Today, I will share the estate administration for Elizabeth Baker Stufflebean, widow of Michael Stufflebean, who died in the summer of 1850.
Like the papers of her husband’s estate, those of Elizabeth are also found in the file for Elizabeth J. and Daniel B. Stufflebean, minor children and heirs of John Stufflebean, who was the son of Michael and Elizabeth.
There are 2 pages in the file that pertain to Elizabeth’s estate. In the interest of creating a post that isn’t longer than need be, I will transcribe the pages with actual text in sentence form, but not the title pages or standard printed forms with a few words filled in.
All of these papers are found in (and misfiled) in the probate estate file of Elizabeth J. and Daniel B. Stufflebean, minors, in Linn county, Missouri with dates just before and just after 1850. Images have been digitized and are available on FamilySearch.
Although these papers are intermixed with other pages in the file folder, I have posted them in the order in which they are found in the digital folder.
State of Missouri, County of Linn}
The undersigned John Stufflebean as administrator of the estate of Elizabeth Stufflebean deceased says that to the best of his knowledge and belief the names of the heirs of the said deceased are, George Stufflebean, Hiram Stufflebean, Michel Stufflebean, James Stufflebean, Susan Stufflebean, William H. Stufflebean, Rachel Jane Stufflebean, Elizabeth Clark is a resident of the county of Sullivan in the state of Missrouri and that all the rest are residents of the said county of Linn in the state aforesaid, that the deseased died without a will, that he will make a perfect inventory of, and faithfully, administer all the estate of the deceased, and pay the debts as far as he assets will extend, and the law direct, and account for and pay all assets, which shall come to his possession or knowledge. John Stufflebean
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 22nd day of October AD 1850 Enoch (?) C.L.C.C.
November the 14th 1850 Sale bill of the goods and chatels of the Estate of Elisabeth Stufflebean Decd late of Linn County MIssouri
Samuel Stufflebean, 2 Bottles, .10
Michael Stufflebean, 1 Bottle, .05
George Stufflebean, 2 Bottles, .05
Hiram Stufflebean, 1 coffeepot, .15
Milton Renolds, 6 tincups, .35
William T. Clark, 1 pepperbox & cream pitcher, .12 1/2
William Watson, 4 plates, .30
Hiram Stufflebean, 2 knives. .90?
Ballaam M. Baker, 1 Trunk and saltcellar, .80
Fredric Nester, 1 loking glass, .25
Hiram Stufflebean, 1 Razor and strap, .55
Isaac Farley, 1 Table, .10
George Stufflebean, 1 Hammer and nippers, .40
Hiram Stufflebean, 2 chairs, 1.05
William T. clark, 2 chairs, .35
William Watson, 1 Basket, .20
George Stufflebean, 1 coffee mill, .25
William T. clark, 1 pair of cards and Bucket, .22
Ballaam M. Baker, 1 Bucket, .20
Fredric Nester, 1 pail, .26
George Stufflebean, 1 spade, .12 1/2
Samuel Stufflebean, 1 Tea kittle, .95
William Watson, 1 oven, .65
George Stufflebean, 1 oven, 1.80
Hiram Stufflebean 1 Flat Iron, .80
Samuel Stufflebean, 1 pot, 1.05
George Stufflebean, 1 potrack, 1.00
Fredric Nester, 1 potrack, 1.00
Jeramiah hamilton 1 Sickel, .30
George Stufflebean, 1 Auger, .45
William T. clark, 1 Auger, .56
James pace, 1 Drawing knife, .37 1/2
Thomas G. childers, 1 Mattock, .96
William T. clark, 3 Hoes, .50
Henry Fosher, 1 Wedge, .85
Isaac Farley, 1 kittle, 4.00
MeridethDavis, 2 Stands & Box, .60
Merydeth Davis, 1 Barrel & Irons, 1.76
Hiran Stufflebean, 1 pair of gears, 1.05
Merydeth Davis, 1 Barrel, .50
James Stufflebean, 1 Big wheel, 1.10
James Stufflebean, 1 Littlewheel, 2.30
Josephus Jones, 1 sythe and stone, .70
William T. Clark, 1 Barrel of soap, .50
Joseph M. Couch, 1 Meat tub, 1.30
Fredric Nester, 1 side saddle, 10.00
