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Mr Barnes statement in regards to a horse in litigation between Ned Pinchum and himself.

On the 27th of April 1865 United States Soldiers seven in number came to my house looking for horses

When they got there I was not at home but understanding that they were on my plantation I pushed for that part of the plantation where I had hands and mules at work. On getting to where the hands were at work I discoverd that the soldiers had taken three of my mules out of my ploughs and had left on the the spot the horse in question  The horse at the time was unfit for any duty as admitted by Pinchum  himself. I directed the horse to be taken to the house and have had undisputed possession of him up to the time of the matter being litigated before the Freedmans Bureau a short time ago. Pinchum was not one of the ploughers himself but on the day the mules were taken was planting corn some distance off in the same field  Some week, or about that after the horse was left on my place Pinchum left my employment without laying any title to the horse and has never been in my employment since. Under my care and with a great deal of trouble and expense the horse has been made a good one.

Given at Clarksville March 26th 1866
John J Barnes

The above certificate has been duly sworn to before me in my Court. Given under my hand this 4th April 1866
John G. Richards, J.P.

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smudges ---------- Reopened for Editing 2023-07-26 22:00:12