Succession of Thomas M. B. Ambrose, 1846, East Feliciana Parish, Louisiana Prepared and submitted by Claude B. Slaton, Baker, Louisiana, 09/10/98 ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** Also see his notes about his East Feliciana Parish extraction project. Submission divided into separate files, Jun 4, 2004 by Annette Womack File Designation: Ambrose, Thomas M. B. (July 9, 1846) Wife: Jane Ambrose File 17, Doc 1 Appointment of James Reames as tutor to Robert E. Ambrose, minor child of Thomas W. B. Ambrose. 1 January 1838, L. Saunders, P.J. File 17, Doc 2 Appointment of Jane Ambrose as tutor to Robert E. Ambrose, minor child of Thomas W. B. Ambrose. 1 June 1836, L. Saunders, P.J. File 17, Doc 3 Appointment of James Reames as tutor to Robert E. Ambrose, minor child of Thomas W. B. Ambrose. 1 June 1836, L. Saunders, P.J. File 17, Doc 4 Appointement of Stephen Ambrose as undertutor to Robert E. Ambrose, minor child of Thomas W. B. Ambrose, 1 January 1838, L. Saunders, P.J. File 17, Doc 5 Results of a family meeting held before John C. White, N.P., of the "relations" of Robert Elijah Ambrose the minor child of Thomas W. B. Ambrose, late of E.F.P., composed of: Stephen Ambrose; Jeremiah Palmer; Harrison Bradford; David Reams; and Leonard Bradford. To decide on the estate of Mrs. Martha Wilson, dec., (of whose estate the minor is one of the heirs). They give opinion that the estate should be sold and give terms of sale. James Reams, undertutor, present.[signed] L. Bradford, Harrison Bradford, Stephen Ambrose, Jeremiah Palmer, Dav. Reemes, James Reames. Witnesses: J. H. Hackney, James S. Rhodes, J. C. White, J.P. Recorded 2 March 1837, L. Saunders, P.J. File 17, Doc 6 Results of family meeting "of the relations of Robert E. Ambrose, a minor child of Thomas W. B. Ambrose of the marriage with Jane Reams, of the Parish of E.F.", composed of Stephen Ambrose, J. N. Palmer, Harrison & Leonard Bradford, Malachi Bradford, David Reams, Henry Reams. In presence of John C. White, N.P., at the house of James Reams in E.F.P. Purpose is to rule on petition of Jane Ambrose, tutor of minor, asking for the sale of minor's property. Meeting decides to sell entire estate & "as the land and negros stand mortgaged to the Bank for about $600" they decide to sell the land to satisfy the mortgage. [all sign] Witnesses: L. S. Austin, James Chapman. Recorded 15 January 1838. L. Saunders, P.J. File 17, Doc 7 Petition of Jane Ambrose, surviving widow of Thomas W. B. Ambrose, dec., both of E.F.P., describe the following relations of her minor child, Robert E. Ambrose: Stephen Ambrose, uncle by blood; J. N. Palmer, uncle by marriage on the paternal side; Harrison Bradford, uncle by marriage on the maternal side; Leonard Bradford, Malachi Bradford, David Reams & Henry Reams, cousins. She asks a family meeting be called and deliberate on the possibility of selling the estate. [signed] Jame Ambrose, Tutrix. Accepting delivery of the petition [all sign]. Dated 25 November 1837 L. Saunders, P.J., allows family meeting to be called, 25 November 1837. File 17, Doc 8 Notes & receipts: July 30, 1842: Rec'd of James Reames, tutor for Robert E. Ambrose, $52.00 as a part for his support the present year; rec'd by us, Archibald Palmer, Jane Palmer. Rec'd of James Reames, tutor for Robert E. Ambrose, $100.00 for said Robert's support, 21 March 1843. A. Palmer, Jane Palmer. Feb. 23, 1838: Rec'd of James Reames, tutor for Robert E. Ambrose, $50.00 cash for his support the present year. Jane Palmer, Archibald Palmer. File 17, Doc 9 Bond of James Reams, principal, and James Cook Chapman, security, in amount of $4,546.25 for James Reams' tutorship of Robert E. Ambrose. 1 January 1838. [signed] James Reames, J. C. Chapman. Witnesses: John Morgan, Thos. J. Robins. Recorded 11 January 1838, L. Saunders, P.J. File 17, Doc 10 Oath of Jane Ambrose as natural tutrix "of her minor child Robert E. Ambrose" 25 April 1836. [signed] L. Saunders, P.J., Jane Ambrose. Oath of James Reams as undertutor to Robert E. Ambrose, the minor child of Thomas Ambrose, dec'd. 25 April 1836. [signed] L. Saunders, P.J., James Reames. File 17, Doc 11 Petition of James Reams, tutor, in the matter of the succession of Thomas W. B. Ambrose, dec'd. Stephen Ambrose, undertutor, comes into court and states that because James Reams filed a petition with the court