- Probate-Will of George Forman, Jefferson County, Mississippi
"In the name of God, Amen. I George Forman, being very sick, but sound of mind, do make this my last will and testament and as it is appointed for all men to die and after death the judgement and in hopes of a glorious immortality.
First of all, I recommend my soul to God who gave it and my body to be buried in a descent Christian burial at the descretion of my executors, to be hereafter named, and as for my worldly goods as it has pleased God to bless me with. After all my debts are paid and all lawful contracts made by me are to be complied with by my executors.
I do dispose of my worldly goods in the following manner, viz., I do give and bequeath unto my beloved wife, Sarah, the plantation whereon I now reside during her natural life of as long as she lives, a negro man named Stephen, and a negro woman named Ginny, and also their family of children, all to be returned to my heirs at her death, a negro woman named Aggy to be subject to her mistress during her mistress' lifetime or as long as she remains in widowhood and then to be made a free as the laws of the country will admit: ding mare and all the increase she may have, one yoke of oxen, fifteen head of other cattle, she may have her own---, one plough, two hoes, two axes, and the rest of my property to be divided among the rest of my heirs, viz. John Forman, Anna Clark, William Forman, Mary Grafton, James Forman. I also make Sevina Johnston an equal heir with those already mentioned and the property which belongs to her mother, Sarah Forman, and one yoke and six months schooling she is to have over and above an equal share with the rest of my heirs. And I do appoint my son, John Forman and Mary Grafton, my executors to execute this my last will and testament."
Signed and sealed this 13th day of January 1823.
George Forman (Seal)
(Probate: 26 Feb 1826 in Jefferson Co, Mississippi)
In presence of John Folkes, Elijah Coleman, James Folkes Jr.
Another document in the file reads: "June 10th 1826. Rec'd. of the Executors of the Estate of Geo. Forman, dec'd. Three hundred twenty four dollars twenty three 1/4 Cents, it being the amt. due Levina J. Forman from the Estate together with Thirty Six Dollars due Sd. Infant Lavina from T. Estate for Eighteen months schooling at Two Dollars per month making a total of Three hundred and Sixty Dollars twenty three 1/4 cents in full Sarah X Forman, John M. Folks Guardians *Levina J. Forman appears to be the "Sevina Johnston" mentioned in the transcription of the will since what she inherited matches.
There is a receipt dated March 27, 1826 showing that Sarah inherited the same slaves mentioned in the will.
The Sevina Johnston mentioned in the will of George, is actually Lavina Johnston/Johnson/Jeansonne, the daughter of George's sister, Sarah Forman, who married Isaac Jeansonne. George and Sarah did have a minor child Lavina J. Forman, who was a minor at the time of George's death. Folkes was appointed guardian.
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- (posted by Linda lindalyle@aol.com)
internet at rootsweb.com Adams CoMiss -
A Complete History of Methodist
by Rev John G Jones 1887
Then there were the brothers, George and Ismy Forman, from the Western Florida area which at the time of the writing of the book, was in the eastern parishes of Louisiana. They became the leaders of the newly formed congregation, the Society headed by Thomas Owens Sr., in the early years of Spring Hill, "an eligible lot near a good spring", where the meeting house was built. Thomas Owens, Edward Forman, John J. Robertson and " his ever-faithful and goldly colored servant Caesar", Theophilus Marble, George and Ismy Forman built the church using axes to cut the timbers, hew the logs, built pulpits and other appendages. This church became the headquarters of the Natchez territory.
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http://jeffersoncountyms.org/bios.htm#george
George Forman was one of the early settlers of the Mississippi Territory. The Spanish Census for The District of Natchez in the year of 1792 lists "Jorge Forman" with 350 acres, 3 W/M's under the age of 10, 1 W/M 16-26, 1 W/F under 10, 1 F 16-26, with 36 steers, 25 milk cows and 9 pigs. --Spanish Census 1792 Villa de Gayoso
William Erwin is listed adjacent to George, he apparently is George's father-in-law, George's wife is Sarah Irwin/Erwin. This land is located on the waters of Cole's Creek and on St. Catherine's Creek. This appears to be the same area sd by Ezekiel Forman of Philadelphia, Pa. brother of General David Forman, of Monmouth County New Jersey, and Revolutionary War Hero.
Cole's Creek was named for the Cole family, and Susan Cole marries William Forman, George's son in Opelousas, La. in 1812.
