Note: Daniel Denney of Maryland has generously provided copies of the Elbert Co., GA material contained below.
 
 

Returns of Administrators and Guardians in Elbert Co., GA
 
 

Book C, Elbert Co., GA

Grimes, William (deceased), page 90

Returns for 1798, shows a slave Amy bought by John Wilhight, slave Phillis bought by Robert MOON, a gun by Thomas B. Scott. John Wilhight, Excr.

Will Book, 1803-1806, Elbert Co., GA

Grimes, William (deceased), page 2

Receipts in full from the heirs from our fathers estate viz: John Wilhite, John Wilhite, guardian; William Grimes, William Grimes guardian for Thos. Grimes, William and Elizabeth Carter, Robert MOON. April 26, 1802.

Will Book, 1809-1812, Elbert Co., GA

Booth, David S., page 331

Appointed guardian of Pridence W., Thomas W., and Martha Booth, orphans of John Booth, dec’d, May 4, 1812. Thomas S. Carter and William H. MOON, Security.

Will Book M, Elbert Co., GA

STAPLES, David, page 377

Returns of Fanny STAPLES, Excx. for 1824 shows receipts of John, Thomas, and Patsy STAPLES, Thomas Phelps, John Stovall, Edward A. DENNA (DENNEY), Robt. DENNA (DENNEY), Jesse Brown, Jacob MOON, and Thomas STAPLES for William Smith, each for $391.00 their distributive shares, and Tabitha MOON for $2.00 as per will.

Record Book 1830-1838, Elbert Co., GA

Bell, Mary, page 241

Excx. of Joseph Bell, dec’d. Returns of Joseph Bell as Excr. of James Bell, dec’d, Mar. 1833. Receipts of Jarmon Lovingood, James Bell, Thomas Bell, Jr., for himself and as guardian of David Bell, William Bell, Sarah MOON, William H. MOON, Elizabeth MOON, all signed Dec. 1822.
 

Wills and Estate Papers
 
 

1809-1812 Will Book, Elbert Co., GA, p. 34

BELL, James - To eldest son Joseph, $1.00 and what he has already received. To son James, 150 acres on the opposite side of the creek from my dwelling house, adj. William B., and Terrell Key, horse, saddle etc. To son William, 150 acres adj. son James land, horse etc. To son Thomas, 300 acres adj. Posey, horse etc. The remainder of the land including the house where I live to wife Olive until youngest son David comes of age, when he is to have half, horse, etc. To son Jonathan a slave, horse etc. To dau. Patsy Bell when she comes of age a slave and $200.00. To dau. Nancy Bell notes on Andrew Woodly, Elijah Mosely, Wm. Brown, Wiley Childres and Wm. H. MOON. To three married daus., Polly, Elizabeth and Sarah MOON, $.00 each and what they have received. Wife Olive to have a number of slaves. Wife and son Joseph , Rcvtrd. Dihnrf Drpy. 17, 1807. Peter Wyche, Andrew Wookley, James Glover, Test.

Codicil. Having sold part of the land willed to son Thomas now gives him Lot No. 311, Wilkenson Co. Dau. Nancy having married received most of her legacy. Signed Apr. 2, 1808. Probated Jan. Term 1810. Robins Andrews, Elizabeth Andrews, William Davis, William D. Davis, Reuben Davis, Test.
 
 

1809-1812 Will Book, Elbert Co., GA, p. 132

MOON, William - To wife Sarah for life or widowhood, the land whereon I now live, slaves Edmond, Jean and Betty, crops, horses etc. Should she marry an childs part or third for life. Son Jacob’s orphans to have his part of my estate less $50.00. Sons Robert and William H., to have their part of my estate less $50.00 each. To dau. Martha Blake and her children, a childs part. Son Jesse’s orphans to have a childs part. Sons Boller, Pleasant, Archelaus and John, daus. Sally Green Power and Susannah Power to have their equal portion.

Wife Sarah and sons Robert and William H., Excrs.

Signed May 7, 1810. Probated Jan. 7, 1811.

James Wood, James Power, Test.
 
 

1816 - 1821, Will Book L, Elbert Co., GA, p. 134

MOON, Pleasant, All property together with my legacy from my fathers estate and my wife Sarah’s legacy from her fathers estate to wife Sarah for life or widowhood, for the use of herself and my five children, viz; William H., James B., Pleasant, John P., and dau. Gabrilla MOON. Wife Sarah and her brother James Bell, Excrs. Signed Jan. 25, 1818. Probated Mar, 2, 1818. Gabriel Booth, James Bell, Test.
 
 

1822 Will Book M, Elbert Co., GA, p. 94

STAPLES, David, To wife Fanny a slave Charity, household goods etc. to dispose of at her pleasure. The residue to be distributed amongst my children towit; John STAPLES, Christian J. PHELPS, Elizabeth D. STOVALL, Prudence SMITH, Barbara DENNY, Patsy STAPLES, Lucy BROWN, Melita DENNY, the legitimate off spring of my dau. Tabitha MOON, (at majority). To dau. Tabitha MOON $2.00, to Thos. STAPLES, Anna MOON, slaves Gabriel, Hannah, Bridget, Phillis, Jack, Lucinda, Silvy, Benj. and Welborn to be divided amongst above named children. Wife Fanny an son John STAPLES, Excrs. Signed April 30, 1821. Probated Nov. 19, 1822. C. W. Christian, Wm. Branan, Edmond Smithwick, Test.
 
