George Samuel Reid Family Roots

Research Notes – Chronology of Esther Weir Stedman Guardianship

Esther Weir Stedman was born in Hot Spring, Alabama, the daughter of Lenora Weir and David Samuel Stedman. 

Lenora and David never married.  Instead, they attempted to conceal the pregnancy that occurred while they were working in a logging camp in Bradley County, Arkansas.  Very soon after discovering her pregnancy, arrangements were made for Lenora to leave the logging camp and move to Hot Spring County where she lived in exiled secrecy until giving birth.  

After giving birth to daughter Esther, a series of events took place regarding Esther’s care and guardianship.  Those events are chronicled here from abstracts of various court records regarding the same. 

1880       Magnet Cove, Hot Spring, Arkansas Census

                M. Adams (Matilda Cornelius Adams) (F)  Widow  44

                Georgeann (F)  Daughter  Single  21

                Jesie Cacks (F) Other  Single  20

                Matilda Bailey (F) Other  Single  18

                George Bailey (F) Other  Single  19

                Zilpha Bailey (F)  Other Single 14 (Later marries Samuel P Owen.  Samuel & Zilpha become foster parents of Esther Weir)

                Martha Murphy (F)  Other  Single 12

                Jefferson Murphy (M)  Other  Single  9

                J. H. Adams (M)  Self 44 

                Lizzie (F)  Wife  38

                Unknown (M)  Son  15

                Mary (F)  Daughter 13

                Frank (M)  Son  7

                Robert (M) Son  5

                Clement (M)  Son  ?

                Hallie (F)  Daughter  ?

1880      Bayou Metae, Palaski, Arkansas

                E. J. Garrison (M)  Self  51

                Martha L (F)  Wife  45

                William H. Garrison (M)  Son  Single

                Maggie L. Garrison (F)  Daughter  13

                James L Garrison (M)  Son 11

                Samuel P. Owen (M)  Other 23 (Later marries Zilpha Bailey.  Samuel & Zilpha become foster parents of Esther Weir.) 

1881       Sept.  Matilda Adams dies in Magnet Cove .  What happens to all the children in her household?  Where did Zilpha live after death of Grandmother?

1882       May.  Zilpha Bailey married Samuel P. Owen in Butterfield, Hot Spring, Arkansas.  Zilpha’s parents Henry Bailey, born about 1831 & Elizabeth Adams, born 10 Oct 1853.  Grandparents William Bailey, born about 1785 & Mary Bradwell.  Do they stay in Grandmother Matilda’s farm to live?  If so, they live next door to J. H. Adams.

1882       July.  Lenora Weir is pregnant and sent to Hot Spring to “hide out”.   Whose household does she “hide out” in?  J. H. Adams?

1883       March 18.  Esther Weir is born.  Mother Lenora is daughter of Levi Weir and Sarah Maxwell (1826 – 1861).  Sarah Maxwell died in South Carolina.  Levi’s 2^nd wife is Martha J. Knight.  Weirs are living in Hot Spring, Arkansas at time of Esther’s birth.

1887       Oct 11.  Levi Weir is convicted of assault and battery for beating Mollie Turner with a stick.  Bail of $150 required.

1889       J. H. Adams pays $2.05 in Bradley County for minor heirs of Levi Weir.  The document shows the property Esther Weir will inherit after the death of her grandfather, Levi Weir.  Is this the J. H. Adams of Hot Spring?

1890       July 30.  Levi Weir is shot and killed by Jerry Frazier in Bradley County, Arkansas.  The murder occurred a short distance from the Weir residence.  Weir lived 15 minutes after being shot.  Told his wife Jerry Frazier killed him.  No witnesses.  There are various rumors in circulation – ugly features of the case.

1891       Jan 20.  J. H. Adams petitions probate court to be made guardian of Esther Weir of Hot Spring.  Court records indicate the “she (Esther Weir) has property coming to her of great value and unless a guardian is appointed there is great danger of the same being lost or destroyed“.  J. H. Adams pays $125.  (Note:  Adams petition occurs two days prior to Martha Weir’s appearance in same court as noted in next reference.)  

1891       Jan 22.  Martha Weir appears in court.  Her deceased husband, Levi Weir, owned valuable land & other property and she does not desire to be administrator of the estate.  Martha Weir grants 40 acres to each of her following heirs:  Dixon Weir (son of Levi Weir & Sarah Mawell); Esther Weir (granddaughter of Levi Weir & Sarah Maxwell); James S. Weir, Columbus Weir, & Mary L Weir, children of Levi Weir and Martha.  Martha then petitions court to be appointed guardian for James, Columbus & Mary Weir.  Court agrees.

1891       Jan 22.  Court appoints J. H. Adams guardian of Esther Weir and empowers him to have care of his ward, and possessions and management of her estate.  Court levies $300 bond for said action.

1891       Jan 22.  J. H. Adams as principal and A. A. Adams and R. M. Hall as securities pay $300 to probate court.   (Note:  Eloise told us at the reunion that Halls and Adams lived in same area as Carolyn St. John.)

1891       Feb 2.  Inventory of Estate of Esther Weir of Hot Spring; made and presented by J. H. Adams, guardian.

1891       Feb 5.  Received of D. S. Steadman; $1.00 as guardian of Esther Weir.

1891       Feb 5.  D. S. Steadman petitions for letters of guardianship for Esther Weir of Hot Spring.  Pays $125.00.

1891       Apr 27.  Court awards property of Levi Weir to heirs.

1891       Apr 27.  J. H. Adams resigns as guardian of Esther Weir.

1891       Apr 27.  Court appoints D. S. Steadman guardian of Esther Weir.

1891       Apr 27.  D. S. Steadman  as principal; , R. M. Hill & A. G. Steadman as securities, pay $300 for guardianship of Esther Weir.  Esther Weir real property description:  SE NE Sec. 30, Township 13, Range 9, Acres 40, Value $40.36.  (Note:  Levi Weir & Martha J Knight’s son married Margaret Alymra Hall.  Her father was Rufus Marion Hall & her mother was Margaret Mary Jane Steadman.)

1892       Feb 8.  D. S. Steadman, guardian, pays J. H. Adams $2.00 for keeping house.  Note:  D. S. Steadman remains guardian of Esther Weir even after Samuel & Zilpha Owen are contracted to provide foster care of Esther Weir.

Esther Weir Stedman & Foster Parents Samuel P & Zilpha Bailey Owen