Blackland TX · ← All the original surveys
J. V. Swinney Survey, Abstract 750
- Granted to
- J. V. Swinney
- Kind of grant
- Headright, third classLand for later settlers, including the colonists of Mercer’s Colony.
- Land Office file
- Robertson 3rd class, file 1983
- Certificate
- No. 74
- Acres
- 640
- Patented to
- Heirs of J. V. Swinney
- Patent
- 20 Sep 1854 · No. 538, Vol. 10
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What the file shows
Jeremiah V. Swinney had died by April 1850, when John M. Crockett, Commissioner of Mercer's Colony, issued certificate No. 74 for 640 acres at Corsicana to his heirs on proof of his citizenship in the colony. It was entered with the Robertson District Surveyor in June 1853, and J. M. Eliot surveyed it on 26 May 1854 on Mill Creek, straddling the Navarro-Ellis line next to the S. Walker, H. Martin and A. Huston surveys. The patent issued to Swinney's heirs on 20 September 1854; the papers were marked for the administrator of the estate of D. R. Mitchell.
The certificate
No. 74, 640 acres, John M. Crockett, Commissioner of Mercer's Colony, Corsicana, Navarro County, 15 Apr 1850.
Printed Mercer Colony form: entitles the heirs of Jeremiah V. Swinney to 640 acres of vacant land within the colony of Charles Fenton Mercer and associates, the heirs having made the proof required by law of his citizenship in said colony
The survey
26 May 1854, J. M. Eliot, Deputy Surveyor, Robertson Land District.
Navarro County on Mill Creek, about 18 1/2(?) miles N 35 W from Corsicana (distance interlined in red); jacket: 235 acres in Navarro County, 405 acres in Ellis County
Chain carriers: J. Harris, Geo. Lindley(?).
Book V, page 206
The patent
20 Sep 1854, No. 538 (or 638), Vol. 10, to Heirs of Jeremiah V. Swinney, deceased, delivered to Adm. Est. D. R. Mitchell (written on field-notes jacket).
Also in the file
- The grant straddles the Navarro-Ellis county line: 235 acres in Navarro and 405 acres in Ellis, so it carries an abstract number in each county.
- The certificate was issued to Swinney's heirs, not to Swinney, who had died before April 1850.
- The land was entered with the district surveyor in June 1853 but surveyed in May 1854; a separate certificate was filed to show the entry was timely.
- The patent papers were noted for the administrator of the estate of D. R. Mitchell, not for a Swinney.
Timeline
- 15 Apr 1850John M. Crockett, Commissioner of Mercer's Colony, issues certificate No. 74 for 640 acres to the heirs of Jeremiah V. Swinney
- 16 Jun 1853Certificate entered in Robertson District Surveyor's office
- 26 May 1854J. M. Eliot surveys 640 acres on Mill Creek
- 22 Jul 1854District Surveyor records field notes, Book V p. 206
- 3 Aug 1854Certificate and field notes filed in General Land Office
- 11 Aug 1854Checked correct on map
- 9 Sep 1854District Surveyor Cunningham certifies date of entry
- 20 Sep 1854Patent issued to the heirs of J. V. Swinney
The papers in the file
Every page of the Land Office file, in the order the Land Office keeps them (7 pages). Tap a page to see it larger.
File jacketFile jacket for the 640-acre Mercer's Colony survey of the heirs of Jeremiah V. Swinney, with the patent of 20 September 1854.General Land Office, file 1983, page 1 · in the scan
CertificateMercer's Colony certificate No. 74 for 640 acres issued to the heirs of Jeremiah V. Swinney at Corsicana, 15 April 1850.General Land Office, file 1983, page 2 · in the scan
WrapperBack of the certificate, with the docket naming the Swinney heirs and the Land Office filing note of 3 August 1854.General Land Office, file 1983, page 3 · in the scan
Field notesField notes for 640 acres on Mill Creek, surveyed for the Swinney heirs by deputy surveyor J. M. Eliot, 26 May 1854, with a small plat.General Land Office, file 1983, page 4 · in the scan
WrapperBack of the field notes, with the docket, the district surveyor's examination and the Land Office filing note of 3 August 1854.General Land Office, file 1983, page 5 · in the scan
Surveyor's certificateDistrict surveyor G. H. Cunningham's certificate of 9 September 1854 that the Swinney certificate was entered in his office on 16 June 1853.General Land Office, file 1983, page 6 · in the scan
WrapperJacket for the district surveyor's certificate, with the Land Office filing note of 15 September 1854.General Land Office, file 1983, page 7 · 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 750
- 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.