January 1804 - The following Petition is found in the estate papers of Stephen Potts at the State Archives. Images

Charlotte Haney vs John Jones Admr of Stephen Potts
Petition to January term 1804
Issue copy of this petition and summons to John Jones Admr &c
Jocelyn, Att'o

To the worshipful the Justices of the County of Onslow
The petition of Charlotte Haney humbly sheweth:

That some time in the year [blank] Stephen Potts of said county departed this life without wife or issue intestate and possessed of considerable personal estate.

That a certain John Jones obtained letters of administration upon his estate and received the same into possession amounting to upwards of two hundred pounds.

Your petitioner further sheweth that said Stephen Potts left living at his death "his sister Mary who intermarried with the said John Jones, his sister Barsheba Potts, and his sister Priscilla Potts who intermarried with a certain Abraham Haney" which said Abraham and Priscilla are since dead leaving an only child your petitioner.

Your petitioner further sheweth that the personal estate of the said Stephen Potts remains to be divided between the said Jno Jones and wife, Barsheba Potts and your petitioner and she chargeth that she has frequently in a friendly manner applied to the said John Jones and requested him to pay over to her one third part of the personal estate of the intestate to which she was entitled but he hath always refused to comply with such reasonable request.

Your petitioner therefore prays that a copy of this petition and summary may issue to the said John Jones Admr of the said Stephen Potts commanding him to appear at the next court in January next and answer this petition and that the said John Jones by a decree of this court may be compelled to pay over to your petitioner her share of the said Stephen's personal estate and that she may have such further and other relief in the premises as to the court shall seem -- and your petitioner will pray &c.
October 1803
Lam'l R. Jocelyn