I found another document mentioning James P. Cook(son of Wm C & Elizabeth Putman Cook). The file that contains the document is labeled Hugh Clawson. Hugh was the 1st husband of James P Cook's stepdaughter, Tennessee "Tennie" Ferguson. I've written about Tennie many times in the last few years. These documents exist because Hugh needed a guardian to give permission to marry since he was not yet 21 and had no living parents. Since he was over 14, he was allowed to choose his guardian and he chose C.M. Duncan. James P. Cook signed the bond with C. M Duncan. Hugh and Tennie married the next day. In January of 1886, Tennie filed for and was granted a divorce from Hugh on the grounds of desertion.
Franklin Co Arkansas Probate Court Records 1835-1958
Clawson, Hugh minor 1881 3 papershttps://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-99W3-GZ19
IGN 7117451 Image 744-49 of 2050
Image 744: Folder Clawson, Hugh minor 1881 3 papers
Image 745: Application: In the Franklin Probate Court
To Hon A E Cope Probate Judge of Franklin Co
Your Petitioner Hugh Clawson
would respectfully represent unto your honor
that he is a minor under the age of
twenty-one years being at this time twenty
years old,. that he has no father or mother
now living that he has any knowledge of and
had no property either real or personal.
He further states that he has no guardian
and desires that your honor may op-
point one for him and being over the age
of fourteen years and entitled under the law
to select his own guardian, he has therefore
chosen C.M. Duncan of Franklin County
Arkansas and prays that your honor
will appoint him his guardian until
he arrives at his majority or until he
may marry and he will ever pray etc.
Hugh Clawson
Sworn and subscribed to before me this
14th day of Nov 1881
J. O Alston clk
IGN 7117451 Image 744-49 of 2050
Image 744: Folder Clawson, Hugh minor 1881 3 papers
Image 745: Application: In the Franklin Probate Court
To Hon A E Cope Probate Judge of Franklin Co
Your Petitioner Hugh Clawson
would respectfully represent unto your honor
that he is a minor under the age of
twenty-one years being at this time twenty
years old,. that he has no father or mother
now living that he has any knowledge of and
had no property either real or personal.
He further states that he has no guardian
and desires that your honor may op-
point one for him and being over the age
of fourteen years and entitled under the law
to select his own guardian, he has therefore
chosen C.M. Duncan of Franklin County
Arkansas and prays that your honor
will appoint him his guardian until
he arrives at his majority or until he
may marry and he will ever pray etc.
Hugh Clawson
Sworn and subscribed to before me this
14th day of Nov 1881
J. O Alston clk
Image 746: Application of Hugh Clawson to have C M Duncan appointed Guardian Filed Nov 14th 1881 J O Alston clk Granted Feby term 1882
Image 747: Guardian Bond: State of Arkansas County of Franklin C. M. Duncan appointed Guardian Approved Nov 14th 1881 J. O. Alston Jas. P Cook listed/
Image 748: Back of Guardian Bond-- C.M. Duncan Guardian for Hugh Clawson
Bond
Filed Nov 14th, 1881 J. O. Alston Clk
for marriage license
recorded
Approved Feb Term 1882 A E Cope Judge
