The Estate of JOHN H. PAYNE
Caddo Parish, LA
October 27, 1859
Believing that I am compelled to die I make this my last will and testament. I give and
bequeath to my brother Robert's chldren, Mildred, Frances and Lucy all that I possess on
earth and I appoint Davis T. Richardson my executor of this my last will and testament
and do not wish him to give bond. I want him to take those 3 children to live with him. I
want them to have a good education. I want Richardson to have one half of what my
negroes makes until they become of age or marry for his trouble.
There are two children by my negro woman Charlotte which are near and dear to me and I
believe to be blood kin named John and Lavinia that I want kept in the family and to be
evertreated tenderly and kindly and not to be subjected to sale or alienation and if ever
convenient and it be there wish to go to a free state and then there to be provided for for
at least 2 years and after being provided for 2 years and if they return to Louisiana I wish
them received and still provided for.
John H. Payne
Received by the court
January 5, 1860
H.E. Wright, Clerk
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To the honorable Judge of the 18th Judicial district of the State of Louisiana holding session in and for the parish of Caddo.
The petition of Davis T. Richardson a resident of the parish of Caddo, State of Louisiana respectfully represent that John H. Payne formerly a resident of said paris has recently died and leaving a considerable amount of property and an olographic will of which petitioner was appointed his executor.
Petitioner prays that said will (which he herewith prsents) may be filed, that he be allowed to prove the same and that after all legal formalities have been observed, it’s execution be ordered. That petitioner be appointed executor of said will and that letters testamentary issued to him as well. He prays that an attorney for absent heirs be appointed and than an order is granted and a commission found to Thos. H. Pitts on any other notary of said parish to take an inventory of the property belonging to said succession.
LM ****,
attorney for petitioner
Let the parties appear at 10 o’clock instand with their witnesses to probate the will of John H. Payne and let JH Kirkpatrick be appointed attorney for absent heirs and let cocommission issue to make inventory. Done and signed at office this 5th January 1860
NE Wright, Clerk
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770
Succession of John H. Payne
Oath of atty. for absent heirs
Filed January 6, 1860
NE Wright, Clerk
Recorded in Book A of inventories, page 126
January 6, 1860
EH *********, Deputy Clerk
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The State of Louisiana
Parish of Caddo
I, JH Kilpatrick do solemnly swear that I will faithfully and ????? discharge all the duties and tasks incumbent on me by law as attorney for absent heirs of John H. Payne, deceased, to the best of my abilities so help me God.
JH Kilpatrick
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 5th January 1860
NE Wright, Clerk
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The State of Louisiana
Pairsh of Caddo
I, Davis T. Richardson, do solemnly swear that I will faithfully and impartially discharge and perform all the duties encumbent respose me by law as executor of John H. Payne, deceased, to the best of my ability, so help me God.
Davis T. Richardson
Sworn to me and subscribed before me this 5th day of January 1860
NE Wright, Clerk
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Succession of John H. Payne, 18th district court, Parish of Caddo LA
In this case by reason of the law and evidence it is ordered, adjudged and decreed that the last will and testament of John H. Payne, deceased, of date of October 27, 1859 by me ?????????????be admitted to probate, made of record and that Davis T. Richardson be confirmed as executor of said will as having taken the oath required by law. Done and signed at office this 5th day of January 1860, NE Wright, clerk
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The State of Louisiana
Parish of Caddo
Davis T. Richardson having this day produced to me in my office the last will and testament in the olographic form, accompanied by a petition, asking that the said will be admitted to probate and the said Richardson confirmed as testamentary executor of said will.
The will was produced to me unsealed.
Thomas H. Pitts being sworn says that the papers presented was handed to him by the deceased shortly before his death as his last will, witness says the paper here read to him by the undersignd clerk of the District Court in and for Caddo parish is entirely writen dated and signed in his hand ???? of John H. Payne, deceased, that he is well acquainted with the hand writing of John H. Payne, decde, having seen him right and sign his name frequently, that said John H. Payne is dead, that shot himself at the residence of witness on the 30th day of October 1859.
Thos H. Pitts
Robt A. Waller sworn says he is well acquainted with the hand righting of John H. Payne, deceased, Caddo parish having frequently seem him wright hand sign his name that the paper produced to witnesses is the last will of said John H. Payne is entirely written dated and signed in the hand righting of John H. Payne
RA Waller
Sworn and subscribed before me by Thos. H. Pitts and Robt A Waller this 5th day of January 1860, NE Wright, Clerk
This will being produced to me unsealed, the same was read by me an audible ???? to the witnesses Thos H. Pitts and Robt A. Waller whose evidence under oath was reduced to writing by me, sworn to and subscribed by them after which the said will was ordered to be executed according to its tenor. Given under my hand the the seal of my office this 5th day of January 1860
NE Wright, clerk
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Filed January 5th, recorded January 6, 1860, book A of inventories, page 125
Charlotte, a woman of yellow color, aged about thirty years and her three children, Marshall aged about nine years, John aged about five years and Lavinia aged about three years, appraised at thirty six hundred dollars.
