Minutes of the County Court

For Part 2 (1845-1849), Click Here

 

Thanks to the diligence of the county government, and to the courthouse’s relative freedom from natural and man made disaster, all of the minutes of the meetings of Colorado County’s principal governing body, known at various times as the county court, the police court, or the commissioner’s court, have survived to the present day. The earliest minutes were written on loose sheets of paper. Beginning with the July 1840 meeting, the minutes were recorded in a bound book, designated as Book A. The loose sheets containing the earlier minutes were tucked inside the front cover, where they remained for more than 150 years. In 1995, all the pages of Book A, including the loose sheets, were carefully encapsulated and placed into a new binding. Unfortunately, the loose sheets, which had never been numbered, were inserted into the new book in incorrect order. For this transcription, these pages have been assigned lower case Roman numbers, though in chronological order rather than the order that they were bound into the book. Some of these pages have lost corners and/or edges which contained text. In most cases, we have attempted to reconstruct this text, enclosing our reconstructions in square brackets.

Though great care has been taken to transcribe every word exactly as it was written in the original minutes, mistakes must certainly have been made. Additionally, the differences between typewritten and handwritten text have forced us to alter the physical layout of the text. Further, the many passages which were written into the book but later crossed out by the clerk have been omitted from this transcription. Persons who are keenly interested in any aspect of the original text are directed to consult the books themselves.

[Book A, page i]

At a County Court held at the Town of Columbus on the second Monday in April Present William Menefee Chief Justice William B Dewese Associate Justice Robert Brotherton Clerk Stephen Townsend Sheriff Court being opened by public proclamation at the door of the courthouse it was ordered by the Court that the names of the Jurors be C[alled] over when the following persons appeared and answered to their names George W James, Thom[as] Slaughter - Richard Breeding Edward Galliher John E Lewis Abel Beason

Absent Jurors of the original venira Facias Mason Foley Russel Ross James Tramm[...] Eli Mercer Joseph Hogan Pascal Borden Hu[gh] McKenzie John Mathews Levi Mercer George Lyons whereupon it was ordered by the Court that a fine of twenty dollars be assesed on each of the Jurors not present with the exception of Eli Mercer and Levy Mercer excused Ordered by by the court that Notice be given to the defaulting Jurors to be and appear at the next term of the County Court to shew cause if any why Judgement Should not be finally Rendered against them according to law

The court then adjourned

William Menefee

[Book A, page ii]

At A County Court held in the town of Columbus on the second Monday in July term of the County Court for the County of Colorado Present William Menifee Chief Justice James Stephens & William B Dewees associate Justices Robert Brotherton County Clerk Stephen Townsend Sheriff

Court being opened by public proclamation at the door of the courthouse it was ordered that the names of the Jurors be called over when the following persons appeared and answered to their names

Jesse Clift         Jasper Gilbert

Allen Jones         John Deck

Benjamin McDonald   William Pace

Preston Gilbert     John Cryer

Henry Weaver        John Townsend

Patrick Reels       Daniel Miller

Jarome Allexander

Absent Jurors William Bridges John Begley who are excused by the court

On motion of the Sheriff and Legal notice having been given of said motion to the party concerned the the court assessed a fine of ten dollars upon Benjamin McDaniel for refusi[ng] to aid the said Sheriff in the execution of the duties of his office when sumo[ned] to do so according to law -- In case of defaulting Jurors at the april term of the [court it is] ordered by the Court that the fine be remit

[Book A, page iii]

Jury Drawn for the April Term of the County Court for the County of Colorado Drawn March 8th 1838 present William B Dewees associate j[us] Alfred Kelso Depty Sheriff Robert Brother[ton] Clerk

Eli Mercer             Isaac McGary

Joseph Highland        Patrick Reels

Rezin Byrn             James McNair

Henry T Arnold         Gideon G. William[...]

