LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2007 December Signature Texana Auction #661  / 

56345

James Kerr Collection. Texas

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Paper Start Price:1,000.00 USD Estimated At:1,750.00 - 2,500.00 USD
James Kerr Collection. Texas
<B>James Kerr Collection.</B></I> Comprises:<B> 1) Texas Naturalization Papers Signed </B></I>"<I>J. Ma. Viesca</B></I>" as Governor and "<I>J. Antonio Padilla</B></I>" as Secretary of the State of Coahuila and Texas, one page, 8.25" x 12.5". Leonia Vicario, October 1, 1828. Kerr is identified as "<I>Santiago Kerr</B></I>" in this document. A Mexican law of 1828 offered its citizens eleven-league grants in Texas for $100 to $250 each; one league was 4,428.4 acres. A native born or naturalized Mexican citizen could make an application for a land grant immediately, but a non-Mexican settler could only petition for citizenship, then pledge his loyalty to both Mexico and the Roman Catholic Church. After a year's probation, he could receive citizenship and petition for a land grant. Jose Maria Viesca was Governor of Coahuila and Texas from 1827-1831. Creases at top, slight tears, minor soiling. <B>2) Kerr's Business Card</B></I>, 3.5" x 2.5". In full: "<I>Texas Land Agency/James Kerr, Surveyor,/will locate/Head [Righ]ts, Bounty Land,/and Scrip./References:/Hon. S. Rhoads Fisher, Seat of Government/Col. Ira R. Lewis, Thomas M. Duke, Esq. S.B. Brigham & Co. Matagorda.</B></I>" Undated, but c. 1836-1837, the years Fisher served as Secretary of the Navy. Lightly soiled with "<I>Righ</B></I>" of "<I>Head Rights</B></I>" rubbed off. Tear at blank lower margin. Vintage blue backing on card. <B>3) Postmaster Appointment.</B></I> Document Signed "<I>Fitz-Henry Warren</B></I>" as Second assistant Postmaster General, one page, 8" x 10". Washington, December 12, 1849. Partly printed, completed in manuscript. To James Kerr, Esq. In part, "<I>The Postmaster General has established a Post Office by the name of Morales De Lavaca in the County of Jackson and State of Texas and appointed you Postmaster thereof...</B></I>" Soiling and water stains do not affect legibility. In January 1825, James Kerr was appointed surveyor general of the Texas colony of Green DeWitt. In April or May, he took his family and about eight slaves to Brazoria, where he joined the colony of his close friend, Stephen F. Austin. In May 1827, as one of the Old Three Hundred, Kerr received title to a league now in Jackson County. In 1831, Kerr was granted land directly from the Mexican government by personal authority of Land Commissioner Jose Navarro. He was elected a delegate to the Consultation of 1835 but did not serve because he was involved in a campaign against the Lipan Apaches. Kerr was later appointed as a member of the General Council. Overall, the entire collection is in fine condition. <I>From the collection of Darrel Brown.</B></I><BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Flat Material, Small (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)<BR><BR><B>Important notice:
Sign In to Bookmark Lot