Family:Joseph Miley and Letitia Shelton (1)

Bond, 19 Sept 1831, Joseph (x) Miley, with James B. McCay, for the sd Joseph Miley to marry "Miss Leticia Shelton of this parish."

Consent, 25 Aug 1831: "To the honorable Jesse R. Jones the honorable judge of the Parish aforesaid [St Tammany]; This is to certify to your honor that I have no objection to the marriage of Joseph Miley to my daughter Lettitia; therefore your honor will pleas to grant him a licunce for that purpose."
Stephen (x) Shelton
wit. Saml. Patch, before David Gains, JP

Marriage celebrated 25 Sept 1831 before Lemuel Thompson, JP; wits. John Headon, S.C. Bankston

5 Aug 1834, "at the request of Letitia Shelton widow of Joseph miley deceased and natural tutress of the minor John Miley and in her presence and in presence of Elias H. Murray under tutor to said minor and curator to the unborn child of said deceased assisted by John Lanier and Serville Baham, two free holders, inhabitants of this Parish, duly appointed and sworn as appraisers and in presence of V. Bennett and John Millicon, two inhabitants of full age called as witnesses, I, Lyman Briggs Judge of the aforesaid Parish in my capacity of Notary Public proceeded to make an inventory of the property belonging to said Joseph Miley deceased commencing at the last residence of deceased."
Inventory follows, consisting of real estate, slaves, livestock, and other property, totalling $5029.50. The widow, who signed by mark x, claimed that she had no estate of her own and was therefore entitled to the one fifth of the estate of her deceased husband, and further claimed to keep and retain possession of the whole of said estate in full property as belonging to her minor child John Miley and her other child yet to be born.

9 May 1835, family meeting called to "deliberate upon the interest of the minor children of Joseph Miley late of this Parish deceased, John and Josiah, in relation to the propriety of authorising their mother and natural tutrix Miss Latitia Shelton widow of said deceased to contract a second marriage by intermarrying with John Zachary a citizen of this Parish and to be retained in her capacity of tutress to her said minor children. Personally came and appeared Elijah M. Terrell, Alexander G. Penn, Moses Eastman, Edward H. Hedge, and James Ruddock friends of said minors, all domiciliated in the Parish of St Tammany and of lawful age, who were in default of blood relatives of said minors, cited in as friends . . . aided and assisted by Elias H. Murray under tutor to said minors . . ." The meeting concluded that "it would be to the interest and advantage of said minors, that their mother should be retained in her capacity as natural tutrix although she contract a second marriage, and therefore advise and consent. . ."