Republic of Texas
We Bailey English principal and Mark R. Roberts, Martin Vernon, John R. Gannett and Westley Tallett his secunties do hereby bind and oblige our selves, our heirs and apsings to pay to Sam Houston president of the Republic of Texas and his sucepors in office in the just and full sum of twenty thousand dollars for the payment of which we jointly and severally and firmly bind ourselves as aforesaid.
The condition of the above obligation is such that is the above bound Bailey English is about to qualify as the president of the board of land commissioners for the County of Fannin in said Republic of Texas and offers the said Mark R. Roberts, Martin Vernon, John R. Garnett and Westly Tallett as his secuntisins this his office bond, now if the said English does well and truly pay over all of the public moneys which may come into his hands in said office and perform all the duties required by said office, then the above bond to be void otherwise to remain in full force and effect. Given under our hands and seals this first date of February 1838.
Witness Bailey English
D. Rowlett Martin Vernon
John R. Garnett
Westly Tolbett
Approved this 19th day of February 1838
Recorded the 20th day of February AD 1838
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Page 2
Free L. Heart and Hardin Heart sold on or about May 18, 1838 improved property on the south side of the Red River in a bottom to John Heart and James Baker.
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Page 3
Charles Quillen by virtue of a power vested by Rowland Brown and Ruth Graland Brown wife convey unto John Jowett one undivided half of the Estate of the father of Ruth Brown.
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Page 4
Charles Quillen by virtue of a power vested by Stephen Johnson and Elizabeth Garland Johnson wife convey unto John Jowett one undivided half of the Estate of the father of Elizabeth Johnson.
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Page 5
Daniel Montague principal and D. Rowlett. . .of the County of Fannin and Republic of Texas do hereby bind and oblige ourselves, our heirs and assigns to pay to Sam House, president of the Republic of Texas. . . ten thousand dollars. . . the condition of the above obligation is such that the above bound Montague is about to qualify as Surveyor for the County of Fannin in the Republic of Texas and offers the above bond as his securities. D. Rowlett. . . to this his office bond. Now if the said Montague does well and truly perform all the duties of his said office of Surveyor for the County of Fannin to the best of his skill and ability then the above bond to be void otherwise to remain in full force. February 15, 1838.
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Page 6
Garrett Pangman is bound unto Thomas Jowett the sum of one thousand dollars for six hundred and forty acres.
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Page 7
Oct. 28, 1838. Articles of agreement made between Barnet Clark and Daniel Montague such that Barnet Clark sells a league and labor of land which he claims as a citizen of Texas to Daniel Montague. Daniel Montague assigns the obligation to Samuel Stewart.
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The first book of Fannin County records, with the first entry dated February 1, 1838, was buried in the cornerstone of the Fannin County Court House in 1888. When the cornerstone was opened in the mid 1960s, the book was given to the Fannin County Museum of History, where it currently resides.
We have scanned this very fragile book and you can see all the pages by clicking HERE. Certain pages are transcribed or partially transcribed below.
Fannin County Record Book, 1838-
Page 8
Samuel Stewart assigns the obligation to J. R. Oneal.
Oct. 27, 1838. Articles of agreement made between Nancy Clark and Daniel Montague such that Nancy Clark conveys her right and claims to a league and labor of land to Daniel Montague.
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Page 9
Reece P______ takes oath to be assessor and collector of taxes.
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Page 10
Samuel Stewart transferred land to Daniel Montagne. William Anderson transferred land to John G. Jouett. Dated February 19th, 1838. Recorded June 13, 1838.
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Page 11-12-12A
Articles of agreement made June 22, 1837 at Montague Landing, Red River, Texas between John Husband and George Avey regarding one third part of a League of land. Dated June 22, 1837.
Red River, April 26, 1838 Indenture between Jefferson Ivey and Daniel Montague relating one third of a league of land.
Daniel Montague assigns the obligation over to Samuel Stewart. Samuel Stewart assigns the obligation to James R. O'Neal.
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Page 13
February 13, 1838 Notice of authorization to survey for Alexander Rupell one league and one labor of land. Alexander Rupell transferred the claim to John Jouett.
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Page 14
David Strickland (as administrator of the estate of Joseph Strickland) sold to Levi Rupell a certificate granted to Wm. M. Williams.
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Page 15
September 20, 1838. Certification that James King appeared before the Board of Land Commissioners for the County of Fannin and that he arrived in this Republic in February 1836 and that he is a single man and entitled to one third of a League of land upon payment of fees. James King assigned to Benjamin Pettitt all his rights to the claim.