[NEW] FRAIM, RUTH vs FRAIM, WM et al Chancery 1860 NOTICE OF DEP: Will take deposition on 27 Aug 1860 of Henry Hunt & Elizabeth Hunt in Centerville, Jackson Co. at residence of Andrew Br_?mmer. NOTICE OF DEP: Will take depositions at Thompkinsville, Monroe Co., KY on 27 Dec 1860 of Ruth Cross, John Ray sr, Silas Ray, Newton Ray, Sally Harling, James Harling, Wm Emmert, Phebe Emmert, Andrew Gwin, Amanda Wood, Jane Putnam and Wm Wood, Willis Eubanks. ANSWER to Bill by Ruth Fraim against William Fraim, John Right & Cynthia Right and others... says ought not be required to answer... bill does not show cause of action. Fraim admits he and complainant married about 1856... lived happily a short time... she commenced trying to control respondent... subject him to Petty coat Government... having always been a fine responsible white man and a Loyal citizen... refused to submit... denies commenced ill treating her... sometimes cursed and swore when complainant would be abusing him... happily with his first wife who was dead, and they always got along. Never went to complainant and begged her to come back... after she left him she sent persons to him to get him to take her back and then came herself and importuned him to take her in again... she making him so many promises the suit was compromised... after she returned, one morning she fixed his breakfast and set it on a little low table and put her hand on a table she had brought to the marriage and said that table is George Harlings labor and you shant eat eat on it... showing him indignity. Respondent was supporting her family with pleasure and not grudgingly as she charged... her children were much vexed with her ill treatment to respondent... neither the tears of an old hen pecked man nor importunities of her own children... would bring about reformation... He did after she provoked him... accused him of getting Emmert to swear a lie, he called her a damn liar... is sorry. She accused respondent of adultery with one Durhams wife... about to get him into slander suits... Respondent did throw some of her things out and told her if she did not do better she should leave for he was too old to defend Slander suits. Respondent admits that George Harling left property for his children and his wife the complainant but they have it all yet. False he did not want complainants daughters to live with them for they was the only comfort... their mother made it a hateful place of discord... Admits sale of land to John Right and wife and to complainants son Alexander Harling... denies it was done to defraud her... when Complainant was about to get him into a slander suit with two or three persons he give it to his and her children to keep it from being wasted... Defendants Right and wife file their deed with this answer... Complainant is in possession of said land and houses... burning up the bord [sic] rails... trying to destroy every thing she can on the place... forced to withdraw, he had to find a place to stay, knew he could get employment with his waggon [sic] and team near his brother's in Kentucky a few miles off hauling plank... respondent is near 65 years old... denies he give away or sold or disposed of anything... Right's wife only lived about 200 yards from his house... Admits she is several years the youngest, admits he has a few times in his life drank a little too much. Respondent Right and wife deem it would be right to set aside the deed... be declared void. Sworn before me... J. P. of Jackson Co.... 18 July 1860. /s/ John Right, William Fraim, Cynth Ann Right DEPOSITION 5 Sept 1860: Henry Hurt [or Hunt or Hart]. Age 57 or 8. Lived adjoining house to parties something like two months. One night I heard her throw up some women to Fraim and he said she ought to be ashamed... old gray headed man like him. I am hard of hearing. My wife didn't hear it. She had gone back in the house. I was behind the barn next morning, saw him throw out a box or chest and her bed and some other things. There was no other person there except my families my wife sons Jo., George daughters [?]Harriet, Margaret, Elizabeth, Mary, Louisianna and son Jones [or James]. Henry [his X] Hart DEPOSITIONS 4 Feby 1861: Sarah Harlan. Complainant is my mother in law. I am not related to the other parties except Alexander Harland and wife who are my brother in law and sister in law. I heard her say the old man requested her to give Sam a bed and she did so. I bought some of her property. She had but little... She was always hard to get along with. I think she was about the same thing with all the family. 