A painting of Muscoe Garnett in the Essex County courthouse gives his dates as 1808–1880.

“Muscoe Garnett and Sarah H. Booker was married the 29th of March 1827” [Booker-Garnett-Lyell family Bible at the Virginia State Archives, Acc. 24585.]

On 29 September 1834, Muscoe Garnett made purchases at the sale of the estate of Philip Clarke, deceased. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 24, pages 21–22.]

On 13 and/or 14 November 1834, Muscoe Garnett purchased property at the sale of the estate of Major Arthur L. Barnes. [Essex County, Virignia, Will Book 24, pages 12–20.]

On 18 July 1836, Muscoe Garnett deposed in the office of George Wright in the Town of Tappahannock that he was acquainted with the land of Thomas Haynes and that it was depreciating in value. [Essex County, Virginia, Box Chancery No. 45, item 45-P-1.]

On 19 June 1837, James W. Cauthorn, Wm. Smith, Robert Sowell, Robt. M. Davis, Richd. J. Muse and Muscoe Garnett Jr. were bound in the penalty of $16,600 for James W. Cauthorn’s administration with the will annexed of the estate of Edmund Cauthron, deceased. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 24, page 137.]

On 16 April 1838, Daniel Rennolds, Thomas B. Garnett, William Oliver, Muscoe Garnett Jr., Lewis Rennolds, Richard Motley, George T. F. Lanier, and Philip J. Rennolds were bound in the penalty of $65,000 for Daniel Rennolds’s and Thomas B. Garnett’s executorship of the estate of Barbee Spindle, deceased. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 24, page 272–273.]

The estate of Kemp Gatewood in account with Barbara Gatewood, administratrix with the will annexed, from 1836 to 1838 was ordered recorded 21 January 1839. Includes receipts from William L. Gatewood, O. M. Crutchfield (in right of his wife), Miss Sarah Ann Gatewood (in one place changed to Muscoe Garnett), and Miss Mary Elizabeth Gatewood, acknowledging distributions from the estate. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 24, pages 346–350.]

On 21 September 1840, Washington H. Purkins, Muscoe Garnett and Richard L. Covington were bound in the penalty of $3,000 for Washington H. Purkins’s administration with the will annexed of Caty B Allen, deceased. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 24, pages 511–512.]

On 24 October 1840, an inventory and appraisal of the estate of Ann Garnett was made by Muscoe Garnett, Lewis Rennolds, and Willm. Blackburn. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 24, page 533.]

In March 1842 (exact day not recorded), Henry H. Boughan of the County of Essex sold to Muscoe Garnett of the same. By Henry H. Boughan’s intermarriage with Eliza Boughan he has acquired some property, and being anxious to secure to his said wife for her separate use and benefit a portion thereof and to prevent her from being deprived thereof by accident or otherwise, for $10 Henry H. Boughan conveys slaves James and Fanny and other personal property to Muscoe Garnett for the use of Eliza Boughan. Signed Henry H Boughan. No witnesses. Ordered recorded 21 March 1842. [Essex County, Virginia, Deed Book 47, pages 301–302.]

On 16 May 1842, Thomas H. Dunn and Muscoe Garnett were bound $30 for Thomas H. Dunn’s administration of the goods, chattles and credits of Gideon Dunn deceased. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 24, page 683.]

On 20 April 1843, Henry H. Boughan and Eliza his wife sold property to cover debts. Whereas Henry H. Boughan is indebted to Austin Brockenbrough, James R. Micou & Richard Hipkins merchants $197 by bond with Muscoe Garnett, security; Thomas C. Gordon security for another bond to George H. Dobyns; (list of debts owed here goes on for a full page), Henry H. Boughan and Eliza his wife sell for $20 to Muscoe Garnett and Richard A. Boughan a tract of 470 acres bordering Mrs [?] S Jones, Wash H Purkins, James Durham Jr & Mrs Crow, 470 acres on which Henry H. Boughan now lives, 202 acres bordering John S Cox and Carter Croxton where Sarah Wood resides and is subject to her life estate, and slaves and household goods. Muscoe Garnett and Richard A. Boughan are to sell this property if Henry H. Boughan defaults on payments. Ordered recorded 3 August 1843. [Essex County, Virginia, Deed Book 48, pages 18–21.]

On 24 October 1843, Muscoe Garnett answered a bill exhibited against him by Mace Clements. Long document. [Essex County, Virginia, Box Chancery No. 51, item 51-N-16.]

