James Seale (1788 - 1853)

Ancestors Descendants

James Seale was born in South Carolina in 1788, probably in Fairfield South Carolina. He was the son of Enoch Seale of that county. He married Louisa/Louiza (name both ways on her few documents), surname unknown, born about 1792.^[1] James served in the War of 1812 in the 2nd Regiment (McWillie’s) South Carolina Militia. About 1820 James and his family moved to St. Clair County Alabama where he and Louiza raised a family of 13 children. He died 15 Jan 1853 in St. Clair, Alabama.

Contents 1 Biography 1.1 Military 1.2 Move to Alabama: 1.3 Death and Legacy 1.4 Timeline 2 Research Notes 2.1 Surname of James’ wife Louiza 2.2 Parentage of James Seale 2.3 1810 Census in Fairfield county, South Carolina microfilm discrepancies 3 Sources

Biography

James Seale:
There are two Bible Records kept by children of James that give his birthdate as 7 Jan^[2] or 7 Feb^[3] 1788 South Carolina, ^[4] d. 15 Jan 1853^[2] married Louiza, born 1792.^[5] She d. 14 Oct 1854. ^[2] The earliest records of James locate him in Fairfield county, South Carolina. Louiza’s surname is unknown, and more specifically, not known to be Harmon (See Research Notes below, "Surname of Louiza")

There have only been a few records located so far that connect James Seale definitively as a son of Enoch Seale, or to Charles Seale (abt.1782-aft.1855), as his brother. One of the most important documents was a land sale in Fairfield County, South Carolina, where Enoch Seale, Charles and James all sign on property that Enoch bought in 1805, 286 acres of the entire parcel were surveyed and sold in 1818, all three signed the document selling to adjoining land holder Willoughby Harrison. They signed 24 Sep 1818, not long before the move to Alabama.^[6] There is also an attestation by Enoch's wife Mary , one of the few documents providing her name. This document is significant and a transcription has been uploaded. Location of the parcel is on Thorntree Creek, NW of State Road S-20 151^[7]

(see Research notes: 1810 census information)

Military

James Seale served in the War of 1812. ^[8] James volunteered for service in Camden, South Carolina in October 1814. He joined the rendezvous at Camp Hadderill Oct 6, 1814 for a term of service of 6 months. ^[9] On the Company Muster Roll of Capt. Chapman Levy’s Co of Riflemen, Reg’t South Carolina Militia commanded by Lt. Col. Adam McWillie, he stated that he traveled 17 miles from place of residence to place of rendezvous, and traveled 137 miles from place of discharge to place of residence. He was discharged on Mar 5, 1815, discharge location Charleston, South Carolina, residence in Kershaw district, and place of rendezvous, Camden South Carolina. A distance of 17 miles from Camden would place James in the drainage of Thorntree Creek on the Winnsboro-Camden road near Longtown, where Enoch Seale owned property. As mentioned above, Charles Seale had an identical term of service as James, the service documents being exactly the same, including mileage to their residence. This has helped to substantiate that James and Charles are brothers, and the two of them are sons of Enoch Seale,

On May 7, 1851 James Seals applied for bounty land from St. Clair county Alabama. This gives some data of his War of 1812 service record in South Carolina^[10]:

Bounty Land Application of James Seale, 1851

“...appeared before me James W. Neel a Justice of the Peace....James Seale Sixty three years of age a resident of the county and state aforesaid who being duly sworn according to the law declares that he is the identical James Seale who was a private in the company commanded by Capt. Chapman Leve - in the regiment the number of not recollected as a volunteer commanded by Col. Addam McQuillie in the war with Great Britten declaired by the United States on the 18th day of June 1812 and that he volenteered at Camden South Carolina on or about the month of October 1814 for the term of Six months and continued in actual Service in said war for the term of five months and 17 days and was honerably discharged at Camden Curhshaw [Kershaw] district South Carolina sometime in March AD 1815 as did appear by his original certificate of discharge left with the paymaster when he received his pay. He makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the bounty land to which he may be entitled under the act granting bounty land to certain officers and soldiers who have been engaged in the military service of the United States passed September 28th AD 1850 (signed) James Seale”. further: “Please to send my Scrip to Kelly's Creek post office, St Clair County Alabama – James Seale”

Personal details of his service have not survived family tradition, but "Historic Camden,"^[11] recalls these historical details:

War of 1812 Service, 2nd Regiment

“Charleston was blockaded in October, 1813. Again, in September 1814, an attack upon the city seemed imminent. Great consternation prevailed among the inhabitants, and the state troops, then enlisted in the service of the United States, were ordered to her defense by Governor David R Williams. Washington city had been taken on August 24, and the Capitol and White House burned....

