A claim by Jesse Fornes for $25 that he said was owed to him by the estate of John Fornes for an amount paid in 1838. Because the debt was not supported by a note, it was proved by the oaths of two witnesses, Mrs. Charity Fornes (spelled “Charrety” here) and William Fornes, before Alderson Ellison, Justice of the Peace, on March 26, 1841. Jesse Fornes signed the account himself.
Account of Jesse Fornes against the estate of John Fornes, deceased, proved March 26, 1841
Transcription notes: spelling, capitalization and punctuation follow the original. Words in [square brackets] are editorial notes; [?] marks an uncertain reading and [illegible] marks words that could not be read.
The Estate of John Fornes Decd. To Jesse Fornes Dr. [debtor]
1838. To this amount paid said Fornes 25£ [?] $25.00
The above account was proved before me by the Oath of Mrs Charrety [Charity] Fornes and William Fornes 26. March 1841.
Test [Witness] Ald. Ellison J.P. [Justice of the Peace]
Jesse Fornes
[Written across the middle of the account in larger strokes, partly over the text: “26” and what may be “Recd” [received] and “March 1841” [?]; these marks are hard to read.]
About the original
The paper does not say how Jesse, Charity and William Fornes were related to John Fornes. The symbol after “25” may be a pound sign or a currency mark; the amount carried out is $25.00.
The figures and words written crosswise over the account in a different, heavier hand were probably the administrator’s or clerk’s marks showing that the claim had been numbered and paid. They are partly blotted and cannot be read with confidence.
Source: Account of Jesse Fornes against the estate of John Fornes, deceased, proved March 26, 1841. Roach Family Papers (#346), East Carolina Manuscript Collection, J. Y. Joyner Library, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, Box 1, Folder b (Inventories, Wills, and Estates, 1783–1868). Collection guide. Digitized folder: ECU Digital Collections, 0346-b1-fb.
Images courtesy of East Carolina Manuscript Collection, J. Y. Joyner Library, East Carolina University. View in ECU Digital Collections: 35976.
Part of the Roach Family Papers collection on East Carolina Roots.
