Hello everyone This is a reply to the request for help on deciphering handwritten document. If after reading and you have any input that might help the understanding of what happened to this child and why; please feel free to add you thoughts. Hi Barbara, Sure hope this helps. Started at the top of page of largest scanned copy. As you will see there were three words that I could not get. The underlined words are words that you did not know or had left out with your post to the website. I have not changed the spelling it is as written< to the best of my knowledge> "Starts Here" (Unknown number at edge of page not copied) ??24 Fifth Day / Oct ??/ October 21 st 18(5)3 (this is defiantly a Five. The enlargement of this section was the deciding factor for me between a three and five. And Court adjournment until Tomorrow morning at (9 O'clock) signed Amos Loving Friday Morning Oct. 21 1853 Court met pursuant to adjournment Present (Honb.) Honorable Amos Loving Judge of Said Court. "????" (this word is not known) In the matter of the Estate of Martha Hardwick infant daughter of Edmond Hardwick= Elisha G. English by P.H. Jewett Esq. (Esquire) Summits a written statement of her property and Says she has "neither" (you had "written") Real or personal property~ and on application of E. G. English he is appointed guardian of this person of Said Martha. Who entered into Bond in the sum of one hundred dollars with P. H. Jewett his surety. Conditioned According to Law. Where upon Letters of guardianship are issued to him and he has duly Sworn in afore Court (his ??? Bond Oath, etal ~~~ ("That's all") Barbara, as I read and understand this court order is; that "Infant" (a child under the age of 12 in most instances, some times 21) Martha Hardwick parents have both died and that she has entered into a "BOND" with P. H. Jewett for the sum of one hundred dollars "HIS SURITY". It would seem that having no property to sell to settle the debts of her parent Edmond Hardwick to Elisha G. English, she was "Bonded" to Elisha G. English and the court ordered him guardianship of Martha Hardwick, to be carried out according to the Laws of the state at that time. I have Hardwick's in my family line, I need to check out your names against my files. Let me know what you think. Lorraine