Rep. of Texas Document – Jerome B. Alexander sig. (3x) – Dawson Massacre

Description

Rep. of Texas Document – Jerome B. Alexander sig. (3x) – Dawson Massacre
Offered for your consideration is a partly-printed court document, issued was Texas was an independent entity, signed three time by a man who died during the Dawson Massacre in 1842. Headlined “
REPUBLIC OF TEXAS
/
COUNTY OF FAYETTE
”, this piece was addressed “
TO THE SHERIFF OF SAID COUNTY, GREETING …
”, and states (in part) that “
… You are hereby commanded to summon
Briggs W. Hopson Guardian for the Minor (Heirs of Joseph G. King)
to be and personally appear at
a call
term of the Hon.
Probate
Court to be holden at the Court-house in the County of Fayette and Town of LaGrange, on the
18
th
day of December AD 1841
…
”. This summons was “
… to answer the petition of
Eliza Y. Hopson for Partition of the Estate of Jos. G King decd
”, and the recipient is admonished to “
Herein fail not; and have you then and there this writ, as the law directs.
”. The final sentence indicates that this summons was “
Given under my Hand and Seal of Office, in the Town of LaGrange,
2
nd
day of
Decr.
A.D. 184
1
”, with the signature of “
J. B. Alexander
” in his capacity as “
Dpty
CL’K
P
. C. F. C.
” added to certify the document. The back of the document was originally blank, though it now bears several manuscript filing notations. The longest of these states that “
I the Gardian of the minor heirs of Joseph G King Decd acknowledge the servis of the within writ Decm the 7
th
1841
” and it is signed by “
B. W. Hopson
” in his capacity as “
Guardian for the Heirs of J G King
”, while the other three validate the issuance of the writ, the receipt and execution of the writ by the deputy sheriff, and the subsequent filing of the writ. The issuance and filing notations are signed by “
J. B. Alexander
”, adding to the historical importance of the document (see following biography). The document was printed by “
WHITING’S PRESS,
AUSTIN
”, as noted by their imprint in the upper right corner on the front. While the document is not of great historical importance, the subsequent sacrifice of the government’s signer makes it very desirable (it would be even better if all of the signatures were on one side). A rarely encountered autograph.
Jerome B. Alexander
, as with many other individuals at this time, was born outside of Texas, with the exact date and location of his birth being unlisted. Records indicate that he moved to Texas in January of 1832. He was active during the Texas Revolution, serving first as a private in Captain John York’s volunteer company at the siege of Bexar and later as a private in Captain Mosely Baker’s, Company D, of Colonel Edward Burleson’s First Regiment, Texas Volunteers at the battle of San Jacinto. He was subsequently elected clerk of the Third Judicial District Court in January, 1838, and was re-elected in January, 1842. He was apparently quite prosperous, as he is listed as having title to 200 acres of land in Fayette County, with an additional 611 acres under survey. Additionally, he owned two town lots in LaGrange, four horses, and fifty cattle, with another 1,476 acres of land under survey in Gonzales County. When Brigadier General Adrian Woll raided San Antonio in late 1842, Alexander was elected lieutenant in a volunteer company under Captain Nicholas M. Dawson. Jerome B. Alexander was killed in action on September 18, 1842, during the infamous Dawson Massacre. He was buried at Monument Hill near LaGrange, in Fayette County, Texas.
The presently offered document exhibits signs of expected period use (remember it was served to B. W. Hopson), followed by many years of less than ideal storage. Toning is noted across the entire surface, imparting to the paper a light to moderate brown appearance (it is unknown, however, what the original color of the document was). Several stains can be seen scattered throughout the piece, though none of these significantly affects the overall eye-appeal or historical importance of the document. Two vertical folds are present, neatly dividing the piece into three even parts (these occurred when the document was folded for storage). These folds have somewhat weakened the paper, though at this time, the only paper loss or tearing associated with this can be found at the edges. The bottom and left edges are ragged and irregular, while the top and right appear straight (an area of paper loss can be found at the lower right). Minor ink erosion can be seen at some of the manuscript additions, though no paper has been lost at this time. The contrast is average, though several of the printed and manuscript letters are light due the ink uptake and the script used. Measuring approximately 6⅛ x 7⅞ inches, this piece would make an excellent addition to any Texas collection. Rarely encountered.
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Buy or Bid with Confidence – American Coins & Collectibles President Richie Self has worked 6 years as a paper money grader/authenticator. He has contributed to numerous reference books within the industry, as well as being a co-author of “The Comprehensive Catalog and History of Confederate Bonds, 2
nd
Edition” with Douglas B. Ball, Ph.D., Henry F. Simmons, M.D., Ph.D. and James R. Desabaye. Mr. Self is a life member of the American Numismatic Association, the Society of Paper Money Collectors, as well as numerous regional numismatic associations. He is an authorized submitter to NGC, PCGS, and PMG, a diamond founding member of Coin Dealers Helping Coin Dealers and a supporter of the Industry Council for Tangible Assets. American Coins and Collectibles can be found at many of the state and local coin shows.
American Coins and Collectibles
Shreveport, LA