Two companies, enlisted in and around Camden, and commanded respectively by Captain Chapman Levy and Captain Francis Blair, left Camden on October 6 for Charleston..... They were part of the 2nd Regiment, commanded by Lt. Col. Adam McWillie of Kershaw.

The regiment, 1,200 strong, reached the city October 20. The Carolina Gazette commented upon its fine appearance and equipment, and stated that it was escorted into town from the Four-Mile House by the Charleston Riflemen amidst the acclamations of the citizens. The entire body were halted on Broad Street and treated by the Honorable John Geddes to a refreshing draught of spirits and water....

The regiment went into encampment at Haddrills Point. The foe did not have the temerity to land, and even the mosquitoes were too chilled to attack. The only enemy encountered apparently was hunger, as we gather from the following extracts from a spirited letter addressed by Col. McWillie, Oct 25, to Major General Pinckney: “This day, sir, have the rations of beef fallen far short, as has been the case at different times during the past week, and this day, sir, every ounce of bread that was furnished the troops has been consigned as food to the scaly tribe....”

McWillie continues at great length about the abuses heaped on his men, which apparently had an effect, as Pinckney fixed the problem.... RHSeale|1980

The Treaty of Ghent was signed Dec 24, 1814, ending the war. Captain Levy’s company seems to have been mustered out on Dec 7, 1814, although James' service continued through Mar 4, 1815.

From the recollections of Edwin J. Scott, quoted in the same place, concerning the war spirit in Camden: I well recollect the rejoicings, illuminating, torch-light processions and paradings around the liberty pole that stood on Main Street, a little south of Havis’s Tavern, at the news of every victory over the British, and particularly at the proclamation of peace. An affecting scene was presented at the separation from their families and friends of the volunteer regiment on its departure for the coast under old Colonel McWillie.

Move to Alabama:

The removal of many Seale family members from South Carolina to Alabama was part of a large migration that took place after the War of 1812. This was propelled by 3 events: the removal of the native Indian tribes in the Gulf Territories of Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi, the development of rudimentary highways to Alabama, southward into Montgomery, and northward through Tennessee into Tuscaloosa, and the wearing out of cotton lands along the Atlantic Coast. By 1850 40 percent of all native-born South Carolinians then alive lived outside the state of South Carolina. ^[12]

James Seale has not been located in the 1820 census for either Fairfield county, South Carolina, or the partial returns in Alabama. We know James and Louiza had moved to Alabama after 1818 (birth of son Chapman in South Carolina) and before June 1821 when sons Wilburn and Wyatt were born in Alabama. He moved to the Coosa Valley area which was on the northern fringe of cotton producing country (limited primarily by lack of good transportation.) Much of this land became occupied by small farmers who produced cereal grains for the larger plantations. ^[13]

James' first land transaction was in St. Clair co. June 26 1827, ^[14] when he bought 80 acres near the small community of Odenville for $275 (see map below). He sold that land 19 Feb 1831 for $350, ^[15] The next recorded land parcel was his land grant of 20 Sep 1839, ^[16] southeast of Pell City, on what is now county road 27, near the Wolf Creek Community. This 40 acre parcel is shown on the uploaded land map. Somehow, by the time of his death he must have acquired the adjacent 40 acres (from John Lawley?), since in his estate records he owns both the SW and the SE quarter of that quarter section (see appraisal below).

The following map shows various parcels of land owned by James Seale, several of his sons or sons-in-law, the map number corresponding to the legend in the upper right. The map is centered on Cook Springs, St. Clair, Alabama. See also this Google Map of the area of James Seale Land in St. Clair County Alabama, and the location of the historic "James Seale Cemetery", so designated by the State of Alabama.

