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1911
The death of his brother, Dr. Ernest Sargent Pillsbury and his wife, Sylvia Ball Pillsbury, changed the course of AC's life in multiple ways.  The Pillsbury Family has participated in the social justice movement of the last century, working for the education of women, women's rights, Abolition, and other issues which were born from the Transcendental Movement.  From his mother, Dr. Harriet Foster Pillsbury, AC also inherited an awareness of the hazards which rear their hears when those in control of government are motivated by Greed.  Harried was a descendant of nine of the survivors of the Salem Witch Craft Trials, a use of asset forfeiture  entirely unrelated to the guilt of those accused.  

This section of the Time Line provides the action relating to the probate of the estate of Dr. Ernest and his wife, Sylvia, who died intestate.  It is lengthy but well worth study to understand the world which AC confronted.  


Galen Clark memorial seat built in his memory by the Army. At the close of his life, Fiske liked to hike over to the foot of Yosemite Falls and sit on the concrete bench built in memory of his old friend.  

​April 
17 - 11 Letter from AC, on stationary, to Major Wm. W. Forsythe, in Yosemite Cal.
He is sending a check for $300 explaining it is late because business has been poor. In a postecript he hays he expects to be in the first of the next week.  

​May 
13 - AC Corresp. on stationary. To Major Wm. Forsythe, Yosemite, Cal.
Dear Sir: - 
I find I will be unable to return to the Valley as soon as I expected so I wish to ask your permission to have the roof of our studio stained with the same green stain being used by Mr. Salter and others in the Valley. I presume you will have no objection to this and will proceed to do same at once unless the studio is notified to the contrary.
Am sending you a new print just made of the Tenaya Canyon taken from a point slightly below your trail, near Snow Creek Falls, This shows, “Quarter Domes” on Cloud’s Rest and is, I think, quit interesting of that very wild section. As soon as I return to the Valley I intend to fo over the trail and make a complete set of views.  
Thanking you for past favors, I am, 
Yours very respectfully, 
AC Pillsbury 
(this is stamped as received on the 17th)

June 
27 - John Muir chooses Pillsbury's photos for his soon to be published book, "The Yosemite."


 September
3 - ES & SFB die in auto accident in Los Angeles.
​9 - Placer Herald - article on the front page about the accident. ``Killed in Auto, Two former Auburn Residents meet accidental death." (see documents file)

​11 - Petition for Letter of Administration - By Samuel N. Ball, her brother.  

​14 - Petition for Letters of Administration. A.C. Pillsbury filed a petition for administration. Listing of assets and arguments. Signed, September 12, 1911.

​15 - Notice of Application for Letters of Administration. By A.C. Pillsbury. To be heard on September 27, 1911 at 2 p.m.

​15 - Notice of Application for Letters of Administration PROOF OF POSTING - Samuel Ball for estate of Sylvia Florance Ball Pillsbury.

​26 - Affidavit of Sadie Series as to the time of death of E.S. Pillsbury and Sylvia Florance Pillsbury.

​26 - Affidavit of Estella Atha as to time of death of E.S. Pillsbury and Sylvia Florance Pillsbury.

​26 - Affidavit of Frank M. Atha as to time of death of E.S. Pillsbury and Sylvia Florance Pillsbury.

October
​9 - Petition for Letters of Administration - By the Title Insurance & Trust Co. Some details on estate. No argument for their appointment, which seems to have been a foregone conclusion.
​10 - The children of ES & SFB are taken to Oakland, 6440 Benvenue Avenue, Oakland, CA.
​11 - Notice of Application for Letters of Administration. By the Title Insurance & Trust Co.
​16 - AC Corresp. Stationary Monday, Oct. 16th, 1911
Major Wm. Forsythe,
Yosemite, Calif.
Dear Sir: - 
Enclosed please find check for $15.83 which, I believe covers all charges for this year.  
Yours very respectfully, 
AC Pillsbury

​20 - Appearance - Notice is hereby given that the undersigned attorneys hereby appear for Arthur C. Pillsbury and Harriet Foster Pillsbury. Osgood Putnam, William C. Crittenden.

20 October - Stipulation - It is hereby stipulated by and between the undersigned that all proceedings in the above entitled matter may be by the court continued two weeks from October 20th, 1911 to wit, until November 3, 1911. Signed Clarence L. Variel.

November
2 - Notice of Application for Letters of Administration. By Harriet Foster Pillsbury. Signed November 2, 1911.

​2 - Petition for Letters of Administration - By Harriet Foster Pillsbury. Signed November 2, 1911.

​13 - AC appears in court in Alameda County to adopt the three children, who are also present. 

​14 - Order Shortening Time Notice of Motion and Supporting Papers. Good cause therefore appearing; IT IS HEREBY ORDERED, That the time within which the Notice of Motion hereto attached may be duly served is hereby shortened, and that the same may be duly served at any time not later that 2 p.m. on Tuesday, November 9, 1911. Dated, November 14, 1911. James C. Pervis, Judge of Superior Court. The notice is to Title Insurance and Trust C., its attorneys, and to Samuel Ball and his attorney, Ben Hunter. It notifies them that there will be a hearing to appeal the October 6, 1911 denial of A.C. Pillsbury's request for Letters of Administration. It states that A.C. is not the legal father of the three minors.  

​16 - Objections & Claim of Southern Cal. Music Co. Specious arguments including that Harriet Foster Pillsbury is not the next of kin to the decedent. Arguments go on all entirely groundless as far as I can see.  

​16 - Objections and Claim of Southern California Music Co. - Restatement of with specious arguments to Harriet's administration.  

​24 - Letters of Administration. Appointment of Title Insurance & Trust as Administrators. Signed by H.J. Lelande, Clerk.

​24 - Order appointing administrator and disposing of certain motions and petitions therein.
Denial of administration to Arthur C. Pillsbury and Harriet Foster Pillsbury, who each submitted requests to be named administrator of the estate. Administrator named is Title Insurance and Trust Co.

​28 - Order of Publication of Notice to Creditors. Notice that an advertisement will be made to locate creditors. Signed by Title Insurance and Trust Company.

December 
4 - Statement of First Publication of Notice to Creditors in Compliance with Section 1491a, C.C.P. By the Title Insurance & Trust Company. Clarence L. Variel, atty. for Administrator. Included published copy of clipping from Los Angeles Daily Journal, November 30, 1911.

​14 - Order appointing appraisers, Arthur G. Stepper, N.P. Bailey and Leo J. Maguire.

​23 - Application for further time, to file objections and to propose amendments to bill of exceptions: Submitted by the attorneys. of Arthur C. Pillsbury, on behalf of the Southern California Music Co. states that the attorney for the Southern California Music Co. will appear on December 23, 1911 to ask for further time. Lists objections to proceeding. Signed by Robert A. Moore, Atty.