on 18 March 1846 stating that he could not continue as tutor because "of age and infirmities", he asks that James Reames be removed from tutorship, "leaving the Settlement of his account which he has already filed in court in another case to be settled contradictorially with Stephen Ambrose" or whoever may be appointed to supply the place of said Reams". By his attys., Lawson & DeLee. Filed 19 July 1847, F. Hardesty, clerk. File 17, Doc 12 Bill: James Reames, tutor, vs. Stephen Ambrose To Sheriff Brown: 1844, July 12 To serving notice demand on defendant $2.50 1844, July 17 To retaining fi fa. $2.00 Total, $4.50 I believe the above fee bill is correct. March 18, 1845, W. D. Winter, atty for Jas. Reams, tutor. File 17, Doc 13 Rec'd [at] Clinton, 17 July 1844, of James Reames, tutor of Robert E. Ambrose, ten dollars in part payment of our fee in case of Jas. Reames, tutor vs. S. Ambrose for the balance of said fee to be settled on October next. [signed] Bullard & Mister[?] File 17, Doc 14 Petition of James Reames of E.F.P., undertutor to Robert E. Ambrose, minor child of Thos. W. B. Ambrose, late dec'd, says that after the death of Ambrose, his surviving wife and mother of the minor, Jane Ambrose, was made tutrix and James Reams made undertutor of the minor. Jane Ambrose has since married, and a family meeting has been assembled by her to retain her in the tutorship of the child, and that the family refused, as will be seen in their deliberations. James Reames states he is the grandfather of the minor, and an undertutor appointed. Reames recommends Stephen Ambrose, uncle of the minors, as a suitable undertutor. [signed] James Reames, undertutor. [on reverse] Judge orders that, after giving oath and bond, James Reames be appointed tutor, and [blank] be appointed undertutor. 1 Jan 1838, L. Saunders, P.J. File 17, Doc 15 List of questions to be asked of Harrison Bradford by George C. Comstock, J.P., concerning the suit "Stephen Ambrose, undertutor, vs. James Rheams, tutor": 1st Are you or are you not acquainted with the parties, plantiff and defendant in this suit? 2nd Do you know anything in reference to the tutor James Reams hiring out the negroes belonging to the succession of Thos. W. B. Ambrose, dec'd, and renting the land belonging to said succession? If so, state the time and the amount of such hiring, and the year or years when said transaction took place and to whom he hired or rented the aforesaid property if the same was hired or rented. 3rd If you know anything more that will benefit the plaintiff in this suit, state it as if you were interrogated directly thereto. [signed] A. W. DeLee, atty for plantiff. Filed November 11, 1847, F. Hardesty, Clerk. A true copy, November 22, 1847, R. W. Patrick, Deputy Clerk. File 17, Doc 16 Order to George C. Comstock, J.P., to ask Harrison Bradford the questions listed in Doc 15. [signed] Thornton Lawson, P.J. 24 November 1847, R. W. Patrick, Deputy Clerk. File 17, Doc 17 List of questions, copy of #15. [on reverse] I certify that I, this day, in compliance with an order contained in the within commission, proceeded to the Residence of Harrison Bradford and found the said Bradford "to sick and low" to answer questions. G. C. Comstock, J.P., 25 November 1847 File 17, Doc 18 Petition of Stephen Ambrose of E.F.P. to the East Feliciana Parish Judge: he sues as undertutor of minor, Robert Ambrose, who resides in E.F.P. He states that on 3 March 1837, the property belonging to the estate of Mrs. Martha Wilson, dec'd, was sold by the probate court for $2,981.50 and Robert Ambrose was the "sole heir" of the estate. Also states that on 3 January 1838 the estate of Thomas W. Ambrose was also sold for $4,106.00 and Robert Ambrose was entitled to 1/4 of that estate. Also states that James Reams of E.F. is tutor to Robert Ambrose and has "undisturbed charge" of Robert's share of Mrs. Martha Wilson and Thomas W. Ambrose's estate. Also states that "a long time has elapsed" since James Reams became tutor, and Stephen Ambrose wants him to account for how he has administrated the interests of the minor. James C. Chapman was accepted as security on the bond of James Reams as tutor, but has "since died insolvent" and a new security is needed. By his Atty., John E. King. [on reverse] Ordered that James Reams file his account and give new security in place of James