Harriet Barrier, a free woman of color and feme sole, presents to the court that Stephen Gladding, curator of the late Joseph H. Gladding's estate, is indebted to her in the sum of $4,000, plus legal interests, from the date of 26 August 1839. Barrier explains that she holds a thirty-day promissory note drawn by the deceased on the 25th of July 1839. She claims that she has repeatedly requested payment from Stephen Gladding, as curator of the estate, but the latter has "wholly refused to recognize, approve or pay" the debt. Harriet Barrier therefore prays that Stephen Gladding be cited to answer her claim and, after due proceedings, be condemned to pay $4,000 plus "legal interests." Related documents reveal that Harriet Barrier and Joseph Gladding lived as man and wife for more than twelve years, and that the promissory note was intended as a form of remuneration for Harriet's services as housekeeper in Gladding's household.
Result: Denied; appealed; affirmed.
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Repository: University of New Orleans