8 July 1861. Sarah [her X] Harling John Hatcher age 41. She got me to go to him to get him to live with her again. She was then living on the Crofford farm with her son. She said she had heard it said Fraim was coming down to see her. [I worked] for complainant's husband... they got along well. Know nothing against complainant's character. /s/ John Hatcher John A. Ray Jr. age 28. Heard Marinda Harling say something about Fraim had treated her kindly... something about treatment of her mother. Ques: Have you not been raised by both or all the parties... known them all your life. Ans: I have for about 16 years... Never heard anything against old man or John Right. Miss Marinda Harling was living at my father's house... never heard her chastity questioned, would give full credit on oath. 30 Nov 1860. /s/ J. A. Ray Abraham Cross age 20. Know parties. She said she wanted to live with him... if he would make a home for her and her children for she could not live the way she was living. This was July or August before they got back together. She then was living with Willis Eubank in Monroe Co., KY. Ques: Have you heard Complainant charge him of illicit... relationships with other women? Ans: I heard her throw up Thomas Durham's wife... Durhams wife's character is good as far as I know. Ques: Have you ever heard the old lady [Mrs. Fraim] try to get your mother to try and get the old man to live with her... when they lived apart. Ans: I did before they got together the last time. Cross-Examination: Ques: When was it? Ans: Last summer a year ago... once when my mother was present and once when Peggy Cross was present... at my mothers and fathers house. James Harling is a son of Complainant's. /s/ Abram Cross Peter Light age 37. I moved to William Fraim's farm 1857, think Sept and left Dec 1859. They parted Aug or Sep 1857 and got together in 1859 about this time. She lived with her son Bull?ard a while then moved to Willis Eubanks till she moved to her son Sam's before they got together about Christmas 1858. Ques: Did she keep anything at the door... threaten to kill... Ans: She took her battling stick [used to wash/beat clothes - mlj] to the river and said if Polly Ann Britt, Grant Britts wife came there she would use it on her. I think they were married in the fall of 1856 about two months before I commenced working for defendant. Defendant was a drinking man - would come home drunk. Defendant was high tempered, don't know that I saw him overbearing... Ques: Say if Miss Marinda Harling, daughter of Complainant, did not cut the most of the wood that summer... work in the field frequently. Ans: ... a right smart... Her character is good. /s/ Peter Light William Plumlee age 68. Known Wm Fraim from his boyhood - he is about 65. Known her about 20 years, lived 2 - 2 1/2 miles pretty much since I've known him. Ques: Was you present in 1858 when they got together last time? Ans: I was. Mrs. Fraim was at her son's on that day me and him went there together and I was pretty tight and old Billy (that is defendant Fraim) was pretty drunk... made no compromise that night. Ques: Did they live close... did she know his character before they married... Ans: In George Harlin's her first husband's lifetime, they lived 3 or 4 miles and closer many years... his character was the same... her son married his daughter and lived close to Fraim several years. John Wright is entitled to full faith and credit. John Ray Jr. is a clever young man, would give full credit, character good on all reports. Defendant is a high tempered man. Ques: Say if you are acquainted with Nancy and Marinda Harling... Ans: Truthful and virtuous girls. /s/ William Plumlee BILL OF COMPLAINT of Ruth Fraim of Jackson Co. against Wm Fraim and A. M. Hestand of said county. Intermarried with William Fraim about a year ago... believed from his appearent [sic] affection... in a few days started cursing and abusing... drove her from house, refuses to provide, unsafe to cohabit... both tolerable old both having been married before [Lists personal property - mlj]... said Fraim now has possession except what he has sold... he is the owner of a tract of land worth $2000 and a store in the State of Kentucky worth $1000 about one mile from where he lives in the State of Tennessee. Owns notes, one on A. M. Hestand for $800 - $1000... others. 