USA > Missouri > Ray County > History of Ray county, Mo. > Part 28
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The court house-for those days-was really "a structure of majestic frame." It, too, was built of logs, nicely hewn, and skillfully fitted together at the corners; the apertures between them being "chinked " with seasoned mulberry blocks, and lined on the inside with "good, shaved oak boards." The floor was made of puncheons, and the chimney was a delicate wooden one, whose symmetrical framing rose gracefully
231
HISTORY OF RAY COUNTY.
above the gable end of a board roof; it was provided with a rock back, and the hearth and jambs were of the same incombustible material.
Such is the description of Ray county's first public buildings: the one for the culprits' comfort, and the other wherein justice between man and man was dispensed at stated periods in every year. But they no longer encumber the public square, having given place, years ago, to more com- modious buildings of improved architecture; their very logs have crum- bled to dust under the withering touch of time's destructive fingers.
In November, 1828, the county court notified the circuit court, in writ- ng, that a "good and sufficient jail" was erected in the town of Richmond, and also, that a court house would be ready for use by its next March term. The sheriff, therefore, made public proclamation, on the adjourn- ment of the circuit court that it would hold its next term in the town of Richmond.
Pursuant to this proclamation, the circuit court convened in Richmond, for the first time, Thursday, March 19, A. D., 1829. David Todd was still judge; George Woodward, clerk; Larkin Stanley, sheriff.
The following persons were on the grand jury :-
William Black, foreman; Thomas Edwards, Noble Goe, Alex. Bogart, Fouche Garner, John Cleavenger, John Turner, John McCrosky, Wil- liam Mann, Benjamin Nichols, Robert Gragg, James R. Walker, Jesse Tivault, Branick Wilkinson, John Scott, and James Ball.
FIRST INSTRUMENTS RECORDED.
MARRIAGE CERTIFICATES.
STATE OF MISSOURI, Į COUNTY OF RAY.
Know all men by these presents, That I, a preacher of the gospel, did join in the holy state of matrimony, Owen Thorp and Elizabeth Hiett, as man and wife, this 10th day of June, 1821.
JOEL ESTES.
Recorded 18th June, 1821. Attest : WILLIAM L. SMITH, Clerk.
STATE OF MISSOURI,
COUNTY OF RAY, Sct.
TOWNSHIP OF MISSOURITON,
Be it known, That, on this 15th day of February, 1821, I joined in the bonds of holy matrimony, Jacob Riffe and Ruth Martin; satisfactory proof having been first made of parental consent.
Given from under my hand the day and date above.
Recorded on this 20th day of July, 1821. B. D. BOWMER, f. P.
WILLIAM L. SMITH, Clerk.
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HISTORY OF RAY COUNTY.
STATE OF MISSOURI, Sct. COUNTY OF RAY,
I do certify that I joined in the bonds of matrimony, John Woolard and Nancy Liles, conformably to the laws of the State.
Given under my hand this 9th April, 1821.
ISAAC MARTIN, Justice Ray County Court.
Recorded on this 17th day of December, 1821. WILLIAM L. SMITH, Clerk.
Attest:
STATE OF MISSOURI, Sct.
COUNTY OF RAY.
I do certify I joined in the bonds of matrimony, Vincent Carlisle and Narcissa Black, conformably to the laws of this state.
Given under my hand the 2d of December, 1821. ISAAC MARTIN, f. C. C.
Recorded on this 17th day of December, 1821. Attest:
WILLIAM L. SMITH, Clerk.
This is to certify, That on the 20th day of December, 1821, I did join in the holy state of matrimony, Mr. Robert Morris and Miss Heffsabe Pune, both of Gallatin township and county of Ray.
Given under my hand and seal, the day and date above written.
JOHN THORNTON, Y. P. [SEAL.]
Recorded on the 7th day of January, 1822.
Attest : WILLIAM L. SMITH, Clerk.
FIRST SHERIFF'S COMMISSION.
ALEXANDER McNAIR, to all who shall see these presents, greeting : Know ye, that reposing special trust and confidence in the integrity, vig- ilance, and ability of John Harris, I do hereby appoint him sheriff of the county of Ray, and authorize and empower him to discharge the duties of said office according to law.
To have and to hold the said office, with all the powers, privileges and emoluments to the same of right appertaining, unto him, the said John Harris, until the next general election, and until a successor be duly qualified.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed my private seal (there being no seal of state yet provided.)
Given under my hand at St. Louis, the first day of January, A. D. 1821, and of the independence of the United States the forty-fifth.
A. McNAIR, [SEAL.]
By the Governor.