Lemose Lyons           William Numan

William Watts          Daniel Miller

Nathaniel Osburn       George Lyons

James Cummins          John Sutherland

[Book A, page iv]

September 5th 1838

A Jury drawn for the October Term of the County Court for the County of Colorado present William J E Heard Chef Justice Robert Brotherton Clerk and Stephen Townsend Sheriff

Joseph Ehlinger            Washington H Secrest

Francis Muyhar             William Wright

William Alley              James Silvey

Lymen W Alexander                Snider

James L McKinzie           Peter Peiper

Willy Cummins              John Rawlings

Abraham Alley              John C Lamb

John Begley                Abel Beason

                           William J E Heard

                           Chief Justice C C

October Term of the County Court held in the Town of Columbus & county aforesaid an Election was held by the Justices of the peace for associate Justices when John Sutherland and William B Dewees was Elected associates proposals was Laid before the for assessing the state Tax and Rezin Byrn being the Lowest bidder It is ordered and Decreed the said Byrn be appointed assessor and by Giving bond and security as required by Law

The following Jurors was in attendance Bernard Snider Lyman W Alleander Wily C Cummins Abraham Alley Francis Mayhar William Alley W H Secrest John Raw[lings]

[Book A, page v]

William B Dewees applied for to have a ferry Established above the town of Columbus which was Granted upon the same conditions of the ferry at the town of Columbus

The case of John Chaney was Call[ed] wherein John Chaney is plaintiff and Thomas Thatcher is Defendent in an appeal taken from a decision William Daniels a Justice of the peace  When J[ohn] Chaney the plaintiff and Stephen [Town]send one of the securities of Defend[ant] was present and consent of both pa[rties] went into trial after a full exami[nation] of the witnesses it is ordered and decreed the decision of the Justice of the peace confirmed with interist of ten pr cent Interist from the date of the Judge[ment] William J E H[eard] Chief Jus[tice]

W. B. Dewees

Asocit. J[ustice]

[Book A, page vi]

Columbus November 26th 1838

A Jury Drawn for the January term of the County Court present

William J E Heard / Chief Justice

Stephen Townsend      Sheriff

Robt Brotherton       Clerk

When the Following persons was drawn

Jasper Gilbert        David Silkriggs

Fredrick Scranton     Tucker Foley

[Ja]cob Walters       Williamson Daniels

[E]lijah Mercer       George Thatcher

[...]n Smothers       John C Clark

[Wi]lliam Bell        Preston Gilbert

[M]artin D Ramsey     Joseph Thompson

         Frels        John Cryer

                     William J E Heard

                         Chief Justice

Columbus Jan. 14th 1839

[Co]unty Court met. Present William J. E. Heard Ch. Justice Wm B. Dewees Ass. Justice J. C. Milor Dep. Sheriff

No Jury legally summoned - Willard Wad-

[Book A, page vii]

hams was appointed County Clerk pro-tem in the place of Robert Brotherton decd The case of Zeno Brons[on] vs Levi T. Bostick was called neither party appeared. The case of Thomas M. Hughs vs James Burlison was called - Judgement entered against Defendant for his Debt & Costs. The Case of Nathaniel D. Barr vs Jacob Lynch was called. Continued for want of a Ju[ry] The case of G. W. Smith vs James Cummings on an appeal by Defendant from the Judgement of a Justices' Court Continued for want of a Jury In the case of Ramsey & Burle[son] vs Mathews & Alley an appe[al] from a Justices Court by Defe[nd]ant. Continued for want of a Jury. In the case of Nathaniel Townse[nd] vs Hensley & Campbe[ll]

[Book A, page viii]

Judgement given against the Defendant for Debt & Costs. - In the Case of T. H. Wheeler vs Nathan D. Barr, Judgement given against the Defendant for his Debt & Costs - In the Case of Frederick Scranton vs James Crawford - ordered that Defendants Goods & Chattels Rights & Credits, Lands & Tenements be attached. Names of Jurors drawn in open court for the next County Court

James Silvey

James McNair

William Newman

Rezin Bryne

John Southerland

William Wright

Joseph Ehlinger

George Clark

James L McKinsey

Gideon G Williams

Schneider

Washington H Secrest

Wiley Cummings

William Watts

Abel Beason

[Jo]hn Rollin

William J. E. Heard

Chief Justice

W B Dewees

Associate Justice

[Book A, page ix]

Columbus July 8th 1839 at Regular term of the Honl. County Court for Colorado County Holden at the Court House Columbus Present William Wadham Jud - Samuel J. Redgate Associate Justice - David Wade Sheriff H. Mont Sallee Dept. Clk Proclamation being made by the Sheriff at the Door of the Court House that Court was in Session. Whereupon the following Business Came on to be heard Viz Ramsey & Burleson vs. Mathews & Alley an appeal from Justices Court. Defts. failing to appear. Ordered & Decreed & Adjudged that Judgement by Rendered by Nolle proseq[ui] against Mathews & Alley for amt of debt Interest & Costs.

