George W. Sport's Guardianship, 1856

George W Sport(s) was a 13 year old minor when his mother died and a Guardian, Abner N. Bristow, was appointed in in June, 1856. Lucretia (Henagan) McCollum testified concerning George's age and the death of his parents.

State of South Carolina
Sumter District }

On this fourth day of March A.D. 1856 before Mr. J. W. Stuckey, a Magistrate within and for the District and State aforesaid personally appears Mrs. Lucretia McCollum a resident of the District and State aforesaid who being duly sworn saith on oath that she resided in Marlb[orough] District and knew Benjamin Sports about the year 1842 [at that?] time he was attending to business for the late Hon. B. K. Henagan, a Brother of deponent. The said Benjamin Sports was said to have been a soldier in the War of 1812, and died in Marlborough District about eight years ago. Deponent knew Elizabeth Sports the wife of said Benjamin Sports, and testifies that she survived her husband the Sd. Benjamin Sports, about three years. And died in Marion District S.C. (where deponent then resided) in February 1851. Deponent was at the house of said Elizabeth Sports when she died, and made her burial clothes.  She further declares that she knew George Sports, the son of the above named Benjamin & Elizabeth Sports from the time that he was a child and believes he is about Eighteen years of age, by the age of a nephew of hers, a son of Hon. B. K. Henagan, they being about the same age. She further declares that the said George Sports is the only minor child of Benjamin and Elizabeth Sports deceased and She testifies positively that having known the said George from his early childhood, he is a minor as aforesaid without any doubt. Deponent further testified, that the aforesaid

Benjamin Sports and Elizabeth Sports lived together as man and wife from the time she first became acquainted with them about the year 1842 until the death of said Benjamin Sports and that they were recognized as such by all their acquaintances, none doubting that they had been legally married and their children legitimate. And further this deponent saith not.

 Lucretia McCollum

Sworn to and [discharged?] before me on this the year and day within written and I certify that the above deponent is a disinterested and credible witness, and that I have no interest in this matter.

J.W. Stuckey
Magistrate

State of South Carolina
District of Sumter }

I Geo. S.C. Deschamps Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for the district and State aforesaid do hereby certify that J. W. Stuckey whose [E?] Signature appears above and is, and was at the time of signing the same a magistrate for the District and State aforesaid duly Commissioned & Sworn, that all his official acts as such are [En?] to [?] faith and [?] that the aforesaid District Court is a Court of record having General Jurisdiction and that I have no interest in this matter.

Given under my hand and [oath?]
of office at Sumter C.H. this
12th day of March A. D. 1856
G.S.C. Deschamps

~~~

State of South Carolina

Marlborough District

J.E.P. Ervin
Judge of the Court of Ordinary for the District of Marlborough State aforesaid, which [being?] a Court of Record, do hereby certify that Abner N. Bristow of same District and State was by this court on the 30th day of April 1856 appointed Guardian of George Sports a minor son of Benjamin Sports deceased in [witness?] whereof.

I do here unto set my hand and seal of office at Marlborough C.H. this day of June 1856.

E.P. Ervin  O.M.D.                                                                                                              

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Later Abner Bristow applied for Bounty Land for his ward due to his father's service in the War of 1812:

Washington, 23 Feby 1857
Geo. C. Whiting, Esq.
Comr. Pensions

Sir,
The application No. 246.549 for bounty Land for George Sports minor child of Benjamin Sports made by A. N. Bristow it appears by a letter [inform?] your department failed to give the name of the Capt. Under whom said Benjm. Sports served. Having [received?] the facts for said A. N. Bristow (Guardian) my recollection is that Capt. Bigham of South Carolina militia was the officer.

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The land grant was approved and Bristow sold the 160 acres to William Rogers of Bishopville.

Transcribed by

Teresa McVeigh 

27 Mar 2007

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