I will also note here that Ezekiel Forman's land is on the Bayou Sara and he shares ownership of another 1000 acres with Richard Butler. This is important because it establishes a contact between the Butler's and the Forman's of George's l
The above information is from documents found in "First Settlers of The Mississippi Territory"--Grants taken from the American State Papers--Class VIII Public Lands, Volume I, 1789-1809. Distributed by Ericson Books 1614 Redbud Street, Naches, Texas 75961.
Documents at the Opelousas Court House, showed that George Forman was an official of the Parish, as he was responsible for investigating persons with unbranded cattle. It also appears that George was very careful of his "good name" and reon as he once filed suit against William Hays for defamation and slander. Here is the suit filed by George Forman:
" To the Honorable Judge of the parish of St. Landry, in the Territory of Orleans. The petition of George Forman Humbly showeth that on the twenty third day of Sept. 1807, William Hays of this parish in the presence of John Adam did malicy injure your petitioner and endeavor to deprive your petitioner of that good reputation he has always supported__ by saying that your petitioner has kild a Spanyard at the Natchez and that your petitioner had stolen hogs__to the damage of your petitioner___Five thousand dollars--Your petitioner knowing himself Clear of these Charges and having always supported the reputation of an honest citizen--and being charged with a family of children and not wishing to say under such an appolation--as it might in future be cast up to his offsprings--your petitioner prays your Honour to have the said William Hays to appear before your Honour on the Second Monday in Oct. next, to prove the charges exhibited against your petitioner, and your petitioner will win pray____"
signed George Forman
I have a copy of the handwritten petition, purchased at Opelousas Court house, by Stephen Forman.
George Forman is also credited with helping build the first Church in Natchez, Mississippi Territory with Ismy Forman, his brother. This was in 1803, according to the Reverend Moses Floyd. Edward Forman, Theophilus Marble, and John J. Robn, and Thomas Owens also helped build the church.
1785-Chart prepared by Winston DeVille, at June 1963 meeting of Louisiana Genealogical Society in St. Landry Parish Court Room in Opelousas, La. Now in Jim Bowie Museum, Opelousas, La.
Under Commandant De Clouet 30 July 1785
Thomas Huffpower
George Forman
Ismael Forman
Source: The Hoffpauirs of Louisiana... Rosemary Wright Hoffpauir. This has been used by the Hoffpauirs to gain entry into the DAR-apparently these three are listed among Galvez's troops possibly who fought with the Spanish against the British in Mobile and Pensacola during the American Revolution.
George is buried in Old Bethel Church Cemetery-Sec. 22-T8N-R1W On Cannonburg Road at intersection of Hill Road-Across from the Bethlehem Church-the front portion of the cemetery is Bethlehem's behind it is Old Bethel Cemetery.
It appears that George and Sarah Forman came to Mississippi from what is now known as Edgefield County, South Carolina. I have found the George Foreman applied for petition for Warrants of survey and certitying plats on Tuesday, 6 December. (page 84) "Citizens and Immigrants-South Carolina, 1768", on the Savannah River, 50 acres. George Foreman appears to be close to Jacob and Isaac Foreman, of the Orangeburgh District. When Jacob Foreman dies in 1790, his minor children (Ann, David, Isaac and Zelpha) are given to Isaac Foreman for guardianship. It is after the death of Jacob Forman that George and Sarah go to Natchez, Mississippi.
I also learned that George Foreman served in the South Carolina Militia under Capts. Joseph Johnson and Frederick Wommack, in 1781. He was a horseman. George Foreman, Isaac Foreman, Jacob Foreman, Thomas Foreman, William Foreman, and Arthoreman, all served together in the S. C. Militia.
1768, Served as petit juror in Edgefield Co. South Carolina
December 06, 1768, Applied for 50 acres of land on the Savannah River in SC.
1781, Served in S.C. Militia as a horseman
Steve Forman
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1790-Edward Forman (Sr) then went to Plaqumine Brulee in Spanish La. (now Acadia Parish, La.). His sons: George & Ismael went to Jefferson County, Mississippi Census, with George F. returning to La. for the 1810 census, then back to Jefferson.
Source: Ed Roberts, Monroe, La
Census 1790 MS - Natchez Dist Villa Fayoso p 425 George & Ismy Forman
Census, Mississippi, Natchez District
Item No. 261 - Forman, Ezekiel, 1792, Santa Catalina area.
Item No. 262 - Forman, Ismay, 1792, Villa Gayoso area.
Item No. 263 - Forman, Jorge, 1792, Villa Gayoso area.
Census 1800 MS - (1802 p 245 Miss Terr) - only George Forman
Census 1810 Opelouses (St Landry)
George Forman 10301-01110-01 George over 45 b bef 1765 - wife 26-45
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1764 - 1823 (58 years)
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