Chancery Case, Augusta County, 1796

Paulus vs. Weigle
Filed 28 July 1796

Peter Paulus complains that about 9 April 1793 he entered into a written contract with George Weigel for a tract of land and other matters. Paulus was later notified that Weigel had obtained a judgment against him for [amount is left blank] and court costs. He complains that it is impossible to tell from the judgment exactly what provision of the covenant he violated, but he has been informed that the matter concerns “a supposed failure for non payment of the hewing logs & procuring some shingles.” Paulus details other facts which point to irregularities in the execution of convenant responsibilites and the judgment itself. Paulus asks that George Weigel be summoned to answer the suit in person and that the judgment be set aside until the matter can be fairly heard.

George Weigle answers that Paulus “pretended ignorance” as to the nature of the judgment against him and details his side of the matter involving the logs and shingles. Weigle further states that he came to court many times so that Paulus could pay the money due for the land tract and receive title, but Paulus never came to court: “it might have been it was more convenient for him not to pay the money than to have a deed.” Weigle denies any fraud in the matter.

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Source: Augusta County, Virginia Chancery Case 455, 1797-009, Library of Virginia digital archive URL: http://www.lva.virginia.gov/chancery/case_detail.asp?CFN=015-1797-009

Chancery Case, Augusta County, 1826

Cochran vs. Weigel’s Reps.
Filed 16 December 1826

Bill of James Cochran represents that he purchased 130 acres from George Weigel on 10 March 1800 for the sum of one hundred pounds. The original purchase contract and receipt for payment were submitted to the Court. George Weigel died before making a legal conveyance of the land, leaving the following persons his only legal representatives upon whom the title to said land descended:

“George Weigel, Barbara Rumsbaugh the wife of Jacob Rumsbaugh, John Weigel, Philip Weigel, Elizabeth McAbee the wife of John McAbee, Polly [Gowing – see note] the wife of [John Gowing – see note], Daniel Weigel, Catherine Kiger the wife of Benjamin Kiger, Peggy Dotson the wife of William Dotson, & William Weigel, all of whom reside out of the Commonwealth except George Weigel, John Weigel, [John Gowing – see note] & Polly his wife & Daniel Weigel who reside in the county of Augusta”

The suit states that the administrator of the will of George Weigel, dec^d, John Michael, is believed to have sufficient funds from the will to pay the costs of the suit. The suit asks that all parties named therein be made defendants to the bill and be ordered to execute a proper deed and pay the costs of the suit.

Case file includes land plat of tract in question, receipt from George Weigle dec^d stating purchase paid in full, copy of announcement calling defendants to court published in the Staunton Spectator, and Superior Court of Chancery Greenbrier District Summons for John & George Weigle, and 1835 will of James Cochran.

Note: Wherever the surname “Gowing” or “John Gowing” appears in this suit, the writing is in a different ink tone, as if the space for the name was left blank when the suit was originally written and filled in later. I had not seen the Gowing name associated with these Weigels before studying this case. Further evaluation is required.

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Source: Augusta County, Virginia Chancery Case 144, 1828-003, Library of Virginia digital archive URL: http://www.lva.virginia.gov/chancery/case_detail.asp?CFN=015-1828-003