- More
1st Class Galveston County Headright Entitlement Certificate. Manuscript Document Signed "R[obert] D[a...
Click the image to load the highest resolution version.Description
1st Class Galveston County Headright Entitlement Certificate. Manuscript Document Signed "R[obert] D[abney] Johnson". 1 page, 7.25 x 11.5", Galveston, July 22, 1839. Reads in part: "This is to certify that Stewart Newell has appeared before us the Board Of Land Commissioners for the County of Galveston and proved according that he was a Citizen of the Republic of Texas prior to the Declaration of Independence..." The Republic of Texas issued many headright grants. These grants were given on condition that specified requirements be met by the grantees. Under the Republic's Constitution of 1836, each head of a family living in Texas as of March 4, 1836 (except Africans and Indians) were granted "first class" headrights of one league (4,428.4 acres) and one labor (177.1 acres) of land. This totals 4,605.5 acres. It is not clear why this particular certificate states 4,604 acres. As stated in this certificate, the recipient was to pay "seven dollars and fifty cents for each Labor of irrigable land, five dollars for each Labor of arable land and two dollars and fifty cents for each Labor of pasture land." At the highest rate this would be 4 cents per acre. Many times the recipient would sell his headright at approximately 50 cents per acre resulting in a substantial windfall for the time. A total of 36,876,492 acres over a ten year period was granted by the republic in headright certificates. Galveston County was formed in 1838 under the republic from Harrisburg, Liberty, and Brazoria counties and organized in 1839.This manuscript document was one of the first headrights issued in the newly created Galveston County, being number 8 -- issued prior to officials having a printed form that would be the standard as of a few months later. Robert Dabney Johnson (1812-83) emigrated to Texas in 1837 and settled at Galveston. He was appointed notary public for Galveston on November 13, 1838. When the county was organized in 1839, he became county judge and in 1842 was appointed postmaster of Galveston. He held both posts for many years and had an extensive practice as an attorney. Stewart Newell was a Texas agent of the Galveston Bay and Texas Land Company in the early 1830's and then U. S. consul to the Republic of Texas.
Moderate toning, horizontal creases with bottom separated fold reattached, else very good. A great piece to display from the very beginning of Galveston! From the collection of Darrel Brown.
Shipping, Taxes, Terms and Bidding
Calculate Standard Domestic Shipping
Sales Tax information | Terms and Conditions
Bidding Guidelines and Bid Increments
Glossary of Terms
Auction Info
Buyer's Premium per Lot:
19.5% of the successful bid (minimum $9) per lot.
Floor auctions
Open for bidding: (View All)World & Ancient Coins
Ends on 04/23/2018
Illustration Art
Ends on 04/24/2018
Fine Art
Ends on 04/24/2018
Silver
Ends on 04/25/2018
US Coins
Ends on 04/25/2018
Currency
Ends on 04/25/2018
Currency
Ends on 04/26/2018
Jewelry & Timepieces
Ends on 05/01/2018
Fine Art
Ends on 05/04/2018
Nature & Science
Ends on 05/05/2018
Comics & Comic Art
Ends on 05/10/2018
Space
Ends on 05/11/2018
Western & Texas Art
Ends on 05/12/2018
Musical Instruments
Ends on 05/12/2018
Decorative Art
Ends on 05/16/2018
Sports Collectibles
Ends on 05/17/2018
Fine Art
Opens about 05/03/2018
Fine Art
Opens about 05/25/2018
Comics & Comic Art
Opens about 05/14/2018
Historical
Opens about 05/14/2018
Photography
Opens about 05/15/2018
Fine Art
Opens about 06/07/2018
Fine Art
Opens about 05/18/2018
Old West
Opens about 05/21/2018
Decorative Art
Opens about 05/18/2018
Luxury Accessories
Opens about 05/21/2018
Arms & Armor
Opens about 05/22/2018
Jewelry & Timepieces
Opens about 05/11/2018
US Coins
Opens about 05/25/2018
Comics & Comic Art
Opens about 05/29/2018
Fine Art
Opens about 05/28/2018
Fine Art
Opens about 05/29/2018
Heritage membership
- Past Auction Values (prices, photos, full descriptions, etc.)
- Bid online
- Free Collector newsletter
- Want List with instant e-mail notifications
- Reduced auction commissions when you resell your
winnings
- Cash Advances
- More Bidders
- Trusted Experts
- Over 200,000 Satisfied Consignors Since 1976
Learn about consigning with us
The pre and post sales experience was wonderful and flawless. Heritage has the best in-house operation I have ever seen and their people are not only professional but fun to work with, especially Steve C.View More Testimonials
As for Heritage's online system… Yes the interface is more complex than what we are used to with SAN but what is behind that interface is amazing for sellers and buyers alike. It is real time and for a real serious auction buyer there is nothing better in the auction industry, bar none.
HA.com receives more traffic than any other auction house website. (Source: Similarweb.com)
Recent auctions
