17 July 1784. Grant: Daniel Huger, 200 acres in Craven County on a small branch called Dirbens Creek waters of Entree River, surveyed for Daniel Huger 3 January 1775. Plot shows an hourglasss shape bonded by the lands of Isaac Gray, John Wallis, and David Welch. [SC State Plat Books, Vol. 9, p197.]
This is the land that William Rountree bought in 1790..
25 October 1784. Deed: Daniel Huger to Denny Anderson, the above 200 acres [SC Archives Series S363001, Vol. 05M0, page 253. Not read.]
This is the land that William Rountree bought in 1790, see item below.
22 June 1789 At a meeting of the County Court… On the application of William Rountree leave is given him to keep Tavern or Public House in this County on giving Bond with Daniel Comer and Jeremiah Gregory his security according to Law. [Brent H. Holcomb, Union County, South Carolina, Minutes of the County Court 1785-1799 (1978) p211.]
There were only two William Rountrees in Union County, one the son fo Turner Rountree and the other a son of Richardson Rountree. William of Turner was evidently not yet 21, was in his father’s 1790 household. William of Turner, if this refers to him, was apparently gone from Union County less than a year later (see record below).
26 March 1790. Deed: Denny Anderson of Spartanburg County to William Rountree of Union County, for £60 sterling, 200 acres on Dirbun Creek a branch of Entree River in Laurens County bounding SE on John Wallises land, SE on Isaac Grays land, NE on old lines, NW on David Welches land, NE and due west of vacant land… Witness: Benj. Kilgore, ___ Hutcherson, ( John Kensington?) [Laurens County Deed Book F, p436.]
This establishes that William Rountree was from Union County. It is also his first contact with the Isaac Gray family. Durbin Creek is in northwestern Laurens County where its several branches empty into the Enoree River, which separates Laurens from Spartanburg and Union counties.
William Rountree, son of Turner Rountree, remains in Union County. That William Rountree was devised land in Turner Rountree’s will and later purchased his brother’s inherited lands when Woodson Rountree moved to Alabama.
21 September 1790. Suit: Denny Anderson against William Rountree. Appeal. Ordered that this case be continued until next Court. [Brent H. Holcomb (ed.) Spartanburg County, South Carolina, Minutes of the County Court 1785-1799 (1980), p138.]. ,Continued again on 14 June 1791 [p155.]. Judgement for plaintiff on 13 June 1792; William Mitchison and Benjamin Kiel paid as witnesses, [p168.]
This is peculiar, as people were sued only in the jurisdictions in which they lived.
1791. 1790 Census, taken sometime in 1791 for Laurens District:
William Rouentree 2 0 3 0 0 p16 (marked page 444)
He is the only William Rountree in the 1790 census in South Carolina. This is indexed as “Roventree” but no one of that name is in Laurens records. It appears to me to read “Rouentree”, probably written by a census Marshall unfamiliar with the name. The identity of the other members of the household are unknown — as far as we know, William Rountree was unmarried and childless in 1791..
1790/1791. William Rountree marries Sally “Hopt” (Gray?)
8 March 1794. Deed: Watson Allison to Joseph Allison, 120 acres on branches of Rabin Creek. witnessed by John Wallace and William Roundtree. Proved by William Roundtree 21 March 1803. [Laurens County Deed Book __, p502 abstracted by A. M. Owings, Laurens County Abstract of Deeds1770-1802 (South Carolina Historical Records Survey Project, 1940) ]
12 April 1800. Deed: Willam Roundtree to Jonathan Wallis Sr., both of Laurens, for £100 sterling, 100 acres on a branch of Entree River, part of a tract granted to Daniel Huger, by him conveyed to Denny Anderson and from Anderson to William Roundtree. Signed: William Roundtree. Witness: John Hollis, Ruth Hollis. [Laurens County Deed Book G, p99 as abstracted by A. M. Owings, Laurens County Abstract of Deeds1770-1802 (South Carolina Historical Records Survey Project, 1940) ]
Deed Book G is missing from the microfilms in the Family History Library, so this is a published abstract.
1800 Census, Greenville District, p262: William Roundtree:
2 males under 10. (Seaborn & Chesley)
1 Male 26-45. (William)
1 female under 10 (Mildred)
1 female 26-45. (Sally)
3 slaves
William Rountree is apparently living on the land that he and Isaac Gray purchased (see November 1800 below.). Or it may be that the census taker strayed into Laurens County, Nearby was listed Isaac Gray.
1800 – 1805. William Rountree was a Justice in Laurens County. [Several entries in Deed Books of deeds being proved to William Rountree, JP during this period.]
