Petition for Guardianship~Jonah A. Teator, Ransom A. Teator, James L. Teator and George W. Teator

In late 1857 to early 1858, sometime before 20 May 1858  Martin A. Teeter died. Martin was a single parent with 8 children; 4 of them under the age of twenty-one until he remarried on 20 April 1856. 
Martin had lost his first wife back on 30 September 1853 with the birth of his eight child a son named George Washington Teeter.

In Court on 20 May 1858, Brice McIver a Uncle of the minor children - Jonah A. Teator, Ransom A. Teator, James L. Teator and George W. Teator – petition the Court for the Guardianship of the minor children.

Mary Ann ‘Polly’ Petray was the wife of Brice McEver. She was also a sister to Sarah Jane ‘Sallie’ Petray Teeter the mother of the four minor children.

Tragically, the children Uncle, Brice McEver, died of pneumonia in December 1860. Mary Ann continued to care for the children until they left home.


Transcription:
State of Arkansas}
County of Pope} In the Probate Court of Pope County, May 20th 1858 before the Clerk thereof in vacation.
Brice McEver, Ex Parte
To} Petition for Guardian for
Jonah A. Teeter et all
At this day comes Brice McEver, and files his petition, the object and prayer of which are for the appointment of a guardian for Jonah A. Teator, Ransom A. Teator, James L. Teator and George W. Teator children of Martin A. Teator dec. And it appearing to the County, that said minors are without father or mother, or any other person legally authorize to support, protect and control them, that they have no means of subsistence, and it also appearing that said petitioner is the uncle to said minors, and that it is necessary a guardian should be appointed said minors. It is ordered that said Brice McEver be and he is hereby appointed guardian for said minors, the said McEver having filed his bond, as required by law.
                                                                              Roof H. Harrell, Clk.

State of Arkansas}
County of Pope}
In the Pope Probate Court, in vacation, before the clerk thereof May 29^th 1858.

Martin A. Teeter is my 1st Cousin 4 times removed.

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[1] "Arkansas Probate Records, 1817-1979," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-99W3-2Q76?cc=2061549&wc=M7QZ-SP8%3A353223101%2C353240401 : 22 May 2014), Pope > image 573 of 719; county courthouses, Arkansas.