1] Printed broadside, 7-1/2" x 12," completed in manuscript, appointing the appraisers per order of Judge of Probate A.L. Dabney. Signed by the appraisers and Clerk S.J. Thigpen. With Thigpen's long manuscript note on the verso, ordering the appraisers to set aside funds and articles for the support of the widow and children. Very Good. 2] Manuscript, written on recto and signed in ink by the appraisers, concerning items of personal property. Fold split expertly repaired. Good+. 3] Giant manuscript appraisal document, 45" x 7-1/2" on four conjoined sheets. Docketed on verso. Several fold separations. Lists 21 named slaves. Good+. Hinds is Mississippi's most populous County. It includes Jackson, the State Capitol. Martin Hackler died in Hinds County in early 1861. The printed document, completed in manuscript, is dated 4 March 1861 [the day of Lincoln's inauguration] and appoints Thomas Wills, A.K. Montgomery, B.W. Henry, Robt Dixon, and Jeff Hubbard "to appraise the Goods, Chattels, and Personal Estate of Martin Hackler." The appraisal includes 21 slaves, each identified by first name, with approximate age and appraised value. The adult males were deemed most valuable, ranging from $1500 [Charles, age 35] to Jack, age 20, at $1250. Lewis, age 75, was worth only $300; but Little Lewis, age 17, is a $1000 slave. The women of childbearing age [Lucinda, 19; Dolly, 15; Narcissa, 19] were valued at $1200 or $1300. Martin Hackler [1805-1861] was a farmer in Hinds County. Judge [Philip] Augustine Lee Dabney [1800-1878] was born in Virginia and graduated from William and Mary College. He moved to Mississippi, practiced law, and served eight years as Judge of the Probate Court of Hinds County. Clerk S.J. Thigpen was Samuel James Thigpen [1833-1884]. Thomas Wills [born c.1813], B.W. Henry [born c.1830] were farmers, each owning more than 25 slaves. Jeff Hubbard [born c.1812] was a farmer owning more than twenty slaves. Robert Dixon [born c. 1814] was a mechanic and farmer.