November 1800. Petition from William Rountree, Issac Gray and Abraham Gray to South Carolina Speaker of the House of Representatives, humbly sheweth that your petitioners purchased a very valuable tract of land from Mr. John Cunningham of Charleston at a very high price lying in Greenville District on both sides of Ready River & soon after you petitioners purchased the land Adam Caruth & Lemuel J. Alston belt a dam near the lower line of sd land on the aforementioned river & has overflowed near fifty acres to the great injury of your petitioners… by the stagnate water since the dam was built your petitioners families has been sick from the first of June as well as the neighbors for several miles round… your petitioners in paying for so valuable a tract of land has run themselves bare of money to support a lawsuit & more especially the tedious way to get so great a grievence removed we therefore pray your honorable body to take this matter into your most serious consideration & grant such relief as you in your wisdom may think most expedient. Signed: William Rountree, Isaac GraY, A. Gray [South Carolina Archives Series S165015, ITEM 143.]
I didn’t see a deed in Greenville County for this purchase — neither Isaac Gray or William Rountree appear in the grantee index to deeds. It may have been an assignment of a grant recorded elsewhere. There is a legislative committee report on this petition dated 29 November 1800 in the Archives that I did not locate.
14 March 1801. Deed: Elisha Attaway to William Roundtree, both of Lauren, for $550, 200 acres lying on both sides of Beaverdam Creek… originally granted to Francis Phillips… conveyed by the said Phillips to Isaac Gray , from Issac Gray to Abner Gray, and from Abner Gray to John and James Bradshaw and from the said Bradshaw to Elisha Attaway. Signed Elisha (x) Attaway. Witness: A. Gray. Henry (Vouchen?). Proved by A. Gray 14 March 1801. [Deed Book G?, p270 as abstracted by A. M. Owings, Laurens County Abstract of Deeds1770-1802 (South Carolina Historical Records Survey Project, 1940) , p485.]
Beaverdam Creek is south of Durbin Creek, emptying into the Enoree River roughly at the town of Enoree.
2 February 1801 Deed: William Blythe of Greenville District to Wm Roundtree (no residence noted), 50 acres on Brushy Creek a branch of Reedy River being part of a tract originally granted to Jeremiah Chandler… along John Goodwyn’s line… (being) the said land that the said Blyth now lives on… Signed: Wm (x) Blyth. Witness” Isaac Gray, Patsy Gray. Proved by Isaac Gray 18? June 1801. [Greenville County Deed Book F, p216.]
This is at least ten miles west of the Beaverdam tract. The Reedy River runs through Greenville County into Laurens County. I did not find a sale of this land. The Grays witnessed, so this must be the same William Rountree.
March 1801. Deed: Isaac Gray to John Burns.
23 May 1801 Deed: William Roundtree to Abraham Gray, both of Laurens, 100 acres on both sides of Beaverdam Creek… the tract the said Roundtree now lives on… Signed: William Roundtree. Witness: —— Foley, Samuel —–. Proved 23 May 1801 [Deed Book G?, p274 as abstracted by A. M. Owings, Laurens County Abstract of Deeds1770-1802 (South Carolina Historical Records Survey Project, 1940) , p485.]
The copy of this typewritten manuscript in FHL film is very faded and difficult to read. There is no index to the manuscript and the fading makes it difficult to search for names. Book G is missing from the FHL microfilms.
28 March 1803. Deed: Starling Tucker and Levind Tucker (his wife) to William Rountree, all of Laurens, for $200, 126 acres on a branch of Beaverdam Creek and bounded by Jesse Higgins’s land on one side, Doctor Ross’s, Lewis Lascon, Widow Cheeks on the other side… Signed: Starling Tucker, Levine Tucker. Witness: William Clarke, Joseph Downey. Leviney Tucker relinquished dower. Proved 20 January 1809 by Joseph Downey. [Laurens County Deed Book J, p103.]
17 November 1804. Deed: George Pope to Abraham Gray, 25 acres on south side of Entree River. Witness: William Rountree, Isaac Gray. Proved before William Rountree, JP. [Laurens County Deed Book H, p78.]
3 February 1805. Deed: James Hughes to William Rountree, for $150, 83 acres on the south side of Beaverdam Creek, a branch of Entree River, bounded by a line running southwesterly by land held by William Rountree and Thompson Farley land, southeasterly by Docr Ross land… granted to Jesse Higgins on 5 September 1790… Signed: James (x) Hughes. Witness: Isaac Gray, Abraham Gray. Betsey Hughes relinquished dower. Proved 13 April 1808 by Isaac Gray.[Laurens County Deed Book J, p159.]
18 April 1806. Spencer Brown being recommended by William Rountree Esquire, came into court and was qualified to act as Constable… [Laurens County General Sessions Journal 1800-1840, FHL Film 8696133, image 50 of 464.]
22 April 1806. Plat for Samuel Bell, 50 acres lying on Beaverdam Creek waters of Entree River by lands of William Roundtree… [Lauren County Plat Book A, Plat #88.]
18 November 1806 The following Bills of Indictment were given out to the Grand Jury… The State vs. William Rountree: Confined in Gaol charged with murder of Thomas Owens. Mr. Farrow, counsel of the prisoner demands his trial in this county. [Laurens County General Sessions Journal 1800-1840, FHL Film 8696133, image 51 of 464.]
