The Miscellaneous Record Book: What’s in It for Genealogists?

Miscellaneous record books in U.S. county courthouses are “catch-all” volumes maintained by the county clerk that compile documents too diverse or infrequent for dedicated books (e.g., deeds, marriages, probate). These unbound papers—filed chronologically or by type—get transcribed or bound together, creating grab-bag ledgers with genealogical gems overlooked by standard genealogical searches. They also help to bridge gaps in censuses and vital records prior to 1850, name extended family and neighbors, and document life in the county. Today’s post spotlights the contents of the Washington County, Arkansas “Miscellaneous Record Book,” covering the years 1841–1879, revealing previously unknown but valuable genealogical details. A few records date from the 1830s.

Apprenticeships

In the nineteenth century and earlier, children were often apprenticed to a skilled craftsperson to learn that trade because they were orphans or had parents unable to support them, and they were apprenticed so they wouldn’t become financial burdens on the county. Boys were apprenticed until they turned twenty-one, and girls until they turned eighteen. They were usually given some clothes, perhaps some money, and tools of their trade when they reached legal age. These records may give the child’s age or birthdate.

Guardianships

Usually these records are in probate files, but in this case, some are the miscellaneous book. Guardians had legal authority to apprentice minor children as well as to manage their inheritances. James Bates was the legal guardian of the deceased Joseph Ingram’s children. In January 1841, James chose to apprentice Joseph’s son, Sylvester, age seven, to John Pierson, to learn to be a farmer, get some basic schooling, and be brought up in good moral company. John posted a one-thousand-dollar bond to guarantee his responsibility.

Powers of Attorney

One or more persons could grant power of attorney to one or more persons to act on behalf of them in matters of legal importance. In February 1842, Shepherd F. Atherton granted James Mitchell power of attorney “to ask, demand, and receive” $2,327 from the administration of Bonton G. Hill’s estate. On April 12, 1848, Martha Harger of Warrick Co., Indiana authorized Nathan Pyeatt [her son], also of Warrick Co., to receive her late husband’s share of the estate of Jacob Pyeatt of Washington Co., Arkansas. [Note: Martha’s late husband, also named Nathan Pyeatt, was a son of Jacob by Jacob’s first wife, whose name is not proven.]

Slave Sales and Manumissions

Interestingly, this book shows persons purchasing slaves and persons freeing them. For those being sold, their first name, approximate age, and sale price is given. For those being freed, the record sometimes gives the reason. In November 1835, Littleberry E. Mason of Limestone Co., Alabama freed his twenty-eight-year-old female slave and her three female children aged eight, four, and eighteen months, “from motives of benevolence and humanity.” In May 1846, Thomas Ballard freed his two-year-old slave Celia because of “the love and affection of my wife for my little negro girl (a slave) named Celia about two years of age,” giving the toddler “her liberty and freedom.” These records don’t reveal anything about slaves after manumission.

In some cases, reasons for selling slaves are given. In November 1857, John Oliver sold six slaves “in consideration of the natural love and affection which I bear unto my son in law Robert Price and his wife Mary my daughter,” for five dollars. Oliver specifically stated that he was his selling his slaves to Robert and Mary because of the “care and attention” they gave to John’s wife Mary during her final illness.

Appointments of Deputy Sheriffs

On March 20, 1854, Washington Co. sheriff Z. M. Pettigrew appointed John Lewis his Deputy Sheriff. On August 10, 1854, he appointed W. A. L. Throckmorton to this office. It’s interesting to note that the oaths these men took when they were appointed was that they had not directly or indirectly been engaged in a duel or “been the bearer of any challenge to fight a duel” in Arkansas since January 1, 1838. If we dig a little deeper, we can learn why. In 1820, the Arkansas territorial legislature passed an act prohibiting dueling and requiring public officeholders to swear an oath that they had not participated in, sent, or accepted a challenge to a duel since passage of the law. When Arkansas became a state in 1836, this territorial anti‑dueling law, including the office‑holding oath, was codified into state law, so that by 1838 any man who had fought a duel (or sent/accepted a challenge) was legally disqualified from holding elected office unless the oath could still be truthfully taken. Because sheriffs were elected county officers, this law meant that a sheriff who engaged in dueling—or who could not honestly swear the required oath—was legally barred from office.

Family Birth Records

Before vital records were kept by law, many births were recorded in family Bibles. In this case, the birth records of Jesse Keller’s children were entered twice in the miscellaneous record book, once in 1861, and again in either 1867 or 1868. Information includes Jesse’s wife’s first name and the names and full birthdates of four children. During this time, similar family records of Enos Mills, William Eaton, Alfred B. Combs, Bryant Willis White, James Cloer, and William Thomas were also entered. No reason is given for theses inclusions, but these men felt it was important to provide a legal record of the parentage and births of their children.

Registrations of Local Millers

In 1846 the State of Arkansas passed an act exempting millers from “serving on juries, working on roads, and in the performance of [normal] military duty.” Though it was not legally required, some millers requested to be registered with the county—perhaps to demonstrate their legal exemption—and gave the name, and sometimes the location, of the mill where they worked. On April 6, 1847, Henry Freyschlag registered as miller of the George Freyschlag mill. Just over three weeks later, Jeremiah Bass registered as miller of the Stout Mill on the west fork of the White River. Charles Hirschspiel registered as miller of the Carnahan Mill on January 12, 1848.

Entries Pertaining to Religious and Fraternal Organizations

In December 1855, members of the Reformed Christian Church, located in West Fork Township, met to publicly appoint and ordain James C. Spencer of New York as their minister. Names of church members and officials are given. Plans for the construction of Far West Seminary as a religion-based institution of learning in Washington Co. were recorded in 1843. The names of several citizens involved in the founding are listed. The incorporation of Rieffs Chapel Grange, No. 155 of the Patrons of Husbandry of Washington Co. lists many members as well as its constitution.

Individual Recordings

Sometimes seemingly unusual items appear in these types of records. In October 1845, several Washington Co. citizens vouched for the character of Lewis J. Bolton. Bolton was dark-skinned because he was of Portuguese ancestry and was eligible to vote. The record doesn’t specify, but some people may have thought he was Black, which meant he was ineligible to vote. Taking this legal action seems to ensure that Bolton would have that legal right.

Mary J. Kellum believed it was legally necessary to quash a circulating rumor that there was a marriage contract between her and Allen Funkhouser, so on August 10, 1848, she certified in this book that no such contract or understanding existed.

In August 1858, Jacob Shaver and his wife Thurza relinquished title to a parcel of land in Township 15 within Washington Co. The federal government sold it to them by mistake in April 1847, and the couple was refunded the fifty dollars they paid for it. The reason was that the government did not hold legal title to it and therefore didn’t have the authority to sell it.

How to Locate Miscellaneous Record Books

Miscellaneous record books may be found in different places under different names. If you’re researching in person, ask the county clerk’s office for “misc books,” “loose papers,” or “old record books,” and check the indexes first, if the exist. Oftentimes, they’re unindexed and you’ll have to browse by date.​ As with other records, browsing can sometimes lead to unexpected and exciting finds.

Check your state archives for microfilmed books, and any that have been digitized may be in the FamilySearch catalog or in a digital collection elsewhere. When you do a state/county location search at FamilySearch and come to the county page listing the types of records available for that county, check for “Miscellaneous Records” or a similar term. ​Other resources include published and unpublished county inventories created by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) in the late 1930s and early 1940s. Look in the index under “Miscellaneous” for holdings. Grapevine Library has published inventories for several Texas counties; search the library catalog using “Texas,” “inventory” and the county name for holdings.