to the bisness: the health of the Country is in general good. at presant the colera is raging up and down the Mississippi and all the towns from hear to Orleans has had a hard winter so much wet times is hard cotton in the eed k$1 for hundred pork from $2 to 2 25 per hundred I ? for you if you ? on the reception of this letter to send me word what they are all doing and how the times is: I have nothing more at presant but remain you Sincere friend until Death
Rebecah W Duncan
It seems that Rebecah W. (Pettus) Duncan's feeling that more could be done to administer her interests in her father's estate were correct. Her mother died six years later on 16 June 1855 in York County, South Carolina. As was typical of the time, when a widow died, her husband's estate went through its final settlement, usually without a mention of the wife. Therefore, even though William Pettus died in 1818, the final settlement of his state did not get underway until August of 1855.
Thomas Newton Pettus and his sister Mariah's husband Stephen P. Sutton quickly set themselves up to administer the estate. In one regard, this made sense because they lived in the area. However, from later events it seems clear that they managed things to their own advantage. When an intestate estate is administered, all legatees should receive equal shares. By the end of the year, Sutton and company were selling off a large portion of the estate. By 1858, they were embroiled in another lawsuit with the family members in Tennessee, who took exception to how they managed the settlement.
This page last updated on March 3, 2018
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