Death and Legacy

Seale Cemetery, on former James Seale land

In 1852 James and Louisa donated 1 acre of their land to the Methodist Episcopal Church. ^[17] Leona (Seals) Owens recalls going to Sunday school one or two years in about 1901, in a log one room church with wooden logs for pews and wooden pegs for legs. Right after that the church became a school which she attended for a year before her family moved.^[18] The church may also have served as the Yale Methodist church, and perhaps used as well by the Wolf Creek Primitive Baptist Church. ^[19] That land is now back in private hands. Right by the road are several unmarked stones (1974) that representing the graveyard by the former church, the probable burial sites of both James and Louiza.^[20] This site is now listed on the Alabama Historical Cemetery Register, the second to be designated in St Clair County.^[21] Map location of James Seale cemetery, northwest of the junction of Wolf Creek Road and Howard Dr. See also Space: James Seale Cemetery

James Seale died 15 Jan 1853. ^[2] He died intestate. 27 Nov 1854 John Collins filed a letter of administration:^[22]

Collins returned to the court with an appraisal, 10 Jan 1855^[23]

Son Wyatt S Seale was living in Marquez TX at this time. He sent a power of attorney to his brother Chapman (paraphrased): Wyatt Seale of State of Texas, Leon county, have the full confidence in the integrity of my brother Chapman L Seal of St. Clair Alabama...appoint him Power of Attorney for the final settlement of our father’s estate, James Seal, late of St. Clair co. Alabama... 6 Sep 1858 in Centreville TX^[24]

Finally, 28 Nov 1858, the final settlement of James' estate was filed in St Clair county: ^[25]

Timeline

1807 13 Jun: Enoch Seal of Fairfield county for $40 paid by Adam Arledge, sells him 50 (60?) acres being part of the tract of 500 acres granted to Enoch Seale, joining Arledge on the East, on Thorntree Creek, Waters of the Wateree River; witness, Richard Campbell, James Seal and Book Pillgreen, 2 Dec 1815, recorded 15 Apr 1816^[26]

1813, Dec 22: James Seale and Charles Moore served as chain carriers for the survey of a 31-acre parcel of land that Enoch Seale sold to Reuben Harrison on the branches of Thorntree Creek (Fairfield County, South Carolina)^[27]

1818, 24 Sep: James Seale, Charles Seale and Enoch Seale, with Enoch's wife Mary agreeing, sell a 286 acre parcel of land on Thorntree Creek to William Harrison (also referred to as "Willaby". The transcription in the deed book gives signatures of "Enoch Seale," "Charles Seale," and "James F Seale." It's not clear whether this was a mistranscription, or an interpretation of James Seale's mark - in any case there are no Seales with middle names or initials prior to 1809. In the Fairfield South Carolina census of 1820 middle initials are very rare - about 13 heads of households out of 640 or so total households had a middle name or initial, roughly 2% RHSeale|23 Dec 2019. In the attestation document, Samuel Laughridge reports that he saw Enoch Seal Charles Seal and James Seal sign the document. which was recorded 1 Jan 1819. On the survey dated 1 Sep 1818, the surveyor Ben. Ferguson certified that he resurveyed [the land] for "Enoch Seal, Charle Seal and James Seal"

1820 census of Alabama is fragmentary. James does not appear there, or in South Carolina. It is assumed that he made the move by 1820 after selling South Carolina lands, joining Enoch in Alabama. 2 of his sons were born in Alabama in 1821.

1827, 26 June. James Seale purchases land from William Watson,^[28] for $275 in the N1/2 of the W 1/2 1/4 of SW 1/4 Section 2, Range 2E two 16 and N 1/2 of SE 1/2 1/4, Sec 3 Twp 16, R2E, 80 acres in Tuscaloosa District.

1830, 20 Dec, James and "Louezer" Seale sell the same parcel to John Oliver. ^[29]

James Seals was in St. Clair county Alabama for the 1830 census, p228, age 40-50; ^[30]
1 female age 30-40 (matching Louisa)
2 females age 15-20 matching Jane Minerva and Sarah Ann
1 male age 15-20 matching Daniel
1 male 10-15 matching Chapman
1 female 10-15 matching Mahala
3 males 5-10 matching Wilburn, Wyatt, and unknown
1 female 5-10 matching Mary Ann
1 female under 5 matching Samantha
1 male under 5 matching James F.