Cook Chapman. [signed] L. Saunders, P.J., 27 March 1846. File 17, Doc 19 [handwriting very bad; ink bleeding through paper] Copy of questions, from #15. [signed] Augst. DeLee, Atty. for plantiff [on reverse] Stephen Ambrose comes into court and states after being sworn that Harrison Bradford, a material witness in his suit, "is sick and unable to attend the trial". Also states that Bradford is "infirm in health and as your deponent [Ambrose] verily believes, of an incurable sickness." [signed] Stephen Ambrose, 11 November 1847, F. Hardesty, Clk. Nov. 13, 1847 I have this day served a certified copy of the above to James Reams by delivering the same to his atty., E. Merrick, in the Parish of E.F. [signed] W. T. D. Pettis, Sheriff. File 17, Doc 20 Answer of James Reams, resident of E.F.P., tutor to Robert E. Ambrose, minor child of Thomas W. B. Ambrose, also of E.F.P., to the petition of Stephen Ambrose, undertutor to minor, requesting an account of his tutorship and new security, states that Stephen Ambrose's petition misrepresents the minor's estate in this way: Robert E. Ambrose was an heir to only part of the estate of Mrs. Martha Wilson, amounting to $773.13 only, which was set apart for the minor in the bond of Stephen Ambrose, undertutor. Robert E. Ambrose was the sole heir to the estate of Thomas W. B. Ambrose which was sold for the sum of $4,116.00, liable to some debts. He offers Lewis Austin as new security. [signed] James Reams, tutor. Filed 27 March 1846, L. Saunders, P.J. File 17, Doc 21 Testimony taken in suit J. Reams vs. Ambrose: Harrison Bradford, sworn, says he is well acquainted with James Reams; says he is his son-in-law; he has known him for 12 or 14 years; has heard him say he was 60 or 70 years old; says Mr. Reams has been infirm for some time past, and from these infirmities should [one word illegible] doubt him incapable of attending to business; at times for some time back, he has been confined to his house & yard, but thinks his health for this summer has rather improved. For the last two winters, & springs he has been unwell, and confined pretty much to his house; and for the last two years, when taking cold, his lungs have been affected, and he spit blood a little. A severe cold generally affects his lungs. Witness lives in sight of him, say a quarter or half mile off from him. Witness has thought that from old age and its infirmities, Mr. Reams was forgetful. His mind has been affected in this way, witness thinks; Witness thinks his mind was affected for the reason that last spring a [one word illegible] for the first time, he discovered that Mr. Reams would state a circumstance, and in a very short time would state the same thing again; and in this witness would not be understood as saying, that he [was] doubtful the old man was void of sence. Cross-examination: Witness says Mr. Reams lives about 10 or 11 miles from the courthouse; according to witness' understanding, this Mr. Ambrose is the same against whom judgement was recorded yesterday at the suit of Reams, tutor. Witness says the father of the minor was witness' nephew; Witness's wife is a sister of the mother of the minor. Mr. Reams is the minor's grandfather. In reference to the ability of the old man to go out and attend to business, does not think he could do it, but in regard to his management thinks he is still competent to act as the good father to a family. With reference to what witness knows of his management of his place, is a very careful man; is not extravagent but frugal and attends to business. Thinks from his knowledge of Reams he is capable of managing his own business which is a small one. Says he supposes the estate of the minor to consist of notes & obligations; witness is one of the debtors, Reams himself, and Stephen Ambrose another, and all the debtors that witness knows of lives within 10 miles of Reams; Ambrose lives about 2 miles from him. Witness says for himself, Reams is a man in whom he places confidence, and he says that the reputation of Reams is good; and as a Christian & man, stands high. Says the minor is 10 or 12 years; supposed to live in Mississippi with his mother. By defendant--Says Stephen Ambrose, the undertutor, is uncle of the minor. By the court--Considers Mr. Reams' constitution good at present but delicate; and at present is in delicate health and the