Josephine, a girl of yellow color, aged about, one thousand dollars
Sophia a woman of black color aged about thirty years appraised at thirteen hundred and fifty dollars..
One gold watch 75.00
One boy horse 125.00
One boy poney 40.00
One bed and bedstead 20.00
Twenty dollars 20.00
One looking glass 5.00
One clock 15.00
One rifle gun 20.00
One double barrel gun 5.00
One large shotgun 15.00
One lot of books 10.00
Two saddles 15.00
One buggy 75.00
Notes, accounts and orders
A draft on Georg. Pameroy 37.50
A note on James Bradley 15.00
A note on EF STewart 149.15
Due from *** Stewart 80.59
John Barr 211.46
TH Pitts 80.00
Rolly White for wine? 9.00
Thos. McClanahan 10.00
Total $592.70
Property held by deceased and Robert B. Payne, deceased, together
One gin stand 75.00 37.50
One mill 75.00 37.50
Sixty head of hogs 120.00 60.00
50 head of beef 300.00 150.00
Two yoke of oxen 75.00 37.50
70 bales of cotton 2520.00 1260.00
8 horses (?) 600.00 300.00
2 thousand ????? 10.00
6 thousand corn @8 cents 240.00
one ox wagon 40.00 20.00
Mule Jack 62.50
Mule Mike 62.50
Mule Mary 62.50
Mule Jim 62.50
Mule Peter 50.00
Farming utensils 7.50
Household and kitchen 100.00 50.00
Recapulation:
Land 1935.00
Slaves 15150.00
Personal property 220.00
Notes 592.50
Partnership property 2462.50
Total $20,560.00
There being no other property pointed out to me I close this inventory amounting to twnety thousand five hundred and sixty dollars.
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DAvis T Richardson 1860 expenses of the estate of John H Payne
1860
James Bradley, Justice of the Peace 11.86
John Bass lumber bill 49.06
D. Sibert 5.00
David Bass, lease of barge 20.00
Waller and Elder 335.15
JT Rendall, coffin 85.00
John Walters 450.00
CT Bickham, physician 36.00
Greene and Crump 2424.94
Taxes for 59 57.80
WT Roney, coffin for negro child 5.00
NE Wright, clerk 12.10
TM Armington, taking up horses 15.00
Croom and Buckham 20.20
James Connelly 30.25 3121.86
1861
Saml Williams overseer for 1850 50.00
Walters & Elders, supplies 48.50
Thos. H. Morris, drug 2.94
Thos. H. Pitts, notary fees 20.00
Josiah Hale 5.88
N. Gupton, horse swap 133.34
N. Gupton, blacksmith 33.59
James Connelly, blacksmith 30.50
Jas. M. Christian 30.75
Jas. M. Christian 6.25
Saml. W. Williams 300.00
TN Howell 33.95
John Barr, lumber 13.55
TD Pitts, freight storage 15.98
DT Richardson, expenses as per bill 65,90
DT Richardson, negro hire 550.00
Thos N. Jones for ploughs 5.25
one half cotton crop 1860 523.67 1910.15
$5032.01
HJG Battle 6.70
$5038.71
Net proceeds of 74 bales cotton crop of 1859 2660.35
Collected J. Bradley note 18.13
Sundries solf Yaggo Bell 14.00
ditto other persons 4.00
Collected Mrs. RC Stewart’s note 331.48
ditto John Barr note 73.71
ditto Thos Pitts 50.00
ditto SD Pitts 25.20
Proceeds of 32 bales cotton crop of 1860 1513.40
4720.27
Amt credit 5038.71
Amt debits 4720.27
balance favor execr 318.44
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January 16, 1861
Debts presented by Davis T. Richardson, executor of the estate of John H. Payne, deceased:
Privileged debts
David Barr, use of barge in shipping cotton 20.00
MS Barlow for ploughs 30.00
WT Riney for making coffin for negro child 5.00
Clerks costs 12.10
Thos, H. Pirrs, notary fees 60.00
Saml,. W. Williams, overseers wages 300.00
Walters & Elder supplies 48.50
James Connelly blacksmithing 30.50
John Barr for lumber 12.65
Joseph Wood for work on wagon 12.50
DT Richardson cash expenses 65.90
Walters & Golden supplies 151.78
Greene & Crump supplies for plantation 249.09
FM Arrington for taking up horses 15.00
James Bickers work on screw 32.00
James McChristian for supplies 6.25
SD Pitts for freight storage 15.98
TS Randall for coffin for decd 85.00
Taxes for 1859 67.80
Sibert for work on.... 5.00
N. Gupton blacksmithing 33.59
DT Richardson for negro hire 1860 550.00
Ordinary Debts due previous of decease of John H. Payne
Walters & Elder 183.37
John Walters 4.50
CJ Beckham 36.00
HJG Batres note 6.70
Crowne & Beckham 19.17
Saml. W. Williams 50.00
James Connelly 30.25
N. Gupton 125.00
James Bradley, JP 11.36
Thos. L Lyons 82.50 less 17.25 64.75
Josiah Hale 5.88
John Burr 49.06
Capt. Moor 40.00
Jas. M Christian 30.75
Green & Crump of New Orleans 1967.48
Thos. H. Morris 2.91
JN Howell 33.95
LM Nunnelly probating will 100.20
LM Nunnelly & William ? for services in succession 750.00
TW Jones for ploughs 5,25
The above amoutns bear interest and have been so allowed.
