Sometime about 1816 or 1817, a Ferguson & Rich merchants in the Town of Alexandria and the Parish of Rapide in the State of Louisiana petitioned to the Sixth Judicial District of the State of Louisiana and Parish of Rapide in an action of debt against Heritage Howerton and Charlotte Howerton, both of the Parish of Rapide. [Essex County, Virginia, Box Chancery No. 34, item 34-K-4.]