1839, 20 Sep, James Seale receives 39.37 acres in St Clair county, Alabama, SW 1/4 of NE 1/4, in Section 26, Two 17, R2E, Tuscaloosa District. ^[31]

In 1840 James Seals was living in St. Clair county page 10, age 50-60^[32]
1 female (Louisa) age 40-50
1 male 20-30 (Chapman)
2 males 15-20 (Wilburn and Wyatt)
1 female 10-15 (Mary Ann)
1 male 10-15 (James F)
1 male 5-10 (Allen)
1 female 5-10 (Harriet).
1 female less than 5 (July Ann Caroline, b. 1836)

1850 Federal Census, St Clair county, Alabama.^[33]
James Seals, stated age 62, born South Carolina farmer with real estate worth $250.
Louiza, age as 58, birthplace "North Carolina."
Allen, age 18, born Alabama, farmer.

The 1850 agricultural census for St. Clair County, Alabama lists James "Seals" as having 40 acres improved and 40 acres unimproved. Assets include 2 horses, 2 cows and 10 other cattle, 13 sheep and 40 swine^[34] Several family members are nearby, including Jonahan Stracener, Wilburn R Seale ("Seaves"), Sarah A Roberson, Peter Funderburg, Chapman "Seals"

Research Notes

Surname of James’ wife Louiza

A Seale researcher assigned the name “Harmon” as Louiza’s family name in the 1970’s. I corresponded with him and he was unable to provide any reason for that choice. Other names that have been suggested are Shepard and Stark. No documentation has surfaced so far that supplies that information. James and Louiza’s first child was born 1809, so a marriage around 1807-1808 is a reasonable assumption. Obvious surnames to search are those in the neighborhood near James Seale’s home at the time of the 1800 and1810 census. Some names that appear on census and real estate records with Enoch include: Loughridge, Nettles, Lahans, Kelly, Reynolds, Lumpkins, Muse, Knighton, Eckles, Hines, Slemaker, Langhorn to list a few. Of the 74 "adjacent" neighbors of Enoch Seale are 48 (non-Seale) households with a female less than 10 years of age - and not one family named Harmon, Shepard or Stark (Seale-237|RHSeale|27 December 2016

Parentage of James Seale

Several documents connect James Seale to the probability of Enoch Seale being his father, and that one of James’ brothers is Charles Seale.

• Charles and James served in the War of 1812 together. Their enrollment and service records are identical. They both joined from Camden, Kershaw District, both marched 17 miles from their home to the rendevouz, both had identical muster rolls, payrolls, and service time, discharged the same day and returned the identical number of miles back home. They both travelled 17 miles to Camden for the rendezvous – using county maps from 1820 and 1825, 17 miles will take you from Camden to the waters of Thorntree (or Thorny) Creek in Fairfield County, where Enoch Seale had his main property.(Seale-237 20:47, 27 December 2016 (EST))

•Census records of Enoch are supportive, but not conclusive. Males the age of Charles and James are present in Enoch’s household in 1800. Charles and James are both enumerated as heads of household in Fairfield South Carolina 1810 census and males of their ages are no longer in Enoch's household. (RHSeale 20:47, 27 December 2016 (EST))

	Fairfield South Carolina	Fairfield South Carolina	Shelby Alabama	Shelby Alabama	(speculation)
	1800	1810	1820	1830
Enoch	1755-1774	<1765	<1799	1760-1770	b. 1760-1765
Spouse Mary	1755-1784	1765-1784	<1799	1760-1770	Age 92 in 1850
1M	1774-1784				Charles? b. 1781-1784
2M	1784-1790				James? b. 1788
3M	1790-1800	1784-1794
4M	1790-1800	1794-1800			Herod? b. 1799
5F	1790-1800	1794-1800
6M		1800-1810	1799-1820		Enoch? ca. 1811; Felix? ca. 1802
7F		1800-1810	1799-1820

