Lovicia Ann Elizabeth Janes

Lovicia Ann Elizabeth Janes, daughter of Simeon R. Janes and Elizabeth Wilson Gresham, was born about 1833 or 1834. Her parents married in Taliaferro County, Georgia on April 14, 1831 so she was most likely born there. Simeon and Elizabeth had three children together. Lovicia was the middle child. The others were Mary Jane Janes, born about 1832, and Martha Selah Henrietta Janes, born about 1836. She is my 1st cousin 4x removed with our nearest common relatives being my 4th great grandparents, William Janes IV and Selah Gresham.

Her’s was an unusual name and I honestly don’t know what the correct spelling was. In my research, I found her listed as Lovicia, Lovica, Lovitia, and Lavicia. I’ve chosen to use Lovicia in this sketch because that is how she signed her will.

 
Lovicia’s father died in 1834. She, along with her mother and sisters, were named share and share alike heirs in his will that was probated in Taliaferro County. 

On February 18, 1841, Lovicia’s mother married Reuben Josiah Dawson of Greensboro, Greene County, Georgia. Lovicia and her family were still living in Taliaferro County at the time. They may have moved to Wilkes County, Georgia for a while but eventually ended up in Greene County. It wasn’t long before the family began to grow.

Married, News & Planters’ Gazette, Washington, Wilkes County, Georgia, March 11, 1841

On November 15, 1847, Lovicia’s stepfather Reuben, along with Henry J. Haynes and Valentine D. Gresham, posted a $5,000 bond in Greensboro, Greene County, Georgia, after which Reuben was appointed the official guardian of Lovicia and her sisters. 

By the time the census was taken in 1850, Lovicia’s mother had four more children—John T. Dawson, Susan L. Dawson, Emma H. Dawson, and one enumerated as J. H. T. Dawson. They were all living together, along with Lovicia’s sisters Mary and Martha. Reuben Dawson was a farmer with real estate valued at $4000 so the family lived comfortably. Lovicia was not living in the home with the rest of the family when it was counted, and unfortunately, I’ve been unable to find her. As you’ll soon see, this was the only census record she would have appeared in during her lifetime.

In March, April, and May 1852, Reuben advertised the sale of a negro man named Jack who belonged to Mary, Lovicia, and Martha. The advertisement recorded R. J. Dawson as the guardian of the sisters, all minors.

"The Temperance Banner," Penfield, Georgia, March 20, 1852. Two months after date I will apply to the Court of Ordinary of Greene County, for leave to sell a Negro man named Jack, belonging to Mary Y., Lovitia E., and Martha C. Janes, minors, for the benefit of said minors. – R. J. Dawson, Guardian.

The Temperance Banner, Penfield, Georgia, March 20, 1852

Lovicia’s sister Mary, age 21, died from pulmonary consumption in Greensboro on January 23, 1853. Perhaps sick herself, Lovicia had a will drawn up in Greene County which she signed on September 3, 1854. She would have been approximately 20 years old at the time. The will was probated in Greene County on December 5, 1854 so she apparently died soon after signing it. Lovicia named her mother and siblings as heirs to her estate.

Last Will & Testament of Lovicia A. E. Janes

Recorded in Wills Book G, pages 146 and 147, December 5th, 1854, Jas. W. Godkin, Ordinary

Georgia, Greene County. In the name of God, Amen.

I, Lovicia A. E. Janes, of said county and state, being mindful of my mortality, yet of sound mind and disposing memory, do make and publish this my last will and testament, in manner following.

Item 1st. It is my will and desire that all my just debts be paid.

Item 2nd. I give and bequeath unto my beloved sister Martha S. Janes Carlton one hundred dollars in money, to be invested by my Executors in a gold watch for her benefit and as a keepsake. 