20 November 1806. Scire Facias writ issued against Michael Wallace Junior “to show cause why the said Michael Wallace has not attended as a witness in the [William Rountree] case… [Laurens County General Sessions Journal 1800-1840, FHL Film 8696133, image 52 of 464.]
21 November 1806. The State vs. William Rountree: On the motion of Mr. Farrow . Attorney for the prisoner, ordered that he be brought into court, Mr. Farrow… petitioned the court for an order of Bail, which was refused . Ordered that the prisoner be remanded to Gaol. [Laurens County General Sessions Journal 1800-1840, FHL Film 8696133, image 52 of 464.]
==> See a description of the case on another webpage
14 April 1807. The State vs. William Rountree: Grand jury returned an Indictment for Murder. [Laurens County General Sessions Journal 1800-1840, FHL Film 8696133, image 54 of 464.]
16 April 1807. The State vs. William Rountree: The jury No. 2 were charged to try this case & Returned the following Verdict, Viz. Not Guilty. [Laurens County General Sessions Journal 1800-1840, FHL Film 8696133, image 55 of 464.]
==> This is the last record found of William Rountree in South Carolina. There is no record of the sale of any of his remaining lands in Laurens or Greenville. He left the area shortly after the verdict was returned, as he was in Tennessee two years later.
Note: Turner Rountree, brother of Richardson Rountree, also had a son named William Rountree who seems to have been younger than “our” William Rountree. Turner Rountree’s 1797 will in Union County left land on Fairforest Creek to his son William along with eight slaves. That William Rountree later bought an adjoining 200 acres from his brother Woodson Rountree and remained in Union County for the next few decades. He is therefore easily distinguishable from “our” William Rountree in the records.
LINCOLN COUINTY, TENNESSEE
1 September 1809. William Rountree two surveys for 53 acres and 30 acres in Bedford County, Tennessee, Entries #1741 and #1743 — see grants dated 11 October 1810 below. [Tennessee Early Land Registers, 2nd Surveyors District Book B, 1809-1811, retrieved at ancestry.com]
18 September 1809 William Rountree of Bedford County, Tennessee patents land in Madison County, Mississippi Territory. [Mississippi Territorial Archives]. See grant below.
Early Bedford County records are lost, but William Rountree was apparently living in the part of Bedford that became Lincoln County in 1810.
1 January 1810 Lincoln County, Tennessee formed from Bedford County.
Lincoln County, Tennessee and Madison County, Mississippi (later Alabama) were and are adjacent
26 February 1810. At the first court meeting, Justices who were commissioned and nominated for Lincoln County appeared and were qualified, among them: William Roundtree… William Rountree offered himself as a candidate for county sheriff but received no votes. [Lincoln County Court Minutes 1810, pp1.]
He continues to serve as a justice in the new location.
27 February 1810. William Rountree appointed to take the list of taxables for Capt. Robbins company in Lincoln County, Tennessee. William Roundtree and Jesse Woodruff securites for Philip Cook, Ranger. [Lincoln County Court Minutes 1810, p4 and p3 respectively.]
28 August 1810 William Roundtree and Jesse O. Tate witness & prove a bill of sale for a negro woman from Samuel Ewing to Zedekiah Tate. [Lincoln County Court Minutes 1810, p22.]
20 June 1810. The Court ordered five men… to view and lay off a road from where the road leading to Huntsville to Squire Roundtrees ford on Elk River intersects with the state line, the nearest and best way crossing at said ford to the pond-spring. [Lincoln County Court Minutes 1810, p16.]
29-30 March 1810. Three surveys in Lincoln County for William Rountree — see grants at 11 October 1810.
2 August 1810. William Rountree, by virtue of warrant #1298 for 200 acres, enters an occupant claim for 100 acres in Lincoln County, Tennessee — see grant #2611 below. [Tennessee Early Land Registers, 2nd Surveyors District Book B, 1809-1811, retrieved at ancestryr.com]
The other 100 acres on this warrant were assigned to others. For example: Entry 2034, dated 23 December 1809, is to Jacob Vanzant, assignee of William Rountree on warrant 1298 for 10 acres on the Elk River in Lincoln County. And Entry 2246, dated 20 March 1810. is to Benjamin Harris, assignee of William Rountree, for 48 acres on the State line in Lincoln County.
28 August 1810. Court met… present the Worshipful Robert Higgins, John Whitaker, William Rountree, William Dickson, Justices. [Lincoln County Court Minutes 1810, p22.]
28 August 1810 William Roundtree and Jesse O. Tate witness & prove a bill of sale dated 5 March 1810 for a negro woman from Samuel Ewing to Zedekiah Tate. [Lincoln County Court Minutes 1810, p26.]
11 October 1810. Three Tennessee State Grants to William Rountree.
Grant #2611, 100 acres… part of warrant No. 1298 dated 3 October 1808 to John Keeney… granted to William Rountree, assignee of said Keeney… 100 acres in the second District on the second creek that empties into the Elk River on the north side above the mouth of Mulberry Creek… surveyed the 29 March 1809. [Lincoln County Deed Book A-1, p178.]