• The other sons of Charles Seale (b. 1729) have been defined fairly completely. Enoch is the only son left in central South Carolina who is a possible parent of James and Charles. Herod is more likely proven as son of Enoch since Enoch’s spouse Mary was living in their household in Lafayette County, Mississippi in 1850.^[35]

1810 Census in Fairfield county, South Carolina microfilm discrepancies

James Seale (b. 1788) was in the Fairfield county, South Carolina census in 1810. James is listed twice in this census. The easily viewed 1810 census on-line at FamilySearch.org^[36] shows James on stamped page 183 listed as James Seal Jr., age 16-26, with one female age 16-26, and one female <10. James was 22 by Bible record data, Louiza ~18, and Jane Minerva was born 1809, so this is an excellent match. “James Jr.” does not imply he was a son of James – this appellation was also applied if you were the younger of two individuals by the same name. In this case the older James b. 1769 (son of Charles b. 1729) is found 3 images earlier on stamped page 180. This older James, who had no sons named James, is cited in the Fairfield records as “James Seale, Sr.” after James b. 1788 reached his seniority. Near to James b. 1788, on stamped page 184 are Enoch and Elijah Seal, 2 more Seales that are sons of Charles b. 1729.

James appears a second time on handwritten page 623^[37] “James Seal Junior” is seen at the top of the page, with the same family distribution, listed above Samuel Loughridge. No names are visible on the lines above James, but to the right, at the top of the column “females 26-45” is the entry “1” and in the next row up is another “1”. The page is skewed so that the head of family is not visible. A different microfilm copy of the same census reveals additional information, also visible at FamilySearch.org - ^[38] On this reel hand numbered page 623 lists James, as James Seal Junior, with the same family data as noted above. On this microfilm copy an additional name is visible above James listing Charles Seal, one male 26-45, 3 females <10, one female 26-45. This Charles is probably the brother of James. Furthermore, above Charles is another "Seal", first name unreadable, 5? males <10, 1 male 26-45, 2 females <10, 1 female 26-45 (the “1” seen on the other version. The rest of line illegible, no more female numbers seen). I do not know who the other Seale might be as the family makeup is different from the other Seales in the 1810 census. RHSeale MD|2014

Sources

1. ↑ 1850 census
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3} Bible Record information shared by Mrs. Silla Seale, from Chapman Seale’s family
3. ↑ Wyatt S Seale Bible Record
4. ↑ State of birth from St. Clair Alabama 1850 Federal Census, family #351
5. ↑ St. Clair Alabama 1850 census, family #351 states North Carolina as birthplace. In 1880 census son Wyatt says South Carolina
6. ↑ Fairfield County, South Carolina Deeds W:192, 22 Dec 1813 details sale of a 31 acre part of this land with Charles Moore and James Seale were chain carriers.
   Fairfield County, South Carolina Deeds AA:24 details the sale of the larger parcel in 1818, signed by Enoch Seale, Charles Seale and James (his mark) Seale. The surveyor attests to his resurvey of 286 acres for the 3 men, with an additional attestation by Mary, wife of Enoch that she's okay with this sale. (Though Charles and James were both married by then, an attestation is not recorded for their wives)
7. ↑ Fairfield South Carolina deeds AA:24-27, "Enoch Seal", "Charles Seal", "James Seal" all sign as sellers of 286 acres on Thorntree Creek, branch of the Wateree, 3 Sep 1818. Attestation of Ben Ferguson DS “I do truly certify that I have resurveyed part of the two adjoining tracts of land for Enoch Seal, Charles Seal and James Seal containing two hundred eight-six acres, one tract granted to Enoch Seal the third day of June 1805 and part of another tract granted to John Fulgion [sp] the day of June 1772 for 400 acres situated in the District Of Fairfield on Thorntree Creek, waters of the Wateree River. Recorded 1 Jan 1819
8. ↑ GSA Archives, US Bounty Land Warrants. Service records also uploaded here: James Seale 1812 service records
9. ↑ Payroll Oct 6 to 31, 26 days paid $6.70. He was present on a muster roll of Oct 9 to Dec 7 at Camp Hadderill, and a payroll from Nov 1 to Mar 4, 1815, $33.
10. ↑ GSA Archives, US Bounty Land Warrants. James Seale 1812 service records
11. ↑ Kirkland, Thomas J and Robert M Kennedy, Historic Camden orig. pub. 1905 and 1926. Chapter 4, War of 1812, p57-63
12. ↑ Billington, Ray Allen, Westward Expansion, A History of the American Frontier, Macmillan Publishing Co., 1974, p305.

