Heirs of the late John Kelly seek to settle his estate. They report that Kelly died in 1843 with a last will and testament in full force; the will designated his daughter Caroline and her husband, George Graham, as executors of his estate. However, the petitioners assert that the Grahams have mismanaged the estate. They charge that four slaves, the legal property of John’s widow Nancy that she inherited from her father John Crooks, should remain in her possession for her "sole and separate use and benefit." However, the executors have attempted to place the slaves in Kelly's estate "for distribution as the property of said Testator." The petitioners further assert that George Graham "has not applied the funds in his bonds as Executor" to the satisfaction of the estate's debts. They also argue that the Grahams sold Langston Kelly lands that were partially embraced by the widow's dower. The petitioners request that the Grahams be removed from their positions as executors of the estate of John Kelly. They also ask that widow Nancy Kelly retain control of her slaves and discover her claims to the estate. Finally, the petitioners request that all creditors give an account of the estate's debts.
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Repository: South Carolina Department of Archives and History, Columbia, South Carolina