3 Sept 1857. Ruthy [her X] Fraim COMPROMISE 3 November 1857. Suit dismissed at Complainant's cost... personal property now in her possession except what has been used up by the family... defendant to pay her $100 for said... between now and January next. DEED: I, William Fraim for esteem I have for my daughter Syntha Ann Right... give my land in Dist. 14 Jackson Co. estimated 65 acres more or less on waters of line creek bounded... begin two dogwoods and a walnut in the State line... John Brays south boundary line... west to a rock in the road, northeast to the Spring branch to a rock in Bray's line... bounded by Aaron Bray, Jane Wood and John Ray. 5 September 1859. /s/ William Fraim Wits: /s/ Peter Light, /s/ J. T. Wood, /s/ L. B. Cherry Thomas C. Durham about age 38. Was at Fraims when they parted. I helped him move. /s/ Thomas C. Durham Phebe S. Emmert [First part missing]. Lidda Tollman came by my house, had no such conversation [dim; difficult to read; something about John Fraim Junr - mlj] ...just before they parted the first time. Phebe S. [her X] Emmert William Emmert. I was living near Fraim when they married - about 250 yards. William [his X] Emmert Miss Nancy Jane Ray age 28. Ques: State whether you ever heard Marinda Harling say in your presence at your father's house... Ans: I heard her say that she thought one was just as mean as the other. /s/ N. J. Ray Silas Ray [No age]. State if while Marinda Harling lived at your father's John Ray... Ans: I heard her... say her mother was as much to blame as the old man Frame... Ques: How long did Marinda live at your father's. Ans: Seven or eight months. I have known Marinda about 15 years and Nancy the same length of time. /s/ Silas Ray Ruth Cross age 46. Mrs. Frame came to my house and asked my son to go see Mr. Frame and see if he would give her a piece of land to live on for her and her children... Ruth [her X] Cross Miss Amanda Wood age 20. Ques: Say if the Complainant brought... property to your mother's house... Ans: She brought the property a few months before they parted the last time. I heard her say something about Jennie Durham, Lindy Cherry and Polly Ann Britt... accusing the old man of being too intimate. I heard her say she had not slept with the old man since Marinda came home from Esqr John Ray's. Ques: Do you not know she got mad at you after she came to your house and tried to get you and your brother Jesse to discredit Mrs. Emmert... Ans: She tried to get me to discredit Mrs. Phebe Emmert... told her could not, think she got a little mad. Amanda [her X] Wood Jasper Wood age 22. She [Complainant] brought clothes, bed clothes, bed bat [to my mother's]... mother sent it up to Mr. Brays. She came and wanted my mother and sister and myself to discredit [Emmerts] about four weeks ago... she has not appeared friendly since. Margaret Cross age 42. Ques: State if you were at the house of John M. Fraim and old Mrs. Fraim came there with Phebe Emmert... Ans: Mrs. Ruth Frame and Mrs. Phebe Emmert came there... the old man Mr. Frame got up and opened the door and she [Mrs. Frame] came in... He told her Polly Ann was not very well... John M. Frames wife (son of deft Mrs. Fraim) was not well that night. I am well acquainted with Polly Ann Frame... well thought of as any woman. It has been three or four years. John Frame had been gone about three months, he got back home about two weeks afterwards. His wife Mrs. Frame was not confined till after her husband John Frame got home. 31 December 1860. Margaret [her X] Cross DEPOSITION 23 January 1861 of Willis B. Eubanks age 44. Known Ruth Fraim 17 - 18 years. She stayed a short time at my house in the State of Kentucky, about 20 of last Feby nearly three years ago. She moved back to Tennessee about the last of Novr same year. /s/ W. B. Eubanks DEPOSITIONS 28 November 1860: Nancy Harland about age 20. I am the daughter of Complainant. I have lived and been about the house of my Mother and Mr. Fraim whilst they lived together. Fraim was very ill and cross to my mother... would curse her... seamed [sic] to get made about some little fool thing... refused to let us ride the horses Mother had when they married - said he would cut their throats before we should ride them. Mr. Fraim told her he wanted her to give all she had to her children and go back and live with him and he would treat her right and on that she