G W Smith vs Jas Cummings Came on to be heard. Deft. being absent W. T. Harrison was appointed Curator ad hock for Deft G. W. Smith - J. W. Scamone being sworn in the Case - Whereupon the Cause being duly considered - it is decreed & adjudged - That the orignial decision in the Court Below be Reversed & that the plff have Judgdgement. for 62 cents & all Costs of Suit

David Wade presented an a/c for House Rent allowed for the same the sum of $31.50 draft on the County Treasury -- County Clk presented an account against County Treasury for Services in Rendered viz making out Inventory of Taxable property for Year 1838 allowed $45 for the same no further Business before the Court it adjourned Sine die Willard Wadham Chief Ju[s] attest Mont Sallee Dt Clk

[Book A, page x]

Republic of Texas

County of Colorado

In County Court Oct Term A D 1839 Oct 14th 1839 present Willard Wadham Chief Justice John F Miller Associate Justice David Wade Sheriff H Mont Sallee Depty Clerk -- Court Being opened by proclamation at the Door of Court House by Sheriff Thompson the following Business came on to be Heard -- Travis Miller agt M D Ramsy Came on parties present. Setled by Consent of parties at the Cost of Deft M. D. Ramsey

The Case of David Breeding agst Jas. Cummings Came on to be heard. the parties Not present Mr. Lewis atty for Plff made a Statement of the Case to the Court Mr. Wade presents a letter from Jas Cummings praying the Case to be Continued R. L. Breeding Being sworn in the Case by Request of Counsel

Whereupon the Court Decides that Defendt Jas. Cummings be Condemed to pay amt of Debt. $40. and Interest from 14th Augt 1839 at 10 per Cent. & all Costs of Suit. Whereupon the Court adjourned until Tomorrow 10 ock A. M. Tuesday Morning - Court met pursuant to adjournment - Not Being a Quorum to do Business Court adjourned to Morrow morining - 10 ock Court met Wesday - pursuant to adjournment No. Quorum yet present again adjourned to Thursday Morning 10 [ock] Court met Thursday Morning persuant to adjournment – Thompson

[Book A, page xi]

Not Being yet present a quorum to do Business - the Sheriff adjourned the Court sine die Thursday P M Oct 17th A D 1839 attest

H Mont Sallee Dpty Clk C C

Willard Wadham

Chief Justice

At a regular term of the Honl. County Court for Colorado County holden at Columbus April 13th 1840 On Monday - Present Kidder Walker Chief Justice Jno F Miller & S J Redgate associates D Wade Sheriff & H Montgomery Sallee Dpty Clk - Court cald by Sheriff Thompson the following Business Came up

Crumbaker & Townsend No 1 vs John Cheney

Continued by Consent of Parties

N. Townsend vs. Spencer Townsend No 4

Debt Note $100- Judgement for $100 & Interest & Cost good & lawful Money by Defalt--- agst. plff Insts 5 pr Centum

Same vs. Same

Debt. $50- Judgement for $50- & Interest at 5 pr Centum & all Legal Costs - & C - agst plff

W. B. Dewees vs Martha Bostick

Debt - Continued by the Reason of the Death of the appellant

[W.] C. Cummings vs J Rusells

Debt Injuction - attachment Judgement for [paym]ent of both notes 5 per cent. Interest

[Book A, page xii]

& all legal costs & 10 per cent Damages against appellant amt. of Debt $78--Texas Money & also that execution May issue against R. Carter G. B. Halyard & J Rusell - on the Bond for Delaney & of the property attached - & against J Rusell R Carter & G. B. Halyard on the appeal Bonds

S. B. Mixon vs. J. E. L. Brasher

Attachments - Debt $49.25/000 Judgement for $49.25 & 5 percent Ints & Costs against Brasher appellant –

C. Blythe vs. E. W. Perry –

Judgement of New Suit agst. Deft Blythe - for Costs - &c.

