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ETRC / Collections / Personal /

Bennett Blake Papers

COLLECTION INFORMATION
TABLE OF CONTENTS
    Dates: 1826-1942
    Size: 10 boxes, 2025 items (5.5 linear feet)
    Acquisition: Gift, 1963
    Access: Open for research
    Processed by:
    TIDES Link: Bennett Blake Papers
  • Biographical Sketch
  • Scope and Content Note
  • Location of Record
  • Inventory

    •  


    BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

    Bennett Blake was born on November 11, 1809 in Sutton, Vermont. He was the son of Samuel Dow Blake and Abigail Lee Blake. He arrived in Nacogdoches in 1835, ultimately acquired a large farm, and began a life as merchant and farmer. On November 24, 1853, he married Ellazina Harris, daughter of Elbridge G. and Mary Hamilton Harris, with whom he had three children.

    Blake entered upon a distinguished career in public service shortly after his arrival in Texas. He was first elected justice of the peace in 1838 and reelected until, by 1850, he had served some ten years in that office. Thereafter, he became chief justice of Nacogdoches County, an office he held for twelve years.

    Blake fought in the Texas Revolution. He also served under Gen. Thomas J. Rusk in an expedition against the Cherokee Indians in 1839 and engaged in a second Cherokee expedition in 1841. He was elected to the state legislature in 1862, and he became one of the Texas delegates to the Congress of the Confederate States of America, where he served during 1863-64. After the Reconstruction period, voters chose him to represent them at the Constitutional Convention of 1875, where at age sixty-six he was the second oldest delegate.

    Judge Blake was a Democrat and Mason. He died in Nacogdoches County on March 1, 1896, and is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery

    ("BLAKE, BENNETT." The Handbook of Texas Online. http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/handbook/online/articles/view/BB/fbl35.html [Accessed Fri Nov 14 14:03:42 US/Central 2003]).


    SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE

    The collection consists of Letters, financial papers, legal documents, and land deeds, mostly of Bennett Blake, his immediate family, and related families. A significant portion of the papers relate to William Bonaparte McKnight, who married Mary Louisa Addie Blake. McKnight's papers include oil leases and negotiations for timber rights. Several original land grants are included in the collection, two signed by Republic of Texas president Anson Jones.


    LOCATION OF RECORD

    [A-6]


    INVENTORY

    BOX 1

    Folder 1: Letters to Bennett Blake, 1847-1859[?], re: land, power of attorney, Chireno Academy, bailiff's resignation. Includes Mary Harris, R. E. Lindsey. Handwritten. 7 items.
    June 17, 1847, mentions emigrants.
    Folder 2: Letters to Bennett Blake, 1861-1867, re: financial concerns, slaves, Confederate money, land. Handwritten. 3 items.
    November 8, 1861, "sell negroes" to pay debt.
    Folder 3: Notes to Bennett Blake, 1865, from Charles S. Taylor, re: corn. Handwritten. 6 items. [images]
    March 22, 1865, Mrs. Franklin Jones
    March 22, 1865, Mrs. S. Poe
    March 31, 1865, Mrs. Meeks
    April 6, 1865, Mrs. J. Parton
    April 24, 1865, Mrs. Mayfield
    May 9, 1865, Mrs. Straham
    Folder 4: Letters of Bennett Blake, 1868, re: land, financial concerns, cotton. Includes James R. Arnold. Handwritten. 7 items.
    Folder 5: Letters to Bennett Blake, 1868-1869, from W. L. Alexander re: land, taxes. Handwritten, printed. 4 items.
    Folder 6: Letters of Bennett Blake, 1868-1869, with W. E. Collard and P. T. Woodson re: land, financial concerns, Fenner vs Woodson suit. Handwritten. 6 items.
    Folder 7: Letters to Bennett Blake, 1868,1870, re: cotton accounts with Clapp Brothers & Co., New Orleans, LA. Handwritten, printed. 11 items.
    November 12, 1868
    December 2, 1868
    December 8, 1868
    December 22, 1868
    December 26, 1868
    June 25, 1870
    November 22, 1870
    Folder 8: Bennett Blake, 1868, re: accounts with James H. Starr & Son, Nacogdoches, cotton prices & expenses. Handwritten, 4 items.
    August 29, 1868, receipt for claims
    November 5, 1868, gold account
    November 5, 1868, currency account
    December 31, 1868, gold account [image]
    Folder 9: Bennett Blake, 1869, re: accounts with James H. Starr & Son, cotton prices & expenses. Handwritten, printed. 9 items.
    September 11, 1869, gold account
    Folder 10: Bennett Blake, 1870-1873, re: accounts with James H. Starr & Son. Handwritten, printed. 8 items.
    April 15, 1870, Currency, County Warrants, and Gold account. [image]
    June 4, 1873, Letter to Peyton F. Edwards from James H. Starr, concerning 160 acres of land. [image]
    Folder 11: Bennett Blake, 1873-1874, with Raguet & Fry [successors to James H. Starr & Son] re: accounts. Handwritten, printed. 4 items.
    July 24, 1873, Receipt [image]
    Folder 12: Letters of Bennett Blake, 1868-1879, with John M. Richardson re: land. Includes field notes, deed. Handwritten. 10 items.
    Folder 13: Letters of Bennett Blake, 1881, n.d. , with John M. Richardson re: land. Includes field notes. Handwritten 8 items.
    Folder 14: Letters to Bennett Blake, 1869-Jan. 1870, re; financial concerns. Includes J. H. Muckleroy, survey notes. Handwritten. 6 items.
    Folder 15: Letters to Bennett Blake, Oct. 1870-1871, re: land, financial concerns, Fenner vs Woodson suit. Includes J. F. and J. B. Foster, land leases. Handwritten. 4 items.
    Folder 16: Letters to Bennett Blake, 1872-1873, with William R. Reagan re: land, legal and financial matters, [James C.] Walker. Handwritten. 6 items.
    Folder 17: Letters of Bennett Blake, 1872-1873, re: land, legal and financial matters. Handwritten. 4 items.
    Folder 18: Letters to Bennett Blake, 1872-1873, re: accounts with J. H. Brown & Co., Tyler, TX. Handwritten. 4 items.
    Folder 19: Letters of Bennett Blake, 1872-1875, with James C. Walker re: land, financial concerns. Includes plat. Handwritten. 6 items.
    Folder 20: Letters to Bennett Blake, Apr.- Oct. 1876, from James C Walker re: land, financial concerns, legal matters, John M. Sparks. Handwritten. 5 items.
    Folder 21: Letters to Bennett Blake, Nov. 1876-Jan. 1877, from James C. Walker re: land. financial and legal matters. Hand written. 4 items.
    Folder 22: Letters to Bennett Blake, Jan.-Mar. 1883, from James C Walker re: land, financial concerns. Handwritten. 7 items.
    Folder 23: Letters to Bennett Blake, Apr.-June 1883, from James C Walker re: land, financial concerns. Handwritten. 5 items.
    Folder 24: Letters to Bennett Blake, 1884, from James C. Walker re: financial concerns. Handwritten. 5 items.
    Folder 25: Letters to Bennett Blake, 1885-1893, from James C. Walker re: land, financial concerns. Handwritten. 7 items.
    Folder 26: Letters to Bennett Blake 1873, with Ball, Hutchings & Co. re: financial concerns. Handwritten. 5 items.
    Folder 27: Letters to Bennett Blake, 1873, with Loewenstein Elias re: financial concerns. Handwritten. 4 items.
    Folder 28: Letters to Bennett Blake, 1874, from Convent of the Sacred Heart, Clarksville, TX re: financial concerns. Handwritten. 3 items.
    Folder 29: Letters to Bennett Blake, 1874, re: land, financial concerns. Handwritten. 6 items.
    Folder 30: Letters of Bennett Blake, 1875-1876, re: land, income tax, legal and financial matters. Handwritten. 7 items.
    Folder 31: Letters to Bennett Blake, 1877, from H. D. Donald re: land and financial concerns. [One letter incomplete.] Handwritten. 4 items.
    Folder 32: Letters to Bennett Blake, 1877-1879, re: financial matters, land, bail. Handwritten, typescript. 7 items.
    January 29, 1877, letter mentions having cancer
    December 11, 1879, letter mentions bailing son out.
    Folder 33: Letters to Bennett Blake, 1877-1879, from J. S. Thomason, Sr. re: land, financial concerns. Handwritten. 5 items.
    Folder 34: Letters to Bennett Blake, 1880-1885, from J. S. Thomason, Sr. re: land, financial concerns. Handwritten. 8 items.
    Folder 35: Letters of Bennett Blake, 1880-1882, with Joseph M. Langley and W. F. Nelson re: land, survey dispute. Includes court petition. Handwritten. 9 items.
    Folder 36: Letters to Bennett Blake, 1887-1891, from Joseph M. Langley re: land, financial concerns, timber. Handwritten. 6 items.