did go back. My mother belongs to the Christian order church. He would curse the Christian order church. /s/ Nancy Harlin Daniel Pennington age 79. Known complainant about 40 years and from her childhood. She treated her first husband kind and affectionate... as any woman, she is of good character. Her husband was very afflicted in the latter part of his days. Daniel [his X] Pennington John C. Conkin about 49. Known complainant since 1845, good character. /s/ J. C. Conkin J. T. Wood about 37. Known her since [18]55, good character far as I know. Lived 1 - 2 miles in 55. Known old man Fraim and John Right 15 - 20 years, good character far as I know. /s/ J. T. Wood A. J. Martin age 31. Known Mrs. Fraim about 15 years, good character. Report is he is tyrannical when drinking, heard nothing about his disposition when sober. Heard she is high tempered... inclined to have her own way. In 1859 Emmert rented and cultivated Fraims farm and Britt in 1860. Fraim told me he had lost two fine horses that cost over $300... that he was broke and could not pay his debts and he was going to Arkansas to his sons house. I went to his house to see about buying a horse. He wanted her to fix dinner and she said she couldnt cook dinner and make soap too. /s/ A. J. Martin Alexander Harland about 32. I am a son of the Complainant. Ques: For how long before your mother and your father-in-law's marriage had she been intimately acquainted with him. Ans: She was acquainted about 20 years. They were acquainted since I was married. They were acquainted with each other before but not intimately. Last time he left I let her have some meal and meat. He paid me back. /s/ A. Harling Green B. Hix age around 43. Nothing new. /s/ G. B. Hix Miss Marinda Harling age 15. I am the daughter of Complainant. Last time he left he took everything he had, furniture, corn, meal, meat, coffee, slop jar. He did not leave anything to eat. We got our provisions from brother Alex Harlings. I did not see him take it... but dont know where it would go. The defendant would go off and boarded at Marlin Wrights... /s/ Marinda Harling Elizabeth Pennington age 58. I have been acquainted with her [Ruth Fraim] 29 or 30 years ever since I have been in the County. I got acquainted with her the first year that I come to this Country. Complainant was in the store [Mr. Gee's - mlj] at Thompkinsville [Monroe Co., KY - mlj] when I got there. Complainant went to hunt defendant and come back without him and Mrs. Gee invited Complainant and witness and Mrs. Thompson to diner [sic] and Mrs. Fraim and Mrs. Thompson went and while they were gone Fraim came to the store and traded some when defendant got done trading Complainant told defendant she was ready to go home and he said to complainant Ruth lets go back to the grocery and drink something and she refused to go and he and William Ford did go back to the grocery... The defendant was drinking very high. Cross-Examination by W. P. Witcher, defendant's attorney Ques: From what Country did you come from when you came their. Ans: I come from East Tennessee. Ques: From what country did your ancestors come from. Ans: I dont know where they all come from for my part. Ques: What color were they. Ans: Same color you are I recon [sic]. Ques: Was they all white folks and dont you think I am tolerable black? [Question excepted to by Complnt] Ans: I recon you have seen some of them they are as white as you are some of them a good deal whiter. Ques: Was they allowed to vote in the country where they lived. Ans: I never knowed one to be refused where they lived nor no other place. Ques: Dont they call themselves Portegese or something like that. Ans: They was French I reckon. Ques: Dont you know you all call yourselves Portugese. Ans: Some of the old ones called themselves that some people called them French I reckon they was. Ques: Are you or not tolerable dark yourself. Ans: You see how I look dont you. Ques: You say Mr. Frame got drunk one time and treated his wife so badly that she had to leave him did you see any of that or who told you so. Ans: I did not see it myself her daughter told me - Mrs. Wright. Ques: Was that his first wife or his last wife. Ans: His first wife it was soon after his daughter married. I have lived within one mile of defendant 31 or 32 years except four years. Elizabeth [her X] Pennington Elizabeth Duncan age 33. Ques: Say if Fraims first wife came to John M. Fraims one