James Stufflebean, 1 Bedstid, 5.00
Isaac Maccolum, 1 Bedstid, 7.00
Merydeth David, 1 Loom, 2.10
John Stufflebean 1 Reed, .50
Merydeth Davis, 2 Reeds, 1.02
Merydeth Davis ” Temples & harnesses, .55
Merydeth Davis, 1 par of Harness, .60
Merydeth Davis, 1 set of spools, .30
Thomas Puliam, 1 Keel, 1.00
Thomas Puliam, 1 pair of sheep shears, 1.00
Fredric nester, 1 Bell, 4.25
John Stufflebean, 1 Bed & Beding, 1.00
John Stufflebean, 1 Bed & Beding, 1.00
James Stufflebean, 1 Bed and Beding, 19.50
Merydeth Davis, 1 Tray and sive, .31 3/4
George Stufflebean, 1 Lot of wool, 6.00
Merydeth Davis, 1 Stand, 1.01
Thomas G. childers, 1 Gun, 7.05
J.S. kentwell, 1 Gun, 7.70
George Stufflebean, 3 Books, .75
Hiram Stufflebean, 1 Clock, 11.01
Hiram Stufflebean, 1 Bunch of cotton, 1.26
Hiram Stufflebean, 1 Bunch of cotton, 1.40
James Stufflebean, ” cotton, .75
Fredric Nester, 1 Pair of specks, .12 1/2
William T. Clark, 1 claak, .05
William T. Clark, 1 lot of clothes, 6.50
James Pace, 1 lot of locks &c, .25
James Stufflebean, 1 Box of sundries, .15
John R. Baker, 1 Bureau, 17.00
Merydith Davis, 1 Groundstone, .25
John Stufflebean, 1 Beestand, .60
George Stufflebean, 1 Bee stand, 1.50
Thomas Puliam, 1 Beestand, 1.00
George Stufflebean, 1 Beestand, 1.25
James Stufflebean 1 quart of honey, .20
George Stufflbean, 1 Jug “, .20
John stufflebean, 7 Geese, 2.01? (ink smudge)
William T. clark, 1 wheat Fan, 3.00
Georg Stufflebean, 2 head of hogs, 7.00
Robert Maccollum, 3 head of hogs, 7.50
William Maccollum, 4 head of hogs, 11.12 1/2
Hiram Stufflebean, 4 head of hogs, 8.00
John Stufflebean, 5 head of hogs, 5.35
Michael Stufflebean, 1 cow and calf, 10.40
James Stufflebean 1 cow and calf, 9.50
James Pace, 1 cow and calf, 9.70?
Morris Baker, 1 hiefer, 6.10
Henry Gier, 1 hiefer, 7.00
Benjamin Putman, 1 yoke of seers [steers?], 14.37 1/2
John Stufflebean, 5 head of sheep, 7.00
John Stufflebean, 5 head of sheep, 6.45
Samuel Stufflebean, 4 head of sheep, 4.95
William T. Clark, 1 Log chain, 2.00
Josephus Jones, 1 plow, 1.15
Jeramiah Hamilton
Lorenzo Hackler, 1 plow and Stock, 4.15
Joseph M. couch, 1 Hansaw, 1.10
William T. clark, 1 yoke of steers, 28.50
John Stufflebean, 1 lot of Beeswax, 4.00
Total: 316.84 1/4
State of Missouri County of Linn
Benjamin putman personaly appeared before me John Stufflebean a Justice of the peace in and for Baker Township Linn County Mo and made oath that the above sale bill is a correct acount of the sale of the above named goods and articles belonging to the Estate of Elisabeth Stufflebean now Decd.
subscribed and sworn to before me this December the 28th 1850
John Stufflean, JP
State of Missouri Linn County}
November the 13th 1850
Affidavit of the Appraisers of the Estate of Elisabeth Stufflebean Deceised you and each of you do Solemnly Swear that yu are not Interested nor of kin to any person Intersted in the Estate as heir or devisee And that you will to the best of your Abilities view and Appraise the property to you produced
W.W. Watson
Benjamin Putman
Isaac S. Farley
Subscribed and sworn to before me John Stufflebean J.P
3 Beds and Beding, 79.60
2 Bed Stids, 8.50
1 Lot of cotton yarn, 2.87 1/2
1 lot of Clothing, 12. 25
1 lot of wool, 3.20
1 lot of Books, .75
1 lot of Shaving tools, .75
2 locks and Box of Sundries, .25
2 wheels and cheekreel, 3.50
1 par of wool Cards, .10
4 Chairs, 1.25
1 Basket 2 Buckets, 1.00
1 lot of Castings, 4.52 1/2
2 pot Racks and flat Iron, 2.00
1 tray and sive, .25
1 lot of cobbard ware, 2.00
1 trunk looking Glass Slate &c, 1.00
1 pair Sheep Shears 1 Gallon jug, .70
2 Rifle guns, 12.00
1 lot Beeswas, 1 honey Stand, 4.00
1 Clock an dBeauro, 22.00
1 Shoe hamer & nippers, .25
1 Axe and wedge 1 Sythe Scythe & Stone, .75
1 Drwing Knife 2 Augurs, 1.00
