Dr. John Steele asks to be discharged from his duties as guardian of Joseph Hobson. He asserts that he was appointed guardian of his ward in 1855. Steele states that "at the commencement of his guardianship the estate of his ward consisted of about 25 slaves, a tract of about 225 acres of land, stock, farming, utensils &c, with but very little cash assets." He recounts that, "there not being tillable land sufficient for the slaves to be profitably employed on it," he hired out the slaves for the last time in 1863; that "he carried on the farm in 1863 & 1864 making but a light crop each year -- that in 1865 the slaves having been emancipated, a small crop was made on the farm" and that the "crop of 1865 was raised by the Freedmen and they are entitled one fourth of the proceeds when sold." Steele reports that "the assets of his wards estate now in his hands amounts to about $6130.00," consisting of gold, bank notes, and "Greenbacks." He attests that "his ward is now about 16 years old, and is not disposed to be advised by him and will go to school only when & where he pleases." Of the belief that "perhaps someother guardian could have more influence over him," Steele prays that he "be permitted to resign said trust, and be discharged from the responsibilities of the same."
Result: Granted.
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Repository: Tennessee State Library and Archives, Nashville, Tennessee
