Joseph Couch Bill Of Sale

From: Steve Carson

Joseph and Jane Couch to Thomas Lipscomb, Bill of Sale


We have this day sold and do by these presents transfer and convey unto
Thomas Lipscomb and his heirs forever, all our right, Title and Interest in
and to the following negroes , to wit: Frankey, Amy, Bob, Sylvia,
Trency, Jerry, Manerva, Matt, Milley and George which interest consists in
an undivided Eleventh part of the remainder interest in said negroes after
the termination of the life  estate of Jane Meadows Bequeathed to her by
Michael Meadows, deceased. We convey our aforesaid interest in said
negroes, including their Increase to the said Thomas Lipscomb, to have and
to hold to his heirs forever, in consideration of three hundred dollars in
hand paid, the receipt whereof if hereby acknowledged. In testimony whereof
we have hereunto subscribed our names and affixed our seals the 17th day of
September 1839


Joseph Couch 

 and his wife

Jane Couch 


State of Tennessee, Bedford County } Personally appeared before me William
D. Orr Clerk of Bedford County Court Joseph Couch one of the within named
bargainors  with whom I am personally acquainted and who acknowledged
that he executed the within bill of sale for he purposes therein contained.
-- Also personally came before me G. F. Stewart the subscribing Witness to
this bill of sale who being first sworn deposeth and saith that he is
acquainted with Jane Couch wife of Joseph Couch and that she acknowledged
the same in his presence to be her act and deed upon the day the same bears
date.


Witness my hand at office this 17th September 1839


William D. Orr, clerk

By his deputy John T. Neil


Registered September 24th 1839 

Andrew Vannoy, Registrar of Bedford County


---

I have another mystery about Jane Meadows that maybe you can help me clear
up. In the Minutes of Chancery Court, Bedford County, Tennessee page 208,
January Term, 1854 I find:


"Wiley Daniel and Jane Daniel of Arkansas County, Arkansas sold their
interest in the slaves of Michael Meadows to Willie Wilhoite"


I believe that the following record shows that mother Jane (wife of Michael
who died in 1818) died in 1853 (although I may have this one mis-attributed
also):


Bedford County (TN) Court Minutes, Vol. "Dec. 1852-June 1855", Page 124,
Tuesday Morning August 2nd, 1853


"A paper writing purporting to be the last Will and Testament of Jane
Meadows deceased was produced in open Court for probate.  And Samuel
Anderson, V.W.W. Bell two of the Subscribing Witnesses to said paper
writing first being Sworn deposed and Said that they became Witnesses to
said paper writing at and by request of the Testatrix And that they
believed her to be of sound mind and disposing memory at the time they
became Such Witnesses, Whereupon the Court Ordered the Same be Admitted to
Record as the last Will and Testament of the Said Jane Meadows deceased,
And George W. Cunningham the Executor appointed in the Will appeared in
Court and entered into Bond in the Sum of twenty five hundred dollars with
A. Freeman his Security which Bond being duly Acknowledged in Open Court by
the Said George W. Cunningham & his said Security was by the Court
Approved, And thereupon the said George W. Cunningham was duly Qualified as
Executor Aforesaid."






I have that Thomas Couch acquired his first property in Bedford County in
1819:

Deed, Andrew Erwin to Thomas Couch
TSLA, Bedford County, Tennessee Deeds, Book L, Page 83, dated 1819

Abstract: 100 acres on the North side of the Garrison; borders the W side
of James Patton's property, starting on his NW corner; 
Witness: John Scott, James E. Patton

The earliest occurrence of Thomas Couch in Bedford County records that I
have is:

Deed, James Patton to Joseph Couch
TSLA, Bedford County, Tennessee Deeds, Book H, Pages 460-461, dated 17
August 1817

Abstract: Both parties of Bedford County, Tennessee. $300 for 192 acres,
227 poles; "part of grant 225 ... Beginning on a red oak and elm standing
in the south boundary of a four hundred and eighty four acre tract conveyed
by Patton and Erwin to James Patton on the 4th day of October 1812 [Note:
This is the deed in Book E pages 114-116] thence North one hundred poles to
a hickory Saplin  standing on the slope of a ridge between the
residences of the said Patton & Couch, then North fifty five degrees
East... thence Esat twenty degrees South with the top of a ridge ... to the
South East corner of Patton's tract thence West two hundred and seventy
poles to the beginning..."

Signed: James Patton
Witness: Thomas Couch, Laben Jones
Ack in open court, April term 1818
Returen to Couch Genealogy