old man complains a good deal [one line illegible]. Reams has twice [one word illegible] that he has an affliction of the kidneys; has been a general compaint for years; thought he has not heard him complain within the last month. By defendant--Witness has heard the old man say that he was not able to attend to his own business, much less anybody else's; but this was at a time when his health was worse than it is now. H. H. Hayes [Haynes?] sworn, says: He is well acquainted with Mr. Reams and has been since 1842 or 43; has attended him several times as a physician, once for inflamation of the kidneys and once for an attack of pleurisy. This occurred about two years ago in 1844 or 45; he was severely affected with his attack of inflamation of the kidneys; during this attack he was incapable of attending to his business; very few would be. Says the attack of the kidneys lasted about 10 weeks before he entirely recovered; [one word illegible] before he was able to go about. Thinks from the age of Mr. Reams and his infirm health that he is incapable of giving that attention to business that a good manager would give to it; says his health generally is feeble & infirm; witness says that from information derived from Reams he has had several attacks of pleurisy and is still laboring under the effects; and thinks his afflictions of the kidney is of a chronic character. And those afflictions of the kidneys are old disease of a chronic character and better at times than at others, and are apt to advance rapidly as age increases. By defendant--I am acquainted with the [one word illegible] of Mr. Reams. It is good. Some better than witness knows of. As good as any man's. Is not sufficiently intimate with him to say, but thinks from his knowledge that Reams' mind has not been affected in any degree. When witness before spoke of the older man's incapacity from the state of his health to attend to his business, he meant that of business opportunity to his farm. Witness thinks Reams has not the capacity ot attending to the busines appertaining to business; but the state of his health would incapacitate him from attending to business. Has been called upon to attend Reams for the last 18 months sometimes longer. Has not seen him often for the last 6 weeks; was last winter quite feeble; thinks from his appearance now in court his health has much improvement since last winter. Plaintiff closed. Defendant offers, Suit 132, Reams vs. Ambrose: W. D. Winter, sworn, says he has acted as Atty. for the tutor in 1844. In his intercourse with witness he appeared too absent; capable mentally of attending to the interest of his ward. Especially as to the fee which witness wanted. I have had subsequent intercourse with Reams as Atty. after the noto was taken in Suit 132, Reams vs. Ambrose, and interest for a few days afterward. Closed. August 4, 1847, F. Hardesty, Clerk. File 17, Doc 22 Petition to Judge L. Saunders, from Jane Ambrose of E.F.P., states: She is surviving widow of Thomas Ambrose, late of E.F.P. Deceased left estate of real and personal property, and one child: Robert E. Ambrose of the marriage with petitioner. She states no inventory has been made and the child is without tutor. Widow asks that inventory be made and she be appointed tutor and an undertutor be appointed. [signed] Jane Ambrose. [on reverse] Jane Ambrose confirmed as tutor, James Reams appointed undertutor. [signed] L. Saunders, P.J., 14 June 1836. Inventory ordered 25 April 1836. File 17, Doc 23 Bill for legal work of John C. White, $34.75. Paid by James Reams, tutor, 1840. (for 1834 and 1836). File 17, Doc 24 Stephen Ambrose and L. G. Bradford are ordered to appear at the office of the Parish Judge in Clinton at noon on 23 March 1846, for a family meeting concerning the affairs of the succession of Thomas W. B. Ambrose, dec'd. Date 18 March 1846, [signed] L. Saunders, P.J. File 17, Doc 25 Receipt: May 15, 1844 James Reams, tutor of Robert E. Ambrose, paid Archibald and Jane Palmer $55.00 for the support of the minor. File 17, Doc 26 19 March 1846 W. Pettis, Sheriff, served a copy of the summons on Stephen Ambrose by giving it to him. He also served a copy on Leonard G. Bradford by leaving a copy at his residence in E.F.P. with his wife Elizabeth Bradford "a white person over the age of 14 years and living at said residence, the said