Grant #2618, 53 acres… by virtue of certificate issued to William T. Lewis… granted to William Rountree, assignee of said Lewis, 53 acres in the second District on the second creek that empties into the Elk River on the north side above the mouth of Mulberry Creek… part of a 618-acre survey for Joseph Graham.. surveyed 30 March 1810. [Lincoln County Deed Book A-1, p180.]
Grant #2619 …by virtue of certificate issued to William T. Lewis… granted to William Rountree, assignee of said Lewis,30 acres in the second District on the headwaters of the second creek that empties into the Elk River on the north side above the mouth of Mulberry Creek… adjacent to a 53 acres surveying the name of William Rountree… surveyed 30 March 1810. [Lincoln County Deed Book A-1, p182.]
All this land is located about a half-dozen miles east of Fayetteville.
Thomas Rountree (son of Richardson Rountree) also had land on Mulberry Creek. When he advertised part of his land for sale in 1818 it was described as being on the road from Fayetteville to Shelbyville. [The Tennessee Herald, issue of 29 August 1818, p2.]
26 November 1810. Road Order: a Jury appointed to lay off a road from Squire Rountree ford on Elk River, the nearest and best way to the County line Hazel patch pond spring. [Lincoln County Court Minutes 1810, p41.]
29 November 1810. Justices appointed to take tax lists for 1811: William Roundtree for Capt. William Sutton’s Company, Tucker’s Creek and for “no Captain” company , Coffee Creek. [Lincoln County Court Minutes 1810, p46.]
12 March 1811. Road order: Ordered that William Whitaker be overseer of the road from the widow Thompson to the ridge road that leads to Rountree’s ferry… [Lincoln County Minute Book 1, p47.]
13 March 1811. Road order: Ordered that Middleton Cannon be overseer of the road from a ridge east of Mulberry to Roundtree Creek to the top of the ridge on the east side of Tuckers Creek. Rountree’s ferry… [Lincoln County Minute Book 1, p48.]
10 March 1812. William Rountree still acting as a justice of Lincoln County. [Lincoln County Minute Book 1, p157.]
He was appointed a Justice in Madison County nine months later.
25 January 1814. Deed: William Rowntree of Madison County, Mississippi Territory, to John Isbell of Lincoln County, Tennessee for $106, 53 acres on the second creek that enters into Elk River on the north side above the mouth of Mulberry Creek… surveyed the 29th of March 1810. Signed: Wm. Rowntree. Witness” James (x) Cannon, James Isbell. [Lincoln County Deed Book D, p62.]
1 November 1814. Estray Notice: By Sebarn Rountree on bayhare (sic) 3 years old last spring about 14 hands high… said horse was a stud when he came in the neighborhoo. Said Rountree lives 12 miles above Fayetteville near Rountree‘s Ferry. [The Clarion and Tennessee State Gazette, issue of 1 November 1814, p4. Repeated in subsequent issues.]
Seaborn is still living in Lincoln County.
August 1815. Buyers at estate sale of Thomas Lackey included Seabourne Rountree. [Lincoln County Wills & Inventories 1810-1824, p101.]
MADISON COUNTY, ALABAMA
13 December 1808. Madison County, Mississippi Territory established with a population of approximately 5,000.
An 1809 census of Madison County (found in Mississippi Territorial Archives) does not enumerate any Rountrees.
18 September 1809. Two land grants to William Roundtree of Bedford County, Tennessee in Madison County, Mississippi Territory: the NE Qtr. and SE Qtr of Section 21, Township 3, Range 1. [Madison County Tract Book, abstracted in Jones & Gandrud, Alabama Records, Vol. 189.]
Also see Applications for Land Grants in Madison County in Vol. 53, p62 identifying William Roundtree as a resident of Bedford County, Tennessee. These grants were issued (reissued?) by Alabama in 1813.
10 September 1810 Tax List, Madison County, Mississippi Territory: William Rountree, no polls but taxed on 320 acres “near Flint River”. [Mississippi Territorial Tax Rolls, at https://da.mdah.ms.gov/series/510/territorial/madison-county-taxable-property]
The 320 acres are the two quarter-sections granted in 1809. He owns land in Alabama but doesn’t live there yet. The 320 acres are the two grants in Section 21, Township 3, Range 1 that were issue (reissued?) in 1813.
4 September 1811 Tax List, Madison County, Mississippi Territory: William Rountree, no polls but taxed on 310 (sic) acres Flint River [Mississippi Territorial Tax Rolls, at https://da.mdah.ms.gov/series/510/territorial/madison-county-taxable-property]
Still not a resident.
20 December 1812. Governor of Mississippi Territory appoints William Roundtree a Justice of the Peace for Madison County. [Valley Leaves, December 1969, p23.]
He is now living in Alabama.