    Billington on Westward Expansion

    “The principal expelling force was the worn-out soil of the seaboard. Successive plantings of tobacco for more than a century, primitive agricultural methods, and the temptation normal in staple producing areas to “butcher” or “mine” the soil, left a monument of exhausted fields, gullied hillsides, and declining crops. Nor did the spread of cotton planting relieve the situation. While the older South momentarily benefited from a new plant that consumed still-present minerals, the worn soils could not stand the abuse of repeated croppings long. That was especially the case as the cotton frontier spread over the hilly Piedmont, for high prices after the War of 1812 encouraged successive plantings, and the shallow humus soils were quickly washed away by the heavy southern rains once they were loosened by the plow. The whole country, one traveler complained, “is a scene of desolation that baffles description...farm after farm...worn out, washed and gullied” so that scarcely an acre could be found in a place fit for cultivation.” Another commented upon the “dreary and uncultivated wastes, a barren and exhausted soil, half-clothed negroes, lean and hungry stock, houses falling to decay, and fences wind shaken and dilapidated.”

13. ↑ Billington, Ray Allen, Westward Expansion, A History of the American Frontier, Macmillan Publishing Co., 1974,.p.307.
14. ↑ St. Clair Alabama deeds, book A:160. Bought 80 acres of William Watson.
15. ↑ St. Clair Alabama deeds, book A p583. Sold to John Oliver.
16. ↑ BLM land transaction AL2660__.239. SW 1/4 of NE 1/4 of T17S, R2E, Section 26, 39.73 acres. 33.525447,-86.405877
17. ↑ St. Clair Alabama deeds, book C p306 [one acre in the SW1/4 of the SW1/4 of the NE1/4, Sec26, Twp17, Range 2E; James signed the document, Louisa made her mark.]
18. ↑ Personal interview with Leona Owens, RHSeale|1974.
19. ↑ Frances Tuck family recollections, interview with RHSeale|Feb 1988
20. ↑ Frances Tuck believes the standing fieldstone to be that of “Mrs. Brandon, mother-in-law of one of the Jesse Masters.” Interview with RHSeale|Feb 1988
21. ↑ Alabama Historic Cemetery Register, named Seale Cemetery, dated 1 April 2016
22. ↑ St. Clair estate records, p629

    James Seale Estate, Letters of Administration

    Estate of James Seale Deceased John Collins this day came into court and applied for letters of administration upon the estate of James Seals late of said St Clair County Decd and produced a written consent signed by Daniel Seal, Peter C Funderburg, Sarah Ann Robertson William R Seal John Lawley and Chapman L Seal, all the heirs of said estate who reside in this County requesting this Court to appoint the said John Collins administrator of said Estate and the said John Collins having entered into bond in the sum of Eight hundred Dollars with approved Security. It is ordered by the Court that he, the said John Collins be and hereby appointed administrator of all and singular the goods and chattels land and Tenement Rights and credits belonging to the estate of said James Seal late of said county .... it is further ordered by the county that Fendall Roberson, John S Sprewell and Elias G Cook be and they are hereby appointed appraisers to appraise the property both real and personal belonging to said estate and that said John Collins administrator of said estate return the said apraisement and inventory within two months from this date.

    Probate court invocation 27 November AD 1854

23. ↑ St. Clair estate record, p630.

