Individual Details

1850 Census. Williamson Co TN, Hh 780
Edward "Waters" age 36, b. Virginia
Sarah E. age 35, b. TN
Mary J. age 6
Labun, age 4.
Slave Schedule: female age 22, male age 22, male age 5, male age 4, male age 3 [very faded on page but there is one more - I believe a 2-year-old male]

1860 Census. Williamson Co TN, Eastern Subdiv. Hh 121
Edward "Waters" age 46. $10,800 in real estate; $10,000 in personal property [12 slaves, see later], b. TN
S. E., female, age 44
M. J., female age 15
L., male, age 14
Joseph, age 4.
Slave Schedule: Edward Warters: Male age 34, mulatto. All others listed as Black. Female age 32, female age 24, male age 15, male age 14, male age 12, male age 11, female age 10, female age 6, male age 4, female age 3, and a male age 1.

Williamson Co, TN Estate Papers; FamilySearch.org
Edward Walters - 1862. Wife - Sarah E. Walters
Children: Laban Walters, Joseph Walters, Mary (Mrs. D. M.) Slayden
Chancery Court: N.N. Cox vs Laban Walters

Edward Walters' Will was recorded Nov Term 1862.
After all debts and funeral expenses paid, wife Sarah E. Walters to have control of whole estate and manage & cultivate the farm to educate & clothe the children they arrive at age or marry, during her widowhood or natural life. Upon her marriage or death, the whole estate to be divided equally between wife and children. Wife Sarah E. Walters to be Executrix without giving any security. Dated 8 Sept 1862. Signed in a very shaky hand "Edward Walters"
Wit: Isaac T. Vaughan, B. H. Paschall


27 Mar 1874. N. N. Cox filed a suit against Sarah E. Walters and her sons Laban and Joseph. In 1862, Edward Walters had died leaving his widow Sarah E. and children Laban, Joseph, and Mary Walters who has since married D. M. Slayden. Mary had arrived and full age and was seeking division of the property as stated in the will. Mary had sold her interest and share to Cox. He is demanding the property be divided or sold, by his attorneys, Campbell, McEwan & Bullock.

30 Mar 1874. Answer of defendants Laban Walters and Sarah E. Walters. It was true that Edward Walters, husband of Sarah, died about the time stated (1862). It was true that he had made a will and Sarah qualified as Executrix. Testate left survivors, the wife Sarah E. and children Mary J. Walters (now Slayden) and Laban and Joseph, the last of whom is a minor under age twenty one. Testate died owing a considerable amount of money which Sarah has paid out of her own means. There is a lien of $900 on the estate. These respondents know nothing about the sale of Mary Slayden's interest in her father's estate. Sarah has always been of the opinion she has a life estate in the lands that have been in her possession since her husband's death. The answer was signed R. [Randolph] M. Ewing who was apparently not only the lawyer but served as Guardian ad litum of Joseph Walters who was about age 19 or 20.

Chancery Court, Apr Term 1874
N.N. Cox vs Laban Walters et al
18 Apr 1874.
Decree was made that it was the testator's intent that the wife was to continue management and control of the estate until her death or remarriage and not to be divided until one or the other occurred. She is still living and is still a widow. The estate is vested in the children but the division is to take place in the future when one of the contingencies happens. The bill to divide the estate is to be dismissed. The defendants appealed to the next term of the Supreme Court.

Birth	1814
Marriage	28 Sep 1843	Williamson County, Tennessee - Sarah E. "Sallie" Crockett
Death	Bef Nov 1862	Williamson County, Tennessee

Spouse	Sarah E. "Sallie" Crockett (1816 - 1894)
Child	Mary Jane Walters (1845 - )
Child	Laban Walters (1847 - 1878)
Child	E. Joseph Walters (1856 - )

Father	Laban Walters (1779 - 1854)
Mother	Nancy Chaney (1783 - 1856)
Sibling	Elizabeth H. Walters (1805 - )
Sibling	Eli A. Walters (1807 - 1861)
Sibling	Laban Lindsey Walters (1811 - 1884)