James Doyle to Henry J. Craycroft - Morgage Lots 31, 45 & 46

On 27 Jun 1797, Benjamin Summers bought ten lots. Listed here are the lot numbers in the new plan and in parentheses the number in the old plan: Lots 41 (13), 42 (14), 21 (24), 45 (41), 46 (42), 47 (43), 48 (44), 64 (45), 63 (46), 79 (51). Summers then sold lots 45 and 46 to George Saunders on 16 May 1821. Then George sold the two lots to Thomas Sanders Sr. Thomas next sold these two lots to Weir Tilford and Abraham Field Jr. on 15 Jan 1823. In October 1827 Tilford and Field deeded the lots to Jacob Bowman. Jacob Bowman's heirs sold the lots to James Doyle in April 1844. Then, in October 1851, lots 45 & 46 were sold by Doyle to Joseph Bowman.

Doyle appears to have had some financial problems and he entered first in an arrangement with Henry J. Craycroft in October 1847 in which Craycroft provided financing in exchange for Doyle's mortgage of his taning operation. This is shown in the first deed below. Then a partnership in September 1848 with Craycroft, was made by Doyle pledging the tanyard lots in mortgage as part of the arrangement which is shown in the second deed below.

---

Bullitt County Deed Book L, Pages 209-211

This indenture made this 28 day of October 1847 between James Doyle of Bullitt County, Kentucky of one part and Henry J. Craycroft of the same place of the other part.

Witnesseth that said James Doyle, a tanner now in operation in the town of Shepherdsville, Kentucky, is indebted to said Craycroft for advancements &c made for the tanyard of said Doyle, and said Doyle wishes said Craycroft to advance and procure for him, said Doyle, stock and labor of all description, money &c from time to time as he, Craycroft may think fit and proper to enable the said Doyle to carryon the tanning business complete in said yard; and Craycroft being willing to do so, leaving it however at all times optionary with Craycroft how much he will advance and pay, and when he will cease to make such advancements in cash, saddlery &c, and said Doyle knowing that he will become thereby the debtor further, from time to time to said Craycroft, and to indemnify him fully for the same, intends hereby by this mortgage to secure him, said Craycroft fully for the same.

Then the better to effect these objects, the said Doyle agrees in good faith to work in and bring out in good order and time all the leather &c he can in said yard so as to make the same to the best advantage and best interest of both parties.

And Craycroft agrees to furnish cash, saddlery, labor &c from time to time as needed in the yard to carry on the same as aforesaid by Doyle; and said Craycroft at all times to be the sole judge when and how long he shall so advance, and for all cash advancements made by said Craycroft he, Craycroft is to receive for his said advancements and trouble in selling leather for the payment thereof interest and commission at the rate of 6% per annum and 2% for trouble and sales of leather, for the payment of same, and nothing for the trade advancements, and Doyle allows it.

And Doyle to furnish leather from time to time to said Craycroft as he finishes it for use. And whatever leather he, Craycroft does not use himself he will sell and account for at Louisville wholesale prices, deducting the 8% as aforesaid for interest, trouble and expense of sale on the amount of said cash advancements.

Doyle may sell and dispose of any leather Craycroft does not need or may permit Doyle to do, to purchase at all times stock, leather, hides, bark, labor &c to conduct and carry on the tanning aforesaid to the best advantage of the parties.

And the parties agree that the said Craycroft is to have the control of the whole of the leather so made, first for his own use, and next for the sale as aforesaid, to secure him in his advancements aforesaid, except so much as Doyle in good faith dispose of for the express purpose of purchasing hides, bark, labor and material to carry on the yard and the support of his family.

And Craycroft at all times to keep an account of the cash paid and when and where paid &c for and on account of the carrying on the yard. And Doyle to use his best exertions to promote the interest of the parties in paying and discharging the debt so due &c to become due to Craycroft as aforesaid.

Said Craycroft to keep also an account of the amount of leather got of the said Doyle and when got and the price thereof so as to show at all times the indebtedness of Doyle to said Craycroft.