    BOX 2

    Folder 1: Letters of Bennett Blake, 1880-1883, re: land, financial concerns, small pox. Handwritten. 7 items.
    April 12, 1882, letter about weather & small pox cases "came from Dallas brought by bad women." [image]
    Folder 2: Letters of Bennett Blake, 1884, re: land, financial concerns. Handwritten. 5 items.
    Folder 3: Letters to Bennett Blake, 1884-1887, from John Durst re: land surveying. Handwritten. 3 items.
    Folder 4: Letters to Bennett Blake, 1885, from F. A. Kimball re: land, financial concerns. Includes survey. Handwritten. 3 items.
    Folder 5: Letters to Bennett Blake, 1885-1886 re: land, financial concerns, insurance, heirs of Hiram Williams. Handwritten. 5 items.
    Folder 6: Letters to Bennett Blake, 1887, 1892, from Richardson & Watkins, Athens, TX re: land, financial concerns. Includes field notes and plat. Handwritten. 10 items.
    Folder 7: Letters to Bennett Blake, 1887, re: land, financial concerns, power of attorney, timber. Includes A. J. Angle, J. P. Forsyth, Lafayette Burnes. Handwritten. 5 items.
    Folder 8: Letters of Bennett Blake, 1887, re: land, financial concerns. Includes G. W. Shepherd, Peyton F. Edwards. Handwritten. 4 items.
    Folder 9: Letters of Bennett Blake, 1888, with M. E. Campbell re: land, financial concerns, C. H. Long. Handwritten. 5 items.
    Folder 10: Letters to Bennett Blake, 1887-1888, from O. C. Kirven re: land, financial concerns. Handwritten. 7 items.
    Folder 11: Letters to Bennett Blake, 1889-1891, with O. C. Kirven re: land, financial concerns. Handwritten. 6 items.
    Folder 12: Letters to Bennett Blake, 1887-1889, from S. J. Stuart re: land, financial concerns. Handwritten. 11 items.
    Folder 13: Letters to Bennett Blake, 1890-1891, from S. J. Stuart re: land, financial concerns. Handwritten. 10 items.
    Folder 14: Letters to Bennett Blake, 1892-1893, from S. J. Stuart re: land, financial concerns. Handwritten. 7 items.
    Folder 15: Letters to Bennett Blake, 1888, re: land, taxes in Leon Co., Dr. Joseph Hertz, financial concerns. Handwritten. 5 items.
    Folder 16: Letters of Bennett Blake, 1889, re: shingles, land, financial concerns. Handwritten, typescript. 4 items.
    Folder 17: Letters to Bennett Blake, 1889-1892, n.d., from J. L. Pogue re: land, financial concerns, timber, cotton, small pox in Mineola. Handwritten. 7 items.
    n.d., letter about people moving west
    February 8, 1891, letter about small pox in Mineola and that cotton prices are down.
    Folder 18: Letters to Bennett Blake, 1890-1891, re: land, financial concerns, timber, F. H. K. Day family. Handwritten, typescript. 6 items.
    August 28, 1891, letter about early settlers and questions where certain people are.
    Folder 19: Letters to Bennett Blake, 1891-1892, from William and Henry Benton and John H. Jones re: land, J. L. Pogue. Handwritten. 8 items.
    Folder 20: Letters of Bennett Blake, 1892, with J. H. Garrett, E. D. Roberson, J. H. Roberson re: land, financial concerns. Handwritten. 6 items.
    Folder 21: Letters of Bennett Blake, 1893, re: financial concerns. Includes E. A. Blount, J. P. Forsyth. Handwritten. 6 items.
    Folder 22: Letters of Bennett Blake, 1895-1904, n.d. re: land, financial concerns, cotton. Includes verification of military service of Oliver [Olaf] Peterson. Handwritten. 6 items.
    Folder 23: Letters to Bennett Blake, 1836-1839, from family in Vermont re: family matters, farming, health. Handwritten. 4 items.
    January 14, 1839, letter about family and challenges of being a parent.
    Folder 24: Letters to Bennett Blake, 1841-1848, from family in Vermont re: family matters, financial concerns, Mexican troubles, friends. Handwritten. 4 items.
    April 21, 1845, letter misses Blake, Uncles wife fell in fire, disease euyipelus.
    Folder 25: Letters to Bennett Blake, 1850-1881, from family and friends re: family matters, lottery ticket. financial concerns. Handwritten. 4 items.
    Folder 26: Letters , 1902-1910, re: Bennett Blake estate. Handwritten, typescript. 2 items.
    Folder 27: Account book, 1830-1831, Clarksville, GA. Includes later accounts of estates, 1837-1851, Nacogdoches, TX. Handwritten. 1 volume.


