The following is the earliest document preserved in the archives of Lincoln County regarding the Epps family law suit over settling the estate of Lawrence Epps. As the various documents published hear are read a window in time is opened into many of the private conversations that occurred between Epps relatives and also their interaction with neighbors. The depositions help us understand some of the hardships that occurred for this family shortly after the end of the Civil War. Many clues for future family historical research are found in these documents.  In transcribing these ancient hand written documents an effort is made not to edit it but to preserve the original spelling, grammar, capitalization, and punctuation used by court reporters. Chris Wheeler copied the original records in Lincoln County and shared them with the transcriber Lawrence W Epps.

Jas. C. Epps Adm. and Guard ad Litem  Pro Connfesso vs   Hugh M Epps et al         

Chancery Court Tenn.  August  1867       

In this cause it appearing that the minor Defendants to wit Margaret Ann, Mary Panter. Mary and Sarah Pruitt children of Larry Pruitt dec. and a child, name unknown, of John Panter dec., have no regular Guardian, it is ordered by the Court That Charles C. McKinney be appointed Guardian ad Litum to answer for the same—

And further appearing that publication had been made in the “Lincoln County News” a news paper published in the Town of Fayetteville for four weeks in succession preceding the present Term of Court requiring the non resident Defendants, Wm Panter, Gilbert Epps, Elizabeth Cole, John Cole, Malinda Panter, Larry Panter, Mahala Causley, Wesley Causly and Nancy Panter to please answer on _?_ to Complainant bill at the present term of the Court, and having failed so to do within the finish _?_ days of the term, it is then fore ordered adjudged and decreed that said bill be taken for confessed And set for hearing expart, as to them