JOSHUA BARTON, Secretary of State. FIRST OFFICIAL BOND.
Know all men by these presents, That we, John Harris, Martin Parmer and Thomas Officer are held and firmly bound unto Alexander McNair, governor of the state of Missouri, and his successors in office, in the sum of five thousand dollars, current money of the United States, to which payment, well and truly to be made, we bind our heirs, executors and administrators, jointly and severally, firmly by these presents.
Sealed and dated this 19th day of February, 1821.
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HISTORY OF RAY COUNTY.
The condition of the above obligation is such, that whereas, the above bound John Harris has been legally appointed and commissioned sheriff of the county of Ray in the said state of Missouri, and during the term, until the next general election, and until a successor shall be duly qualified.
Now should he, the said John Harris, faithfully, as sheriff of the said county of Ray, execute, fulfill and discharge all the duties of said office of sheriff for and during the time of his continuance therein, then the above obligation to be void, else to remain in full force and virtue.
JOHN HARRIS, V MARTIN PARMER,
SEAL.] SEAL.]
THOMAS OFFICER, SEAL.
DAVID TODD, Fudge.
Acknowledged in open court.
BOND OF COMMISSIONERS TO SELECT SITE FOR PERMANENT SEAT OF JUSTICE.
Know all men by these presents, That we, James Wills, Jonathan Lig- gett, John Harris, Isaac Martin, as principals, and John Shields, Martin Parmer, Thomas Officer, John Hutchings, of the county of Ray and state of Missouri, are held and firmly bound unto Alexander McNair, Esquire, governor of the said state of Missouri, and his successors in office, for the use of the county of Ray, in the just and full sum of ten thousand dollars of lawful money of the United States, to the payment whereof we bind ourselves, our heirs, executors and administrators, jointly and severally, firmly by these presents, sealed with our seals, and dated this nineteenth day of February, eighteen hundred and twenty-one.
The condition of the above obligation is such, that whereas the above bound James Wills, Jonathan Liggett, John Harris and Isaac Martin, have been by law appointed commissioners with full power and authority to point out and fix on the most suitable plan in said county of Ray, whereon to erect a court house and jail. Now should they, the said Wills, Liggett, Harris and Martin, commissioners as aforesaid, faithfully and impartially discharge their duties as commissioners of said county of Ray, and appro- priate and dispose of all moneys or property that may come into their hands as commissioners aforesaid, to the sole use and benefit of said county of Ray; and that if there should be a surplus of said money or property remaining in their hands after having complied with the objects of their appointment, that they and each of them will, under the direction of the circuit court, pay the same into the county treasury, or to any person or persons the said court shall direct, and render at each term of the said circuit court a just and true account of how far they have performed the duties incident to the said appointment, as commissioners of the said county of Ray, then the above obligation to be void, else to remain in full force and virtue.
JAMES WILLS, SEAL.] JONATHAN LIGGETT, SEAL. JOHN HARRIS, SEAL. SEAL. SEAL.
ISAAC MARTIN, JOHN SHIELDS, MARTIN PARMER, SEAL.
THOMAS OFFICER, L SEAL.
JOHN HUTCHINS,
SEAL.
Sealed and delivered in my presence and in open court,
DAVID TODD, fudge.
15
1
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HISTORY OF RAY COUNTY.
The following are the first conveyances of land within the present Ray county, made and recorded after its organization, to-wit:
To all whom these present shall come, greeting: Know ye, that I, Duff Green, of the town of Chariton and state of Missouri, for and in consideration of one hundred and sixty acres of a New Madrid certificate* of three hundred and thirty arpens, in the name of James Brady, numbered two hundred and thirty-two (232), this day con- veyed to me by Thomas A. Smith, of the town of Franklin and state aforesaid, according to a certain agreement entered into between the said Smith and myself to liquidate the dispute then existing between us, as regards the town of Bluffton, which said agreement bears date the 6th of December, 1819, I, the said Duff Green, do, for the consideration afore- said, grant, bargain and sell, transfer and assign to the said Thomas A. Smith and to his heirs and assigns forever, one undivided fourth part of a location of six hundred and forty acres of land, made by virtue of a New Madrid certificate, numbered four hundred and fifty-eight (458) in the name of Robert Lane; said location made in township fifty-one, north, and range twenty-eight, west, north of Missouri river, reference being had to the office of the United States surveyor of this state, will more fully show the metes and bounds thereof; which said cited certificate, in the name of Robert Lane, located as aforesaid, I, the said Green, claim and own by virtue of a regular chain of conveyance from the said Lane to myself for either the land at New Madrid, or the certificate in him thereof.