William Rountree subsequently appears in tax lists of Madison County
ca1812. Seborn Rountree, Sergeant, Battalion 7 Perkins Mississippi Militia [NARA Records]
8 March 1813. Deed: William Rowntree of Madison County, Mississippi Territory to John Lindsey of Lincoln County,Tennessee, for $60, 30 acres (same as Grant #2618)… Signed: Wm. Rowntree. Witness: Hance Hunter, William Lindsy. Priced by the witnesses on 20 April 1818. [Lincoln County Deed Book E-1, p105.]
September 1813 Tax List, Madison County, Mississippi Territory: William Rountree, one white poll, two wheels (carriage), 320 acres. [Mississippi Territorial Tax Rolls, at https://da.mdah.ms.gov/series/510/territorial/madison-county-taxable-property]
23 Septamber 1823 & 9 October 1823. Land Grants to William Rountree in Madison
25 January 1814. Deed: William Rowntree of Madison County, Mississippi Territory to John Isbell of Lincoln County,Tennessee, for $106, 50 acres (same as Grant #2619)… Signed: Wm. Rowntree. Witness: James (x) Fannon, James Isbell. Proved by the witnesses 9 February 1816.
If there was any doubt, this proves that the William Rountree of Bedford/Lincoln County, Tennessee is the same person as the William Rountree of Madison County, Alabama.
1816. Census of Madison County, Mississippi Territory: William Roundtree [Inhabitants of Alabama in 1816 (Broken Arrow Chapter, D.A.R., 1955), p33.]
6 May 1817. Marriage: John Donohoo and Nancy Rountree in Madison County. [Madison County Marriage Book 1, p314. FHL Film 7730040, image 679.]
8 July 1820. William Roundtree appointed a Justice of the Peace for Madison County, State of Alabama. [Valley Leaves, December 1969, p38.]
1820. No census records exist for Madison County or Lauderdale County
8 July 1820. William Roundtree again appointed J.P. for Madison County — served through at least 13 April 1836.
9 September 1820. Allen Ward (and his wife Lois) places real and personal property in trust with Henry Cook and William Rountree to satisfy his creditors. [Madison County Deed Book F, p426.]
See 17 March 1830
2 July 1822 Divorce Bill filed; William Rountree vs. Sally Rountree — see the abstract on this page
[Madison County Chancery Court & Circuit Court in Equity, Record Book A, p212.]
18 November 1822. Deed regarding agreements between William Rowntree, his wife Sally Rowntree and Zedekiah Tate, trustee of Sally: Whereas the said William & Sally Rowntree for several years last past have lived separate & apart from each other & hereby agree to continue henceforth to live separate & apart from each other & the said William Rowntree being willing to make a suitable provision for the comfortable & separate maintenance of the said Sally Rowntree, doth hereby convey to the said Zedekiah Tate in Trust for the purpose aforesaid the following property, viz: a negro woman named Viney about 18 years of age, a bay horse, a bed bedstead & furniture & a chest all which has been for some time past in possession of said Sally Rowntree and the said William Rowntree hereby agrees to pay to the said Zedekiah Tate his heirs etc. for the purposes aforesaid five hundred dollars to be paid in the following manner (⅓ each on January 1 1824, 1825, and 1826) and the said Sally Rowntree agrees to accept the provisions herein made as an adequate provision for her separate maintenance…. Signed: Wm Rrowntree, Sally (her mark) Rowntree, Zedekiah Tate [Madison County Deed Book H, p357.]
29 April 1823 Divorce Bill; Sally Rountree vs. William Rountree — divorce granted. See the abstract on this page
[Madison County Chancery Court & Circuit Court in Equity, Record Book A, p359.]
Courts could grant separations (divorces from bed and board) but the parties were not free to remarry. Only the state legislature had the power to dissolve the marriage. See next item.
26 December 1825. Alabama House of Representatives… a bill entitled an act to divorce William Roundtree from Sally Roundtree his wife was read and passed by a vote of 37-14. [Journal of the Alabama House of Representatives, 1825-1826, p120]
The bill had originally been initiated by Sally Rountree and referred to the legislature by the Madison County circuit court, exercising chancery jurisdiction. [ibid, p43, p57.]
17 November 1826. Agreement between William Rowntree of Madison County & Harriet Sherrod of Limestone County… whereas the said William and Harriet hath agreed to intermarry on the following conditions to wit: the said Harriet doth agree to relinquish all claims or dower that the intermarriage doth entitle her to to the following property (description of the 400 acres he lives on and his 19 slaves) … at his death… the said Harriet is to have one fifth part which is equal shares with his the said William’s present children all the rest of his other personal property that he hath at his death. It is also understood that any negroes purchased after the intermarriage is to belong to her the said Harriet and her children if she should have any by the said William and that his present children is to have no part thereof, and it is also further understood that any lands that he the said William purchases or is now the owner of , except the above where he now lives, and two town lots in Tuscumbia is to be vested in her the said Harriet and children if we should have any, It is also fully understood that there is nothing herein to be so construed as to prevent him the said William from —— or selling any lands or negroes by him purchased after the intermarriage in anywise whatsoever. .. etc. etc. Signed: Harriet Sherrod, Wm. Rowntree. Witness: George Lyons, Martin Crasdly(?). [Madison County Deed Book K, p434.].