    BOX 3

    Folder 1: Ledger, 1841-1843, Nacogdoches, TX. Includes clippings and loose items on recipes, medical cures, household hints. Handwritten, printed. 1 volume.
    Folder 2: Account book, 1858-1871, Nacogdoches, TX. Includes commodities, labor. Handwritten. 1 volume.


    BOX 4

    Folder 1: List of notes owned by Bennett Blake, 1875-1885. Indexed. Handwritten. 1 volume.
    Folder 2: Lists of notes belonging to Bennett Blake, 1871-1882. Handwritten. 5 items.
    Folder 3: Inventories of taxable property belonging to Bennett Blake, 1872-1875; list of taxes paid by Bennett Blake, 1868-1869. Handwritten, printed. 4 items.
    Folder 4: Promissory notes owed or transferred to Bennett Blake, 1852 1867. Handwritten. 12 items.
    August 12, 1852, Moses Damuson
    January 12, 1854, Samuel Hunter
    October 20, 1858, Henry W. Supriest (3 notes)
    August 19, 1858, John B. Hardeman
    February 27, 1858, Perry G. Nichols
    April 1, 1859, J. W. McKnight
    November 29, 1859, S. Cave
    March 5, 1860, James R. Arriolo
    January 25, 1860, J. W. House
    January 28, 1862, Antonio Laflore
    November 29, 1867, L. W. Millsap
    November 29, 1867, L. W. Millsap
    Folder 5: Promissory notes owed or transferred to Bennett Blake, 1871-1872. Handwritten. 10 items.
    Folder 6: Promissory notes owed to Bennett Blake, 1875-1885. Handwritten. 8 items.
    Folder 7: Receipts of Bennett Blake, 185_ -1895, n.d. Handwritten, printed. 11 items.
    Folder 8: Receipts of Bennett Blake, 1864, for Confederate bonds. 7 items. [image]
    Folder 9: Accounts and bills of Bennett Blake, 1860-1869. Handwritten. 9 items.
    Account with Bondis & Luesch, 1844 & 1845. [image]
    Mrs. E. W. Bolters account with J. H. Muckleroy, 1860. [image]
    W. B. Ochiltree account with M. G. Whitaker, July 1861. [image]
    Blake paid J. H. Muckleroy 15g Gold, October 21, 1868. [image]
    Account with J. H. Muckleroy, October 1868, [image]
    James Holmes account with R. S. Walker, 1859. [image]
    Statement of cotton shipped by McCutchen Co. for Bennett Blake, 1868. [image]
    Account with Jesse Muckleroy, 1868. [image]
    Money received by J. H. Brown for Bennet Blake, February 22, 1869. [image]
    Folder 10: Accounts and bills of Bennett Blake, 1870-1875, n.d., with Peyton F. Edwards. Handwritten. 6 items.
    Folder 11: Accounts and bills of Bennett Blake, 1870-1879. Handwritten. 11 items.
    Folder 12: Accounts and bills of Bennett Blake, 1880-1887, with George F. Ingraham, Ingraham & Edwards, Ingraham & Irion[?]. Handwritten. 8 items.
    Folder 13: Accounts and bills of Bennett Blake, 1887-1896, with Ingraham & Ratcliff. Handwritten. 12 items.
    Folder 14: Accounts and Bills of Bennett Blake, 1881-1888, n.d. Handwritten, printed. 9 items.
    Folder 15: Tax receipts of Bennett Blake for 1852-1859 assessments. Includes agent Starr & Amory. Handwritten, printed. 25 items.
    Folder 16: Tax estimates and receipts of Bennett Blake for 1860-1865 assessments. Includes Mary Harris, J[esse] H. Muckleroy, Nancy Hamilton, and agents E. Coon, N. J. Moore, L. Elliott. Handwritten, printed. 23 items.
    Folder 17: Tax receipts of Bennett Blake for 1866-1869 assessments. Includes Mary Harris, James H. Starr & Son. Includes income tax. Handwritten, printed. 18 items.
    Folder 18: Tax receipts of Bennett Blake for 1870-1876 assessments. Handwritten, printed. 16 items.
    Folder 19: Tax receipts of Bennett Blake for 1877 assessments. Includes agents R. Irion, H. D. Donald, Robert Lacy, Edwards & Irion. Handwritten, printed. 15 items.
    Folder 20: Tax receipts of Bennett Blake for 1878-1879 assessments. Includes agents P. F. Edwards, Donald & Gordon, Edwards & Ingraham, Robert Lacy, Bradley Handwritten, printed. 24 items.
    Folder 21: Tax receipts of Bennet Blake for 1880-1882 assessments. Includes agents Ingraham & Lloyd, W. A. Patrick, George F. Ingraham. Handwritten, printed. 18 items.
    Folder 22: Tax receipts of Bennett Blake for 1883-1887 assessments. Includes agents George F. Ingraham, Ingraham & Edwards, Irion & Co., Ingraham & Irion, Thomson & Donnan, Ingraham & Ratcliff. Handwritten, printed, carbon. 18 items.
    Folder 23: Tax receipts of Bennett Blake for 1888-1895 assessments. Includes agents Ingraham, Ratcliff & Ingraham. Handwritten, printed, carbon. 19 items.
    Folder 24: Tax receipts of Ella Blake for 1873-1882 assessments. Handwritten, printed. 22 items.
    Folder 25: Tax receipts of Ella Blake and estate for 1883-1895 assessments. Handwritten, printed, carbon. 23 items.
    Folder 26: Tax receipts of Isaac F. Blake and estate for 1874-1883 assessments. Handwritten, printed. 9 items.
    Folder 27: Tax receipts of Bennett Blake, Jr. for 1877-1895 assessments. Includes Mr. E. Bowler, Ella Blake, Gus Fears. Handwritten, printed. 22 items.