William Watts vs. Willard Wadham

Debt. Note for $98.62 Judgement of New Suit & Defd. on appeal Condemed to pay Costs of Suit

Same vs. Same

Judgement of New Suit against Deft. On appeal for Costs of Suit

Bartlett vs. Johnson

Continued by Consent of parties

[Book A, page xiii]

Crumbaker & Townsend vs. John Cheney

Debt - $40.50 - Judgement against Defendt for $40.25/100 Compensated in off set- against the Crumbaker of $20.25 One of the firm

Whereupon the court adjourned Sine Die

Kidder Walker

Chf Justice

Saml J. Redgate, as

John C Miller As

[Book A, page xiv]

Sam H Stevens thinks G W Gusane sent a patent for 1 league & labor to Charles K. Bullard in New Orleans for sale. that it in this co. on the Colorado River above Columbus Bulard he thinks lives in Matagorda the same Mr Bulard is the man the patent was sent to

County

Boundaries order to survey & mark the

line between Wharton & Lavaca                                                                                                  40, 41

[Book A, page xv]

Court House

Comrs allowed further time to Report a location                                                                               24

N. H. Fisher makes a proposition to Build                                                                                        30

Comrs Reports discharged                                                                                                               30

Propostion Recorded on Page                                                                                                          31

County Tax

Levied for the year 1845                                                                                                                  4

Levied for the year 1846                                                                                                                  10

Levied for the year 1847                                                                                                                  31

Assessor & Collector

Merett Hutchins renders a/c                                                                                                             17

Wm A Nails bond approved                                                                                                            22

Wm A Nail presents assesd Roll                                                                                                      23

Wm A. Nail present Roll clerk to certify                                                                                           28

Wm A. Nail present insolvent list                                                                                                      33

M Hutchins present  do  for the years 1844 & 45

Wm A Nail present Roll                                                                                                                   37

Payne Tax released                                                                                                                          42

Wm Alley appt ass & C                                                                                                                   46

Treasurer

Claims agst the county to be presented to the Chief Justice

to be indicted or payment pospond                                                                                                   4

order to pay county clerk $25                                                                                                          8

claims to be presented to the Treasurer or to be bared                                                                      10

Notice of the sum ordered to be given                                                                                              11

W B Dewees attempts a settlement and fails                                                                                     17

decree that W B Dewees is indebted to county                                                                                 18

Robt Robson appointed                                                                                                                   18

W B Dewees presents a draft & Rejected                                                                                        18

W B Dewees presents 2 drafts & Rejected                                                                                      19

W B Dewees pays $115 in Treasury notes                                                                                       19

County clk ordered to draft for 6$                                                                                                    40

County clk ordered to draft for 107.50                                                                                             42

50$ appropriated to the clks offices                                                                                                  42

[Book A, page xvi]

Roads

                                                                                                                                                       Page

from Columbus to Brenham Review Recd                                                                                        1

from Columbus to Hidesville comrs appt                                                                                           2

from Columbus to hands alloted to the same                                                                                     2

Road from Alex Jacksons to intersect Raod at Kincheloes.

Comrs to review same                                                                                                                     2

from Bosticks ferry to Zimmerschitts done away & commrs

to lay out another                                                                                                                             11

Road from Columbus to Lagrange former order Revoked comrs

appt to review the same                                                                                                                   12

Zimmerschitt to G. C. Hatches commrs to review the same                                                               13

Road from the victoria Road across Kelchs ferry                                                                              15

            comrs to review the same

Road from Mrs Coes on Benard across silveys ferry and

to run towards the Foleys                                                                                                                 15

  Comrs apptd to review the same                                                                                                    16

Comrs Report on Road from Zimmerschitts to G C Hatches Recd                                                    24

Comrs Report Road from Bosticks Recd                                                                                         24

former Comrs to review from Columbus to Lagrange

discharged & others apptd                                                                                                               27

Comrs apptd to review a from Columbus to Petersburg                                                                    28

G C Hatch allowed to move the Matagorda Road                                                                            33

Road from Taits ferry to County line divided                                                                                     34

[illegible] Comrs to review Columbus to Petersburg

discharged & other apptd                                                                                                                 36

former Comrs to review from Columbus & Lagrange

discharged others appointed                                                                                                             36

Report of Comrs to Lay out to Fayette line                                                                                       39

upper Road to Houston discontinued                                                                                                40

order to lay out old Road through Carter premises                                                                            44

Comrs appt to review Road from Fishers to the Austin

County line or Benard                                                                                                                      44