L. G. Bradford being absent." File 17, Doc 27 Petition to L. Saunders, E.F.P.J., from James Reams of E.F.P.: States that he is tutor to Robert E. Ambrose, but has become infirm and is "incapable of attending to his business" and desires to be discharged and someone else appointed. The minor has the following relations: James W. Reams, Harrison Bradford, Lewis S. Austin, Leonard M. Bradford, and Leonard G. Bradford, uncle, of East Baton Rouge. Stephen Ambrose of E.F.P. is undertutor. Petitioner requests that he be allowed to settle his account and be discharged. [signed] James Reams All except Leonard G. Bradford sign as accepting a copy of the petition, and agree to meet at the P.J.'s office in Clinton on 23 March 1846, at 12 noon. File 17, Doc 28 James Reams, tutor, in the matter of the succession of T. W. B. Ambrose, dec'd, Probate Court #2513, East Feliciana Parish: Stephen Ambrose states that he is the nearest kin (paternal uncle) and most qualified person to be tutor to Robert E. Ambrose. Says James Reams, minor's grandfather, has been acting as tutor, but has now withdrawn. He asks that he be appointed tutor and that an undertutor be appointed. [signed] John Morgan, Atty. Response of W. D. Bayles, Judge of the 7th Judicial District: States that James Reams has come into court and state his health has improved and he is willing to continue as tutor. Therefore, Stephen Ambrose's request is denied and the costs of the suit paid out of the estate of the minor. 4 August 1847. File 17, Doc 29 Foster Bradford of East Baton Rouge Parish is commanded to appear as in Doc 24, 18 March 1846. Foster Bradford accepts service, 19 March 1846. File 17, Doc 30 Receipt: 25 August 1836; James Reams pd. J. C. White $9.00, balance in full from the estate of Thos. W. B. Ambrose. Receipt: Clinton, 26 November 1844; James Reams pd. "Bullard & Winter" $20.00 for legal work in the case "James Reams, tutor, vs. Stephen Ambrose". Reciept: 6 May 1845: James Reams pd. $5.00 to W. W. Chapman (Deputy Parish Tax Collector) for Jury Tax Fee in the suit as listed above. Reciept: 19 February 1841: James Reams pd. Archibald & Jane Palmer $80.50 for the support of R. E. Ambrose. Receipt: 11 April 1841: James Reams pd. Archibald & Jane Palmer $65.00 for the support of R. E. Ambrose "for the present year". Reciept: 2 December 1841: James Reams pd. Archibald & Jane Palmer $25.00 for the support of R. E. Ambrose. Receipt: 13 March 1846: James Reams pd. Archibald Palmer "the Interest on the note given by my Self and Adam Palmer, ...$303.12, in part payment for the maintenance and support of the minor Robert E. Ambrose." File 17, Doc 31 Detailed accounting of Jane Reams of the financial condition of the estate of T. W. B. Ambrose, dec'd. File 17, Doc 32 Petition of Jane P. Palmer and of Lewis S. Austin, administrator of Archibald Palmer, dec'd: Shows that Archibald D. Palmer and Jane P. Palmer were appointed curators of Robert E. Ambrose, then a minor, the child of petitioner by her first husband, Thomas W. B. Ambrose. No settlement has ever been made with the minor by his curators. Archibald Palmer, now dec'd, received large sums of money on account of the minor, the interest of which was consumed in the support of the minor. They give detailed account of their cotutorship and request that a copy be sent to Robert E. Ambrose "of East Baton Rouge Parish" and that the account be made final. By McVey & Hunter, Attys. [on reverse] Robert E. Ambrose examines account and finds it correct, 1 September 1860. File 17, Doc 33 Citation to Robert E. Ambrose of E.B.R.P., on petition of Jane P. Palmer and Lewis S. Austin, from John McVey, Judge of the 7th Judicial District, 5 July 1860. J. M. Boyle, Deputy Clerk. [on reverse] I served petition by leaving it at the house of Foster Bradford about 14 miles from the city of Baton Rouge. [signed] W. Babin, Sheriff. File 17, Doc 34 Inventory of the estate of Thomas W. B. Ambrose, 3 February 1838, by L. Saunders, P.J., assisted by James Cook Cook Chapman [sic] and Joseph Fuqua, appraisers, at the last residence of the deceased. Witnesses: C. Black and Stephen Ambrose. Estate consists of: 211 acres, the homestead place, fronting on Redwood Creek & bounded N by L. Bradford, S by H. Bradford, $8.00 per acre. Slaves & cattle, no other property. 3 Februrary 1838 [all sign]. No further transcription done.