    BOX 5

    Folder 1: Tax receipts of persons with surnames beginning with B [no A's] for 1858-1891 assessments. Mostly Nacogdoches County. Handwritten, printed. 13 items.
    Folder 2: Tax receipts of persons with surnames beginning with C-E for 1866-1918 assessments. Includes Willis Crawford. Hand written, printed. 21 items.
    Folder 3: Tax receipts of Fears family for 1869-1890 assessments. Handwritten, printed. 24 items.
    Folder 4: Tax receipts of Finley/Fenley family and other surnames beginning with F for 1857-1885 assessments. Includes S[arah] Thompson. Handwritten, printed. 22 items.
    Folder 5: Tax receipts of persons with surnames beginning with H-K [no G. I, J] for 1857-1903 assessments. Includes Nancy Hamilton. Handwritten, printed. 22 items.
    Exchange Certificate, 1864. [image]
    Folder 6: Tax receipts of Mary Harris for 1857-1866 assessments. Handwritten, printed. 14 items.
    Folder 7: Tax receipts of Mary Harris for 1867-1871 assessments. Handwritten, printed. 15 items.
    Folder 8: Tax receipts of Luna family for 1870-1878 assessments. Handwritten, printed. 14 items.
    Folder 9: Tax receipts of persons with surnames beginning with M-P [no Q] for 1867-1902 assessments. Handwritten, printed. 22 items.
    Folder 10: Tax receipts of persons with surnames beginning with R-S for 1867-1892 assessments. Handwritten, printed. 13 items.
    Folder 11: Tax receipts of Thompson family for 1857-1873 assessments. Handwritten, printed. 14 items.
    Folder 12: Tax receipts of persons with surnames beginning with V-W [no X,Y,Z] for 1856-1887 assessments. Handwritten, printed. 9 items .
    Folder 13: Receipts of Bennett Blake, 1859-1885, for debts in Vermont, land transactions, and agreements with collection agents. Handwritten, printed. 11 items.
    Folder 14: Promissory notes to Bennett Blake or transferred to him, 1870-1883, re: land transactions, canceled or unsigned; receipt for interest in promissory note, 1895. Handwritten. 7 items.
    Folder 15: Promissory notes to Bennett Blake, 1885, re: land transactions. Canceled with some signatures torn or cut out. Handwritten. 13 items.
    Folder 16: Promissory notes to Bennett Blake, 1887-1889, re: land transactions. Handwritten, printed. 4 items.
    Folder 17: Certificates for headright entitlements, 1839, for surnames beginning with A-D. Handwritten, printed. 11 items.
    Folder 18: Certificates for headright entitlements, 1839, for surnames beginning with E-H. Handwritten, printed. 10 items.
    Folder 19: Certificates for headright entitlements, 1839-1840, for surnames beginning with I-P. Handwritten, printed. 13 items.
    Folder 20: Certificates for headright entitlements, 1839, for surnames beginning with R-Z; list of land certificates placed with Bennett Blake, n.d. Handwritten, printed. 15 items.
    Folder 21: Articles of agreement of Bennett Blake et al, 1866-1869, re: land, financial concerns, farming. Handwritten, printed. 7 items.
    Folder 22: Articles of agreement of Bennett Blake et al, 1870, re: land. Includes Moses L. Patton, field notes. Handwritten, printed. 8 items.
    Folder 23: Articles of agreement of Bennett Blake et al, 1874, re: land, farming. Handwritten, printed. 5 items.
    Folder 24: Articles of agreement of Bennett Blake at al, 1882-1883, re: land. Handwritten. 4 items.
    Folder 25: Articles of agreement of Bennett Blake et al, 1884-1892, re: land. Includes field notes. Handwritten. 6 items.
    Folder 26: Indentures to Bennett Blake et al, 1866-1883, re: farm leases. Handwritten. 5 items.
    Folder 27: Redemption certificates for land of Bennett Blake et al, 1857, 1869. Handwritten, printed. 2 items.
    Folder 28: Warranty deeds of Bennett Blake, 1891, 1893, for land. Handwritten, printed. 2 items.


    BOX 6

    Folder 1: Land deeds of Bennett Blake et al, 1826-1836. Handwritten, handwritten transcript, typescript [fragment]. 4 items.
    Folder 2: Land deeds of Bennett Blake et al, 1837. Includes signatures of Nacogdoches Board of Aldermen. [4 documents torn or damaged] Handwritten, printed. 6 items.
    Folder 3: Land deeds, 1838-1839. Includes Thomas J. Rusk. Handwritten, handwritten transcript, typed transcript. 5 items.
    Folder 4: Land deeds of Bennett Blake et al, 1840-1842. Handwritten. 5 items.
    Folder 5: Land deeds of Bennett Blake et al, 1843-1846. Handwritten. 6 items.
    Folder 6: Land deeds of Bennett Blake et al, 1850-1852. Handwritten, handwritten transcript, typed transcript, printed. 4 items.
    Folder 7: Land deeds of Bennett Blake et al, 1853-1858. Handwritten. 5 items.
    Folder 8: Land deeds of Bennett Blake et al, 1859. Handwritten. 4 Items .
    Folder 9: Land deeds of Bennett Blake et al, 1860-1867. Handwritten. 10 items.
    Folder 10: Land deeds of Bennett Blake et al, 1868-1869. Includes canceled deed to 8-year-old daughter of Frederick Voigt. Handwritten, blotter copy. 6 items.
    Folder 11: Land deeds of Bennett Blake et al, 1871-1873. Includes plats. [one signature torn off] Handwritten, printed. 9 items.
    Folder 12: Land deeds of Bennett Blake et al, 1874-1878. Includes plats. Handwritten, printed. 7 items.
    Folder 13: Land deeds of Bennett Blake et al, 1880-1882. Handwritten, printed. 5 items.
    Folder 14: Land deeds of Bennett Blake et al, 1883-1884. Handwritten, printed. 7 items.
    Folder 15: Land deeds of Bennett Blake et al, 1885-1888. Handwritten, printed. 8 items.
    Folder 16: Land deeds of Bennett Blake et al, 1894-1896. Handwritten, printed. 4 items.
    Folder 17: Land deeds of Bennett Blake et al, from court-ordered sales, 1868-1903. Handwritten, printed. 5 items.
    Folder 18: Deeds in trust of Bennett Blake et al, 1870-1876. Handwritten, printed. 4 items.
    Folder 19: Deeds in trust of Bennett Blake et al, 1881-1886. Handwritten, printed. 5 items.
    Folder 20: Bonds for land titles of Bennett Blake et al, 1838-1859. Includes letter from H. L. Upshur to N. Amory. Handwritten, typed transcript. 8 items.
    Folder 21: Bonds for land titles of Bennett Blake et al, 1869-1883 [2 documents torn and one signature defaced] Handwritten. 6 items.
    Folder 22: Mortgages of crops to Bennett Blake, 1871-1875. Handwritten. 6 items.


