Blackland TX · ← All the original surveys
John B. Harris Survey, Abstract 379
- Granted to
- John B. Harris
- Kind of grant
- Headright, third classLand for later settlers, including the colonists of Mercer’s Colony.
- Land Office file
- Robertson 3rd class, file 713 1/2
- Certificate
- No. 172
- Acres
- 320
- Patented to
- John B. Harris
- Patent
- 16 Nov 1852 · No. 1198, Vol. 6
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What the file shows
John B. Harris received Mercer's Colony Certificate No. 172 for 320 acres from commissioner John M. Crockett at Corsicana on 18 April 1850, on proof of his citizenship as a colonist. David R. Mitchell surveyed the land on 17 June 1850 on Cottonwood Creek, a north branch of Richland Creek about ten miles west-southwest of Corsicana, between other Harris surveys and the Mabry and Moore tracts, with W. M. Harris carrying chain. The notes were recorded in February 1851, checked on the Land Office map in November 1852, and Harris was patented in his own name on 16 November 1852 (No. 1198, Vol. 6).
The certificate
other (Mercer's Colony certificate; filed by GLO as Robertson 3rd class), No. 172, 320 acres, John M. Crockett, Commissioner of Mercer's Colony, Corsicana, Navarro County, 18 Apr 1850.
Printed form: entitles John B. Harris to 320 acres on any vacant land within the limits of the colony of Charles Fenton Mercer and his associates not otherwise appropriated, he having taken the oath and made the proof required by law of his citizenship; may locate, transfer or donate it
The survey
1850-06-17 (certified 1850-07-15), David R. Mitchell.
Navarro County on Cottonwood Creek, a north branch of Richland Creek; red-ink addition 'about ten miles S 80° W from Corsicana'
Chain carriers: W. M. Harris, E. Hawkins (?).
Book I page 255
The patent
16 Nov 1852, No. 1198, Vol. 6, to John B. Harris.
Also in the file
- The file number is a half-number (713½), suggesting the file was slotted in after the numbering was already set.
- No filing date in the Land Office is written on the jackets, unlike most files.
- A neighbour first named as Moore on the closing line has a different name ('McLoud's'?) written above it in red ink by a Land Office checker.
Timeline
- 18 Apr 1850John M. Crockett issues Mercer's Colony Certificate No. 172 for 320 acres at Corsicana
- 17 Jun 1850David R. Mitchell surveys 320 acres on Cottonwood Creek, W. M. Harris carrying chain
- 15 Jul 1850Mitchell certifies the survey
- 13 Feb 1851J. P. Philpott records field notes in Book I, p. 255
- 12 Nov 1852Checked correct on map (Creuzbaur)
- 16 Nov 1852Patent No. 1198, Vol. 6, to John B. Harris
The papers in the file
Every page of the Land Office file, in the order the Land Office keeps them (5 pages). Tap a page to see it larger.
WrapperFile wrapper for John B. Harris's 320 acres, listing the certificate and field notes and marked as patented on 16 November 1852.General Land Office, file 713 1/2, page 1 · in the scan
CertificateMercer's Colony certificate No. 172 entitling John B. Harris to 320 acres, issued at Corsicana by commissioner John M. Crockett, 18 April 1850.General Land Office, file 713 1/2, page 2 · in the scan
Back of the certificateBack of the certificate, endorsed No. 172, John B. Harris, 320 acres.General Land Office, file 713 1/2, page 3 · in the scan
Field notesField notes for 320 acres on Cottonwood Creek, a branch of Richland Creek, surveyed for John B. Harris by deputy surveyor David R. Mitchell, 17 June 1850.General Land Office, file 713 1/2, page 4 · in the scan
Surveyor's certificateCertificate of J. P. Philpott, 13 February 1851, that the field notes were examined and recorded in Book I, page 255, with the patent jacket on the margin.General Land Office, file 713 1/2, page 5 · in the scan
Scans courtesy of the Texas General Land Office, Austin, from its Land Grant Database.
Neighbouring surveys
Sources
- Texas General Land Office, Land Grant Database: Navarro County, Abstract 379
- The Land Office file, scanned (PDF, at the General Land Office)
- 1924 map: courtesy of the Texas General Land Office, Austin, Map 73249, used under licence. Topo: U.S. Geological Survey, The National Map. Aerial photographs: U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Agriculture Imagery Program, 2012, 2018 and 2022. Survey outlines: Railroad Commission of Texas, Original Texas Land Survey. Grant records and files: Texas General Land Office.