Hastons in Early Van Buren County, TN Court Minutes – 1860-1866

Hastons in Court - The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly

Year of 1860

Page	Name	Description
361	Wm. C. Haston	Mentioned here as a constable.
	Ritchmand (Richmond) Haston	State vs. Richmond Haston (small offenses court) – cost or fine of $2.00. Note: This was probably Richmond T. Jones, who lived in the David Haston household and may have been adopted by David and Polly Haston.
362	M.G. Haston	State vs. M.G. Haston – cost or fine of $3.00.
	W.C. Haston	2 cases – State vs. Joseph Simmons, Execution in W.C. Haston …?
367	James A. Haston’s place Emely Haston	2nd class road from the crossroads near W.B. Cumming’s to the two-mile post on the mountain near James A. Haston’s. On the road crew were hands on W.B. Cumming’s place, except for where Emely Haston lived. Who was Emely Haston?
373	W.C. Haston	Mentioned here as a constable.
376	M.G. Haston	J.P. – county court (April term)
	M.G. Haston	Produced his commission as a Justice of the Peace.
383	M.G. Haston	Voted in the affirmative on court action regarding some bills of cost.
384	M.G. Haston	Voted “yea” on court action regarding a court expenditure.
	M.G. Haston	Voted “yea” on court action regarding a court expenditure.
388	William C. Haston M.G. Haston	William C. Haston produced his certificate for re-election as 3rd District Constable. M.G. Haston was security for him. Also, see below and on the next two pages.
389	William C. Haston M.G. Haston	Continuation of the re-installation of William C. Haston as constable.
390	William C. Haston M.G. Haston	Continuation of the re-installation of William C. Haston as constable.
	M.G. Haston	J.P. – count court (adjournment of the Monday session of the April term). This appears to be the personal signature of M.G. Haston.
	M.G. Haston	J.P. – county court (Tuesday session of April term)
398	Nancy Haston W.B. Haston	W.B. Cummings was appointed guardian for Nancy Haston, daughter of W.B. Haston and his wife, Tansy Haston, deceased. Isaac T. Haston was a security for this arrangement. This transaction calls Tamsy Haston the “former wife” of W.B. Haston and indicates that she was deceased. Note: Some records indicate that W.B. Haston married Mary Dunham (second wife) on July 13, 1845, in VB County. A man by the name of W.B. Haston (54 years old, farmer, born in TN) and Mary (35 years old, born in TN) appear on the 1860 Sebastian County, Arkansas census. If this is accurate, why would W.B.’s daughter (born to Tamsey Austin Haston…his first wife) be put into the care of a guardian in Tennessee? Census records indicate that she would have been about 20 years old at the time, which would have still been a minor. Perhaps she chose to stay in Tennessee when her father and stepmother moved to Arkansas.
399	David Haston – now deceased	David Haston had died. Isaac T. Haston was appointed as the administrator of his estate. Wm. Sparkman and Ichabod Mitchell were his securities. No mention is made of W.C. Haston or M.G. Haston, or other Hastons.
412	James A. Haston	Ordered to take oversight of the road from Spencer to the 2-mile post near the top of the mountain on the Spencer and Sparta road.
413	Montgomery G. Haston	Appointed to serve on the December 1860 circuit court. He lived in the 4th district.
421	James R. Haston	James R. Haston had been overcharged for one pole (poll) at the rate of 70 cents.
422	M.G. Haston	M.G. Haston was a judge in the 4th district for the 1860 presidential election. Note: This was the election in which Abraham Lincoln was elected and which ultimately precipitated the Civil War.
426	M.G. Haston	M.G. Haston was a bondsman for this legal arrangement regarding J.W. Mitchell’s appointed role as guardian of minor orphans.
432	M.G. Haston Wm. C. Haston	Both were appointed to lay off and set apart to Nancy Jane Myers, widow of Dillard P. Myers, deceased, one year’s support.
434	M.G. Haston	Apparently, Hester Seamans (formerly Hester Mitchell) had been put under the guardianship of James W. Mitchell, but is now married to James Seamans. M.G. Haston had been a bondsman for the guardianship arrangement.