And it is further agreed that should the said Doyle at any time neglect to use his best industry and care and attention to the business or otherwise mismanage the yard &c said Craycroft to have the right forthwith to set down this mortgage for foreclosure, and may immediately take charge of the yard and the whole material therein, fixtures, leather, tools and stock, mills, horses &c to enable him to bring out the whole stock to market at the shortest and best time.

And Doyle agrees to allow the said Craycroft to do so, the expenses and charges attending same to be charged to Doyle, and a lien by this deed of mortgage is given for the payment of same.

And Craycroft reserves to himself at all time the right to discontinue the advancements &c here contemplated, and Doyle allows it, and then this mortgage becomes due and may be foreclosed forthwith, and in the manner allowed Craycroft for doing the same by taking possession as aforesaid should he deem it right to do so; but not to do so so long as Doyle works faithful and conducts the yard in the best advantage in the opinion of Craycroft who is here made the judge.

And to the better secure him, the said Craycroft in the sums he Doyle may now owe him or in any and all sums he may hereafter become indebted as herein contemplated, he said Doyle has sold, conveyed and confirmed, and does hereby sell, convey and confirm unto him the said Craycroft and to his heirs forever all the stock of hides, leather &c now on hand in said yard, the whole yard and shop, tools, mills, bark, horses or mares of him said Dotle now owned or to be had for the use of said mills, and also pledges and mortgages hereby all the stock of hides, leather &c in said yard, shop &c from time to time procured in full for carrying on the same, which is hereby declared in pledge at all times now and hereafter for the payment in full to him said Craycroft of any and all sums now due or to become due and payable to him said Craycroft for any of the objects herein remunerated, the time when the said sums shall be due is yearly or so soon as said Craycroft may elect to foreclose this mortgage as aforesaid.

To have and to hold the said property here sold and contemplated as aforesaid to him said Craycroft and to his heirs and assigns forever against the claims of all persons whatever for the purposes herein before named. But this mortgage is to become null and void when payment is made by Doyle in full to Craycroft as aforesaid, and the property herein conveyed and pledged to be released to said Doyle on the payment in full to Craycroft as aforesaid.

Witness our hands and seals. It is agreed the settlement to be made at the end of every six months and the balance due Craycroft then to carry interest as herein contemplated. (signed) H. J. Craycroft, James Doyle

---

Bullitt County Deed Book L, Pages 331-334

Articles of agreement and terms of copartnership between Henry J. Craycroft and James Doyle, both of Shepherdsville, Bullitt County, Kentucky, for the purpose of carrying on the tanning business at Doyle's yard in Shepherdsville, made and concluded this eleventh day of September A.D. 1848.

1. Doyle for his part of the capitol agrees that the use of his tanyard lots, bark & tan houses, vats & bark mills and tools complete as they now are in the yard shall be rated as capital stock at $300, and the bark, hides in vats & leather &c at the yard in full at the further sum of $300, in all $600.

But Doyle owes Craycroft a balance on former dealings in full on settlement to this day $119.43. It is agreed this debt comes out of the $600 and is left by Craycroft a stock in the yard. And the said debt of $119.43 is paid by Doyle to Craycroft; thus on this day making by this arrangement Doyle's stock in full now $480.57.

2. Craycroft puts in the $119.43 debt aforesaid and surrenders to Doyle the note for that amount paid by Doyle and is to put in in cash for hides now to the amount of $361.11, thus making his stock equal to $680.57; and it is agreed when the partnership closes the sum of $300 (put in by Craycroft to equal Doyle's yard &c at $300) is to be drawn out by Craycroft without interest, and Doyle receives the year &c at $300.

3. Craycroft to advance for the firm capital for all purposes as fast as Doyle & the hands sufficient for the purpose can work in stock in hides, bark &c a sum sufficient to fill the vats in the year & keep them full at all times. And for whatever sum it shall take to fill the yard over the $361.14 so advanced by said Craycroft, he Craycroft is to have and receive interest on the one half such sum from the time of such payment till said sum and interest is repaid him of the avails of the concern.

