George Samuel Reid Family Roots

UPDATED 4/28/2020 | ORIGINAL 04/05/2010

LENORA WEIR (15 Jan 1855 – 20 Aug 1887) was born in Rodman, Chester County, South Carolina the daughter of Levi Weir and Sarah Clifton Maxwell.

Lenora’s mother, Sarah, died in Chester County, SC in 1862. On 2 May 1864, guardianship for Lenora and her brother, John Dixon Weir, was granted to Jessee Clifton by the Chester County, SC court. According to court records, Lenora’s father, Levi, had abandoned the children, and was presumed dead. We have no record of Lenora’s time spent while under guardianship of Mr. Clifton.

In 1882, Lenora took work in a logging camp in Bradley County, Arkansas. Lenora met David Samuel Stedman at the camp where she worked as a cook and he as a logger. Their relationship resulted in their only child, Esther Weir Stedman, born out of wedlock.

Once it was discovered that Lenora was with child, she left the logging camps and moved to Gifford, Hot Springs County, Arkansas leaving David to remain in Bradley County.  Lenora was living in Gifford when she gave birth to her daughter. Lenora remained in Gifford estranged from David for several years after Esther’s birth.

Lenora died four years after Esther’s birth. She was buried in the St. Francis Cemetery, in Hot Springs, Arkansas.

After Lenora’s death, responsibility for Esther’s care fell back to her father, David, who initially arranged for his father and mother to look after her. Later, guardianship was formally arranged, initially granting responsibility for Esther’s care to a Mr. J.H. Adams.  Esther’s guardianship later transferred briefly to David, and finally, on to Samuel and Zilpha Owen who provided for Esther’s care thereafter.

Esther Weir Stedman, daughter of Lenora Weir and David Samuel Steadman.