This series consists of original unbound estate records filed with the Franklin County Court of Ordinary covering a date span from 1786 to 1916. Most of these papers were submitted by administrators or executors of estates to the Ordinary, in accordance with the law, to document the settlement of estates of deceased citizens. Generally included are: (1) administrator's bonds, (2) inventories, (3) appraisement of estates, and (4) sale bills. Frequently found are: (1) guardian's bonds, (2) letters of administration, (3) orders of dismission of administrators, (4) orders to sell lands, (5) returns of widows' support, (6) probated wills, and (7) receipts to and from administrator's or executors who were settling estates. A few folders include hearings on widows' years support.