    BOX 7

    Folder 1: Field notes and plats of William Hamilton league, Panola County, 1877-1880, n.d. Includes letter on verve of notes. Handwritten. 15 items.
    Folder 2: Field notes and plat of Nancy Hamilton tract in Vital Flores league, Nacogdoches County, 1868, n.d. Handwritten. 3 items.
    Folder 3: Field notes and plat of Isaac Kneeland league, Rains County and Wood County, 1889-1890, n.d. Handwritten. 6 items.
    Folder 4: Survey notes and plat of the Henry Kraber tract, 1838, n.d. Handwritten. 3 items.
    Folder 5: Field notes with plats, 1850-1887, n.d. Handwritten. 9 items.
    Folder 6: Field notes, 1859-190_, n.d. Handwritten, printed. 8 items.
    Folder 7: Plats, 1838, n.d. Handwritten. 8 items.
    Folder 8: Plats, 1901, n.d. Handwritten, blueprint [McIver tract]. 5 items.
    Folder 9: Memoranda notebook of Pre-emption Claims, 1856-1858; lists of deeds placed with Bennett Blake, 1875, n.d. 3 items.
    Folder 10: Release from mortgage to Bennett Blake, 1872; notes about land, 1871, n.d. Handwritten. 7 items.
    Folder 11: Leases of land from Bennett Blake, 1871-1892. Handwritten. 3 items.
    Folder 12: Deeds for slaves purchased by Bennett Blake, 1844-1862. Handwritten, printed. 5 items.
    Promissory Note for slave, January 16, 1854. [image]
    Deed for slave, March 22, 1844. [image]
    Deed for slave, March 5, 1858. [image]
    Deed for slave, November 8, 1862. [image]
    Deed for slave, October 10, 1859. [image]
    Folder 13: Deeds and mortgage for livestock and miscellaneous property, 1853-1892. Handwritten. 6 items.
    Folder 14: Bond, 1833, from Alfred W. Sanborn to Bennett Blake re: mercantile business in Sutton, VT. Handwritten. 1 item.
    Folder 15: Powers of attorney to Bennett Blake et al, 1835-1868. Handwritten, handwritten transcript, printed, photographic copy. 8 items.
    Folder 16: Affidavit signed by Bennett Blake re: Richard P. Robinson, alias Richard Parmalee, 1875. Handwritten. 1 item.
    Folder 17: Exhibit for Bennett Blake vs Abram Judy and Ferdinand Cook, 1871 re: title to James Lindley. Handwritten transcript. 1 item.
    Folder 18: Court-ordered sales and partitions of lands bought or sold by Bennett Blake, 1868-1876. Handwritten. 4 items.
    Folder 19: Samuel McCall Penner Vs Mary L. Woodson et al (including Bennett Blake), 1871-1873. Handwritten, printed. 5 items.
    Folder 20: Receipts of Bennett Blake for legal fees, 1850-1891. Handwritten. 8 items.
    Folder 21: Bills of Bennett Blake, 1872-1893, for court costs and attorney's fees. Handwritten, printed. 7 items.
    Folder 22: Estate papers of Elbridge G. Harris, 1850. Handwritten, printed. 5 items.
    Folder 23: Estate papers of Nancy Hamilton and Elias E. Hamilton, 1851-1868. Handwritten. 5 items.
    Folder 24: Bankruptcy and estate papers of Jesse H. Muckleroy. Promissory notes, 1857-1867. Handwritten, printed. 16 items.
    Folder 25: Bankruptcy and estate papers of Jesse H. Muckleroy, 1859-1873. Includes receipts, bills, deed to Bennett Blake, Letters. Handwritten, printed. 16 items.
    Folder 26: Estate papers of Davis King, Bennett Blake executor, 1859-1864. Handwritten. 8 items.
    Folder 27: Miscellaneous estate papers, 1840-1858. Includes estates of David Kenley, Joseph Buffington, James P. Haynes, Rolley Spinks. Handwritten, printed. 5 items.
    Folder 28: Miscellaneous estate papers, 1863-1876. Includes estates of Ephraim Coon, Marshall Mayfield, E. P. Gaines, Hardeman & Barrett, H. H. Edwards, Helen Blake. Handwritten, typescript, printed. 6 items.
    Folder 29: Estate papers of Isaac F. Blake, Bennett Blake executor, 1874 1883, n.d. Handwritten. 9 items.
    Folder 30: Estate papers of Koriah[?] C. Blake and Susan [Blake] Fielder, 1866-1868. Handwritten. 2 items.
    Folder 31: Copy of will and estate papers of Bennett Blake, 1888-1904. [Includes Banita Hotel letterhead] Handwritten, handwritten transcript. 4 items.