night crying... Ans: Cant tell you any more only she was crying. Ques: Are you any relation to Elizabeth Pennington who has just deposed. Ans: Yes sir she is my aunt. Ques: Are you married or single. Ans: I never was married. Ques: How many children have you ever had if any was it by a married or single man. [Objected by defendant's attorney Witcher as irrelevant] /s/ Elizabeth Dunken Aaron Bray age 46. Known complainant 20 odd years, now live about one-fourth mile. Think complainant and defendant married last of August or first of Sept 1856, together one year before they separated the first time, together near fifteen months when they separated last time. Acquainted with tract of land in dispute, bounded on east and west by my land and north by the State line and south by Alexander Harlings. Think 150-160 acres, worth $700 - $800. Ques: Say if you witnessed a deed made by deft Wm Fraim to Cynthia Wright the wife of John Wright a defendant in this suit and daughter of defendant. Ans: I witnessed a deed of that sort for a part of the land described. Ques: Did defendant destroy a deed at your house. Ans: Yes... didn't say why. /s/ Aron Bray Joel Moore about 45. I am a merchant [Character testimony]. /s/ Joel Moore Andrew Boman age 46. [Character testimony]. Andrew [his X] Boman Baley P. Bray age 19. Live about one-fourth mile from complainant and defendant... got along well except once I was there and he was drinking. Defendant said complainant had threatened him with James Harling and defendant said he was no Temps Woods man. The complainant got supper and invited him and the balance to eat - no one ate - complainant set things up or covered them up, and stepped out. Defendant cursed and hollowed around right smart... asked her [politely twice] for some shugar [sic] to sweeten his liquor the old lady said there was no sugar to sweeten whiskey with they was not more than enough to sweeten coffee. After complainant was gone the defendant took the sugar out of the drawer and put what he wanted in his liquor and scattered the balance over the floor, threw the balance all over the floor. He threw ashes on the floor over the sugar and then threw water on the ashes on the floor. Ques: Were you present at your fathers house when defendant destroyed a deed... Ans: I do not think I was... Cross-Examination by defendant's counsel Ques: Don't you know that the old man when he was threatened by James Harling and he said he was no Temps Wood man that James had shot Temps Wood and did he or not say I ought not to have said that, that James and me is good friends. Ans: It is understood by all that James did shoot Temps... I dont recollect he said anything more about Jim. /s/ Baly P. Bray Above depositions filed 7 Jany 1861. BILL OF COMPLAINT of Ruth Fraim of Jackson County against Wm Fraim of Monroe Co., Kentucky, John Right and wife Cintha Ann Right, Alexander Harland and wife Mary Ann Harland all of Jackson Co. About Sept 1856 she and Wm Fraim was married, happy a short time... commenced abusing... unkind, using ill language. She commenced action for support, he begged, they compromised, she went back... ... he had three children by his first wife. When she married she had two minor daughters living with her... when she went back the 2nd time she had but one the youngest about 13 years old who had means in the hands of her guardian. Defendant appeared displeased to have her live with them and hoping to quiet him complainant procured her a home although it was painful to give up her last child... finding it did no good she brought her back. Defendant Wm Fraim in 1859 deeded his land or two-thirds of it to two of his daughters to wit Mary Ann Harland the wife of Alexander Harland and Cynthia Ann Right the wife of John Right... some years ago Wm Frame sold or give to his son John M. Fraim a portion of the land. His son concluded to move from the country [Arkansas; see dep of A. J. Martin - mlj] and sold the land back to his father. Defendant said if he couldnt drive her off hed let her starve... 2 June 1860 sold bacon, meal, corn, took everything except her bed and clothing... went to State of Kentucky where he has about 130 acres... bounded by Aaron Bray, Harland and others. Defendant often said he had given his property away to keep complainant from getting any of it. Defendant William [Fraim] has rented about 20 acres to his grand son Marlin Right. Asks deed to Mary Ann Harland and Cynthia Right be set aside and vested in Complainant for her support and to pay costs of suit. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- [NEW] FRAIM, WILLIAM vs FRAIM, JOHN & Others Chancery 1847 ANSWER of John Fraim to Bill of Complaint against him and Sam E. Hare. He and co-defendant are Executors of the Last Will & Testament of John Fraim deceased... as to allegation of complainant that he borrowed $800, knows nothing... Co-defendant Hare and a certain Watson M. Cooke... Novr term 1844, judgment recovered against them... Hare & Cooke did not plead usury... 26 September 1845. /s/ John M. Fraim BILL OF COMPLAINT of Samuel E. Hare of Jackson Co. against John Frame a citizen of Monroe County, Kentucky and William Frame of Jackson County, Tennessee, Administrators of John Frame Sr. deceased. Orator in 1837 borrowed from John Frame Sen, since deceased about $800, executed note, was to pay ten per cent interest, annually renewed up to 1842 when debt was reduced by payment of $360. Orator and Watson M. Cooke executed joint note for balance... was Orator's debt. John Frame and William Frame as Administrators of John Frame sen deceased sued and obtained judgment. 6 May 1845. BOND: John M. Frame, William Frame and P. H. Leslie to Sarah Frame, Jane Frame, Zeberry Shelton, Elizabeth Shelton, Temperance Shelton, Leroy Clements, Henderson Clements, Montgomery Clements, Sarah Clements, Christopher Clements Jr, George Clements, Lafayette Harling, Jefferson Harling, Nancy Harling, Andrew Clements and Prior Frame... for $250... have this day filed Bill of Complaint. 22 June 1854. /s/ P. H. Leslie BILL OF COMPLAINT of William Frame guardian for Jane Frame and Sarah Frame against Alexander Harland and John Frame, the former a citizen of Jackson Co. and the latter a citizen of Kentucky. John Frame senr a citizen of Jackson Co, Tennessee who was father of orator and husband of said Sarah some years ago departed life in Jackson County. At the time of his death his widow was a deranged woman and had been for some time, still remains in such state... further states that his daughter Jane was an Ediot [sic] void of mind sufficient to direct her through this world... Orator applied and was granted guardianship of his mother and sister... believes Alexander Harland and John Frame have appropriated money and other personal property left to Jane and Sarah by the will of John Frame, deceased. BILL OF COMPLAINT of John M. Fraim of Monroe County, Kentucky and William Fraim of Jackson Co., TN against Sarah and Jane Fraim of Monroe County, Kentucky, Zeberry and Elizabeth Shelton of the State of Illinors [sic; Illinois], Temperance Stone, Leroy Clemons, Henderson Clemons, Montgomery Clemons, Sarah Clemons, Christopher Clemons Jr., George Clemons, Lafayette Harling, Jefferson Harling, Nancy Harling and Sarah Harling of Jackson County, Tennessee, Andrew Clemons of Bradley County, Tennessee and Prior Fraim of Shelby County, Tennessee. Orators show in the year 18[blank] their father died in Jackson County, Tenn... made Last Will & Testament. Orators appointed Executors... qualified... long since settled the estate. Devisee Sarah Frame was the wife of testate and mother of the other devisees. She was, as was also the devisee Jane Fraim, afflicted in mind... incompetent of taking care of themselves. Sarah became a confirmed maniac and has continued so... has had to be kept closely confined and guarded a great many years. The said Jane has continued to weaken in mind. Orators being sons of Sarah and brothers of Jane have been taking care of them and managing the estate since the death of their father. Sarah and Jane have been kept in the family of Orator John M. Certain lands, three negroes and personal property were bequeathed to Sarah and Jane for their natural life or while remaining single... Rent of land amounts to but little. Negroes Hampton and Lamar are becoming old, decreasing in value and annal [sic; annual] hire. Negro Alzira is from 15 to 18 years of age and considerably afflicted and at this time gives prospect of bearing children her annual hire without the encumbrance of children is but little and if she commence bearing children she will be a charge instead of a help. Believe it better for said land and negroes be sold... Rent of negroes and land not sufficient to care for Sarah and Jane. The only children and heirs who survived Testate are Orators, said Jane, Prior Frame, Temperance