BENNETT SORRELLS OF MADISON COUNTY, and WALTON COUNTY, GEORGIA Compiled by Thelma Faye Cain Prince, © Copyright 1999

BENNETT SORRELLS was listed on the 1820 Madison County census as 16/26 years old.  He died between the October 1824 Walton County, Georgia court  session (see below) and a Newton County, Georgia court record, dated 12 February 1827 (see below).  He probably died in DeKalb County, Georgia.

Bennett married ROSANNAH STRICKLAND in Madison County, 16 September 1819, ceremony performed by D.P. Jones, M.G. It is said that Rosannah was born 27 September 1795, and her sister, Mary Pauline Strickland, was born ca. 1793-94 [Mize, Threads of Ancestors].  They were  daughters of Barnabas Strickland who married Rachel (Mackie) Brixey, a  widow, 10  Nov. 1787 [Ibid : 213 , 214] .

Barnabas Strickland was a minister in 1828 at the Teamon Baptist Church, Henry County, Georgia [Vessie T. Rainer.  History of Henry County, Georgia.  1971].

Mary Pauline, Rosannah's sister, married Philip Ware of Madison County [Mize].

Barnabas Strickland died in Franklin County, Missouri, where his will was probated in August, 1840.  The will may be ordered from Circuit Court of Franklin County, Probate Division, Union County, Missouri, 63084.  The will names sons: Soloman and Ephraim Strickland; daughters Mary Ware and Rosannah Avary (spelling used); stepsons: Thomas Brixey and John Brixey, and several servants.  His wife is not named in the will; no grandchildren are named. This information was copied from a copy of the will from Union County.

After Bennett Sorrells' death, Rosannah married (2) Benjamin Avery.  Benjamin is listed in the 1830 and 1840 DeKalb County censuses which the compiler has not seen.

October Term, 1824 Walton County minutes say Ridley Roberts sued Bennett Sorrells for $8.50.  Since a person had to sue in the place of residence of the debtor, it is assumed that Bennett Sorrells was living in Walton County at that time.  Some land that Bennett owned in Walton was sold from his estate in 1830, but no deed was found where he originally bought the land .  Land he owned on Bluestone Creek in Madison County, originally granted to Barnabas Strickland, was also sold after his death.

Newton County, Georgia.  to the Honorable the Superior Court, Newton County.  the petition of PHILIP WARE, Admr. and ROSANNAH SORRELLS, Admx. of all and singular the goods and chattels, rights, and credits which were of BENNETT SORRELLS late deceased respectfully shewth that GEORGE W. JOHNSON and COLEMAN SMITH of said county detain from your petitioners the sum of $350 besides interest. For that whereas the said defendants heretofore and in the lifetime of said BENNETT SORRELLS since deceased to wit:

 On the 7th October 1824 made their two certain instruments in writing commonly called joint and several promissory notes, and then and there delivered the same to the said BENNETT SORRELLS which are herewith shown to the Court whereby by one of said notes they promise on or before 25 December next (thereafter) that they or either of them would pay BENNETT SORRELLS or order the just sum of $200 for value received of him, and by the other of said notes the defendants promised on or before 25 December 1825 that they or either of them would pay BENNETT SORRELLS or bearer for the just sum of $150 for value received of him.

To the Sheriff of Newton County, Georgia, Greeting:

PHILIP WARE, Admr. & ROSANNAH SORRELLS, Amdx. BENNETT SORRELLS, Dec'd, Versus GEORGE W. JOHNSON & COLEMAN SMITH.  Debt.  The defendants are hereby required per­sonally or by attorney to be and appear at the next Superior Court, County of Newton, 4th Monday in March next then and there to answer the plaintiffs demand in an action of Debt, as in default thereof the said Court will proceed as to Justice shall appertain...  Witness the Honorable Charles J. McDonald, Judge of said Court, 12 February 1827.         s/John H. Trimble, Clerk.

Court found for the plaintiffs.

[Newton County, Ga. Record Bk 1825-27, Superior Court Office, p. 574.  Record Book in Courthouse, Newton Co.]

***

WALTON COUNTY, GEORGIA

M:l45A,  30 Mar. 1830 in DeKalb Co. Ga.  BENNETT SORRELLS ESTATE to JOHN SCALES.  Indenture made between PHILIP WARE, ADMR. BENNETT SORRELLS, Dec'd, late of DeKalb Co., ROSANNAH SORRELLS, ADMX.,now ROSANNAH AVERY, BENJAMIN AVERY, ADMR., in right of his wife, ROSANNAH AVERY, of BENNETT SORRELLS, Dec'd, of the one part to JOHN SCALES of Elbert Co. Ga. of the other part.  For $200 pd to Bennett Sorrells in his lifetime by John Scales & in con­firmation of contract made between Bennett Sorrells and John Scales when Bennett was alive, & in compliance with an order of Superior Court, DeKalb Co., Jan. Term this year, Lot #121, 3rd Dist. Walton Co., containing 111  9/10 ac, is sold to John Scales.

William Ezzard           s/Philip Ware, Admr.
John Dobbs, J.P.          s/Rosannah (x) Avery, Admr.
Rec. 14 May 1838          s/B-.B. Avery, Admr.
Relinquishment of Dower.  ROSANNAH AVERY, former wife of BENNETT SORRELLS, now dec'd, relinquishes claim of any
right to dower which she might have in this land.

s/Rosannah (x) Avery

The compiler has learned very little about Bennett and his origins.  His parents are unknown.  His brother-in-law, Philip Ware, administered the estate in DeKalb County; co-administrator was his widow Rosannah Sorrells, and after she married Benjamin Avery, he became administrator in right of his wife.  It was not possible to obtain a copy of the estate since DeKalb County, due to courthouse fires, has suffered the loss of many records of this time period.

The orphans of Bennett Sorrells drew from Lokey's District, DeKalb County, in the 1827 Land Lottery, winning Lot No. 82, District 4, Coweta County, Georgia.  Their names were not given on the grant, but the land was taken up and registered, showing they claimed it or sold it by 1843.

Bennett lived in Madison County, Capt. Williford's District (same district Charles Sorrells was in) about 1820, with no land, but 3 slaves.  He does not appear for later years.  The name, Bennett, appears with great frequency in the families of William Alexander and Charles Sorrells (sons of Richard Sorrells) who were the only other Sorrells family living in Madison County during this period.  Both Charles and William moved to Walton County by 1830.  The compiler has not found proof of a relationship between Bennett Sorrells and them.  Can any descendants furnish further information?

It is of note that Philip Ware is said to have been an uncle to Hamilton, George, and Burrell Ware, all sons-in-law to Charles Sorrells [W.M. Wilder, Wilder and Connecting Familes, Especially Ware.  1969.  Copy in Ga.Archives].

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