John Griffin died 1859, son of Ezekiel and Mary (Barber) Thanks go to Darlene Bullard of Norcross, Georgia for sharing these records she located at the Paulding County Courthouse in Dallas, Georgia. These are true to the original as transcribed by me, Linda Sparks Starr, June 2004. I've added the Homestad exemption statement of Ezekiel Griffin, dated October 1879. It is only my guess this Ezekiel is son of John and Sarah Jane ( ) Griffin. I'm sure there are more probate records for John. We located these while searching for records on his father. Bond & Letters 1834 (1838); 1856-1863, [ page 58] Georgia Paulding County} Know all men by these presents that We Ezekiel Griffen Princ and G W Foote Security are held & firmly Bound unto the Ordinary of Said County & his Successors in office in the Sum of Sixteen Hundred Dollars for the payment of which We bind ourselves our heirs and assigns Jointly Severally & firmly by these presents Signed Sealed & dated this June 11th 1859 The Condition of this Bond is Such that whereas the Said Ezekiel Griffen has been Appointed Temporary Administrator of John Griffen late of Said County Deceased Now if the Said Ezekiel Griffen Shall Collect and preserve from waste all the Goods chattles effects Rights credits & property of Said John Griffen and make a true Inventory of all Such Estate and Surrender up Said property Publish this Inventory unto the legal & proper Administrator when appointed on Said John Griffens Estate then this Bond to be null & Void else to Remain in full force. Tested & approved by Ezekiel Griffen (seal) Miles Edwards ordy G W Foote (seal) Recorded June 11th 1859 Miles Edwards ordy [page 60] State of Georgia Paulding County} Know all men by these presents that we Sarah J. Griffen and Ezekiel Griffen Security are held and firmly Bound unto the Ordinary of Said County and his Successors in office in the Just and full Sum of thirteen Hundred & Fifty dollars for the payment of which Sum to the Said Ordinary and His Successors in office We bind ourselves our heirs Executors and Administrators Jointly and Severally firmly by these presents, Sealed with our Seals and dated this the 11th day of August Eighteen Hundred and Fifty Nine. The Condition of the above Obligation is Such that whereas the Said Sarah J. Griffin has been this day appointed Guardian to Ezekiel Griffen Junr John T & Mary F Griffen minor orphans of John Griffen Decd now if the Said Sarah J. Griffen do well and truly demean herself as Guardian as aforsaid agreeably to Letters of Guardianship Bearing even date herewith and agreeably to Law in Such case made & provided the above obligation to be void otherwise to remain in full force and Virtue. Signed Sealed & Acknowledged in open Court Miles Edwards ordy S J Griffen (seal) Recorded August 13th 1859 Ezekiel Griffen (seal) Miles Edwards ordy [page 61] State of Georgia By the Court of Ordinary for Said County Paulding County} To Sarah J Griffen of Said County Greeting Whereas Ezekiel, John T & Mary F Griffen minor orphans of John Griffen Deceased Possessed in their own right of a Considerable Estate by means whereof the power of Granting the Guardianship of the Said Ezekiel, John T & Mary F Griffen minors as aforesaid to us is manifestly known to belong and for the better Securing the Estate and more ample Maintenance and Education of the Said orphans and from the Integrity and Confidence Reposed in you, We do hereby Consent the Tuition Education and Guardianship of the Said Ezekiel, John T & Mary F Griffen minorS as aforesaid to you the Said Sarah T. Griffen you assenting thereto by your Acceptance of these Letters herein Charging you that you Maintain and Cause to be educated Said Orphans in Such manner as Shall be Suitable to their Interest and Circumstances during their Minority and that you inquire into and take charge of their Estate both real and personal and all things do which by Law you Ought to do for Said Wards of all which a true and faithful Account you Shall render to the Court of Ordinary for Said County According to Law in every year during your Continuance in office and lastly we do hereby Constitute and appoint you the Said Sarah J Griffin Guardian of the aforesaid Ezekiel, John T. & Mary F Griffen minors as aforesaid during their Minority. Witness my hand as Ordinary and the Seal of the Said Court this first day of August Eighteen Hundred and Fifty Nine. Miles Edwards ordinary Recorded August 13th 1859 Miles Edwards ordy State of Georgia Paulding County} Know all men by these presents that We Sarah J Griffen & Ezekiel Griffen Security are held & firmly Bound unto the Ordinary