Year of 1861

Page	Name	Description
	M.G. Haston	On an unlined page at the front of the book, someone had written: “M.G. Haston – Trustee Page 113-“
	M.G. Haston	Two lines below on the same page, someone had written: “M.G. Haston – resignation as trustee Page 156”

1-2	“Index to July Term 1866”	An index appears that covers the content of pages 168-195. (August – October 1865)
1	James Haston’s place	Index reference to page 185: “top of the mountain of Haston’s” (which would have been the home of James A. Haston, who lived at the top of the mountain on the Spencer to Sparta road)
2	M.G. Haston’s place	Index reference to page 187: “J. Walker’s to M.G. Haston’s”
	I.T. Haston W.C. Haston’s place	Index reference to page 187: Isaac T. Haston was a road overseer, from W.C. Haston’s to Crain farm.”
3-18	These pages do not appear in the book, but the content on page 19 appears to continue the content of page 2.
19-20	The index continues so as to include pages 196-342. (October 1865 – middle of April 1866 term)
19	Miles H. Haston W.C. Haston	Index reference to page 199: Added to W.C. Haston’s order.
	James A. Haston	Index reference to page 201: Proved wildcat scalp.
20	Isaac T. Haston	Index reference to page 239: He was the administrator for an estate that was settled.”

29	M.G. Haston	J.P. – county court (January 1861 term)
31	M.G. Haston	Voted for some men to receive money for services rendered.
34	M.G. Haston W.C. Haston	Had laid off one year of support for Nancy Myers, widow of D.P. Meyers, deceased.
35	M.G. Haston	Voted for quorum court members of previous year to be paid $1.00 per day for their services.
	M.G. Haston	Voted for G.B. Johnson to be paid for services rendered.
	M.G. Haston	Voted for Joseph Cummings to be paid for services as court chairman.
	M.G. Haston	Voted for William L. Steakley to be paid various services.
37	M.G. Haston	Voted for the revenue assessors to be paid for their services.
38	M.G. Haston	Appointed as revenue assessor for the 4th district.
39	James A. Haston’s place Emely Haston	2nd class road from the cross road near W.B. Cummings to the two mile post on the top of the mountain near James A. Haston’s. All hands from W.B. Cumming’s farm, except where Emely Haston lives.
40	Montgomery G. Haston’s place	3rd class road from Newel Crains to Mongomery [sic] Haston’s.
	James Haston	2nd class road from the Caney Fork at the mouth of Cane Creek to the forks of the road near W.B. Cummings…James Haston on that crew.
45	M.G. Haston	Replaced Joseph Cummings as a J.P. in this case, due to Cummings’ “relationship” to someone (Jonathan Seamans or Wm. Sparkman) in the case.
46	W.C. Haston M.G. Haston	W.C. Haston and M.G. Haston served as bondsmen for this guardianship case, involving John J. Walker and the heirs of David Walker decd.
47	W.C. Haston M.G. Haston	Signed for the court proceedings that continued from the previous page.
48	M.G. Haston
50	M.G. Haston	J.P. – county court (adjournment of March term) This appears to be the personal signature of M.G. Haston.
51	M.G. Haston	J.P. – county court (April term)
54	James A. Haston’s place Emely Haston	2nd class road from foot of mountain near W.B. Cummings to two mile post on the top of the mountain near James A. Hastons….crew included hands from W.B. Cummings farm except for those where Emely Haston now lives.
