Welcome to Barb's Family Finds: TREASURE CHEST THURSDAY Spitler Family Saga, Augusta Co., VA, Part 5, Jacob’s Place

Thursday, July 16, 2015

TREASURE CHEST THURSDAY Spitler Family Saga, Augusta Co., VA, Part 5, Jacob’s Place

Join me today for a look inside 3^rd Great Grandfather Jacob Spitler’s place. Raised in Augusta County, Virginia he would become a lifelong resident.

Jacob married two times. His first wife was my 3^rd Great Grandmother Margaret Dunlap. Grandfather’s second wife was Jane F. (Roberts) Acord.

Almost a year after Jacob’s death on Sept. 7, 1864, his administrator, Alexander B. Lightnor, presented an inventory of his personal estate to the Augusta County Court. George Shuey, Alexander McComb and J. B. Trimble prepared an appraisal.

You’ll see from the images below Grandfather owned a colt, a 10 – 12 year old blind mare and a 14 year old sorel horse. He had many tools; I’m assuming these were farm utensils.

Miss Spitler claimed a corner cupboard. This was most likely Jacob’s youngest daughter, Susan Margaret Spitler. Jacob’s widow, Jane F. Spitler, wanted a bedstead and bedding. Daughter Susan Margaret called dibs on an old bureau and a cow. A stepson, George Echard, claimed 19 sheep, a red cow, a pale red cow, and one white faced cow. (George was the son of Jane F. Roberts and her 1^st husband, Andrew B. Acord.)

It was customary for the widow to receive her dower. But if she wanted anything else, she had to buy it. That’s just what Jane F. Spitler did. She bought a copper kettle for $20.00, a spotted cow for $45.00, 19 sheep for $109.25, and a $100.00 sorel horse along with household items.

Grandfather’s personal property sold at a public auction Sept. 20, 1865. The sale bill is a genealogical gem. You have the item, purchaser’s name and selling price. Friends, family and neighbors joined the bidding that raised $923.45.

Here’s the inventory and bill sale. Take a good look. You never know; you might find an ancestor.