    James Seale Estate Appraisal

    Estate of James Seale 10th day of Jany 1855

    To the Hon Ross Philips Judge of the Probate Court within and for the county and State aforesaid. Your petitioners John Collins administrator of the estate of James Seals late of said county deceased respectfully Represents unto your Honor, that said James Seals dec’d died seized and possessed of the following real estate to wit: the Southwest quarter of the North East quarter and the South east quarter of the North east quarter section twenty six of Township seventeen Range two east lying and being in the Tuscaloosa Land district. He further represent unto your Honor that the following named persons ages and residences are the heirs the ages of the heirs and the residences of the heirs of the estate of the said James Seals deceased to wit Daniel Seals of lawful age and Wilburn Seals of lawful age both of whom reside in Shelby County in said state – Jonathon Stracener and Jane his wife of Lawful age and resided in the State of Arkansas. Wyatt Seals of lawful age and resides in the state of Texas, James Seals of Lawful age and resides in the state of Texas, Chapman Seals of Lawful age and resides in St. Clair County in said state of Alabama, Allen Seals of lawful age and resides in St. Clair County State of Alabama, John Lolly and Mahaley his wife and resides in Shelby County State of Alabama, Peter Funderburg and Harriet his wife of Lawful age and resides in St. Clair County Alabama, and Mary Roberson of lawful age and resides in St Clair County Alabama. Your petitioner further represents unto your Honor that said land can not be equitably divided among said heirs without a sale thereof. In consideration of the persons your petitioner prays that such proceedings may be had as the stated as in such cases requires so that a sale may be ordered for the distribution of said lands. John Collins, administrator By his attorney R W Cobb.

24. ↑ St. Clair Alabama deeds, E:51
25. ↑ Probate of Estate of James Seales, St. Clair, Alabama, Recorded in Book A:638&9

    James Seale, Estate Settlement

    This 2nd Monday 28th day of November AD 1858 being the day to which the final settlement of the Estate of James Seales late of St Clair County Alabama was continued by an order of this court heretofore made and to hear and determine all matters as to the account and voucher heretofore filed by John Collins as the adminitrator of said estate for a final settlement of his said administration now comes the said Collins and moves the Court that his said account may be passed and allowed as the same has been by him filed as aforesaid. And it appearing that due notice of the nature of and of the time set to make such settlement has been given in all repects according to law and [strictly?] in pursuance of the Order of this Court in Said estate made and entered on the 14th day of June AD 1858 the Court proceeds to hear the matters pertaining to said account and to consider the evidences submitted relating thereto: Whereupon it is shown by sufficient proof that Said administrator has received of the assets of said estate the sum of one thousand and eightyfive dollars and fourteen cents in money and that he is entitled to credits to the amount of one hundred and fifty three dollars sixty six and one fourth cents leaving a balance of nine hundred and thirty one dollars forty seven and ¾ cents for distribution among his ten children. And it appearing now to the Court that said account is full and correct: Is is considred and decreed by the Court that said account be and the same are hereby in all things passed and allowed as above stated. And it now appearing to the Court that after paying all the just debts and charges against said estate including the expenses of this final settlement and distribution there will remain of the balance of money as aforesaid the sum of nine hundred and thirty one dollars forty seven & ¾ cents to be equally divided amont the ten children of said decedent (there being no widow) being to each one the sum of ninety three dollars and fourteen ¾ cents as follows to wit: It is therefore adjudged and decreed that said Wilburn R, Daniel, Chapman L., James, Wyatt and Allen Seales do each have and recover of and from the said John Collins the said sum of ninety three dollars fourteen and ¾ cents with interest from the 12th July last 1855, and for which execution may issue in favor of the said Wilburn R for his share in favor of Daniel for his share In favor Chapman L for his share – In favor of James for his share – In favor of Wyatt for his share and in favor of Allen Seales for his share and that the said Sarah Roberson formerly Sarah Seales daughter of said decedent widow of James Robertson deceased do have and recover of and from the said Collins the sums of ninety three dollars fourteen & ¾ cents with interest from the 12th July last 1858 for which execution may issue. That the said Harriet Funderburg and her husband P W Funderburg for the use of the said Harriet do have and recover of and from the said John Collins the said sum of ninety three dollars fourteen &3/4 cents with interest from the 12th July last 1858 for which execution may issue. That the said Mahala Lolly and her husband John Lolly for the use of the said Mahala do have and recover from the said John Collins the said sum of ninety three dollars fourteen &3/4 cents with interest from the 12th July last 1858 for which execution may issue. That Jane Stracener and her husband Jonathan Stracener for the use of the said Jane do have and recover of and from the said John Collins the said sum of ninety three dollars fourteen &3/4 cents with interest from the 12th July last 1858 for which execution may issue.