To have and to hold the said undivided fourth part of said location, together with all and singular the rights, privileges and advantages there- unto belonging, or in any wise appertaining to him, the said Thomas A. Smith, and to his heirs and assigns forever.
And it is further and expressly understood that one-fourth part of the said town of Bluffton is hereby conveyed, and the advantages and per- quisites from lots sold, or hereafter to be sold, are held in common, is hereby conveyed to the said Thomas A. Smith, his heirs or assigns.
In testimony whereof, I, the said Duff Green, have hereunto set my hand and seal, this 12th day of January, 1821.
DUFF GREEN. [SEAL.]
*On the night of December 16, 1811, at about two o'clock A. M., was felt the first great shock of the New Madrid earthquake in New Madrid county, Missouri. Shocks, compar- atively light, followed at intervals of from half an hour to an hour, till seven A. M., when a second earthquake occurred, scarcely less violent than the first. After this slight shocks were felt from time to time until January 7, 1812, when the country was again visited by an earthquake equally as violent as the first two, and which, also, was followed by slighter ones, at intervals, till February 17th, at which time a third very severe one occurred. A considerable extent of valuable farming land was utterly destroyed by this calamity; and congress, carrying out the known wishes of the people, passed an act February 17, 1815, for the relief of those who had sustained losses of real estate caused by the earthquake in New Madrid county. This act was the origin of the "New Madrid Claims," and provided that any person owning lands within the boundaries forming the county on the 10th day of November, 1812, whose lands were materially injured by the earthquake, might locate a like quantity on any of the public lands of Missouri territory; but no location was ot exceed 640 acres. A few of these locations were made on public lands within what is now Ray county.
The above will explain what is meant by the term " New Madrid Location," or " New Madrid Certificate."
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HISTORY OF RAY COUNTY.
Signed, sealed and delivered in presence of
CH. VENTLAND, JAMES M. WHITE.
FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP, ) COUNTY OF HOWARD, SS.
STATE OF MISSOURI.
This day came the within and above named Duff Green personally before the undersigned, a justice of the peace, within and for the county aforesaid, and acknowledged the foregoing deed as and for his volun- tary act and deed for the purposes therein named.
Given under my hand and seal, this 12th day of January, 1821.
GEORGE CHAPMAN, J. P. [SEAL.]
STATE OF MISSOURI, ss. COUNTY OF RAY.
Recorded the within and foregoing instrument of writing on this 13th day of March, 1821, in book "A," pages 20 and 21.
WILLIAM L. SMITH, C. R. C. C. [SEAL.]
To all to whom these presents shall come, greeting: Know ye that I, Thomas A. Smith, of the town of Franklin and stateof Missouri, for and in consideration of one hundred and sixty acres of land, this day conveyed to me by Duft Green, of the town of Chariton and state aforesaid, in pursuance of a certain agreement bearing date the 6th December, 1819, between the said Green and myself relative to the town of Bluffton-reference being had to said Green's deed to me will fully shew-do, for and in consideration aforesaid, grant, bargain, sell, transfer and assign to the said Duff Green, and to his heirs and assigns forever, one hundred and sixty acres, being an undivided part of a New Madrid, or Earthquake certificate, in the name of James Brady, numbered two hundred and thirty-two (232).
To have and to hold the said undivided part of said certificate, and the land that is, or may be acquired by virtue thereof, to him, the said Duff Green, and to his heirs and assigns forever.
In testimony whereof, I, the said Thomas A. Smith, have hereunto set my hand and seal, this 12th day of January, 1821.
T. A. SMITH. [SEAL.]
Signed, sealed and delivered in presence of
CH. VENTLAND,
JAMES M. WHITE.
HOWARD COUNTY, SS
STATE OF MISSOURI.
Be it remembered, that this day came the within named, Thomas A. Smith personally before the undersigned, a justice of the peace in and for the county aforesaid, and acknowledged the within deed as and for his his voluntary act and deed.
Given under my hand and seal this .... day of January, 1821.
GEORGE CHAPMAN, J. P. [SEAL.]
STATE OF MISSOURI, ss
COUNTY OF RAY. S
Recorded the within and foregoing instrument of writing on this 13th day of March, 1821, in book " A," page 22. WILLIAM L. SMITH,
Clerk R. C. C. [SEAL.]
236
HISTORY OF RAY COUNTY.