 

Francis "Fanney" Staples Will as transcribed and notes by Daniel Denney, Olney, MD

Francis "Fanney" Staples appears to have died in Elbert County, Georgia, but her will, written October 17, 1837, is not specific. It wasn’t recorded by the court clerk until 1847, however (Will Book 1835-1860, pages 102 and 103). Two of the three witnesses, Charles Moon and C. W. Christian, I know to be Elbert County men. Both owned property facing the North Fork of the Broad River and were neighbors of my gggg grandfather Edward Denney. David and Fanney Staples owned land a bit to the south on Deep Shoal Creek.

Terms of the will:

Georgia, Elbert County

In the name of Almighty God Amen. I, Fanney Staples, widow and select of David Staples late of the County and state aforesaid deceased being weak in body but of sound and reflecting mind and memory, knowing that it is once appointed for all men to die wishing to dispose of what property that it has pleased God to help me with in my widowhood I do make this my last will and testament in following manner, to wit, I wish to be buried in Christian order at discression of my surviving friends and the expense paid out of my Estate.

I wish all my just debts to be paid out of estate by my Exec.

I give unto my son John F. Staples or his children one equal share

I give unto my daughter Elizabeth Stovall one equal share

I give unto my daughter Barbary Denney one equal share

I give unto my daughter Martha Tucker one equal share

I give unto my daughter Lucy Brown on equal share

I give unto my daughter Melita Denney one hundred dollars

I give unto my daughter Mary Ann Moon one equal share

I give unto my son Thomas Staples one equal share

I give unto Charles W. Christian, Senr., three equal shares in trust, one equal share for the sole use and benefit of my daughter Christian S. Phelps, one other equal share for the use and benefit of my daughter Prudence Smith, and one other equal share for the use and benefit of my daughter Tabitha S. Moon to be used in that manner in which the said C. W. Christian in trust may decide(?) it best to their and each of their interest, and his, the said C. W. Christian, failing or refusing to act in trust for the three last named daughters, then and in that case I authorize any court having competent jurisdiction to appoint other trustee or trustees in his place.

I give unto Charles W. Christian, Senr., one Negro girl named Milly trust for the sole use and benefit of my daughter Tabitha S. Moon.

My will and wish is that the balance of my Negroes, to wit, Charity, Benjamin, and Ansel, have the right of choosing their masters either in or out of my family to go at the valuation of three good men and the proceeds applied as above provided.

I do hereby appoint Charles W. Christian, Senr., and my son Thomas Staples Exec. to this my last will and Testament. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this Seventeenth day of October in the year of out Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and Thirty-Seven.

Signed sealed and acknowledged in the Presence of

Adam Kelly

Charles G. Moon

C. W. Christian

her

Fanney X Staples

mark
 

Land Deeds and Grants
 
 

Land Court Records (1791 to 1822) Elbert Co., GA

October 5, 1807 - Present, A. Stinchcomb. N. Hudson, H. Mcdonald, Esqrs. (members of the land court on this day) Warrants requested by: Jeremiah Fields, self and 5 in family. Robert Middleton, 2 in family. Robert MOON, self and 11 in family.

May 1, 1809 - Present, R. Hunt (he was the Elbert County surveyor), Wm. Barnett, A. Jarratt, Esqrs. Warrants requested for: John Childs, 8 in family. Luke White, 1 in family. Pleasant MOON, self and 3 in family. Ordered that an old warrant in the name of Thos. Gregg, dec’d. for 50 acres be renewed in the name of his heirs, viz; Joannah Harris, Polly, Keziah and Anna Gregg.
 
 

Georgia Land Lottery of 1821

The land disposed of by this lottery was obtained by treaty from the Creek and Cherokee Indians, covered by five original counties at the time of survey, Dooly, Houston, Monroe, Henry and Fayette counties, since divided into twenty one counties.

Maj. Chas. W. Christian’s Batt. No. 152

Capt. Rufus Christian’s Dist. no. 202

MOON, John, 2 draws
 
 

Georgia Land Lottery of 1827

The land disposed of by this lottery embraced the five original counties of Muscogee, Troup, Coweta, Lee and Carroll counties. This territory was ceded by the Indian Springs Treaty February 12, 1825. Those eligible for participation were white males over 18, who had been residents of the state three years, Revolutionary soldiers, widows of Revolutionary soldiers, orphans, soldiers of the late wars with Great Britain and Indians and others who had not drawn land in previous lotteries.

Major Thomas Allen’s Battalion

Capt. Bell’s District

MOON, William H. s (single), 1 draw

MOON, Elizabeth, wid., 1 draw

MOON, Jesse, orphs. of, 1 draw
 
 

Georgia Gold Lottery of 1832

This land was known as the "Cherokee Purchase", and extended from the Chattahoochee river to the state of Alabama on the west, to Tenn. and N. C. on the north. Lots of 40 acres were supposed to contain gold, and were known as "gold lots." Land lots contained 160 acres. Revolutionary soldiers, widows of Revolutionary soldiers, citizens, citizens widows and orphans were eligible for participation.

Captain Jesse Nellum’s Dist. 201

DENNEY, Edward A., s.l.w. (soldier of the late war 1812), 1 draw

DENNEY, George Washington (oldest son of David DENNEY), 1 draw

STAPLES, Francis, w.r.s. (wife of Rev. soldier David STAPLES), 1 draw

DENNEY, Robert, s.l.w. (soldier of the late war 1812), 1 draw

DENN[E]Y, David, s.l.w., 1 draw

MOON, James B., 1 draw

MOON, Pleasant, 1 draw

MOON, John B. and Gabrilla (orphans of Pleasant MOON, given in by their mother)

MOON, Sarah, widow, 1 draw

STAPLES, Thomas (youngest son of David STAPLES), 1 draw
 
 

Capt. Rowland Lunsford’s Dist. No. 197

MOON, William H., 2 draws

Note: Edward A., David and Robert Denney were brothers. A fourth brother, Thomas, also had militia service during the War of 1812.