In May of 2003 I was privileged to make the e.mail acquaintance of Ms. Mary Elizabeth Tinney Hill of Wilsonville, Shelby Co., Alabama, who responded to a post I had made on a listserve.  She has sent me copies of a number of photographs and other information that her mother had saved, as their home was in close proximity to the Gwin homes of Wilsonville.   None of the infomation has been so exciting to me to receive, however, as were the copies of the documents below, official Justice of the Peace documents written and signed by my great-grandfather, William Sutton "Grandpa Sut" Gwin!

 

Nov 1888 State of Alabama}   I  W S Gwin Shelby County   }  Justis  (sic) of the Peace                                 in and for Said State herby  (sic) Certify that M E Taylor whose name is Signed to the foregoing Conveyence and is known to me as wife of said W H Taylor, who being Examined Seperate  (sic) and apart from her husband acknolaged  (sic) that She Signed the name of her own free will and accord without fear or threat on the part of anyone. Given under my hand 15th day of Nov 1888                                   W S Gwin  J P

1888                                      Nov. 15, 1888

The State of Alabama}  Know all men by
Shelby County          }these presents, That
in consideration of the sum of Fifty
Dollars to us in hand paid by William
Tinney, the receipt whereof is hereby
acknowledged, We do grant _______
and convey to said William Tinney the
following described real estate or lot
of land to wit: Commencing at the north
east corner of the Babtist  (sic) Church lot
turning north twenty five (25) yards, then
West to a point South of the south west
corner of the Methodist Church lot, then
North to the W E Holland lot then South
of West to the North East corner of the
Gwins lot then South to GW McGowens
lot then East to the North East corner
of said McGowens lot then with said
McGowens lot to the South East Corner
of McGowens lot then East or nearly so to
the South West corner of the Babtist Church
lot there with to the North West corner

[of the??] Babtist Church lot then East
[to the??] place of beginning two acres
[more or??] less and in the South East
[quarter??] of the North East quarter of Sec
[? T'ship 21 ??] Range one East and Town of
[Wilsonv??]ille Ala.  To have and to hold
[by the Sa??]id William Tinney  and his
heirs and assigns forever.
Witness our hands and seals this the 15th
day of Nov 1888
                                   W H Taylor (Seal)
State of Alabama}       M E Taylor (Seal)
Shelby County   } J W S Gwin a Justis  (sic)
of the Peace in and for Said County
hereby certify that W H Taylor and ME Taylor
whose names are Signed to the forgoing  (sic) Conveynce  (sic)
and who are known to me, acknolaged  (sic) before
me on this that being informed of the
contents of the conveyance they executed the
Same volentarily  (sic) on the day the Same bears
date
Given under My hand this 15th day of Nov 1888

W S Gwin ^JP

 

FRANK E. BLOCK
      ATLANTA

The State of Alabama} Know all [men by   ]
Shelby County          }these pres[ents, That]
in consideration  of  the  sum of [Fifty        ]
Dollars  to  us  in  hand  paid  [by William]
Tinney,  the  receipt  whereof  [is hereby     ]
acknowledged, We do grant   [______        ]
and convey to said William Tinney the
following described real estate or lot
of land to wit: Commencing at the north
east corner of the Babtist  (sic) Church lot
turning north twenty five (25) yards, then
West to a point South of the South West
corner of the Methodist Church lot, then
North to the W E Holland lot then South
of West to the North East corner of W
Gwins lot then South to GW McGowins
lot then East to the North East corner
of said McGowens lot then with said
McGowens lot to the South East Corner
of McGowens lot then East or nearly so to
the South West corner of the Babtist Church
lot there with to the North West corner