On 21 October 1844, the sale of Howard Grove property was recorded, for which R. A. Boughan and Muscoe Garnett were trustees. In a certain deed of trust from Henry H. Boughan which bears date 20th of April 1843 and acting in the case of Boughan vs Boughan’s Trustees they proceeded on 3 October 1843 to offer at public sale a tract of land called Howard Grove. The highest bid was for $6.49, which the legatees and creditors thought was too low, and not wanting the land to go for under $7 per acre, one of the trustees bid $6.99. This was thought confusing, so the bid was withdrawn, and this caused the lower bid to also be withdrawn. Finally the land was sold for $6.50 per acre, for a total of $2899. Signed Muscoe Garnett, R. A. Boughan. [Essex County, Virginia, Deed Book 48, pages 292–293.]

On 20 October 1845, Muscoe Garnett and Orville Jeffries were bound $300 for Muscoe Garnett’s administration of the goods, chattles and credits of Thomas H. Dunn. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 25, pages 440–441.]

On 23 January 1846, Muscoe G. Wood complained to the Circuit Superior Court of Law and Chancery for the County of Essex that on 19 April 1843 he purchased from Orville Jeffries a tract in Essex of 175 acres. Your orator executed bonds to Jeffries and to secure payment executed a deed of trust conveying to Muscoe Garnett a tract and slaves. Muscoe Garnett is about to proceed with the sale. When Orville Jeffries sold him land, Orville Jeffries represented he was the sole owner. Richard J. Muse as trustee for James Foreacres and his wife and children claims good title to eight to twelve acres. [Essex County, Virginia, Box Chancery No. 51, item 51-K-2.]

On 28 April 1846, Muscoe Garnett made separate answer to a bill by Muscoe G. Wood. He has no knowledge of the allegations and believes the transaction was fair. Requests his dismissal. Filed in Wood vs Jeffries. [Essex County, Virginia, Box Chancery No. 51, item 51-K-20.]

On 3 September 1846, a deed of trust was executed between George Taylor of the first part, Muscoe Garnett of the second part, and Wm Beazley of the third part. Whereas George Taylor is indebted to William Beazley $52 by bond bearing the same date as this indenture, and George Taylor is willing to hold William Beazley harmless, therefore this deed. George Taylor sells to Muscoe Garnett "all of his said Taylor’s crop of Corn & fodder now growing upon the lands of the said Taylor…" Muscoe Garnett "shall permit the said Taylor to remain in quiet and peaceable possession of the said Crops until default be made in the payment". Auction will be made on the demand of William Beazley if George Taylor should default. Signed Geo: Taylor. Ordered recorded 5 September 1846. [Essex County, Virginia, Deed Book 48, pages 153–154.]

1850 U.S. Census, Essex County, Virginia
Page 83B, Dwelling 302, Family 302
Garnett, Muscoe, 42, male, lawyer, $12,000 real estate, born in Virginia
Garnett, Sarah, 33, female, born in Virginia
Garnett, George, 20, male, born in Virginia
Garnett, Muscoe, 18, male, born in Virginia
Garnett, David, 15, male, born in Virginia, attended school
Garnett, Booker, 12, male, born in Virginia, attended school
Garnett, Kemp, 10, male, born in Virginia, attended school
Garnett, Frank, 7, male, born in Virginia
Garnett, Ella, 17, female, born in Virginia, attended school
Garnett, Sarah, 14, female, born in Virginia, attended school

On 16 December 1850, James A. Dunn, Charles C Smith and Muscoe Garnett were bound $1,500 for James A. Dunn’s administration de bonis non with the will annexed of James Dunn deceased. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 26, page 662.]

On 16 February 1852, the estate of Thomas H. Dunn in account with Muscoe Garnett from 1845 to 1849 was recorded. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 27, pages 141–142.]

On 16 December 1850, James A. Dunn, Charles C Smith and Muscoe Garnett were bound $1,500 for James A. Dunn’s administration de bonis non with the will annexed of James Dunn. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 26, page 662.]

On 12 July 1853, Muscoe Garnett witnessed the will of James Croxton. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 27, pages 579–581.]

For general information about Muscoe Garnett, see: Gothberg, Carol J., John and Amy Gatewood, and Their Descendants 1666–1986. Baltimore: Gateway Press Inc., 1987, page 147.

The Essex County Historical Society publication, Vol. 35, April 1990, gives Judge Muscoe Garnett’s deathdate as 5 October 1880 (rather than 8 October from other sources), from his tombstone at the Garnett Cemetery at Ben Lomand.

A plaque in the Essex County courthouse gives dates as 17 March 1808–5 October 1880 and states that he had seven Conferderate sons.