    BOX 8

    Folder 1: Freemasonry papers of Bennett Blake, 1841-1894. Includes certificates, dues statements. Handwritten. 4 items.
    A diploma from Milam Lodge #2, Republic of Texas, Bennet Blake ,June 10, 1841. [image]
    Master Mason Certificate, July 2, 1867. [image]
    Folder 2: Political broadsides of Bennett Blake, 1856, while he was running for Chief Justice of Nacogdoches County. Printed. 7 items.
    Printed circular on political views of Bennett Blake, June 23, 1856. [image]
    Printed circular on political views of Bennett Blake, July 28, 1856. [image]
    Folder 3: Texas Veteran Association papers of Bennett Blake, 1874-1886. Includes certificates, Letters. Handwritten, printed. 5 items.
    Folder 4: Eastern Texas Railroad Company papers of Bennett Blake, 1860-1871. Includes warrant and claim of Nancy Hamilton, stock certificate, receipt, hand-drawn map. Handwritten, printed. 8 items.
    Warrant No. 93, Office of the Eastern Texas Railroad Company to Nancy Hamilton, July 13, 1861. [image]
    Eastern Texas Railroad Stock, May 15, 1860. [image]
    Eastern Texas Railroad stock, July 17, 1861. [image]
    Eastern Texas Railroad papers, August 29, 1868. [image]
    Handwritten map of railroad lines in East Texas. [image]
    Railroad Company Warrant, Aug. 29, 1868. [image]
    Eastern Texas Railroad claim, January 23, 1871. [image]
    Folder 5: Miscellaneous papers of Bennett Blake and family, 1864-1874. Includes exchange certificates from Confederate States Depository's Office, amnesty oath, certificate for Bennett Blake, Jr. from Rusk Masonic Institute. Handwritten, printed. 4 items.
    Exchange Certificate No.497, December 24, 1864. [image]
    Amnesty Oath for Bennett Blake, October 14, 1865. [image]
    Letter stating that Bennett Blake attended school, July 4, 1874. [image]
    Folder 6: Texas Constitutional Convention papers of Bennett Blake, 1875. Includes directory; notes on education, taxation, general provisions, revisions, judicial system. Handwritten, printed. 5 items.
    1875, Directory of the Officers and Members of the constitutional Convention of the State of Texas
    n.d., "A Financial Project"
    n.d., "Joint resolution calling the convention authorize the convention to frame a need constitution from the State of Texas"
    n.d., Speech about land, public schools, passing from old constitution to a new one
    n.d., Bill of Rights notes
    Folder 7: Nacogdoches University papers of Bennett Blake [treasurer and trustee], 1845-1846. Includes list of university lands, agreements for use and remodeling of the Red House, land deed. Handwritten. 5 items.
    August 15, 1846, Blake sells a house and land to the Trustees of Nacogdoches University
    1845, Copy of B. Blake's report as Treasurer of Nacogdoches University
    June 19, 1845, Articles of agreement between the Trustees of Nacogdoches University and Bennett Blake for rent of "Red House"
    May 29, 1845, Subscribers that will pay rent for the Red House [image]
    June 19, 1845, Obligation to make good rent of Red House
    Folder 8: Nacogdoches University papers of Bennett Blake, 1847-1884. Includes deeds, account, receipts. Handwritten. 5 items.
    Folder 9: School fund papers of Bennett Blake, 1857-Jan. 5, 1858. Includes Letters from teachers. Handwritten. 6 items.
    October 13, 1857, Bill for teaching school
    January 5, 1858, Balance of school funds
    Letter to James McKnight, March 14, 1876. [image]
    Bill for clothes and household items, November 30, 1877. [image]
    Folder 10: School fund papers of Bennett Blake, 1858. Includes correspondence from teachers, contract. Handwritten. 9 items.
    Folder 11: School fund papers of Bennett Blake, 1859. Includes correspondence from teachers, receipt. Handwritten. 7 items.
    Folder 12: Letters to McKnight family, 1870-1899, re: financial concerns, family matters, horses, land, estate settlement. Includes James McKnight, Mary Addie L. Blake Bowler McKnight, William Bonaparte McKnight [2nd husband of Mary Addie Blake]. Handwritten, typescript. 8 items.
    March 14, 1876, letter about horses, measurement in hands, wants to trade for cattle and sheep near Melrose
    Folder 13: Letters to Addie and W. B. McKnight, 1896-1905, from George F. Ingraham re: Bennett Blake estate. Handwritten, carbon. 12 items.
    Folder 14: Letters of McKnight family, 1900-1901, re: legal and financial concerns. Handwritten, typescript, printed. 4 items.
    Folder 15: Letters to W. B. McKnight, 1901-1903, from James I. and Myrta Blake Perkins re: land, financial concerns. Includes plat of McIver tract in Orange County. Handwritten, blueprint. 4 items.
    Folder 16: Letters of W. B. McKnight, 1901-1905[?], from J. L. M. Pirtle re: insurance, timber rights, dispute over Bennett Blake league, oil near Conroe. Handwritten. 6 items.
    Folder 17: Letters of W. B. McKnight family, 1903, re: Nettermark Bank failure, family matters, financial concerns, timber thieves. Handwritten, typescript, printed. 8 items.
    Folder 18: Letters to W. B. McKnight, 1904, from Ed Pierson re: land in Falls County. Includes field notes and plats. Handwritten. 8 items.
    Folder 19: Letters to W. B. McKnight, 1904-1905, re: land, timber, McIver tract, Negro church at Linn Flat. Handwritten, typescript. 8 items.
    Folder 20: Letters of W. B. McKnight, Jan.-Feb. 1906, re: timber, McIver tract. Handwritten, typescript. 5 items.
    Folder 21: Letters of W. B. McKnight et al, March-July 1906, re: timber, McIver tract, oil. Handwritten, typescript. 5 items.
    Folder 22: Letters of W. B. McKnight and Blake families, Aug. Dec. 1906, re: land, private investigation, timber, McIver tract, family matters. Handwritten, typescript, carbon. 8 items.
    Folder 23: Letters to W. B. McKnight, 1908, re: land, financial concerns, family matters, timber. Includes plat and field notes. Handwritten, typescript. 8 items.
    Folder 24: Letters of W. B. McKnight, 1909-1910, re: Hamilton family, McIver tract, financial concerns, land for court house site offered by Edward A. Blount, Sr. Includes plat. Handwritten, typescript. 6 items.
    Folder 25: Letters to W. B. McKnight, 1911-1929, re: Blake heirs, land, family concerns, oil. Typescript. 6 items.
    Folder 26: Letters of W. B. McKnight, 1934-1941, re: cotton acreage allotments, soil depleting acreage allotments, cotton tax exemption. Handwritten, typescript, printed, mimeograph. 21 items.
    Folder 27: Letters of W. B. McKnight, 1930-1933 re: oil leases, family matters. Handwritten, typescript. 7 items.
    Folder 28: Letters to W. B. McKnight, 1932-1937, from R. H. Gamble Co. re: ALP store lease. Typescript, mimeograph. 5 items.
    Folder 29: Letters to W. B. McKnight, 1932-1938, from U.S. Department of Commerce re: telephone line. Handwritten, printed, carbon, mimeograph. 7 items.
    Folder 30: Letters of W. B. McKnight, 1935-1938 re: land, taxes, family matters, financial concerns. Handwritten, carbon. 8 items.
    Folder 31: Letters of W. B. McKnight, 1941-1942, n.d., re: telephone service, land, financial concerns, family matters, oil, timber. [1 fragment] Handwritten, typescript, carbon. 10 items.