1 Sickle 1 barrel of old irons, .60
3 Stands 1 Box 1 churn, 1.00
1 Stand of Soap, 1.00
1 lot of geese, 1.75
1 lot gears, .75
2 Eary plows, 2.50
1 log chain, 1.50
1 Bell 1 grindstone 1 table, 2.00
5 Bee Stands, 7.50
1 lot of hogs, 30.00
1 Wheat fan, 5.00
3 cowsand calfs, 24.50
2 heifers, 72.00
1 yoke of Steers, 27.50
1 yoke of young Steers, 16.00
14 head of Sheep, 14.00
1 loom & Sleys & gears & Spools, 4.50
1 Side Saddle, 5.00
1 hand Saw, 1.00
3 Weeding hoes and mattock, 1.00
Total Amount of the Appraisement Bill 264.57 1/2
Linn County court February term 1852 first Anuel Settlement of John Stufflebean Admr of the estate of Elisabeth Stufflebean Dect
Indebtedness
by one note on Self, 10.00
order on Wm putman, 5.00
order of J.B. Baker, 2.30
Amount of Sale Bill, 316.10
total amount 333.40 minus 6.30
Ballance due 327.60
By voucher 19.00
Total 308.11
Credit by voucher No 1, 2.00
voucher No 2, 1.00
voucher No 3, 1.00
voucher No 4, 1.00
voucher No 5, .50
voucher No 6, .50
Total 6.00
Linn County Court February term 1853 second Anuel Settlement of John Stufflebean Admr of the estate of Elisabeth Stufflebean Dect
Indebtedness
by one note on Self 10.00
order on W M Putman, 5.00
order of J.B. Baker, 2.30
Amount of Sale Bill, 316.10
333.40 minus 36.31
Ballance Due 297.09
Credit by voucher No 1, 2.00
voucher No 2, 1.00
voucher No 3, 1.00
voucher No 4, 1.00
voucher No 5, .50
voucher No 6, .80
voucher No 7, 20.00
voucher No 8, 3.43
voucher No 9, 2.00
voucher No 10 1.35
voucher No 11, .24
voucher No 12. 2.00
voucher No 13, 1.35
Total 36.31
In the probate court of Linn County March Term March 6th 1854
secon annual settlement of John Stufflebean adm of the estate of Elizabeth Stufflebean Decased
Said Administrator in (?) with said estate
To assets in his hand at first annual settlement 308.10
Credit
By cash paid county clerk and for several sundries a sper vo No 7as Adm of said estate, 19.50
” cash paid W Halliburton & A B Nidey? as per voucher No 8, 3.13
” cash paid H.H Dorlington as per no No 0, 2.00
” Tax Recept paid J.G. Fanning as per vo No 10, 1.35
” ” vo No 11, .24
” 1st anuel settlement No 12, 3.00
Tax Recip paid Beverly neace No 14, 1.35
Cash paid to Mr. Sands No 15, 21.40
Attending february court 1852 No 16, 2.00
Attending february court 1853 No 17, 2.00
Attending March court 1853 No 18, 2.00
Attending June court 1853 No 19, 2.00
Cash paid to Joel Dewit, 5.50
Total 66.42
Amt Dr $308.10
Cr 66.42
Amt D 241.62
In the Probate court of Linn County Nov Term 1855
Final Settlement of John Stufflebean Adm of the Estate of Elizabeth Stufflebean deceased
Said administrator in a/c with said Estate
To amount on last Settlement 241.68
Credit By
cash paid B. Neice per vo No 21, 1.24
” ” County Clerk vo No 22, 5.00
” ” W. T. Clakr vo No 23, 18.66
To Adm Dr
To collecting and paying out assets, 20.00
” making act & final Settlements 2.00
cash pad J. Smith vo No 24, 1.90
Total 48.80
to C H Darlington, 2.50
Total 57.30
Thos Lane 2.15
Total 53.45
Amt Dr 241.68
Amt Cr 48.80
Total 172.88
2.50
Total 190.38
Thos Lane 2.15
Total 188.23
Here ends the papers found pertaining to the estate administration of Elizabeth (Baker) Stufflebean, deceased.
Two interesting things that I learned from these papers – Elizabeth had some books. John Stufflebean, Revolutionary War soldier and father of Michael Stufflebean, stated in his pension application that neither he nor any of his children could read or write. Elizabeth’s father was a minister and perhaps she had some rudimentary literacy skills.
Second, John Stufflebean, her administrator, signed as a justice of the peace. I never knew that about him! He was obviously literate so he and perhaps his siblings had an opportunity for some schooling that his father never had.