This clarifies that William Rountree only has four living children – his son William must still be alive, as Nancy Donohoo’s husband John Donohoo had remarried just two days earlier on 15 November 1826. The living children were William, Seaborn, Chesley and Mildred. Harriet appears to have struck a fair bargain.
28 December 1826 Marriage: “William Rountree, Esq. to Miss Harriet Sherwood (sic) of Limestone County”. [Huntsville Democrat, issue of — January 1827, reported in Alabama Re3cords Vol. 5.]
18 September 1828. Trustees of Jefferson College, Miss., vs. William Rountree, Naomi Pond, John Garrison, William Scott, Robert T. Scott, William Derrick and William H. Moore. Claims that by act of legislature of large Mississippi Territory of 13 December 1811, all property thereafter to escheat to the Mississippi[pi Territory for ten years should go to Jefferson College; in 1813 one Lawrence Carlisle who then was an alien, born in Ireland, died intestate without heirs. On 17 May 1813 his widow a derelict granted letters of administration; she is now wife of Stephen Pond. In 1821 Wm. Rountree was appointed administrator. Land ha been sol, thus bringing others into it. [Madison County Circuit Court in Chancery, Book G, p227 as abstracted in Alabama Records, Vol. 97.]
Probate Record Book 3, page 175, contains the final settlement of the Carlisle estate by William Rountree
17 March 1830. William Rowntree and Henry Cook, being satisfied that all the debts of Allen Ward have been paid, release the property mortgaged by Ward on 9 September 1820. property. Signed: Henry Cook, Wm. Rowntree. [Madison County Deed Book M, p692.]
1830 Census, Madison County
p 109. William Rountree 00102001 – 00001 – 24 slaves
(one name intervenes)
p109 Seaborn J. Rountree 111001 – 221001 – 3 slaves
p118. William Rountree Junr. 311001 – 0101001 – 1 slave
(12 names intervene)
p119. Thomas Rountree 010001 – 12001 – 3 slaves
(11 names intervene)
p119. Woodson Rountree 002011001 – 00010001
This appears to be William & his son Seaborn and Woodson & his sons William and Thomas.
15 November 1832. Marriage: Seaborn J Rountree to Adaline Flippin, license dated 12 November, return dated 15 November. [Madison County Marriage Records, FHL Film #7316964, image 36.]
19 March 1833. Newspaper Notice: Died in Lauderdale County, AL… Mr. Chesley B. Rountree. [(Nashville)National Banner & Daily Advertiser, issue of 19 March 1833, p3.]
13 March 1833. Deed: William Rountree and wife Elizabeth Rountree sell E half of NW quarter of Section 1, township 4, Range 2. [Madison County Deed Book O, p371.]
This appears to be a son of Woodson Rountree, who was William Rountreee’s first cousin, the son of Turner Rountree. This William Rountree was located just a dozen names away from Thomas Rountree, another son of Woodson, in the 1830 census. William Rountree was issued a grant for this land on 1 June 1831 — I note the is was in the same vicinity as the lands of Woodson Rountree and his sons. I note the possibility that it was his widow Elizabeth enumerated in adjacent Jackson County in 1840.
2 May 1834. Deed: William Rountree to Seborn(sic) J. Rountree…. this day conveyed unto him the said Seborn J. Rountree after my death the tract of land where I now live containing 400 acres, it being the East half of Section 21 and the East half of the Southwest quarter of the same section in Township 3 Range 1… to have and to hold the same in fee simple after my natural death, and I also give and release to him at the present time a part of the above tract for his own use… including 30 or 35 acres fo cleared land… Signed: William Rountree. Witness: Rich. B. Purdom, CLk. Recorded same day. [Madison County Deed Book P, p56.]
2 May 1834. Deed: William Roundtree and Harriet Roundtree hi\s wife to Clement T. Bouldwin (sic), for $500, 111.66 acres being the Northwest part of fractional Section 28 Township 4, Range 2… Signed Wm. Rountree, Harriet Rountree. Acknowledged same day. [Madison County Deed Book P, p57.]
2 June 1834. Marriage Seaborn J. Rountree to Elizabeth B. Rogers, by David Jacks M.G. [Madison County Marriage Register, FHL Film 7730040, image 667. Marriage Book 4, p192.]
10 January 1835. Deed: Seaborn J. Rountree and Elizabeth his wife to William Rountree Senr., all of Madison County, for $2,000, the East half of Section 21 and the East half of the Southwest quarter of the same section in Township 3 Range 1…it being the tract of land which WIllim Rountree Senr. conveyed to said Seaborn J. Rountree 2 May 1834 and includes the part that said Seaborn J., Rountree is now I n possession of. and also the balance said tract which Seaborn J. Rountree was to have a the death of said William Rountree, Senr… Signed: Seaborn J. Rountree, Elizabeth B. Rountree., Acknowledged same day. [Madison County Deed Book P, p230.]