    BOX 9

    Folder 1: Letters of W. B. McKnight and tax receipts, 1889-1907. Handwritten, typescript, printed. 15 items.
    Folder 2: Letters of W. B. McKnight and tax receipts, 1906-1909. Handwritten, printed. 15 items.
    Folder 3: Letters of W. B. McKnight and tax receipts, 1911-1915. Handwritten, printed. 12 items.
    Folder 4: Letters of W. B. McKnight and tax receipts, 1915-1918. Handwritten, printed, mimeograph, typescript. 17 items.
    Folder 5: Letters of W. B. McKnight and tax receipts, 1919-1942. Handwritten, printed. 12 items.
    Folder 6: Accounts and bills of James McKnight, 1869-1877. Includes clothes and household items. Handwritten. 8 items.
    December 8, 1871, receipt from Reiersen & Gragard for 2 cloaks
    November 30, 1877, Receipt from John T. White (mercantile)
    Folder 7: Accounts and bills of James and W. B. McKnight, 1880-1899. Includes food, clothes, household items. Handwritten. 6 items.
    Receipt from John E. Jones, sale of goods, April 21, 1880. [image]
    Folder 8: Accounts and bills of W. B. McKnight, 1900-1909. Includes clothes, farm equipment, buggy repair. Handwritten. 8 items.
    Folder 9: Bill, 1906-1907, [to W. B. McKnight?] for "Expenses in getting up the heirs of G. W. Thompson." Includes transportation, lodging, meals. Handwritten. 1 item.
    Folder 10: Accounts and bills of W. B. McKnight, 1924-1937, for food and cotton ginning. Handwritten. 5 items.
    Folder 11: Receipts of James and W. B. McKnight, 1867-1909. Includes postal receipts, Star-News, Nacogdoches Tobacco Association, medical bills. Handwritten, typescript, printed. 11 items.
    Folder 12: Deposit slip of James McKnight, 1894, Wetlermark Bank; bank draft of W. B. McKnight, 1903. Handwritten, printed. 2 items.
    Folder 13: Land deeds of James and W. B. McKnight, 1865-1880. Handwritten. 9 items.
    Folder 14: Land papers of the McKnight family, 1911-1921. Includes deeds, plat, survey notes, affidavit. Handwritten, typescript, carbon. 6 items.
    Folder 15: Title abstract of James McKnight homestead in the Chireno grant, [1810]-1916. Typescript. 1 volume.
    Folder 16: Plats of McKnight family lands, n.d. Hand drawn. 2 items.
    Folder 17: Mortgage of crops and land leases held by W. B. McKnight family. 1899-1909. Includes relinquishment. Handwritten, carbon. 9 items.
    Folder 18: Land leases of W. B. McKnight and mortgage of crops, 1923-1939. Includes Farm Security Administration waiver. Typescript, carbon. 5 items.
    Folder 19: Oil, gas, and mineral leases and drilling contracts of W. B. McKnight et al, 1930-1931, n.d. Includes T[homas] E. Baker of Commercial National Bank. [1 fragment] Typescript, carbon, printed. 13 items.
    Folder 20: Oil, gas, and mineral leases of W. B. McKnight et al, 1931-1937. Includes unsigned leases with list of land owners in Nacogdoches County. Typescript, carbon, printed. 4 items.
    Folder 21: Deeds and drafts of deeds of W. B. McKnight for timber rights, 1904-1937. Handwritten, typescript, carbon. 5 items.
    Folder 22: Appointment of James McKnight as overseer for road work, 1874; contracts for labor, 1880-1885. Handwritten. 5 items.
    Contract to hire "Negro boy named Prince" from Isaac Robinson, June 4, 1880. [image]
    Folder 23: Employee time record for road work, 1910. Includes McKnight name. Handwritten. 1 volume.
    Folder 24: Contracts of W. B. McKnight et al, for buildings and bridges, 1899-1920. Includes Wm. H. and D[iedrich] Rulfs. Typescript, carbon. 3 items.