of Said County for the time being and his Successors in office in the Sum Eighteen Hundred dollars to be paid to the Said Ordinary his Successors in office or assigns for which payment well and truly to be made and done we bind ourselves, Jointly and Severally and each of our heirs Executors and Administrators firmly by these presents Sealed with our Seals and dated at Dallas the 1st day of august in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and Fifty Nine. The Condition of the above Obligation is Such that if the Above Bound Sarah J Griffen Administratrix of the Goods chattles and Credits of John Griffen Deceased do make a true and perfect Inventory of all and Singular the Goods chattels and Credits of the Said Deceased which have or Shall come to the hands Possession or Knowledge of the Said Sarah J. Griffen or in the hands or possession of any other person or persons for her and the Same so made do Exhibited in the Court of Ordinary of Said County [page 62] when She Shall be thereunto Required and Such Goods chattles and Credits do well and truly Administer According to Law and make a Just and true account of her actings and doings then when Required by the Superior Court or the Ordinary for Said County and all the rest of the Goods chattels and Credits which Shall be found Remaining upon the Account for the Said Administration the Same being first Showed by the Said Court Shall deliver and pay to Such person Respectively as are entitled to the Same by Law and if it Shall hereafter appear that any last will and testament was made by the Said Deceased and the Same be proved before the Court and the Executor obtain a certificate of the Probate thereof and the Said Sarah J Griffen do in Such Case if Required render and Deliver up the Said Letters of Administration then this Bond to be void else to Remain in full force. Signed Sealed & delivered in presence of Miles Edwards ordy S. J. Griffen (seal) Ezekiel Griffen (seal) Recorded Augst 13th 1859 Miles Edwards ordy State of Georgia } By the Court of Ordinary for Said County Paulding County } Whereas John Griffen late of Said County Deceased died Intestate having while he lived and at the time of his death divers Estates real and personal within the Said State by means whereof the full disposition & power of Granting the Administration of the Estate of the Said Deceased and also a final disnipion [?dispensation] from the Same to the Court aforesaid does by right belong and they desiring that the Same may be well and truly Administered and legally disposed of do hereby Grant unto Sarah J. Griffen Administratrix full power by the Tenor of these presents to Administer the entire Estate both real and personal of Said deceased which to him in his lifetime and at the time of his Death did belong and to ask demand Sue for recover and Reserve the Same and to pay the Debts in which the deceased Stood Bound So far forth as his assets will extend According to Law and then the balance if any to pay over to the legal heirs and Distributees of the Said Deceased. Witness my hand as Ordinary and the Seal of the Said Court this 1st day of August Eighteen Hundred and Fifty Nine Miles Edwards ordinary (seal) Recorded August 13th 1839 Miles Edwards ordy [LSS note: Ezekiel Griffin's probate administration papers show that J. F. Ragsdale was guardian of Ezekiel (Jr), John T. and Mary Frances 'minor heirs of John Griffin deceased' by January 1, 1872.] Homestead Exemption Book B Page 68 State of Georgia Paulding County } Schedule of E. Griffin's property 1 one yearling 2 two Head of Hogs 3 fifty Dollars worth of provisions and foe Dollars worth additional for each Child 4 Beds Bedding and Common Bedsteads for the Family 5 One Loom and Spinning Wheel and Two pair of Cards and and one hundred pounds of lent Cotton, Comman Tools of Trade for himself and Wife Ordinary Cooking utensels and Table Crockey Wearing apparel for himself and family Family Bible Religious Works and School Books October 7th 1879 Georgia Paulding County } I Ezekiel Griffin do Solemnly Swear in the presents of almighty God that I am not possessed of any estate Real or personal Debts or Credits legal or equitable Such property as is exempt from leavy and Sale alone excepted other than is Contained in the Schedule filed by me and that I have no other property whereby I expect any benefit for myself or my wife or my heirs So help me God his E X Griffin Mark Sworn to before me this October the 7th 1879 BH Smith JP Recorded the 8th of October 1879 T. C. Dunagan Clk lsstarr@pilgrimage.us http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~lksstarr