Kittura Ann Walterhouse
Kittura Ann Walterhouse was the daughter of Philip Benjamin Walterhouse and his wife Laura Jane Mapes.
Philip married Laura March 28 1861 in Henry Co. OH. Probate court records state that as of the last day of March 1863 Kittura Ann was one year old. Her birth date would then be the last of March 1862 which is stated later in these court records.
On the 19th of August 1861 Philip enlisted in Company B of the 38th Ohio to serve for three years. He was injured while acting as a teamster and was discharged 18 April 1862.
Adoption papers filed in Hancock Co. OH court on behalf of Charles H. Long and his wife Mary state that the minor child Kittura Ann Walterhouse is the daughter of P. B. Walterhouse and Laura Jane Walterhouse. The document further states "That said husband and father has wholly abandoned said child and its mother; that the mother of said child is unable (illegible word) to bring up said child and educate it properly and your petitioners represent that they are desirous of adopting said child and are able to bring up and educate said child in a proper manner and care for it in all respects as a natural parent ought to do".
And further: "I, Laura Jane Walterhouse, mother of the above named child hereby consent and agree that said Charles H and Mary Long shall adopt my said child according to the statute in such cases make no (illegible word)". Signed by Laura Jane Mapes. And with that, Kittura became the legally adopted child of the Longs.
On 17 October 1877 an administrators bond was issued to administer the estate of Laura Walterhouse formerly Mapes. Ezra Brown, in his letter of application, stated that "the said Laura Waterhouse more than seven years last past left the state of Ohio her usual place of residence since which time she has not being heard from. And further that there now exists in said county of Hancock and State of Ohio property consisting of real estate amounting to the sum of $ (blank). Also personal estate amounting to the sum of four hundred and seventy 25/100 dollars all of which belong to the estate of the said Laura Waterhouse as above set forth". The estate was settled in November 1878 and the amount passed on to "Catura A. Long" was $404.65 which was accepted by "Edson Go--- Guardian for Catura A. Long". She would have been 16 at this time.