BANKRUPTCY OF AMBROSE E. GEOGHEGAN
1872

How did Ambrose Edward Geoghegan, who was a very well know Doctor go bankrupt? This was something I could not understand until I investigated further.

My first problem with Ambrose Edward came when I notice no mention of him being buried anywhere in Hardin or Jefferson County. This man was a prominent doctor who apparently had a good practice going. He even made his own medicine which even he could not keep up with the demand. I should mention that if a person is buried and has no tombstone, then the possibility of a record of his burial might be nonexistence. That seemed to be the case with Ambrose Edward.

I made the first connection when I found out that two young men took him to court by the name of John G. Hilson and George Silas Hilson. These two men are the sons of Ambrose Edwards sister. Sarah Elizabeth Geoghegan who married George W. Hilson seen elsewhere in this book. As it happened, both Sarah and her husband George W. Hilson died in Mississippi within two weeks of each other in the year 1847. Ambrose Edward Geoghegan was named as guardian of both children. As guardian, Ambrose E. was given a certain sum of money as the children’s inheritance until they reach the age of 21.

As it would happen. Ambrose E. could not account for all of the money he spent on their behalf. In the resulting court case, most of the receipts that Ambrose Edward produced was accordingly rejected. Thus with no proof of how he spent the money, he had to give that sum of it back. However, Ambrose E. did not have enough money to do that. One of the things he tried to do was give a portion of his land to one of the children as payment, but at a substantial increase of its true value. This however was ruled against Ambrose and the value was adjusted to the proper worth of the land. In another bid of Ambrose to block the taking of his land, he proceeded to sell it to a relative. If he didn't own it.they couldn't take it. The court rule against Ambrose however.and took it anyway.

On the 30th of January 1872. Ambrose Edward Geogheqan was judged as bankrupt in the United States Circuit Court in Louisville, Kentucky. At this, all of his belongings were sold to pay his debts. This being the case. Ambrose had no money at the time of his death, so the county buried him in the county cemetery without a tombstone, therefore no record of his death.

During research of old Jefferson County death records, I did discover the deaths recorded for Ambrose and his wife Lydia and the mention of them being buried in Cavehill cemetery in Louisville, Kentucky. Further research determined the exact location of the graves. This information can he found in the Chapter on graves.

Lydia A. Geoghegan died of "brain fever" after a ten-week illness and is buried in an unmarked grave in Cavehill Cemetery. Ambrose Edward Geoghegan died of "apoplexy" after an illness of 12 days. He too is buried in Cavehill cemetery in an unmarked grave.

Additional Court Records:

As presiding Judge of the Hardin County Court I have made the following settlement with Dr. A.E. Geoghegan as guardian for George S. Hillson, infant son of George W. Hillson dec’d, the said ward is now of age. The said guardian first entered as such in the state of Mississippi, Warren County, and subsequently was qualified as guardian of said ward in this county & State. (A.E. Geoghegan must of had to go to Mississippi to pick up the children after the parents death) I have nothing to guide me in this settlement as to the amount received by said Guardian except his statements and a recorded paper in the Hardin County Court Clerks office. This recorded paper shows and is the statement of the guardian that there came into his hands on the 27th day of November 1858 the sum of $21,711.77, one half of which is due to this ward. I therefore charge the said guardian with $10,855.88 being this wards half. I have compounded interest every 2 years.

Dr A. E. Geoghegan to Geo S. Hillson, his ward: