Dates: 1834.

Biography:
John Payne

John Payne and Alexander and John B. A. Ross co-owned a general merchandise store in Rodney, Jefferson County, Mississippi, in 1834. The store, sometimes known as John Payne and Company, sold items such as cloth, lard, rope, patent medicine, and sugar. Payne executed a promissory note, which was also endorsed by James Payne, payable in the amount of $7,500 to Buckner, Stanton, and Company of New Orleans, Louisiana, on March 24, 1837. After moving to Boone County, Missouri, John Payne sold his property in Rodney to James Payne on December 9, 1840.

James Payne

James Payne was born in Culpepper County, Virginia, in 1801. He moved to Jefferson County, Mississippi, in the 1820s and married Jane C. Wood on January 30, 1828. She was the daughter of Colonel James Gilliam and Martha Young Wood of Church Hill, Jefferson County. The Paynes settled on a Jefferson County tract that was given to them by Colonel Wood. Their home, Oak Grove, was built on the property between 1828 and 1830. Payne became a successful planter whose net worth was estimated at $133,500 by 1850.

The Paynes had at least ten children: James G. Wood (b. September 29, 1829), Martha Young (b. October 8, 1830), Robert Wood (b. August 15, 1832), Wilkins (b. August 9, 1834), James, Jr. (b. November 10, 1836), Maria Louisa (b. October 9, 1838), Linton (b. July 16, 1841), Laura Jane (b. January 12, 1844), Virginia (b. May 29, 1846), and Alice Calvit (b. February 26, 1849).

James Payne died in June or July of 1853 and was interred at the Wood family cemetery in Jefferson County. His kinship with John Payne has not been established.

 

Scope and Content Note:

This collection consists of handwritten orders and receipts from the general merchandise store of John Payne and Alexander and John B. A. Ross in Rodney, Jefferson County, Mississippi.

 
Series Identification:

Series 1: Customers’ Orders. 1834. 2 folders.
The orders date from September and October of 1834, and they record customers’ names, items requested, and when orders were placed.

Box 1, folders 1-2

 

Series 2: Receipts. 1834. 1 folder.
The receipts note customers’ names and addresses, items sold, and purchase prices. Customers included Thomas Metzler, Price Noe, James Payne, and James and W. S. Scott.

Box 1, folder 3