Papers, 1846-1850, including correspondence concerning the will of William Hayward Foote (1781-1846) of Hayfield, Fairfax County, Virginia and the law suit filed following his death between his heirs and his executors. Includes letter (3 leaves), 26 April, from Walter Jones (1776-1861), Esquire, to William H. Foote asking for a detailed account of his real estate and personal property to be included in Jones' draft of Foote's will. Letter (7 leaves), Dec. 1846, from Walter Jones to Francis L. Smith (1808-1877), Esquire, in Alexandria, Virginia answering four questions asked by Smith concerning the powers of Foote's heirs and executors to sell his personal property and real estate. Another undated letter (2 leaves) from Smith to Jones contains the questions that Jones answers in the December 1846 letter. Legal answer (7 leaves), 10 March 1847, written by Walter Jones outlining his opinions on questions concerning the interpretation of Foote's will, specifically the personal property and real estate entitlements of Foote's widow, the emancipation of his slaves, and the sale of his crops. Also contains payment receipts (3 leaves): one receipt, 27 May 1850, payable to Dr. James Hunter for his services resurveying Hayfield plantation for the suit of Foote's heirs versus Foote's executors; one receipt, 5 Dec. 1850, payable to Francis L. Smith for the balance standing for the sale of Hayfield; and one receipt, 11 May 1848, signed by Walter Jones and claiming from Francis L. Smith an amount of fifty dollars payed for a draft of an answer to the bill of Foote's heirs versus Foote's executors.
