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Estates of Elisha H. Kendall and Clark D. Parks account ledger, 1841-1878,
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.10 cubic ft. 1 v.
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Elisha H. Kendall (1790-1843) was a pioneer settler of Meriwether County, Georgia. He married Mary Holmes (1780-1868) in 1817, with whom he had at least four children. Mary was a widow, having lost her husband, John Ball Parks, in 1814. He was a delegate to the General Convention of Georgia in 1833, one of three representing Meriwether County. Elisha was also a labor farmer and enslaver, recording 18 enslaved Black persons in the 1830 census and 32 in 1840. A second 1840 census record with the same name, but from DeKalb County, records 19 enslaved persons and likely refers to the same Elisha Kendall, indicating that he owned land in both counties, however there is a lack of corroborating evidence for his presence in DeKalb. He appointed his stepson, Clark D. Parks, as executor of his estate shortly before his death in 1843, which remained in effect until Clark's death.
Clark D. Parks was born to John Ball Parks and Mary Holmes on August 12, 1806. He married his first wife, Susan Render, in October 1842, and became a widower six years later. A second marriage, to Minerva J. Stanton in 1852, lasted for the remainder of his life and produced several children. The couple moved to Florida shortly after their marriage - records indicate considerable land purchases in Tallahassee between 1855 and 1859 - and were settled in Columbia County by 1860. As Florida residents, Clark and his family were enslavers and operated a labor farm, recording 23 enslaved Black men, women, and children in 1860. Clark died in November of 1864, leaving the majority of his assets to Minerva. George W. Hancock was appointed as executor of Clark's estate and, by 1870, he and Minerva were married. Her date and location of death are unknown.
Summary:
This collection consists of a single volume that documents the distribution and maintenance of property and financial assets of the estates of Elisha H. Kendall in Georgia and Clark D. Parks in Florida. In documenting their estates, the volume also provides some information about their children. The volume has two distinct sections: the estate of Elisha H. Kendall and his trustees, and the estate of Clark D. Parks and his trustees. In both sections, the volume lists amounts paid and to whom for bills and taxes; itemizes the sale of property such as furniture, farm animals, and farm equipment; and the payment for and sale of enslaved people.
Under Kendall's estate, entries transferring possession of enslaved Black persons identify the following people: Bill (a boy, sold to Clark T. Williams, July, 1844); Rosetta (a girl, sold to Martha Underwood, December, 1846); Tabitha, her child, and [Kitty?] (sold to Martha Underwood, July, 1847); Charlotte, Joe, Grace, George, Doctor, [Nance?] and her two children, and Solomon (to trustee for Martha Underwood, possibly 1844); Renton, Mahala and her child, Pink, Tom, Malinda, Patience, Ned, and Lori (to trustee for Mary Robertson, possibly 1844); Alec, Jack, Ritta and two children, Walter, Joe, Lindy, Kit, and Delph (under Franklin Kendall, 1844); two unnamed Black persons (purchased from "Jack," January, 1844); June and his wife Dorcas, Celia, Edmund, Morton, Mark, Caroline, and George (under Mary Kendall, 1844).
The inventory and appraisement of Clark Parks' estate, taken March 22, 1865, identifies 23 enslaved Black persons. The inventory lists the following men and boys: Alec, 40; Wilson, 39; Walker, 34; Isaac, 34; Sampson, 34; George, 16; Robert, 14; Scott, 12; Jerry, 10; William, 8; Calvin, 6; Albert, 6; Anthony, 2. Additionally, the following women and girls are identified: Martha, 34; Rachel, 34; Matilda, 34; Aggie, 22; Francis, 20; Sarah, 14; Lucy, 5; Charity, 3; Ellen, 12; Virginia, 3 months.
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Previously State Library of Florida Manuscripts Collection MS53.
Electronic Records Access:
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Slavery Florida Decedents' estates Florida Probate records Florida --Columbia County Property appraisal.
Estate inventories. aat
Columbia County (Fla.)
for detailed listing.