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To the Honl., the Judge of the 10th Judicial District of the State of Louisiana holding session in court for the Parish of Caddo.
The petition of Davis T. Richardson, exer, of the last will and testament of JH Payne, decd, with respect represents that ***** of the emancipation of the slaves belonging to said succession, its affairs have become seriously embarassed, that the said seccession is now considerably indebted and that it is necessary to sell all the personal property belonging to said succession in order to pay its debts. He represents that said property has not been appraised within the last twelve months and that it should be reappraised.
The premises considered he prays that your honble court grant an order directing the sale of all the personal property belonging to said succession on the terms and conditions prescribed by law and that a sommission issued to any duly authorized auctioneer to make said sale and tha a commission **** to any notary of said parish directing him to make a reappraisment of said property for all orders necesary and general relief.
LM ****, Atty.
Let a writ of sale and a sommission to make reappraisment issue as prayed for.
Done and signed at office this Dec. 5th 1865
AL ****, Clerk.
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State of Louisiana
Parish of Caddo
I, RVB Edins, by virtue of a commission to me directed from the honl District Court of said Parish in the succession of John H. Payne, decd. I, RVB Edins, notary public in and for said parish duly commissioned and sworn proceeded on this the 21st day of Dec. AD 1865 in the said parish of Caddo to take an inventory and cause an appraisment to be made of all the property pointed out to me as belonging to said succession.
To assist me in making said appraisment I appointed and administered the required oaths to John F. Herndon and William Holmes, competent appraisers & residents of said parish. Said inventory and appraisment is as follows:
30 head of cattle 150.00
2 yoke oxen 80.00
1 ditto 25.00
30 head of meat hogs 150.00
30 head of stock hogs 45.00
1 sorrel mule Mike 50.00
1 sorrel mule Jim 100.00
1 black mule Pete 50.00
1 black mule Mary 100.00
1 lot farming tools 15.00
1 cross cut saw 5.00
1 set buggy irons 10.00
_________
$780.00
1 wagon 20.00
1 log chain 5.00
1 60 saw gin stand 15.00
1 bed and bedstead 10.00
1 shotgun 10.00
1 set andirons 2.50
1 mahogny side talbe 5.00
1 workstand 1.00
1 table 2.00
1 safe 3.00
2 pots and tea kettle 2.00
1 churn 1.50
4 water buckets 1.50
3 spinning wheels 7.50
2 pr cards .75
2 stone jars 1.50
2 saddles 2.00
1 cookstove 2.00
2 smoothing irons 1.00
1 lot sweet potatoes 37-1/2 pt bsh
2 beef hides 2.00
1 broad axe 1 hand axe 1 saw and
2 drawing knives 6.00
1 grindstone 1.50
1 pr scales 4.00
1 gold watch 40.00
1 pr steelyards 1.00
We the undersigned appraisers do solemnly swear that the above and foregoing is a true and correct appraisment of the property pointed out to us in the succession of John H. Payne, deceased. Given under our hands this 21st day of December 1865 in presence of WD Jones and LD Irvins.
WD Jones
LD Irvins
W Holmes
JH Herndon
I hereby certify that the above and foregoing is a true and correct inventory and appraisement of the propery pointed out as belonging to the succession of John H. Payne, deceased. Sworn to and subscribed before me this 21 day of December 1865.
RVB Edins
Notary Public
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John H. Payne, dedeased. given under our hands this 21st day of December 1865 in presence of WD Jones and LD Ivins.
WD Jones W. Holmes
LD Ivins JF Herndon
I hereby certify that the above and foredoing instruments are correct inventory and appraisement of the propery pointed out as belonging to the succession of John H. Payne, deceased. Sworn to and subscribed before me this 21st day of December 1865
RVB ????
Notary Public
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The State of Louisiana ------Parish of Caddo
In District Court, Probate Docket #770
Succession of John H. Payne
bt Davis T. Richardson, Executor
You are hereby ordered, in the name and by the authority of the Stae of Louisiana, and our said Court, to file in the Clerk’s office, in Shreveport, within TEN DAYS from the receipt hereof, a full and completel Account of your Administration of the affairs of the succession of John H. Payne, deceased showing all amounts due, received or paid out by you and your vouchers therefor, and in case the same is not a final account, you will show cause, if any you have, why any further time should be granted you.
Witness the Honorable Jas. O Weems, Judge of said Court, this 28th day of May AD 1866
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Received the within citation May 28th, 1866 and not being able to find the within named Davis T. Richardson I therefore return this citation without service
Thomas J. Simpson
Deputy Sheriff
Citation to Davis T. Richardson filed 3rd July 1866, SC Wright, Clerk