And it is agreed that a special lien is allowed and retained by Craycroft on all the effects and avails of said firm to secure him in the payment of such sums, so soon as the avails of the yard will by best exertions in sale &c of the avails support itself, it is to do so.

4. The expenses of the firm for the purchase of mill horse, bark and hands &c necessary to carry on the work are to be joint expense, and to be procured at all times when required by said Craycroft, and the said sum paid for same secured to Craycroft as above. And any tools purchased by the firm for the use of the firm by Craycroft are to be taken by Doyle on dissolution at their then value. And said Doyle to pay Craycroft his half of their therein value.

5. Craycroft to furnish at his own expense a good wagon and team at all times when necessary to do all the hauling for the firm yard such as hides, leather, bark, wood &c and to charge the firm a fair cash price for the same; and this said Craycroft hereby engages to do when required or needed by the yard without delay.

6. It is agreed that Craycroft is to give his best services and attention to the immediate and future purchases of all stock &c and everything fit and necessary to carry on the firm business to the best advantage of the parties. And all such purchases and supplies to be had and furnished by him as the same is needed at the yard.

And said Craycroft is to be at all times, the financier, purchaser, salesman, contractor &c in full for the firm and is to keep full, true and accurate account of all sums paid and advanced as herein contemplated; and of all sums received and shown on the books when and for what and what amount paid and when and for what and what amount received.

The accounts and books thus to be accurately kept by Craycroft to be at all times open for the inspection of Doyle. And Doyle to give his best attention work and skill and care in the yard and upon the stock of the firm at all times to promote the best interest of the firm.

And the services of the parties as here in contemplated are offset one against the other, except that Doyle for the first year to draw in cash to his separate use, free from the firm, the sum of $75; and for the succeeding years, the sum of $100 per year; and this is to come out before division of profits.

Craycroft to allow Doyle from time to draw what shall be deemed a reasonable support of his family if the business of the firm will justify it which the parties agree it will. Craycroft is to use his best exertions to procure immediately and see that proper and suitable hands are hired and put in the yard as and when required by Doyle as the business requires such labor to do and complete the work of the firm at the yard at all times so as to keep all the vats full of leather and hides, and to work in and out as many hides, and as soon as it shall be possible and to the best interest of the firm, and all these expenses are joint expenses of the firm.

Craycroft to find himself at all times, free of cost of the firm, except actual necessary expenses, when in the business of the firm and then fair charges to be charged the firm and Doyle to find himself at his own expense, unless engaged by Craycroft on the expenses and business of the firm and then such expenses charged the firm.

Doyle to make no contracts and create no debts against the firm unless under the direction of Craycroft, and as he shall from time to time direct Doyle to do and taking in hides &c.

7. Craycroft to have forthwith the bark house covered in and fit for the safe keeping of the bark, and the houses shingled at Doyles, and for all general repairs to the property of Doyle at the yard and houses of Doyle, said Doyle to pay said Craycroft for with interest till paid. And a general lien is allowed Craycroft for such sums as herein before specified.

The incidental and ordinary expenses in and about the yard necessary to carry on the work to advantage to be the joint charge of the firm; such of these general improvements as Doyle requires to be done, will be appointed out by Doyle and when done by Craycroft to be paid him as aforesaid.

8. It is agreed and Doyle engages on honor not to drink any intoxicating drink; and should he unfortunately do so, Craycroft to be at liberty, if Doyle in Craycroft's opinion becomes less value to the firm, to close the concern immediately, and wind up the business, having the right to discharge Doyle entirely from the business and employ suitable hands and skill to complete at the most convenient and shortest day, the leather; and such expense charge to the concern and Doyle to lose his wages from such discharge.

9. The board, clothing, hire &c of all hands, except said Craycroft and Doyle to be the joint charge of the firm, and the parties will agree the places where they are to board &c.