    BOX 10

    Folder 1: Estate of Eldred Coleson, James McKnight administrator, 1864-1871. Handwritten. 8 items.
    Folder 2: Estate of C. R. McKnight, n.d.; estate of John Pate, 1874. Handwritten. 3 items.
    Folder 3: Court case State of Texas vs Milton Mast, 1887, for taxes collected but unpaid. James McKnight et al, plaintiffs, posted his bond. Handwritten, printed. 2 items.
    Folder 4: Lawsuits over land and timber rights, 1901-1906, involving W. B. McKnight and Blake families. Handwritten, printed, typescript. 8 items.
    Folder 5: Miscellaneous legal papers of W. B. McKnight, 1885-1903, n.d. Includes jury duty, receipt for court costs, note on oil lease, sale of heifer. Handwritten, typescript. 4 items.
    Folder 6: Cove Spring Memorial Association, 1884-1942. Includes Letters re: tax exemption and timber, receipt. Handwritten, mimeograph, printed, carbon. 5 items.
    Folder 7: Methodist Episcopal Church, South, 1854-1860. Appointment of trustees for Nacogdoches and Melrose circuits; minutes of Melrose circuit conference. Handwritten. 3 items.
    Folder 8: Teaching contracts of Betty and W. B. McKnight, 1875-1881; receipt for tuition, 1874. Includes schools at Melrose, Cove Spring, Pleasant Hill. Handwritten, printed. 4 items.
    Bill for tuition of Mr. McKnight's children, September 10, 1874. [image]
    June 14, 1874, Teachers voucher for Betty McKnight
    May 20, 1881, Articles of agreement between W. B. McKnight and Patron of School No.42
    June 13, 1881, Contract between Trustees of School Community 42 and W. B. McKnight
    Folder 9: Freemasonry, 1869-1915. Receipt for dues, widow's certificate, letter enclosing history of chairs at Milam Lodge No. 2. Handwritten, typescript, printed, carbon. 3 items.
    Certificate of Master Mason's Widow, to Mrs. McKnight, January 8, 1858. [image]
    Folder 10: Miscellaneous. Petition about sheep and goats in Nacogdoches County, n.d.; poll list and tally sheet for stock law election, 1914; small fliers exonerating W. B. McKnight, n.d. and Rev. John Goodwin, 1898; list of McKnight family births and deaths, n.d. Handwritten, typescript, printed. 6 items.
    Folder 11: Letter from J. L. Burgess, land agent, 188_; letter from Western Casualty & Guaranty Co., 1911; blank postcard, n.d. Mimeograph, printed. 5 items.
    Folder 12: Receipts, accounts, and bills, 1866-1895. Includes cotton bales, groceries. Handwritten. 7 items.
    Receipt of sale for 58 bales of cotton, June 28, 1866. [image]
    Folder 13: Land deeds, 1849-1857. Includes Stephen Nichols, John Minchew, William Riley Seals. Handwritten. 5 items.
    Folder 14: Land deeds and transcriptions of deeds, 1859-1902. Includes Eldred Coleson, Procella/de la Cerda family. Notes about Shaker lands in Ohio on back of one deed. Handwritten. 5 items.
    Folder 15: Field notes, plats, and chain of title for various tracts, 1842-1926, n.d. Includes John Poe, Blount family, Oscar B. Slay, E. Fite. Handwritten, typescript. 8 items.
    Folder 16: Miscellaneous land papers, 1847-1920. Includes receipt for certificate, land lease, oil lease, timber rights. Handwritten, carbon, printed. 6 items.
    Folder 17: List of land owners and acreage, notes about land, n.d. Handwritten. 3 items.
    Folder 18: Petition of Anna M. C. Keller Jones, 1850. Includes copies of Spanish documents of Daniel Keller. Handwritten. 4 items.
    Folder 19: Miscellaneous legal papers, 1868-1885, n.d. Includes judgment in Sarah Thompson vs E. S. Huston; partitions of Rusk and Lacey family lands; notes. Handwritten. 5 items.
    Folder 20: Confederate service discharge of H. R. Hyde, 1863. Handwritten, printed. 1 item.
    Folder 21: Estate papers of Martha Nichols, 1859-1862. Includes bills, accounts, and receipts. Handwritten, printed. 5 items.
    Folder 22: Treasury warrants, 1862-1890. Includes Freestone County, TX; Panola County, TX; United States of America; State of Louisiana; Natchitoches Parrish, LA; Bossier Parrish, LA. Printed. 11 items.
    March 1, 1864, No.4610, State of Louisiana, 50 cents
    March 1, 1864, No.5098, State of Louisiana, 50 cents
    March 1, 1864, No.3348, State of Louisiana, 1 dollar
    August 12, 1852, No.505, Parrish of Natchitoches, 1 dollar
    July 1, 1862, No.5710, Parrish of Bossier, 1 dollar
    July 1, 1862, No.1240, Parrish of Bossier, 25 cents
    Folder 23: Treasury warrants, 1862-1863. State of Texas. Printed. 14 items.
    January 28, 1862, No.3531 State of Texas Treasury Warrant for Military Service, 10 dollars
    May 20, 1862, No.56641 State of Texas Treasury Warrant for Military Service, 5 dollars
    April 9, 1863, No.5958 State of Texas Treasury Warrant for Civil Service, 20 dollars
    November 7, 1862, No.57636 State of Texas Treasury Warrant for Civil Service, 10 dollars
    October 3, 1863, No.14965 State of Texas Treasury Warrant for Civil Service, 20 dollars
    Folder 24: Treasury warrants, 1864. State of Texas. Printed. 23 items.
    November 15, 1864, No.28379 State of Texas Treasury Warrant for Civil Service, 50 dollars
    November 15, 1864, No.28181 State of Texas Treasury Warrant for Civil Service, 2 dollars 50 cents
    November 15, 1864, No.28353 State of Texas Treasury Warrant for Civil Service, 20 dollars
    November 14, 1864, No.27432 State of Texas Treasury Warrant for Civil Service, 10 dollars
    November 14, 1864, No.27417 State of Texas Treasury Warrant for Civil Service, 10 dollars
    Folder 25: Miscellaneous, 1888-1907. ; portion of a seed catalog; teaching contract of H. J. Richardson for Holly Springs School, Nacogdoches County. Handwritten, printed. 4 items.
    One share of 5 dollars of Dallas Branch of the Cooperative Manufacturing Alliance of Texas, June 7, 1888 No.842. [image]
    Judge Sam A. Wilson died, Funeral notice, January 24, 1892. [image]


    Not in a folder: Oversized. 10 items

    Commission and oath of Bennett Blake as Captain in the Vermont Militia, 1834.
    Land grant to Henry Kraber, 1845, signed by Anson Jones.
    Land grant to heirs of William Hamilton, 1846, signed by Anson Jones.
    Land grant to Elias E. Hamilton, signed by Gov. P. H. Bell, July 30, 1850. [image]
    Land grant to John A. White, 1850, signed by Gov. P. H. Bell.
    Land grant to Bennett Blake, assignee of John B. Long, 1855, signed by Gov. E. M. Pease.
    Certified copy of land grant to John Reid made in 1855.
    Certified copy of land grant to Isaac Kneeland made in 1854.
    Broadside notice of land for sale in Nacogdoches County, 1875. Includes hand-drawn plat.
    Blueprint Nacogdoches Land Company's map of Nacogdoches Oil Field, n.d.
    Bennett Blake's file of promissory notes, 1837-1843. Leather or sheep skin with pockets for filing small papers alphabetically, rolled and tied. Handwritten, printed. 90 items.

    [Index of names available at the East Texas Research Center]

    Last Revised: 

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