The following is the first patent recorded in Ray county, but the land is now in Carroll:
James Monroe, President of the United States of America: To all to whom these presents shall come, greeting : Know ye, that in pursuance of the acts of congress appropriating and granting land to the late army of the United States, passed on and since the 6th day of May, 1812, William Blake having deposited in the general land office, a warrant in his favor, numbered 21,142, there is granted unto the said William Blake, late private in Donoho's corps of artillery, a certain tract of land, containing one hundred and sixty acres, being the southwest quarter of section two, of township fifty-three, north, in range twenty-three, west, in the tract appropriated (by the acts aforesaid) for military bounties, in the territory of Missouri, north.
To have and to hold, the said quarter section of land, with the appurte- nances thereof, unto the said William Blake, and to his heirs and assigns forever.
In testimony whereof, I have caused these letters to be made patent, and the seal of the general land office to be hereunto affixed.
Given under my hand, at the city of Washington, this twenty-sixth day of April, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and nine- teen, and of the independence of the United States of America the forty-third. JAMES MONROE.
By the president,
JOSIAH MEIGS, Commissioner of the General Land Office.
FIRST POWER OF ATTORNEY.
Know all men by these presents, That we, Bridget Lane, and John Lane, and Phenix Lane, and Jany Taylor, and Hannah Lane, and Daniel Lane, and Robert Lane, jr., all of us being the only heirs and legal representatives of Robert Lane, deceased, and all of us being of the county of New Mad- rid, and territory of Missouri, for divers good causes, and other valuable considerations to us hereunto moving, have made, ordained, constituted, and appointed, and by these presents do make, ordain, constitute and appoint Andrew M. Ramsey, of the county of New Madrid, and terri- tory of Missouri, our true and lawful attorney in fact, irrevocable, for the purposes following, to-wit:
WHEREAS, It is provided by an act of congress, approved the 17th day of February, in the year 1815, entitled, an act for the relief of the inhab- itants of the county of New Madrid, in the Missouri territory, who suf- fered by earthquakes, provides that those whose lands have been mate- rially injured by earthquakes, shall be authorized to locate the like, or a greater quantity of "the public lands in Missouri territory, the sale of which is authorized by law; and we, the aforesaid heirs and legal repre- sentatives, as aforesaid, being persons who are entitled to the provisions of the aforesaid act of congress;
Now, know ye, That we, the aforesaid heirs and legal representatives of the aforesaid Robert Lane, deceased, have given, and do hereby give full, complete and ample authority to our said attorney, irrevocably to locate on any of the aforesaid public lands in the said territory, any quantity of lands which we may be entitled to by virtue of the aforesaid act of con- gress, for his own proper use, benefit and behoof, and that of his heirs
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HISTORY OF RAY COUNTY.
and assigns forever, and to sell, transfer and convey the same at his, our said attorney's own will and pleasure, at all times, to any person or per- sons whatsoever, for such price and consideration as he, our said attorney, shall think fit; also, with power and authority to our said attorney, to transfer and convey unto the United States, our injured tract of land, sit- uated, lying and being in the county of New Madrid and territory of Missouri, and on the Mississippi river, containing six hundred and forty acres; it being the same tract of land which was confirmed to Robert Lane by the board of commissioners of land titles for the territory. And generally in the premises to do, execute and perform all and singular whatever shall be requisite and necessary in as full and ample a manner, as we might or could do, were we personally present; also, with power of substitution, hereby agreeing to ratify and confirm and hold valid all and whatever our said attorney shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
In testimony whereof, we, the several heirs and legal representatives, as aforesaid, have hereunto set our hands and seals, this 17th day of July, in the year of our Lord, 1818."
Her
BRIDGET ₭ LANE, [SEAL.] Mark JOHN LANE,
[SEAL.]
PHENIX LANE, [SEAL.]
Her
JANY X TAYLOR, [SEAL.]
Mark.
HANNAH LANE, [SEAL.]
His
DANIEL × LANE, [SEAL.] Mark. His ROBERT LANE, Jr. [SEAL.] Mark.
Attest: JAMES BRADY, THOMAS FLETCHER, CHARLES T. RAMSEY.
FIRST MORTGAGE.
Know all men by these presents: That I, Samuel Crowley, of Ray county, and state of Missouri, for and in consideration of the sum of one hundred dollars, current money of the United States, to me in hand paid by Jesse Mann, of the county and state aforesaid, hath given, granted, bargained and sold, and by these presents doth give, grant, bargain and sell unto the said Samuel Crowley, his heirs, executors, and administrators, one negro boy, called Chance, about seven years old.