55	M.G. Haston	J.P. – county court (adjournment of April term) This appears to be the personal signature of M.G. Haston.
58	M.G. Haston	J.P. – county court (May term)
	I.T. Haston Wm. C. Haston	The court then proceeded to appoint a home guard as minute men. These men were assigned to the home guard representing the 3rd district. This was a month before TN seceded from the Union.
	M.G. Haston	He was assigned to the home guard representing the 4th district. This was a month before TN seceded from the Union.
59	M.G. Haston	J.P. – county court (adjournment of May term) This appears to be the personal signature of M.G. Haston.
60	M.G. Haston	J.P. – county court (June term)
63	Isaac T. Haston Wm. C. Haston	Wm. Sparkman was elected by the court to be Sheriff, upon the resignation of William L. Steakley. This was 15 days before TN seceded from the Union. Isaac T. Haston and Wm. C. Haston were securities for this appointment.
64	Isaac T. Haston Wm. C. Haston	Another (2nd) bond for the Wm. Sparkman election for Sheriff, to replace resigned Wm. L. Steakley. Isaac T. and Wm. C. Haston were bondsmen.
65	William C. Haston	Resigned from his office as constable of the 3rd. district.
	William C. Haston	Took oath of office as deputy sheriff.
66	M.G. Haston	Appointed to be Captain in the home guard, representing the 4th district.
67	M.G. Haston	J.P. – county court (July term)
71	J.A. Haston’s place	2nd class road from Cummings’ stoar [sic] to J.A. Hastons at the top of the mountain.
72	M.G. Haston’s mountain lands	His “mountain lands” were mentioned in a description of lands in a dower petition to the court by Nancy Jane Myres, widow of D.P. Myres.
74	James A. Haston	Ordered by the court that he (that is, his property) be attached to the 3rd district.
	M.G. Haston	Appointed to look after the wives and children of the volunteers now in the service of our country. Note: That country would then have been the Confederate States of America.
77	M.G. Haston	J.P. – county court (September term)
	James Haston I.T. Haston Wm. C. Haston	On the home guard list for the 3rd district.
	(M.G. Haston)	He was not on the home guard list for this term, in the 4th district. Perhaps that is because he was the captain of the guard for that district.
78	M.G. Haston	Appointed to December 1861 circuit court duty, to represent the 4th district.
82	M.G. Haston	J.P. – county court (October term)
84	James W. Haston	Appears to have been credited for one pole (poll tax) at 80 cents.
85	M.G. Haston	Paid $4.00 out of court funds, possibly for his provision of some meals for John Grayham’s family.
86	James A. Haston John Haston	James A. Haston appointed as overseer of the 2nd class road from Spencer to the two mile post on the Sparta road. Was one of the crew members a “John Haston?” (handwriting is not clearly legible)
87	M.G. Haston	J.P. – county court (December term)
	W.C. Haston	On the home guard for the next three months term, for 3rd district.
	__?__ Haston	_?_ Haston on home guard for 4th district during the upcoming three months term.
89	Wm. C. Haston	Security on this dower case involving Nancy Myers/Myres.