    It is further ordered that said account and all things pertaining thereto be recorded.

26. ↑ Fairfield county, South Carolina deeds, X:283
27. ↑ Book W:192, Fairfield South Carolina Deeds. This includes a plat map drawing of the parcel.
28. ↑ recorded 11 Aug 1827, St Clair Alabama deed records grantee book A:160
29. ↑ recorded 19 Feb 1831, St Clair county Alabama, Book A:583. James signed "Louezer" made her mark.
30. ↑ 1830 Federal Census, St. Clair, Alabama, National Archives, Seattle Branch, Reel M19:4, crayon page 669, examined RHSeale|Dec 1975
31. ↑ Bureau of Land Management, document 22541 BLM land records
32. ↑ "United States Census, 1840," database with images, FamilySearch : 13 August 2017), James Seals, St Clair, Alabama, United States; citing p. 231, NARA microfilm publication M704, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 14; FHL microfilm 2,335.
33. ↑ "United States Census, 1850," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-678Y-9W?cc=1401638&wc=95RF-GPV%3A1031324201%2C1031501201%2C1032305201 : 9 April 2016), Alabama > St. Clair > St. Clair county > image 48 of 135; citing NARA microfilm publication M432 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
34. ↑ 1850 Agricultural Census, St Clair, AlabamaAncestry.com($)
35. ↑ Federal Census, Year: 1850; Census Place: Lafayette, Mississippi; Page: 134, household #919 (Seale-237 20:45, 27 December 2016 (EST))
36. ↑ "United States Census, 1810," database with images, FamilySearch : 1 December 2015), South Carolina > Fairfield > Not Stated > image 6 of 30; citing NARA microfilm publication M252, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).Federal Census 1810; Census Place: Fairfield, South Carolina; Roll: 62; Page: 581, or stamped page 183; Image: 00190
37. ↑ Federal Census 1810; Census Place: Fairfield, South Carolina; Roll: 62; handwritten page: 623, no stamped page number; Image: 00190
38. ↑ "United States Census, 1810," database with images, FamilySearch : 1 December 2015), South Carolina > Fairfield > Not Stated > image 30 of 30; citing NARA microfilm publication M252, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).Seattle Branch, National Archives, Roll 252-62, accessed 30 Nov 1976

See also:

• Uploaded is a scanned copy of the family record of James Seale. The Bible was probably owned originally by Wyatt S Seale.
  

It says:

Wyatt Seales Fathers famaly [sic] Record

James Seale was bornd Febuary th 7 1788

Jane M Seale was Born November 10th 1809

Sarah Ann Seale was Bornd Feb 21st 1811

Daniel Seale was Bornd August 16th 1814

Mahala Seale was Borned June 30 1816

Chapman L Seale was Bornd March 25th 1818

Wilbern & Wyatt Seale Bornd June 16 1821

Mary Seale was Bornd 18 1823

Samantha Seale was Bornd March 24 1825

James F Seale was Bornd Novembr 1827

Allen Seale was Bornd November 3 1830

Haret Seale was Bornd April 19 1833

July Ann Caroline was Bornd Feb 20 1836

• "United States Census, 1800," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9R8K-DYC?cc=1804228&wc=3V1X-HF4%3A1585150102%2C1585148549%2C1585148307 : 10 June 2015), South Carolina > Fairfield > Not Stated > image 69 of 103; citing NARA microfilm publication M32, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).

• "United States Census, 1810," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9YBQ-9VZR?cc=1803765&wc=QZZZ-M5H%3A1588180002%2C1588181102%2C1588179902 : 1 December 2015), South Carolina > Fairfield > Not Stated > image 30 of 30; citing NARA microfilm publication M252, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.). This address takes you to the second instance of James Seale's enumeration in the 1810 census. Look carefully above "James Seal, Junior" and "Charles Seal" will be seen as well. There may be another Seal on the next line higher, but it is not legible.

• "United States Census, 1830," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9YY1-7YX?cc=1803958&wc=35YC-MJ2%3A1588469604%2C1588470401%2C1588469601 : 14 August 2015), Alabama > St Clair > Not Stated > image 8 of 63; citing NARA microfilm publication M19, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).