I’m not sure why he is called “Senior” as thee are no other William Rountrees in the area. Perhaps Seaborn was thinking of his deceased brother? This is the only instance of the “Senior” attribution.
2 February 1835. Deed: Henry M. Harris and his wife Judith to William Rountree, for $150, 80 acres being the East half of the Southwest quarter of Section 21, Township 3, Range 1… Signed: Henry M. Harris, Judith W. Harris.[Madison County Deed Book P, p342.]
This tract adjoins the 400-acre tract that wWilliam Rountree has owned for years.
18 June 1836. Deed: John Tipton to William Rountree, for $180, 40 acres, in the North half of the West half of the Southeast quarter of Section 15, Township 3, Range 2… it being the north half of the half quarter where I now live… Signed: John (his mark) Tipton. [Mdison County Deed Book Q, p357.].
22 February 1836. Will of William Rowntree: …First I desire to be decently buried neare where my son William lise(sic) if I should die at or near home without any unnecessary expense, and as touching my worldly goods I wish all my just debts to be paid then I wish my wife Harriet to have the negroes that I have purchased since our marriage wit Annie, Sip & Daniel… with Arramenter and Ann’s children that she has at this time… I wish her to have my Hericain land and the stock that belongs there and all the plantation too”s wagon etc. that belongs there and the crop also two beds and furniture and bedsteads of her own choice choice (sic) … also one half of all my household furniture… the remainder of my property and estate to be equally divided ;among Seborn J. Rountree, Milly Tate, Chesley B. Rountree children and Nancy Donohoo‘s children, takin into view the property that I let said Seborn & Milley have in December 1833 which was valued by Gross Scruggs & Waddy Tate. Seborn received $1300 and Milley record $1050. I wish said Milley Tate to have $250 and Chelsea B. Rowntree children $1,300 and & Nancy Donohoo’s children to have $1,300 and then the balance of my estate to be equally divided amongst the above four legatees, to wit Seborn J. Rowntree, Milley Tate, Chelsea B. Rountree’s children, & Nancy Donohoo’s children — except what money is on hand and all that is owing after my death debts are all paid I wish the ballance to be divided into five equal parts and and and (sic) my wife Harriet to have one part, the other four to the above legatees… Seborn J. Rowntree (and) Clement T. Baldwin to act as Executors… Signed: Wm. Rowntree. Witness: W. H. L. Browne, Rich’d B. Purdue, B.J. Moore. Proved 9 January 1837 and both executors qualified.. [Madison County Probate Record Book 7, p605.]
8 December 1837. Implied order to appraise the estate of William Rowntree deceased. [Madison County Probate Record Book 8, p59 appears to refer to a court order this date in Minute Book 7, p41.]
3 January 1737. Petition to probate the will of William Rowntree. Sheriff of Lauderdale County to summon Mildred Tate, widow of Zedekia Tate, dec’d. (she one of children of dec’d.) and also John Donoohoo; Chesley B. Rountree, one of the children is dead leaving infant children.[Madison County Orphans Court Records, Vol. 6, p563 abstracted in Alabama Records Vol. 14.]
6 January 1837. At a session of the Orphans Court this date, the will of William Rowntree was proved by the oaths of the three witnesses and was duly recorded on 6 January 1837. [Madison County Probate Record Book 7, p605.]
11 January 1837. Inventory of estate of William Rountree dec’d: Included 20 slaves, household furnishings, one watch (valued at $15), one lot of books ($25), a 60-gallon still and an 80-gallon still, 9 horses, herds of cows, calves, oxen, geese, sheep, 20 bales of cotton, 4,000 pounds of picked pork, a steel saw gin, 300 barrels of corn, etc. Not including two slaves run off. Inventory taken on the 11th and 12th January by R. H. Steger, Thos. Martin, H. M. Harris. Presented by Seaborn J. Rowntree and Clement T. Baldwin on 14 January. [Madison County Probate Record Book 8, pp58.]
11 January 1837. Inventory of the notes due to the estate of William Rowntree, deceased: A number of small accounts due totaling $410.13 plus $301.79 in accounts due “considered doubtful”. Dozens fo notes due totaling 3,234.94 plus cash on hand of $28.37. Presented by Seaborn J. Rowntree and Clement T. Baldwin. [Madison County Probate Record Book 8, pp66.]
16 February 1837. Division of slaves belonging to the estate of William Rowntree deceased. Committee ordered by the court to make an equal division… have allotted to Mrs. Milley Tate, to the children of Chesley Rouwntree, to Mrs. Nancy Donohoo’s children, to Seaborn J. Rowntree…. except for one negro man who Is dangerous ill [Madison County Probate Record Book 8, p74.]
4 April 1837. Estate sale of William Eowntree deceased… buyers included “Seyburn Rowntree”, Clement T. Baldwin, Napoleon B. Tate, Benjamin B, Rogers,.. Amount not totaled but about $4,500. [Madison County Probate Record Book 8, pp110.]
