Jane,
Below is information that should answer some of your questions but will probably raise about a dozen more questions.
Jacque

Kitty Long
Loose Estate Papers, Bibb County, Alabama
Bibb County Courthouse, Centreville, AL
Box 10
Transcribed by J. C. Otts, July 14, 2008

State of Alabama
Bibb County Nov 25th 1851

To the Honorable Judge of Probate of said County.

This is to inform you that [paper folded and slightly smeared, unable to transcribe a couple of words] Kitty Long who sometimes since died and left three children in the care of Doc Epraihm(?) Black who is now decd. One of the children named Ephraim Long is now with his Mothers brother Smith Kellum and wishes to live with said Kellum and said Kellum is desirous to keep said boy Ephraim. I therefore reckommend said Kellum to your Honour, as a proper person to be made the Guardian of the above orphan boy Ephraim Long said boy is about thirteen years old.

Given under my hand
Robert Oldham
Overseer of the Poor