Individual Details

In 1870, Elenor was living with her son Evan.
1870 Census. Buena Vista, Newton, Jasper Co Iowa
Evan Adamson, age 55, b. TN Betsy, age 51, b. NC
Clarinda, 25, b. MO. Elizabeth, 17, b. Iowa
Evan, 22, b. MO.
Martha E., 14, b. Iowa
Ellen Adamson, age 78, b. Tenn.

I received a copy of her estate file from Jasper Co, Iowa.

10 Jun 1871, Enos Adamson petitioned the court to have a guardian appointed for Eleanor Adamson, stating that she had personal property requiring care and by reason of her great age, 70 years [on Aug of the same year her age was stated to be 79] she is not competent to manage her property. He asked that Thomas Arthur be appointed. After hearing the evidence, the court ordered Thomas Arthur appointed her guardian.
July 1871. Case Thomas Arthur vs. Eleanor Adamson. Eleanor objected saying that she was able to care for her property and that should a Guardian be necessary she demands the right to choose.
17 Aug 1871 Hearing on the guardianship. Conclusions of the court were that Elenor, at age 79, her memory was almost entirely gone and she little if any idea of the condition or amount of her property. She was illitereate and not capable of working calculations. In selecting assistants in aiding her to take care of her property she has exhibed prudence and ability to entitle her to manage her own affairs thus far. Her increasing infirmity and present condiditon of her property are such that would not be able to take proper care. Eleanor Adamson being present joined in a request for a guardian. "Elener Adamson is a person of unsound mind by reason only of the infirmity of al age and a guardian ought to be appointed to take charge." She nominated and selected Aaron Hinshaw as guardian. The appointment of Thomas Arthur was cancelled and Aaron Hinshaw hereby appointed guardian of Eleanor Adamson.
A copy of Abraham's inventory is included - presumably to show what property she actually had and what debts were still owing to her.

Reports were filed regularly by A. T. Hinshaw, showing payments for her taxes, for her individual use, and for room & board with various of her children - Evan, Benjamin, and Nathan Ballard [daughter Rachel's husband]

10 Jan 1872, Even Adamson was paid a total of $274.85 by Hinshaw for board for Eleanor for three and a half years, also a note to Aaron Hammer dated 17 Jun 1870 for $200 payable in three years, and a claim of $42 for repairing an outhouse.
On 12 Jan 1872, Nathan S. Ballard received $86 for her board for eighteen months inluding a doctor bill and hired girl's fees. Benjamin received $57.80 for board for Eleanor from 15 Jan 1872 - 2 Nov 1872 and another $25 for her board from 1 Nov 1872 until 1 Feb 1873.

Eleanor did write a will. It was dated 17 Aug 1871, the same day as the above hearing regarding her guardianship. She left her son Enos $5 only and everything else divided equally among her other nine children, Evan, John, Benjamin, Henry, Elisha, Lewis, Ira, Elizabeth Hodson, & Rachel Ballard. Aaron T. Hinshaw was appointed Executor. "Elanor" signed with her mark.

On 16 Jun 1875, Enos Adamson made a formal objection to the Will, stating that she was not of sound mind and capacity sufficient to make a will. She was very old, infirm and childish. She was under the influence of others of the heirs, particularly Ira Adamson who persuaded her by reason of her weakness to make the will. The will was apparently disregarded because when the property was divided it was divided equally among the nine living children including Enos, and a equal share to the heirs of son John, deceased.

6 Jul 1875, A. T. Hinshaw was appointed Administrator of Eleanor's estate. Her date of death stated as March, 1875. Heirs at law and their places of residence were Evan Adamson, Newton. Heirs of John Adamson, dec'd - Priscilla Adamson, widow, and children Riley, Jane & Elizabeth - of Delaware Co, Indiana. Benjamin Adamson, Newton. Elizabeth Hodson and Enos Adamson of Jasper Co Iowa.
Lewis Adamson of Kansas. Henry Adamson of Jasper Co. Ira Adamson of Newton, Iowa. Elisha Adamson of Cass Co, Iowa, and Rachel Ballard of Newton.

There were three separate distributions to the heirs. Early in 1876, all but the heirs of John receive $30 each. In June, they all recived another $70 each.
30 Sep 1876, A T. Hinshaw reported to the Court that he had collected all the assets of the Estate and paid all claims. He had made partial distribution and there was no further business. He would like to make final distribution to the heirs and be discharged. A final payment of $27.40 was made to each of the nine living children, and $127.40 was received by Henry Adamson, as Administrator of the Estate of his brother John, dec'd.

Some the bills paid included one to H. E. Hunter [same doctor that attended Abraham] for 10 visits from Jan 24 to Feb 21. On 2 Mar 1875, Hinshaw was billed $25 for a Coffin Box. Nathan Ballard had died - one of the reports showed Nathan Ballard's "widow" - and Rachel received $70 for the "care necessary during the last sickness of said Eleanor Adamson being about 7 weeks of time, paid 14 Jan 1876.

Birth	Abt 1792	Tennessee
Marriage	29 Jun 1812	Jefferson County, Tennessee - Abraham ADAMSON
Death	7 May 1875	Jasper County, Iowa
Burial		Adamson Grove Pioneer Cemetery, Jasper County, Iowa

Spouse	Abraham ADAMSON (1790 - 1863)
Child	Evan ADAMSON (1808 - 1899)
Child	John ADAMSON (1815 - 1875)
Child	Benjamin ADAMSON (1817 - 1900)
Child	Elizabeth ADAMSON (1819 - )
Child	Enos ADAMSON (1822 - 1901)
Child	Lewis ADAMSON (1822 - )
Child	Henry ADAMSON (1826 - 1910)
Child	Ira ADAMSON (1829 - )
Child	Elisha ADAMSON (1831 - 1925)
Child	Rachel ADAMSON (1834 - )