Jonathan Bittick to Joseph Rowe, Deed, Shelby County, Texas, 1844

Republic of Texas , :

County of Shelby .  :

Know all men by these presents that I, Johathan Bittick for and in consideration of the sum of One Hundred Dollars, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, have bargained, sold, aliened, transferred and conveyed unto Joseph Rowe all the right, title, claim and interest which I have in and to a certain certificate for eighteen Labors, one one hundred and fifteen thousand two hundred and twenty eight square varas or there abouts, of land the same to which I was entitled by the laws of Texas, and being balance due me on my head right and issued to me by the Board of Land Commissioners for the county of Shelby and I do hereby alien, convey and release untothe said Rowe and his heirs forever, all the above described premises together with all the appurtenances and benefits thereto belonging and all that may hereafter accrue to the same including all locations and surveys that may have been made or that may hereafter be made by virtueof said certificate and all patents that may hereafter issue to me upon the same.  To enjoy, to possess to have and to hold as his own property forever, free from the claim or claims of myself, my heirs and executors.

            Given under my hand and seal this the 8^th day of May A. D. 1844

Witness, A. B. Patton                                                   (Signed) J. Bittick   (Seal)

               George Butler

Republic of Texas ,             :

County of San Augustine .  :

            Personally appeared A. B. Patton before us, A. W. Canfield and A. E. Baker acting Justices of the Peace for said county and being duly sworn says that he saw Jonathan Bittick sign the within instrument for the uses and purposes therein named and that he saw George Butler sign the same as a witness and we attest this for the purpose of recording.

            Given under our hands this 23^rd. day May 1844 (Signed) A. E. Baker (J.P.)

A. W. Canfield (J.P.)

From the Archives and Records Division, Texas General Land Office, courtesy of Dorothy L. Miller:  

Texas vara =  33.3 inches.    League =  4428.4 acres  Labor = 177.1 acres.

First Class Headright:  Issued to those who arrived before March 2, 1836.  Heads of families were eligible for one league and one labor while single men were eligible for 1/3 league.

Second Class Headright:  Issued to those who arrived between March 2, 1836 and October 1, 1837.  Heads of families were eligible for 1280 acres while single men were eligible for 640 acres.

Third Class Headright:  Issued to those who arrived between October 1, 1837 and January 1, 1840.  Heads of families were eligible for 640 acres while single men were eligible for 320 acres.

Fourth Class Headright:  Issued to those who arrived between January 1, 1840 and January 1, 1842.  The amounts issued were the same as for a third class headright with the added requirement that ten acres be cultivated.