11 July 1837. Recording of the sale of slave Lewis belonging to the estate of William Rowntree, purchased on the first Monday in June for $700 by William Rowntree. [Madison County Probate Record Book 8, p128.]
According to a May 1837 notice in the Huntsville Democrat newspaper, S. J. Rowntree and C. T. Baldwin advertised a sale of Lewis “supposed to be aged between 33 and 40” to the highest bidder. At the same time “two old negroes (Jack and Beck) were to be sold but no one bid and SDeaborn later undertook to support them.
19 August 1837. Recording of disposition of slaves Jack and his wife Beck belonging to the estate of William Rowntree, deceased, Seaborn J. Rountree has undertaken to support and maintain them free of any expense to the estate. [Madison County Probate Record Book 8, p164.]
January 1838 Per a petition of the heirs, the Orphans Court orders that the real estate of William Rowntree be sold, to wit: the E half of Section 21, Township 3, Range 1, the E half of the SW quarter of Section 21, Township 3, Range 1, the East half of the SW quarter of Section 28, Township 3, Range 1, and the North half of West half of Southeast quarter of Section 15, Township 3, Range 2. [Madison County Probate Record Book 10, p72.]
13 February 1838 Account of additional income to estate of William Rountree: rental of lands for the year 1837 (Including rental of tracts to six different persons). plus the $700 from sale of the slave Lewis. Signed: S. J. Rountree in what appears to be an actual signature. [Madison County Probate Record Book 8, p583.]
23 February 1838. Original Bill dated 23 Feb. 1838. Harriet Roundtree, widow of William Roundtree vs. Seaborn Roundtree, executor (Land)” [XChancery Court Book K, p430 index reported in Alabama Records, Vol.111.]
I assume Harriet was invoking the marriage agreement, which gave her an interest in land acquired by her husband after the marriage. Records not easily available.
24 February 1838. The real estate of William Rowntree sold at public auction to Sam’l Moore for $8,020. Not reported by the commissioners appointed to do so until four years later on 15 March 1842. [Madison County Probate Record Book 10, p72.]
27 August 1838 All persons indebted to the estate of William Rountree, deceased, either by note or open account, will find them in the hands of John Ruby and can make payment to him…. Seaborn Rountree, Administrator. [Newspaper notice in The (Huntsville) Democrat various issues.]
1837 (undated Final settlement of estate of William Rountree, deceased, by Seabourne J. Rowntree, executor… After a number of income and expense items from 1837 through 1842, including 5% of estate paid to the executor, there is a balance of $19,988 to be paid to legatees. Under the terms of the will, the widow Harriet Rountree is entitled to one-fifth of the cash on hand and money due, less expenses, which amounts to $3,310 of which her one-fifth share is $662. Milly Tate and Seaborn J. Rountree are entitles to $4,832 each. The heirs of Chesley B. Rountree are Thomas P. Rountree, Catherine E. wife of Marion C. Brown, Leonidas Rountree, and John McKy Rountree – it is decreed that they receive $1,208 each. And it appearing also that the heirs of Nancy Donohoo are Sarah Ann Petrie, Elesef (read Elmira) wife of Samuel K. Garner and William R. Donohoo, it is decreed that they each receive $1,611. [Madison County Probate Record Book 10, pp324.]
7 September 1840. Dedd: John M. Culp & wife Catherine to Harriet Rountree, all of Madison County, for $700, 160 acres being the the South half of fractional Section 21 in Township 4 Range 2. [Madison County Deed Book S, p141.]
2 November 1840. Deed Wm. Robinson, sheriff of Madison County, to Harriet Rountree... by virtue of court orders to sell property to satisfy debts of Robt. D. Middleton the South half of fractional Section 21 of Township 4, Range 2 was sold an auction. Harriet Rountree was the high bidder at $50. [Madison County Deed Book S, p247.]
4 December 1843. Deed: James Gaston, coroner of Madison County, to Ellen Price and Harriet Roundtree… by virtue fo court order to sell the property of Benjamin Regan to satisfy debts… the West half of Southeast quarter of Section 15 in Township 4 Range 2 and the West half of the Southeast quarter of Section 22 in Township 4 Range 2 and the East half of the Southeast quarter of Section 15 in Township 4 Range 2, and the East half of the Northeast quarter of Section 22 in Township 4 Range 2 and the East half of the Southwest quarter of Section 22 in Township 4 Range 2 were sold at auction. Ellen Price and Harriet Roundtree were successful, bidding $1. [Madison County Deed Book U, p260.]
3 April 1844. Deed: Harriet Rowntree to Albert Sherrod, all of Madison County, for $1,100, 332 acres being the Northeast part of the North quarter of the Southeast part of Section 15 in Township 3(sic) Range 2 and the Northwest quarter and Southwest quarter of Section 14 in Township 4 range 2. [Madison County Deed Book U, p382.]