Year of 1862

Page	Name	Description
90	Montgomery G. Haston	J.P. – county court (January term)
	William C. Haston	Was one of the poor house commissioners for 1862.
91	Isaac T. Haston
	J.A. Haston	J.A. Haston appointed for April 1862 circuit court jury duty from the 7th district. Was this James A. (Alfred) Haston? If so, how could that be since he was attached to the 3rd district in the previous year?
	James M. Haston	State vs. James M. Haston – $6.75 fine or court cost.
	M.G. Haston	Voted to certify the court costs presented to the court (including the James Haston case)
93	M.G. Haston	Voted for payment of last year’s services by quorum court members – paid $1.00 per day of service.
	M.G. Haston	Voted to pay the Superintendent of the Poor House $352.95, possibly for a year’s service.
	Wm. C. Haston	Appointed as one of the 1862 poor house commissioners.
94	M.G. Haston	Voted to pay A.L. Parker, court clerk, for a records book he had purchased, probably the very one that he was using at this time.
95	M.G. Haston	Voted to pay G.B. Johnson $23.92 for something.
	M.G. Haston	Voted to pay the revenue commissioners $5.00.
98	M.G. Haston	J.P. – county court (adjournment of Monday session in January term) This appears to be the personal signature of M.G. Haston.
	M.G. Haston	J.P. – county court (Tuesday session in January term)
99	M.G. Haston	J.P. – county court (adjournment of January term) This appears to be the personal signature of M.G. Haston.
	Wm. C. Haston M.G. Haston	Wm. C. Haston and M.G. Haston appeared in court as securities for John J. Walker as a guardian of the heirs of David A. Walker decd.
101	Wm. C. Haston	State vs. Wm. C. Haston – It appears that Wm. C. Haston owed $2.00 in court costs from an 1861 case.
	Wm. C. Haston	Referred to as Sheriff.
102	M.G. Haston	J.P. – county court (Tuesday session in April term)
107	Montgomery G. Haston	Mongumery [sic] G. Haston was security for John M. Billingsley, who had been elected as county trustee.
108	M.G. Haston	Another bond for John M. Billingsley, with M.G. Haston’s signature.
	William C. Haston Isaac T. Haston Montgomery Haston	William C. Hastin elected as Sheriff, as of March 1, 1862. Isaac T. Hastin, Mongumry G. Hastin, and John J. Walker were his securities.
109	W.C. Haston M.G. Haston Isaac T. Haston	Signatures for the election of W.C. Haston as county Sheriff.
	W.C. Haston M.G. Haston Isaac T. Haston	Another bond for Wm. C. Haston as the elected Sheriff.
110	William C. Haston	Took his oath for the office of Sheriff.
	W.C. Haston	Was appointed to make sure that the able bodied men in the 3rd district from 18-55 years old reported for military duty immediately. Note: Wm. C. Haston was in this age range too.
	M.G. Haston	Was appointed to make sure that the able bodied men in the 4th district from 18-55 years old reported for military duty immediately. Note: M.G. Haston was in this age range too.
113	Montgomery G. Haston Wm. C. Haston	Elected to be the revenue collector of county and state taxes for two years. Wm. C. Haston was one of his securities.
114	Montgomery G. Haston	Another bond for M.G. Haston’s election as tax collector.
115	M.G. Haston W.C. Haston	Signatures for M.G. Haston’s appointment to the office of tax collector.
	M.G. Haston	Took office for his new role as tax collector.
	Isaac T. Haston	Security for John H. Jones, who had been elected as constable of the 3rd district.
116	Isaac T. Haston	His name on another bond for John H. Jones, 3rd district constable.
	M.G. Haston	Voted to pay the previous Sheriff for his services.
	M.G. Haston	Voted to use the money from the jail tax to be applied to pay off the _____.
121	W.C. Haston	Mentioned as the Sheriff.
	W.C. Haston	Mentioned as the Sheriff.
123	W.C. Haston	Mentioned as the Sheriff.
124	M.G. Haston	J.P. – county court (July term)
125	M.G. Haston	Appointed for jury in December 1862 circuit court, representing the 4th district.
	Wm. C. Haston	Mentioned as the Sheriff.
127	M.G. Haston	J.P. – county court (adjournment of August term) This appears to be the personal signature of M.G. Haston.
129	M.G. Haston	J.P. – county court (October term)
	M.G. Haston	He and William Worthington approved quorum for the unexpired term of the present year.
131		J.P. – county court (adjournment of October term) This appears to be the personal signature of M.G. Haston.
132	M.G. Haston	J.P. – county court (November term)
	Wm. C. Haston	Appointed as an assessor (?) for the 3rd district.
	M.G. Haston	Appointed as an assessor (?) for the 4th district.
133	Abijah Crane’s death	Death of Abijah Crane.
134	Wm. C. Haston	Security in estate settlement of M.D. Walker.
135	M.G. Haston	J.P. – county court (Wednesday session of November term)
136	Wm. C. Haston	He and others appointed to lay off one year’s support for widow of M.D. Walker decd.
	Isaac T. Haston	Isaac T. Haston, as administrator of David Haston’s estate, was in court. Apparently the estate was settled and recorded.
	William C. Haston Isaac T. Haston	Securities for G.W. Sparkman who was elected to the county court.
137	William C. Haston Isaac T. Haston	Signatures as securities for G.W. Sparkman’s election to the court.
	M.G. Haston	J.P. – county court (adjournment of Monday session in November term) This appears to be the personal signature of M.G. Haston.
138	Wm. C. Haston	Report to the court (by him and others) regarding the assignment in the previous term to lay off one year’s support for widow of M.D. Walker decd.