Stone whose husband is dead and she is now a widow, Elizabeth Shelton and her husband Zeberry Shelton, Polly Clemons who has since died leaving children Leroy, Henderson, Montgomery, Sarah, Andrew, George and Christopher Clemons Jr. and Matilda Harling who has since died leaving defendants Lafayette, Jefferson and Sarah Harling her only children and heirs. ANSWER of Pryor P. Fraim to Bill of Complaint of John M. and William Fraim against Respondent, Jane and Sarah Fraim and others... True John Fraim died and left a will... denies the necessity to sell land or negroes... due to mismanagement of Complainants... Shelby County, Tennessee 26 December 1854. /s/ P. P. Fraim LAST WILL & TESTAMENT OF JOHN FRAIM I, John Fraim, being of sound mind and disposing memory... my Last Will & Testament... First my daughter Jane my slaves three in number Hamton, Lamor, Aliza also $300 cash these slaves and the money to be for the support of my Daughter Jane and my wife during their natural life or living single also my tract of land with all its appurtenances thereunto belonging or in any wise appurtaining also two farm horses towit the [sic] that we formily [sic] use [sic] on said farm also two cows and two Beads [sic; possibly beds - mlj]. Secondly all my notes to be collected and the money arising be equally divided between my children to wit and all my stock except that which I above mentioned to be sold and the money arising from them to be equally divided between my children except my daughter Jane, Thirdly one share to my son William and his heirs forever. Fourthly one share to my son Prier and his heirs forever Fifthly one share to my daughter Polly and her heirs forever Sixthly one share to my daughter Elizabeth and her heirs forever Seventhly one share to my daughter Temperance and her heirs forever Eighthly one share to my son John M. Fraim and his heirs forever Ninthly one share to my daughter Matilda and her heirs forever Tenthly my will is to have my sons William Fraime and John M. Fraime I appoint them my lawfull Executors of the present will In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this 18th day of October in the year of our lord 1842. /s/s/ John Fraim Signed, sealed and published and declared... Attest: Abraham Hestand, John C. Allen AMOUNTS RECEIVED by John M. Fraim for hire of negroes beginning of the year 1847 to end of year 1855: 1848 Temperance Stone 120.10 1849 William Fraim 133.20 1850 William Fraim 111.50 1851 William Taylor 130.50 1852 Saml & James Ray 125.00 1853 Saml & James Ray 145.00 1854 Saml & James Ray 150.00 DEPOSITIONS 14 June 1853 [or 1855?]: Abraham Hastan age 52. Known Jane and Sarah Frame about 30 years. Old lady deranged since early 1847 perhaps longer... has to be confined and is noisy - guess about 70 years of age. Think it would be around $100 annual to keep her and half that to keep Jane. /s/ A. M. Hestand John M. Fraim age 42. Had Jane and Sarah at my house from beginning of 1847 to November 1847 at which time Wm Fraim as their trustee entered into an arrangement in writing as to their future... negroes Hampton, Lamar and Alzira came with me when Jane and Sarah did. /s/ J. M. Fraim Samuel Martin about age 55. Known Jane and Sarah since 1847 and before... require constant attention. /s/ Saml Martin Aron Bray age 41. Jane is nearsighted - don't know about her mind. /s/ Aaron Bray PETITION CERTIORARI, County of Jackson, State of Tennessee } 5 July 1847 of Jane Frame... Some years ago her father departed life in the County of Jackson, said state having made a last will & testament. Two of her brothers William and John M. Fraim were appointed executors... left land and three negroes Hampton Lamer & Eliza to herself and mother (the last a lunatic). In 1845 her mother and herself removed to her brother John M. Fraims in Kentucky. Her brother hired the negroes to her brother in law Alexander Harland... term of two years. She and her mother removed to the house of said Harland where they since resided. Petitioner states her brother William filed February Session of Jackson County... to have petitioner declared an Ediot and her mother a Lunatic... believes she is capable of managing her business as well as her brother William and she no Idiot... believes it a trick to get possession of her property... true her mother has been a lunatic 17 or 18 years. Jane [her X] Fraim ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------