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

56335

William Mosby Eastland Estate Memorandum Signed

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:725.00 USD Estimated At:1,500.00 - 2,500.00 USD
William Mosby Eastland Estate Memorandum Signed
<B>William Mosby Eastland Estate Memorandum Signed</B></I> "<I>Jno Rice Jones</B></I>" and "<I>John Breeding</B></I>" as commissioners, two pages, 7.5" x 12.5", front and verso. Fayette County, November 24, 1843. A veteran of the Battle of San Jacinto, William M. Eastland enlisted in the Texas Ranger on September 5, 1836, and on December 14, 1836, became commander, serving until 1838. In 1839, he married Louisa Smith, the daughter of William P. Smith, a Methodist minister and surgeon to the Texas army. His father-in-law, according to this document, as "<I>sole executor to the last will & testament</B></I>" of William M. Eastland, appointed John Rice Jones, John Breeding, and R.B. Jarman as commissioners to appraise the property belonging to Eastland. <B>John Rice Jones </B></I>(1792-1845), boyhood friend of Stephen F. Austin in Missouri, was Postmaster General of Texas from December 11, 1835 to December 22, 1836 and again from 1839-1841. <B>John Breeding</B></I> (1807-1869) was a Texas Ranger from 1835 to 1836, serving in the Texas army. In 1840, Breeding served in a campaign against the Comanches. <B>William M. Eastland</B></I> took part in the ill-fated Mier expedition, the last of the raiding expeditions from Texas into Mexico, south of the Nueces River. He was taken captive with his men after the Battle of Mier on December 26, 1842, and marched to the interior of Mexico. Eastland participated in the Texans' abortive escape attempt; 176 prisoners were recaptured. The Mexican government ordered that every tenth man be executed. Eastland was the first of the Texans to draw a fatal black bean, the only officer of the expedition to do so. He was shot to death, on March 25, 1843. Jones, Breeding, and Jarman (also as Notary Public) have signed this document twice. Listed are 34 items owned by Eastland with a total value of, ironically for a hero of Texas, $1836. The list begins with "<I>One negro boy Dan aged 2 years valued at $150.00</B></I>" and includes "<I>Two gentle cows & calves 8$ each....16.00</B></I>," "<I>one unbroken 3 year old horse..220.00</B></I>," "<I>one black Spanish horse2...20.00</B></I>," "<I>one Town lot in LaGrange No 317 Block No 38..220.00,</B></I>" "<I>Seven notes of hand on S. Darling for...1000.00</B></I>," "<I>Secretary of Wars certificate for 320 acres Bounty land...25.00</B></I>." Eastland had received three certificates, each for 320 acres of land, for having served in the Texas army in 1835, 1836, and 1838. Clearly penned, easily read. Separations at folds have been archivally repaired, otherwise near fine.<BR><BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Flat Material, Small (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)
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