Year of 1863 January – August Only

Page	Name	Description
141	W.C. Haston	Appointed as a commissioner for the poor house for this year.
142	James R. Haston	On the tax collector’s list: James R. Haston for the amount of 80 cents.
	William C. Haston	As the Sheriff he was to be allowed $23.20 for various reasons.
150	M.G. Haston	Resigned as the enrolling officer for the 4th district.
151	Robert Gamble died	He died in 1862.
152	Robert Gamble (Sr.) estate settlement information	Robert Gamble, Sr. estate settlement information. His property was in the 4th district. It is interesting that not much (if anything) was said about him in recent years, previous to his death.
153	W.C. Haston	W.C. Haston was one of several people to divide Robert Gamble, Sr.’s land for estate settlement purposes.
156	M.G. Haston	April 6, 1863 – M.G. Haston (4th district) resigned his office as Justice of the Peace. He also resigned his office of tax collector on the same day. On March 2 of this same year, he had resigned his office as enrolling officer. Note: As per his C.S.A. records, he enlisted in military service on July 17, 1863 and deserted on July 31, 1863. He enlisted for a term of “three years or war.”
160	W.C. Haston	Reference to him as one of the men who divided estate lands of Robert Gamble, Sr. deceased.
161	Wm. C. Haston	Owned 100 acres, for which it appears that he owed some taxes.
162	M.G. Haston	As tax collector he turned in a list of land owners and taxes, which had been paid or were due.
166	Isaac T. Haston	Elected as justice of the peace for the 3rd district.
167	I.T. Haston	J.P. – county court (adjournment of July term) This appears to be the personal signature of I.T. Haston.
The court minutes (recorded in this book) end here, at the adjournment of the August 1863 term. In mid-summer 1863, some of the key leaders in Van Buren County went to Tullahoma and joined General Bragg’s Confederate Army to try to stop the Federal Army from invading Van Buren and the surrounding counties of Middle Tennessee.

Year of 1864

There are no (known existing) Van Buren County, TN court minutes for the year 1864.

It appears that there was no active Van Buren County Court for two years during the Civil War. After Confederate General Braxton Bragg retreated from Tullahoma to Chattanooga, Federal troops roamed freely throughout the county.

Year of 1865 August – December Only

The Civil War ended on April 9, 1865. There are no (known existing) 1865 court minutes until July of this year.
Page	Name	Description
168	[Wm. C. Haston]	James Hunter was commissioned as Sheriff. The last time county court minutes were available, Wm. C. Haston was Sheriff. Apparently, he was not or chose not to be re-elected at some time during the Civil War.
173	Isaac T. Haston	Appointed to jury duty for the August 1865 circuit court, to represent the 3rd district.
176	Isaac T. Haston	Produced a commission in court for the office of Trustee of Van Buren County.
177	Isaac T. Haston	J.P. – county court (July term)
	Isaac T. Haston	A 2nd bond for Isaac T. Haston’s installation as trustee. W.A. Myers, Wm. L. Steakly and A.L. Parker were his securities.
185	Haston’s place – top of the mountain	2nd class road from W.B. Cummings’ stoar [sic] house to the top of the mountain of Haston’s…
	John Shepard Dock Shepard Miles N. Haston	John Shepard was appointed overseer of the 2nd-class road from W.B. Cummings’ stone house to the ford of the Caney Fork at the mouth of Cane Creek. Dock Shepard and Miles N. Haston were on that crew. Note: Miles N. Haston was probably the son of Isaac N. Haston, son of Joseph Haston (Daniel’s son). He married Mary A. Shepard. For information on John and Dock Shepard, see the material on the Daniel Haston family prepared by Howard H. Hastings, Sr.
186	James R. Haston M.G. Haston	Both were on a road crew – 3rd third-class road from the lower end of James Myer’s farm at the forks of the road to the top of the mountain near Aaron Seitz’s. Note: This is the first court minutes mention of M.G. Haston after the Civil War.
187	James Haston	On a road crew – from the county line at Lynn Mitchell’s farm to the foot of the mountain at the Crain farm. This may have been from the White County – Van Buren County line to the foot of what became Yates Mountain (now, Lemont) Road…up the mountain by Spring Branch. The previous road (just mentioned) was probably the mountain road extension of this current road.
	M.G. Haston’s place	3rd class road between the end of the lane at M.G. Haston’s and the end of the lane near Joseph Walker’s.
	W.C. Haston’s shop William Haston Wm. C. Haston Isaac Haston, Jr. Isaac T. Haston	3rd class road from Wm. C. Haston’s Shop to the forks of the road at Crain’s farm – William Haston, Wm. C. Haston, Isaac Haston, Jr. were on that crew. Isaac T. Haston was the road overseer.
194	William C. Haston	Appointed to jury duty for the December 1865 circuit court, representing the 3rd district.
198	M.G. Haston	On a jury to view and change the road…leaving the road at the forks between Jesse Brock and the top of the mountain.
199	Samuel Haston John Haston	2nd class road from Spencer to two two-mile post at the top of the mountain…Samuel Haston and John Haston on that crew.
	W.C. Haston’s place Miles N. Haston	Road from W.C. Haston be extended to Wm. Moore’s. Miles N. Haston was appointed to the overseer.
201	James A. Haston	“Proved” a wild cat scalp in court.
220	M.G. Haston	He was security in the estate settlement of Daniel Mooneyham.
222	Wm. C. Haston	Was security for the estate settlement of Ste___? Hollingsworth, deceased.
239	Isaac T. Haston David Haston, decd.	More on Isaac T. Haston’s settlement of the David Haston estate.
241	Richmon Haston M.G. Haston’s fields	Richmon (probably “Richmond”) Haston on a jury with a view to laying off and marking a change in the road from the north east corner of M.G. Haston’s fields to the old road at the north east corner of Drake’s field.
242	M.G. Haston	Appeared in open court with John J. Walker, who was the guardian of the minor heirs of David Walker. M.G. Haston was a security for this arrangement.

