To all whom these Presents shall come Greeting know ye that whereas William A. Skaggs has on this day by the Clerk of the Court of Probate in and for said County of Newton been appointed Guardian of Nancy--- Harp, Salina Harp and William Harp, Minors under the age of 16 years by his entering into Bond to said minors in the sum of Five__ Hundred, and whereas the said William A. Skaggs has this day filed his bond in such sums to said minors which said bond stands approved by the Court of Probate in and for said County.

Now therefore He the said William A. Skaggs is hereby authorized and empowered to colect and receive all moneys, property, and effects that now are, or, hereafter may become due to said wards, to do and perform all and singular the duties --- upon him as such guardian by law, or that may be enjoined upon him by the lawful order, sentence or decree of any Court having Competent Jurisdiction.

In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto signed my name, and affixed the seal of the court and probate court file and for said county at office in the town of Jasper this 28th day of September A.D. 1868.
T. Harris clerk

A. Baker deputy clerk

State of Arkansas

County of Newton

I William A. Skaggs of Newton County State of Arkansas and guardian for the minor heirs of Elijah Harp, Dec'd who was a private in Co. K, 1st Regiment, Ark. Infantry Volunteers & who was killed in Newton County Arkansas on the 15th September 1864 } Being first duly sworn according to law State that I am the guardian of the brothers and sisters who are minors---- of the said Elijah Harp & who are his heirs. And that to my certain knowledge that said minors heirs for whom I am the guardian was not possessed of any property nor resources of no kind whatever at the death of their brother Elijah as aforesaid. Every thing they the minors or parents had, had been seized by the enemy & was used or destroyed. And they --- after the time of the death of their father & brother Elijah. They still had no means of living But was cared for as best could be done by the Scanty--- means of their mother Susan. "That she could beg from the neighbors who themselves had almost nothing } and after their mothers death they have been living about amongst neighbors and their acquaintances and having quite a hard time of it to live and scarce any clothing.

The age of their father William Harp according to the best information that I could get was about 46 or 50 years old at the date of his death which occurred on the 15th September 1864. Having that day been killed by the Rebell Enemy and was thus cut off from life. And his son Elijah Being also killed by the enemy left no one to work or make contribution for the minors who are brothers, sisters of said Elijah. The occupation of the father was that of a farmer and up to the date of his death his health was as good as most of men of his age. He had no Physician at his death he being killed. The age of the deceased soldier Elijah Harp was about 21 years of age, he always lived at home with his father and mother, brothers and sisters } until about 1st May 1863 when he enlisted in the service of the United States and was the main help to carry on the farming operations whereby the whole family procured their living. His occupation was that of a farmer and his earnings was fully eight dollar per month on producing and raising Bread, meat & vegetables used by the parents & the minors children his brothers & sisters. The Minors did not receive no allottments, Bounty, nor any other money from their brother Elijah at the time of his enlistment. They may have received some afterwards but of this I cannot say. One thing I do know that is these minors for whom I am the guardian for the want of means having lost both parents and their elder brother Elijah are now yet suffering for want of that support that they would have undoubtedly received had they not had the misfortune to have lost their elder brother Elijah Harp. My post office address is Jasper, Arkansas.
W.A. Skaggs
Attest:
John Murphy

State of Arkansas
County of Newton

This day come before me the undersigned clerk of Newton County Ark., William A. Skaggs who was duly sworn according to law ---- signed the same in my presence. That I have no interest in the above claim.
In testimony whereof I have hereto set my name and seal of Office this 3rd day of April 1871

A.B. Phillips clerk

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