Richard was mentioned in the 18 December 1782 will of his father, Luke Covington, proved on 17 February 1783. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 13, pages 365–366.]

On 22 January 1813, a division of the slaves of the estates of Luke Covington, deceased, and of Sarah Covington, deceased, was made by F. Smith, Chs. Howerton, and Jno. Smith, with lots to Richard Covington, Thomas Covington, John Trible in right of his deceased wife who was Elizabeth Covington, and to Philip Mann in right of his wife who was Ann Covington. An additional child of Luke Covington, Gregory Covington, is now deceased. [Essex County, Virginia, Will book 18, pages 37–39.]

On 20 February 1815, John Trible, Henry Young, and Peter B. Davis were bound in the penalty of $9,000 for John Trible’s administration of the estate of Richard Covington, deceased. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 18, pages 120–121.]

On 6 March 1815, an inventory and appraisal of the estate of Richard Covington was made by Jno. Smith, Henry C. Howerton, and Wm. Howerton. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 18, pages 359–361.]

On 6 March 1815, an inventory and appraisal of the estate of Richard Covington was made by Jno. Trible, administrator. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 18, pages 371–372.]

On 8 March 1815, sales of the estate of Richard Covington, deceased, were made by John Trible, administrator. Includes purchases by Mrs Ann Covington. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 19, pages 185–192.]

The estate of Richard Covington, deceased, in account with John Trible, administrator, from 1815 to 1821 was settled by Geo. W. Banks, John Belfield, and Francis Smith, and returned to court on 16 April 1821. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 19, pages 193–196.]

A chancery case in Essex County, Virginia, stated that William Howerton was “many years ago” deceased. His widow was Ann W. Howerton, who was Ann W. Covington. They had three children: Judson, Benjamin and Mary Agnes. William Howerton had been previously married and had children by his first marriage, Winnifred Howerton, Charlotte Howerton (who married Thomas Cotes or Coles), Thomas Howerton, and Eldred Howerton. Ann W. Covington had been previously married and had children Walter G. Covington and Sophronia Covington, who married Thomas Howerton. [Essex County, Virginia, Loose Papers, apparently mistakenly filed in the folder Dunn vs. Dunn, 1853.]