Item 3rd. I give and bequeath all the remainder of my undivided estate right interest and property, of every kind, consisting of Georgia Rail Road stock, negroes, notes, money known as the property belonging to the minor heirs of Simeon R. Janes deceased, and most of which is now in the hand of Reuben J. Dawson, as the guardian of said minors, and all and every other property, which I may own at my death, together with its increase to James A. Carlton in trust, for the sole and separate use, benefit and behoof of my affectionate Mother Elizabeth Dawson for and during her natural life, free from the debts, control or management of her present, or any future husband, and after her death for the sole and separate use, benefit, maintenance and education of the following named children of my Mother, to wit. John T. Dawson, Susan L. Dawson, Emma H. J. Dawson, Henry T. Dawson, and Talula Dawson, and any other child or children hereafter borne of my said Mother.

Item 4th. It is my will and desire that the said property given in trust as aforesaid, shall be equally divided, share and share alike, at the death of my Mother, among her said five children and any others hereafter born, as aforesaid, and that those of them who are of age or married at that time, shall take their respective shares and that the shares of those who are minors shall remain in the hands of the said trustee for the purposes and uses above mentioned, to be likewise distributed as the said minors become of age or marry.

Item 5th. It is furthermore my will and desire that the said trust shall invest a suitable portion of said estate on property in a comfortable house and lot, at such place as my Mother may direct, as a home for her, provided she shall desire it to be done.

Lastly, I hereby constitute, nominate and appoint my brother-in-law James A. Carlton, sole executor of this my last will and testament.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this third day of September in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and fifty-four.

“Carlton” in the Second line of the 2d item and “September” in the Sixth line of the last item inter lined before signings.

Signed, sealed and acknowledged on the day and year above in presence of 

James L. Brown

D. C. O’Keefe

William W. D. Weaver

Georgia, Greene County, Court of Ordinary in Chambers Nov 10th 1854.

Personally appeared before the court James L. Brown and William W. D. Weaver, two of the subscribing witnesses to the foregoing last will and testament of Lovicia E. Janes dec’d and on oath say that they saw her sign the same and that each believed her to be of perfect, sound mind, and disposing memory at the time of her signing the same and that they signed their names as witnesses thereto in the presence of D. C. O’Keefe the other subscribing witness, and in the presence of the Testatrix.

Sworn to before me in Chambers this 10th day of Nov 1854.

Jas. W. Godkin, Ordinary

James L. Brown

William W. D. Weaver

Her will was proven to be valid in the Greene County Court of Ordinary in December 1854.

Georgia, Greene County. Court of Ordinary December Term 1854.

The last will and testament of Miss Lovitia E. Janes late of Greene County dec’d, having been proven before this count in Chambers in common form of Law by the oaths of James L. Brown and Wm. W. D. Weaver on the 10th day of November last and whereupon it is ordered that the will of said Lovicia E. Janes dec’d be now admitted to Record, and that Wm. W. D. Weaver, James L. Brown, John E. Jackson, or any three of them appraise the estate of Lovicia E. Janes dec’d and make their return to this court within the time prescribed by law. 

Personally appeared in open court James A. Carlton, the Sole Executor appointed in the will of Lovicia E. Janes dec’d who was duly qualified and letters testamentary was then issued to him.

In 1855, Reuben filed Letters of Dismission in the Greene County Court of Ordinary to have himself removed from Guardianship from all three sisters and estates.

References

• Elizabeth M. Gresham and Simeon R. Janes, Georgia Marriages to 1850 and Georgia, Marriage Records from Select Counties, 1828–1978.
• Elizabeth Wilson Janes and Reuben J. Dawson marriage certificate, Greene County, Georgia, February 1841.
• Lovitia Janes, Greene, Court Records 1852–1879, Probate Records 1852–1879.
• Married, News & Planters’ Gazette, Washington, Wilkes County, Georgia, March 11, 1841.
• Obituary, Miss Mary Jane Janes, The Temperance Banner, Penfield, Georgia, February 5, 1853.
• The Temperance Banner, Penfield, Georgia, March 20, 1852 and February 17, 1855.
• U.S. Federal Census, District 147, Greene County, Georgia, 1850.
• Wilkes Superior Court, News & Planters’ Gazette, Washington, Wilkes County, Georgia, November 10, 1842.
• Will of Lovicia E. Janes, Greene County, Georgia, 1854.
• Will of Simeon R. Janes, Taliaferro County, Georgia, 1838.