Blackland TX · ← All the original surveys
Alexander Black Survey, Abstract 96
- Granted to
- Alexander Black
- Kind of grant
- Headright, third classLand for later settlers, including the colonists of Mercer’s Colony.
- Land Office file
- Robertson 3rd class, file 2240
- Certificate
- No. 312
- Acres
- 320
- Patented to
- Alexander Black
- Patent
- 18 Jun 1855 · No. 24, Vol. 12
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What the file shows
Alexander Black received Mercer's Colony certificate No. 312 for 320 acres from Commissioner John M. Crockett at Corsicana on 20 April 1850. Deputy surveyor Wm. L. Browning laid it off on Rush Creek, about 8 miles west-southwest of Corsicana, in February 1855, and the patent issued in June 1855.
The certificate
Mercer's Colony certificate (3rd class), No. 312, 320 acres, John M. Crockett, Commissioner of Mercer's Colony, Corsicana, Navarro County, 20 Apr 1850.
Printed form: Alexander Black, having taken the oath and made the proof required by law of his citizenship, is entitled to 320 acres to be located on vacant land within the colony of Charles Fenton Mercer and his associates; he may locate, transfer or donate the certificate
The survey
1855-02-02 (certified 1855-02-06), Wm. L. Browning, Deputy Surveyor, Robertson Land District.
Navarro County (red-ink 'situated in Navarro Co.'), on Rush Creek, about 8 miles S 80(?) W from Corsicana (red ink writes 77 above the bearing, i.e. S 77 W(?))
Chain carriers: Solomon Anderson, John Anderson.
Book V, page 283
The patent
1855-06-18 (jacket 'June 18th/55' written over 20th; wrapper says 'Patented June 20/55'), No. 24, Vol. 12, to Alexander Black, delivered to not stated (pencil at foot of jacket: 'Alex. Beaton 21st March(?) 55', and 'Apl(?) to D.').
Also in the file
- Patent date: jacket reads 18 June 1855 with the 18 written over 20; the wrapper says 20 June 1855; index says 18 Jun 1855.
- The jacket's map check ('June 19/55') is a day after the date given for the patent.
- The certificate was issued in April 1850 but not surveyed until February 1855 and filed in March 1855.
- A pencil note on the jacket names Alex. Beaton with a March 1855 date - probably the man who filed the papers (filed 20 March 1855); no transfer is in the file and the patent issued to Black himself.
- The jacket gives the tract as '321 acres'; the certificate and field notes say 320.
Timeline
- 20 Apr 1850Mercer's Colony certificate No. 312 issued to Alexander Black at Corsicana
- 2 Feb 1855Wm. L. Browning surveys 320 acres on Rush Creek
- 6 Feb 1855Browning certifies the survey
- 9 Mar 1855G. H. Cunningham examines and records it, Book V p. 283
- 20 Mar 1855Papers filed in the General Land Office
- 18 Jun 1855Patent No. 24 Vol. 12 to Alexander Black
- 19 Jun 1855Checked correct on the map by C. W. Pressler
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.
File jacketFile jacket for Alexander Black's 320 acres, certificate 312, patented June 1855, No. 24 Vol. 12.General Land Office, file 2240, page 1 · in the scan
CertificateMercer's Colony certificate No. 312 for 320 acres to Alexander Black, signed by John M. Crockett at Corsicana.General Land Office, file 2240, page 2 · in the scan
Back of the certificateBack of the certificate docketed file 2240, Mercer's Colonists cert. 320 acres, Alexander Black, filed 20 March 1855.General Land Office, file 2240, page 3 · in the scan
Field notesField notes of 320 acres for Alexander Black on Rush Creek, surveyed by Wm. L. Browning, chain carriers Solomon and John Anderson.General Land Office, file 2240, page 4 · in the scan
Surveyor's certificateG. H. Cunningham certifies the notes correct and recorded in Book V page 283, 9 March 1855; wrapper notes patented June 20/55.General Land Office, file 2240, 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 96
- 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.