To have and to hold the said negro boy, Chance, unto the said Samuel Crowley, his heirs, executors, and administrators, or against any person or persons, claiming under, by or through me, them, or any of them : provided, and it is the true intent and meaning of these presents, that if the said Jesse Mann, or his heirs, shall well and truly, on or before the twenty-third day of April, next, pay unto the said Samuel Crowley, his heirs, executors, and administrators, the said sum of one hundred dollars, current money of the United States, with the legal interest thereon due,
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HISTORY OF RAY COUNTY.
clear of all charges, then the above instrument of writing to be void, and of no effect, else to be and remain in full force and virtue in law.
Witness my hand and seal, this twenty-third day of July, eighteen hun- dred and twenty-two.
his
JESSE MANN. [SEAL.]
mark.
Signed, sealed, and delivered in the presence of JON. T. BURCH.
STATE OF MISSOURI, RAY COUNTY, S ss.
On this twenty-third day of July, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty-two, personally appeared before me, clerk of the circuit court of the county aforesaid, Jesse Mann, to me well known, party grantor within named, and acknowledged the foregoing instrument of writing to be his act and deed, hand and seal, for the purposes therein mentioned and particularly expressed; and the mortgaged property therein mentioned to be the right, property, and estate of the said Samuel Crowley, party grantor, therein named, his heirs, and assigns, for the purposes therein mentioned.
Given under my hand and seal the day and year above written.
JONATHAN T. BURCH. [SEAL.]
On this 24th day of July, 1822, received the foregoing instrument of writing, to be recorded, and same day was recorded in liber " A," (pages 106 and 107), a land record of said county.
JON. T. BURCH, Clerk. [SEAL.]
TOWNSHIPS.
FIRST TOWNSHIPS.
At the time of the meeting of the first county court, in April, 1821, Ray county extended eastward to Grand river, northward to the Iowa line, westward to the Indian reservation, and southward to the Missouri river; hence, it will be understood, of course, that an account of the first townships is given not with exclusive reference to the present limits of the county.
The act of the general assembly organizing the county, did not divide it into townships, but left that work to the county court; and on the second day of the hrst meeting of that tribunal in Ray county, (the second day being Tuesday, April 3d, 1821,) it was ordered, by the county court, that this county be divided into two townships, to be known as Bluffton and Fishing River townships.
Bluffton township embraced all that part of what was then Ray county, lying between Grand river and the range line, separating ranges twenty- nine and thirty; Fishing River township, that part of the county situated between the last mentioned range line and the western boundary of the state.
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HISTORY OF RAY COUNTY.
The same day, strange as it may seem, on motion of John Hutchings, the court subdivided Fishing River township, forming "all that part of said township laying west of the first sectional line running north and south, on the east side of Squire Gilmore's farm," into a new township, to be called Gallatin township. We have been unable to locate "Squire Gilmore's farm," but are satisfied that Gallatin was formed from the west- ern portion of Fishing River township.
Those who are familliar with the original limits of the county, will readily perceive that Bluffton township was little more than twice as large as Fishing River township, and that no part of the latter, as then laid off, is embraced in what is now Ray county.
At its May term, 1822, the county court reduced the number of town- ships to two-Missouriton and Bluffton; the former including all that tract of country in Ray county on the east side of the main east fork of Crooked river, extending to the mouth thereof, thence east to the Chari- ton county line (Chariton county being then bounded south by the Mis- souri river); the latter lying on the east side of said main east fork of Crooked river, extending to the mouth thereof, thence west to dividing line between Ray and Clay counties.
At the February term of court, 1823, Bluffton and Missouriton town- ships were sub-divided and three townships formed thereout, as follows:
Bluffton township-Beginning at the line between Ray and Clay coun- ties, and running thence east to the range line, between ranges twenty- seven and twenty-eight. Crooked River township-beginning at the line between twenty-seven and twenty-eight, thence east to the line between twenty-five and twenty six. Missouriton township-beginning at the line separating ranges twenty-five and twenty-six, and running east to Chari- ton county line.
Bluffton township then included all that part of our present county west of range twenty-seven; Crooked River township, all that part east of range twenty-eight, and Missouriton township, lying east of twenty-six, embraced an area, none of which is within the present limits of the county. The three townships were of equal size, and, that the reader may have some idea of their extent, it is stated that the county was twelve times as large as now.
In the year 1826, at its November term, the county court established Fishing River township out of that portion of Bluffton township lying west of range twenty-eight. It embraced what is now Polk, and the western part of Camden township, besides that area which still retains the name Fishing River. In other words, Fishing River township was then simply that portion of range twenty-nine north of the Missouri river.
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