10. This co-partnership to continue for three years unless the parties agree sooner to dissolve it, or to be dissolved so soon as Doyle may be found guilty of the before contemplated fault &c, or if either party dies; then the concern to close and be wound up immediately as the best interest of the business requires; and the objects contemplated to be fulfilled in all respects in good faith by the survivors.

11. The parties agree they are able and capable and willing to do and perform in good faith all the stipulations and agreements and understandings herein specified, and that they will immediately and faithfully do and perform the same so as to effect full the objects herein contemplated.

Doyle assures Craycroft he will not abuse the confidence reposed, and in consideration said sums so to be paid by said Craycroft for said Doyle for the several purposes herein specified and agreed, and to be hereafter agreed by the parties, and fully to indemnify and save harmless the said Craycroft in the premises, for any and all such sums of money, he the said Doyle has sold and conveyed and does by these presents sell, convey and confirm and put in pledge and in trust unto him the said Craycroft and his heirs, executors &c all the interest, right and title of him said Doyle of in and to the whole of the before recited property now in and about said yard and appurtenances and also the two lots No. 47 & 48 and the houses and appurtenances to same belonging in every way, and also the lot No. 31 and appurtenances, all in the town of Shepherdsville, Bullitt County, Kentucky; and also said Doyle hereby declares that all his interest, right and title in and to the whole of the leather, hides, tools, bark, mills, horses, hands, hires, and every other species of stock property now and all time to be had and owned by the company is now and shall be hereby at future time declared to be and is put and pledged in mortgage and in trust to him said Craycroft and to his executors &c for the special purpose of indemnifying and fully paying him said Craycroft the several sums of money and interest herein contemplated and expressed to be by him Craycroft laid out and expended for and on account of said Doyle in and upon any of his property hereby named, and for the use and benefit of said Doyle to effectuate the objects of this agreement and copartnership.

To have and to hold the same with all the future increase, inlay and outcoming of the whole of the same unto him the said Craycroft and to his heirs, executors &c in trust for the purposes aforesaid fully to indemnify and save him said Craycroft harmless in the premises, and when said Craycroft is fully indemnified and paid for his expenditures as herein and hereby contemplated, then said Craycroft will and his heirs &c shall reconvey the property herein pledged back to him said Doyle, and these presents so far as the same is a mortgage shall cease and be null and void.

It is understood that so soon as the debts of the concern are all paid, which Craycroft binds himself to do so soon and as fast as the avails will allow, and he is personally able, and the whole partnership closed, which is to be done in good faith at the earliest day after its expiration, said Craycroft will pay to said Doyle his half of the net profits of said concern; but the said profits not to be paid to Doyle until any and all debts which said Craycroft may pay for said Doyle as herein contemplated or any other debt which said Craycroft may pay for said Doyle shall be fully paid and satisfied to said Craycroft out of the partnership avails; and if that be insufficient, it is expressly agreed that the lien and mortgage hereby given by said Doyle to Craycroft is to hold good on all the aforesaid lots and appurtenances to secure said Craycroft for any and all such debts so paid for Doyle. And when said Craycroft is so fully paid and satisfied, then the mortgage to be released and the property reconveyed to Doyle and not before. Witness the hands and seals of the parties.

(signed) James Doyle, H. J. Craycroft

State of Kentucky, Bullitt County to-wit. I Noah C. Summers, clerk of the county court for said county, certify that the foregoing agreement of James Doyle and Henry J. Craycroft, and deed of mortgage from said Doyle to Craycroft was this 11th day of October 1848 produced to me in my office and acknowledged by said James Doyle and Henry J. Craycroft, parties thereto, to be their act and deed, and by them ordered to be recorded; and thereupon the same and this certificate are truly recorded in my office this 31 day of October 1848. Att. N. C. Summers, Clerk

---

If you, the reader, have an interest in any particular part of our county history, and wish to contribute to this effort, use the form on our Contact Us page to send us your comments about this, or any Bullitt County History page. We welcome your comments and suggestions. If you feel that we have misspoken at any point, please feel free to point this out to us.