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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Court case, Wells v. Seawell and Murphy
This civil suit of Wells v. Seawell and Murphy regards a debt that was filed during the Missouri Territory period but continued into the Arkansas Territorial period. Included is the original complaint of a debt unpaid filed by John Wells through his attorney Samuel S. Hale against Joseph Seawell and Richard Murphy, and the defendant's answer to the charge of debt, claiming that the original complaint is insufficient and doesn't obligate Richard Murphy to pay the supposed debt.
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Deed, John L. Lafferty and Binks Lafferty to William Drope
This document is a deed of sale between John L. Lafferty, with Binks Lafferty, and William Drope for lot number twenty-eight in Davidsonville for the sum of four hundred and fifty dollars.
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Deed, Solomon Huitt to Benjamin Crowley
This document is a deed of sale between Solomon Huitt and Benjamin Crowley for the sum of two hundred dollars for land and improvements along the Spring River about two miles above the mouth of Eleven Points.
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Legal appeal, Fowler v. McDonald
A legal appeal made by William Fowler who alleges that the judgement made by a Justice of the Peace in favor of Edward McDonald was wrong.
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Court case, Benjamin Crowley v. Benedict White
These documents detail the court proceedings between Benjamin Crowley and Benedict White, regarding a change in their agreement over a slave, and includes the original complaint filed by White through his attorney Chamberlain the following court term, because he believed the proceedings of the court to be irregular.
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Court case, United States v. John P. Maxwell, defense in selling liqour to a Native American
This is a motion to arrest the judgement against John P. Maxwell.
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Court case, United States v. John Riley regarding horse theft
This is an indictment that went before a grand jury to evaluate whether there was evidence that John Riley stole a gray mare.
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Probate, notice to settle affairs, John Lafferty
This document is a notice posted by John L. Lafferty, stating he would be in court to settle the remaining accounts of his father, John Lafferty's estate.
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Court case, altering marks on Hogs
The first document is an indictment against Moses Graham for altering the marks on two hogs belonging to James Moore, who is deceased by the time of the court case.The second document is a recognizance in which Moses Graham acknowledges he is indebted to the United States in the sum of five hundred dollars if he fails to appear in court on the first Monday in November and abide by the Judgement of said court.
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Court case, Eli Hillhouse v. Henry Cassidy
This is a certified copy of the court proceedings of Eli Hillhouse v. Henry Cassidy, written by Alexander Hodge, justice of the peace.
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Court case regarding divorce, Jane Dodge v. Israel G. Dodge
This is a petition for divorce between Jane Dodge and Israel G. Dodge.
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Document, selling liquor to Delaware Indian
This is a grand jury indictment of John P. Maxwell for selling six gills (1 1/2 pints) of whiskey to an individual from the Delaware nation of American Indians.
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Document, summons for Robert B. Musick
These are two summons for Robert B Musick to appear in court and answer for the indictment of perjury. These documents show the change in the name of the county seat from Lawrence to Davidsonville
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Probate, Benjamin Crowley's account against John Crowley
This is a justification submitted by Benjamin Crowley claiming that he is owed the entirety of his son, John Crowley's estate.
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Court case regarding perjury, United States v. Robert B. Musick
This document is an indictment for perjury against Robert B. Musick. It is noted by the foreman, Eli Hillhouse, that the jury found it to be a true bill or an accurate statement of facts.
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Court case, William Searcy v. Moses Graham
This is a complaint submitted from William Searcy by his attorney Charles Hempstead against Moses Graham, who was charged with collecting various debts owed to Searcy.
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Deposition, Antoine Porcelli Boatman in the case of Christian Wilt v. Elizabeth Luttig and Moses Graham, administrators of John C. Luttig's estate
This is a deposition given by Antoine Porcelli, a boat hand, to Joseph Pamier, a justice of the peace in St. Louis, Missouri, in the case of Christian Wilt v. Elizabeth Luttig and Moses Graham. The back of the deposition which shows holes where a ribbon sealed the document closed for delivery from St. Louis to Davidsonville.
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Penal bond for ferry operation, Henry Morris and Moses Graham
This is a penal bond of five hundred dollars for Henry Morris and Moses Graham to operate a ferry across the White River above the mouth of Poke Bayou.
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Probate, Guardianship of Nat and Abner Harris
These two documents are bonds of guardianship for the penal sum of seven hundred dollars for William Harris to be guardian of Nat Harris and Abner Harris. Each price would only have to be paid if William Harris failed to discharge the duties of a guardian according to law.
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Probate, John C. Luttig
This document provides the appraisal and administrator's bond for the John C. Luttig's estate. The administration bond, written by Lewis de Mun, is in the sum of eight thousand dollars, an unusually large amount for a bond if this kind; due to the large amount, the administrators, widow Elizabeth Luttig and Moses Graham required the help of eight co-signers. The appraisal of the store Luttig ran until his death is several pages long. It details the property left to or claimed by Elizabeth Luttig. On the right hand side of the last page you can see the string that was used to sew the pages together.
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Probate, John Crowley; Letter of administration for Benjamin Crowley
Benjamin Crowley is being granted the right to administer the estate of his son, John Crowley, who died without a last will and testament. Letters of administration appoint appropriate people to deal with a deceased person's estate, particularly when there is no will or named executors.
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Probate, Samuel Wyatt
These probate documents of Samuel Wyatt include an administrator's bond, list of assets, fees, and a statement regarding inheritors. The Administration Bond notes that Daniel Martin and Charles Crebough are to act as executors and administrators to Wyatt's estate. The list of assets records the items sold from the estate and by whom they were purchased. The list of fees records amounts due for the funeral and final expenses of Samuel Wyatt. The final item is a sworn statement from Daniel Martian revealing that he found three legitimate children of Samuel Wyatt, residing in Tennessee.
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Promissory note, Henry Cassidy to Henry Renick to Eli Hillhouse
This document is a two-sided promissory note for the sum of forty-five dollars. The original note from 1806, is between Henry Cassidy and Henry Renick. In 1816, Henry Renick transferred the note to Eli Hillhouse.
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Tax Collector's Bond, James Campbell
This is a penal bond of nine hundred and nine dollars and twenty-six cents for James Campbell to operate as county tax collector in order to collect the sum of four hundred and fifty-four dollars and twenty-eight cents from the residents of Lawrence County.