Year of 1866 January – June

Page	Name	Description
Note: The last page for the minutes of the December 1865 term was page 242. The first page for the minutes of the January 1866 term was page 259.
264	Release from tax obligations	Van Buren County people were released from the obligation of 1862, 1863, & 1864 taxes.
265	Some changes in civil districts	Some changes in the civil districts, especially district 1. Districts 2 & 3 remained unchanged.
267	I.T. Haston	I.T. Haston was appointed to serve as a judge for official business, representing the 3rd district.
271	W.C. Haston lands	Plumlee lands (about 800 acres) were adjacent to land owned by W.C. Haston on the east, in the 3rd district.
277	Mirah Haston	Appointed as administratrix of the estate of James (M.) Haston, deceased. James Sparkman and John A. Head were securities for this estate settlement.
279	Mira / Myra Haston	Administratrix of James M. Haston, deceased. She signed with her mark.
Note: Page numbers 281 – 300 & 303 – 318 & 323 – 338 are missing. It appears, however, that no court minutes were skipped.
321	Dock Shepard Miles Haston	2nd class road from mouth of Cane Creek to Cummings’ stone house – Dock Sheapard (Shepard) and Miles Haston were on that crew.
340	Arthur Mitchell’s farm	Road passing near Hodges Ferry changed…until it strikes the line between Arthur Mitchell and Wm. Hodges farms.
345	W.C. Haston	Introduction to W.L. Mainard’s election to the office of constable (see next page).
346	W.C. Haston	W.C. Haston was a bondsman for W.L. Mainard, elected to the office of constable for the 2nd district.
347	W.C. Haston	Bondsman’s signature for the W.L. Mainard election to the office of constable.
351	M.N. Haston W.C. Haston	M.N. Haston produced in court a certificate of his election to the office of 3rd district constable. Who was he? Was W.C. Haston a security for him?
	M.N. Haston W.C. Haston	Their signatures for M.N. Haston’s election to the office of 3rd district constable.
	M.N. Haston	He took the oath for the office of constable.
352	M.N. Haston	The post-Civil War climate is seen here as M.N. Haston is required to pledge his loyalty to the United States of America in a very explicit way.
	M.N. Haston	M.N. Haston officially assumed the office of constable of the 3rd district.
353	W.C. Haston	Security for William A. Myers for his election to the office of Trustee of Van Buren County.
	W.C. Haston	His signature is related to the William A. Myers election as a trustee.
354	W.C. Haston	2nd bond for William A. Myers
	W.C. Haston	Mentioned again in the William A. Myers installation as a trustee.
360	I.T. Haston	Security in estate settlement for F.E. Plumlee, decd.
361	I.T. Haston	He signed as a bondsman for the F.E. Plumlee estate settlement.
	Isaac T. Haston	Appointed to jury duty for the August 1866 circuit court.
	M.N. Haston	Appointed to serve as the constable for the August 1866 circuit court.
	James A. Haston Isaac T. Haston	Appointed to be judges in the 3rd district for the election of attorney general.
362	Isaac T. Haston	Was security for the estate settlement of Hesekiah (Hezekiah) Mooneyham.
	Isaac T. Haston	Signed as a bondsman for the Hezekiah Mooneyham estate settlement.

Hastons in Court - The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly

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