Bill of Sale between John Pryor and James Curry. It would have been nice if we got a signature of John Pryor, but it looks like he couldn’t sign his name. Was that due to age or education? If the census records are correct, he would have been about 60 years old or older in 1837. The transcript is as follows:
State of Tennessee
Sumner County
}
Know all men by these presents that I John Pryor of the County and State aforesaid for an in consideration of the sum of two dolls. to me in hand paid and for other considerations hearafter (sic)mentioned have this day granted, bargained, sold and conveyed unto James Curry of the same County and State the following property (viz) one sorrel horse , one one-eyed bay horse, and two cows and calves to have and to hold the above described property to the said Jas. Curry his heirs and assigns forever and I do bind my self, my heirs, and assigns to warrant and forever defend the above described property to this said James Curry his heirs viz against the lawful claims of all and every person whatsoever and do do warrant the said property to be free from any incumbrances of any description. But this deed is made for the following uses and trust and for no other purposes. that is to say I am indebted to the said James Curry in the following sums viz. One note due? the 25th Dec. 1836 for eighteen dolls. and twenty five cents also one note due? 2nd Nov. 1836 for twenty six dolls. and fifty cents. I am desireous to secure and make certain the payments of the same now if I should pay the said debts with all interest accruing thereon on or before the 25th December next then this deed to be void but if I should not pay by the said 25th day of Dec. then the said James Curry as trustee after giving ten days notice at three or more public places may expose to sale to the highest bidder for cash or on a credit as we agreed. On all the before described property said and appropriate the proceeds to the payment of the aforesaid debts of eighteen dollars and twenty four cents and twenty six dolls. and fifty cents and all interest and expenses and the balance if any there should be to me in testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 30th day of June 1837
}
John Pryor (his mark)
witnesses:
William Curry
James Love
State of Tennessee
Sumner County
}
Deed of trust from John Pryor to James Curry for the following property to wit one sorrel horse, one eyed bay horse and two cows and calves as acknowledged by the said Pryor this 7th day of August 1837.
}
Thos. Donohy, clerk
of Sumner County Court
Reg. and examined August the 7th 1837
John L Bugg, Reg. SC.
Sumner County
}
Know all men by these presents that I John Pryor of the County and State aforesaid for an in consideration of the sum of two dolls. to me in hand paid and for other considerations hearafter (sic)mentioned have this day granted, bargained, sold and conveyed unto James Curry of the same County and State the following property (viz) one sorrel horse , one one-eyed bay horse, and two cows and calves to have and to hold the above described property to the said Jas. Curry his heirs and assigns forever and I do bind my self, my heirs, and assigns to warrant and forever defend the above described property to this said James Curry his heirs viz against the lawful claims of all and every person whatsoever and do do warrant the said property to be free from any incumbrances of any description. But this deed is made for the following uses and trust and for no other purposes. that is to say I am indebted to the said James Curry in the following sums viz. One note due? the 25th Dec. 1836 for eighteen dolls. and twenty five cents also one note due? 2nd Nov. 1836 for twenty six dolls. and fifty cents. I am desireous to secure and make certain the payments of the same now if I should pay the said debts with all interest accruing thereon on or before the 25th December next then this deed to be void but if I should not pay by the said 25th day of Dec. then the said James Curry as trustee after giving ten days notice at three or more public places may expose to sale to the highest bidder for cash or on a credit as we agreed. On all the before described property said and appropriate the proceeds to the payment of the aforesaid debts of eighteen dollars and twenty four cents and twenty six dolls. and fifty cents and all interest and expenses and the balance if any there should be to me in testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 30th day of June 1837
}
John Pryor (his mark)
witnesses:
William Curry
James Love
State of Tennessee
Sumner County
}
Deed of trust from John Pryor to James Curry for the following property to wit one sorrel horse, one eyed bay horse and two cows and calves as acknowledged by the said Pryor this 7th day of August 1837.
}
Thos. Donohy, clerk
of Sumner County Court
Reg. and examined August the 7th 1837
John L Bugg, Reg. SC.
I think this is John Pryor, husband of Massey Taylor. John’s brother in law, Pleasant Taylor, married Mrs. Margaret Curry (daughter of Hugh Elliot and Margaret Cowan) in 1838. Margaret was the widow of John Curry, and her son William Curry married Elizabeth Love in 1842. There’s a James Curry age 30 to 39 years old on the 1840 Census in Sumner County, living near the Elliots.
