Arkansas Territory was organized on July 4, 1819, from land in the lower portion of Missouri Territory. French and Spanish immigrants had already partially settled the land, but with the creation of the Arkansas Territory there was an influx of families who moved west for new land and new opportunities. County governing bodies were established, merchants began enterprising operations, and workers of every trade came to help the Arkansas Territory flourish.
After 17 years as a territory, Arkansas was admitted to the Union as the 25th state on June 15, 1836. The Arkansas Territory Collection focuses on materials from pre-statehood Arkansas.
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Probate, Samuel Cupples
This probate includes a receipt for the coffin-maker and sale advertisement pertaining to the death and estate of Samuel Cupples. The receipt from Matthew McReynolds lists the cost of making a coffin and placing the coffin in the grave for the deceased, Samuel Cupples; it is addressed to William Looney who served as administrator for the estate. The second item is a receipt for James Kuykendall for "crying the sale" which involved going around to the community and telling them about the upcoming estate sale.
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Document, appointment of territorial judges
This is a federal document issued by the 19th Congress, 1st Session addressing a request for the appointment of Territorial judges by the Territorial Legislature of Arkansas.
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Perjury: United States v. Charles Hatcher
This is the prosecuting attorney's indictment of Charles Hatcher for committing perjury during the 1825 trial of Joseph Hardin versus John Findley.
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Territorial judgment, Samuel Hall v. James Ball
This is a judgment issued in the Arkansas Territory in the court case of Samuel Hall v. James Ball, which involved the payment of a debt.
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Bond for constable, Joseph Hardin
This is a $500 bond that Joseph Hardin posted in order to become the constable of Spring River in Lawrence County in 1825.
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Duel: United States v. Henderson and Caruthers
This is the prosecuting attorney's indictment of William Henderson and Samuel Caruthers for dueling with pistols.
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Bond of title, John H. Bollinger to James Lindsey
This is a penal title bond of six hundred dollars for John H. Bollinger giving eighty acres of land to James Lindsey; to be paid if Bollinger is unable to acquire the title from the United States government.
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Court case, Fowler v. Harris
This is a summary of the court case between William Fowler and George Harris, including the jury's verdict in favor of the defendant.
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Court case, Polly Hillhouse v. James Garner
This is an execution sent to the Miller County sheriff to collect court fees from James Garner to give to Polly Hillhouse.
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Document, western boundary line of Arkansas Territory
This is a federal document from the 18th Congress, 1st Session issued from the President discussing the western boundary lines of Arkansas Territory.
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Selling Liquor: United States v. Samuel Cupples
This is the prosecuting attorney's indictment of Samuel Cupples for selling liquor and operating a dram house without a license.
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Apprenticeship indenture, farming
This indenture contracted Henry Jones, an orphan, to serve as an apprentice to John Cline, a farmer, until the age of 21. During that time, Cline was obligated to teach Jones about farming and provide room and board.
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Circuit Court docket, May term 1822
This docket lists the cases seen over the course of two days in May of 1822, including the attorneys, plaintiffs, defendants, and cause.
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Court case, John Kyler and James M. Kuykendall v. Richard Murphy in the dispute over a keel boat
These court documents include the original complaint of John Kyler and James M. Kuykenall v. Richard Murphy and an execution of judgement that Richard Murphy owes John Kyler and James M. Kuykendall a sum of thirty dollars in damages and forty-eight dollars and six cents in court costs. Also listed are the individual costs and amounts received for court officials and witnesses.
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Court case, United States v. William Hix and Charlotte Piburn (Pyburn)
This is a Recognizance in the case against William Hix and Charlotte Piburn stating they owed the United States one hundred dollars, to be levied from their property unless they appeared in court at Davidsonville to answer to the indictment of fornication and to remain there until given leave.
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Deed, Jacob Garrett to Spencer Crouch
This document is a deed of transfer between Jacob Garrett and Spencer Crouch for lots number thirty-five and thirty-six in the town of Davidsonville.
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Illegal Cohabitation: United States v. McFadin and Taylor
This is the prosecuting attorney's indictment of William McFadin and Polly Taylor for illegal cohabitation.
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Slander: Betsy Hardin v. William Kellett
This is the statement of the defendant, William Kellett, in response to the slander suit brought against him by Betsy Hardin.
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Foreclosure advertisement
This is a sworn statement from William Woodruff, editor of the Arkansas Gazette, stating that the advertisement for the defendants, Bernard Rogan and Jesse Check, to appear in court ran for nine consecutive weeks in the newspaper.
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Court case, Alexander Gifford v. Jacob Garrett regarding construction on Davidsonville Piazza
This document is a list of specifications and supplies needed for constructing a building on the piazza in Davidsonville.
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Deed, Absolom Langston to Robert Livingston
This document is a deed of sale between Absalom Langston and Robert Livingston for the sum of forty dollars in exchange for the land and improvements [i.e. buildings, fences] situated on the northeastern side of the White River.
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Deed, Daniel Ashabranner to Banard Rogan
This document is a deed of sale between Daniel Ashabranner and Banard Rogan for the sum of two hundred and fifty dollars in exchange for land and improvements [i.e. buildings, fences].
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Deed, Henry C. Wells to Solomon Hudspeth
This document is a deed of sale between Henry C. Wells and Solomon Hudspeth for the sum of one hundred dollars in exchange for a Pre-emption Claim of Land with improvements [i.e. buildings, fences].
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Remand to jail, Matthew Handler
This document commands the keeper of Columbia Township jail to detain Matthew Handler until his trial.
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Vagrancy: U.S. v. Sorrels
This is the judgement from Williams Jones, a justice of the peace, against Richard Sorrels for vagrancy.