Com to review from Arch McNeill to C C Herberts                                                                         45

[Book A, page xvii]

Elections

W. F. Townsend vs Wm A Nail for ass & Col & new election ordered                                             9

Overseers of Roads

J C Abell apptd from Bosticks to Zimmerschitts                                                                                11

George Herder apptd from Zimmerschitts to county line                                                                    12

H Gregg apptd from Columbus to Lagrange                                                                                     13

W G Hunt apptd from Columbus to Lagrange                                                                                   13

Wm David apptd from Columbus the the Bernard                                                                             14

Abraham Alley Matagorda Road from the sanfilipe road to A Alleys                                                 14

John M Shannon Sanfilipe Road to prarie                                                                                         14

W. T. Townsend Columbus to Skull creek                                                                                       14

Moses Townsend Skull creek to navidad                                                                                          14

W. B. Dewees, Columbus to Silveys ferry                                                                                        15

R J Carroll Silveys ferry to county line                                                                                              15

W T Townsend appt Columbus to Skull creek                                                                                  25

Spencer Townsend " Skull creek to Navidad                                                                                    25

W B Dewees, Columbus to Silveys ferry                                                                                          25

R J Carroll silveys ferry to County line                                                                                              26

S J Redgate German settl to G C Hatches                                                                                        26

G Herder Zimerschitts to Austin county line                                                                                      26

S R Bostick  Bosticks ferry to Zimmerschitts                                                                                    26

John M Shannon, Sanfilipe Road to prairie                                                                                       27

Wm David, edge of Prairie to Bernard                                                                                              27

A Alley- Matagorda Road from Sanfilipe                                                                                          28

Road to his lower line Asa Townsend - Columbus to Bosticks ferry                                                  29

W. L. Smith Taits ferry to C C Herberts                                                                                           34

W G Hunt Columbus to Splan league                                                                                               3[?]

[Book A, page xviii]

Overseers of Roads

H Gregg Splan League to Fayette line                                                                                               37

B G Ijams Columbus  Skull creek                                                                                                     37

Alex Fitzgerald Skull Creek  Navidad                                                                                               37

W L Smith & R. J. Carroll Continued.                                                                                              45

Meritt Hutchins lower ferry at Columbus to Redgates old place                                                         45

Eli Clapp, Columbus to Sanfilipe                                                                                                      46

A Carter Columbus to Splan League                                                                                                47

H Gregg Splan County line                                                                                                               47

John Hope Bosticks ferry to Zimmerschitts                                                                                       47

B G Ijams Columbus to Skull Creek                                                                                                 47

Moses Townsend Skull Creek to County line                                                                                   47

[Book A, page xix]

Surveyor

Permited to do without a deputy                                                                                                       10

[Book A, page xx]

Patrols

appointed for the different Beats                                                                                                       3

ordered to meet onse a week                                                                                                           4

W Alley appt capt beat No 1                                                                                                           34

G W Thatcher capt beat No 2                                                                                                          34

Poor

R Walker & Wm Frels appd overseer in beat No 3                                                                          49

Precincts

laid off and lines established                                                                                                              5

lines established presiding officers appointed                                                                             20-21

W A Shepherd apptd to preside in beat No 1                                                                                   35

M D Ramsey apptd to preside in beat No 2                                                                                     35

Wm Frells apptd to preside in beat No 3                                                                                          35

Precinct of Election Near Terrells                                                                                                     38

H Terrell app presiding officer                                                                                                          38

                 Spanish Camp                                                                                                                39

Thos Thatcher presiding officer                                                                                                         39

                 Osborns                                                                                                                         39

John Osborn presiding officer                                                                                                           39

Ferrys

C Kelch allowed to establish one across the Colorado River                                                             8

Rates to be Charged                                                                                                                        16

Certificate from one of the comrs                                                                                                      16

All ferrymen required to give bond                                                                                                    17

Hutchins and Harris allowed to establish at Columbus                                                                       18

Willson & Roark allowed to establish at Columbus                                                                           19

A Carter allowed to establish                                                                                                           25

[Book A, page xxi]

Precinct Established

Court house       W. B. Dewees to preside                                                                                       43

Reels bend        Archd McNeill                                                                                                        43

John Osborns      John Osborn                                                                                                      &nbs