Jackson County, Missouri - Chapter 10: Early Records, 1920

Chapter 10: Early Records

KIIIST INSTRUMENT RECORDED - FIRST RECORD OF MARRIAGES - FIRST WAR¬ RANTY DEED - ANOTHER WARRANTY DEED - EARLY LAND ENTRIES - FIRST ROAD RECORDS - FIRST FERRY - PHRST SALE OF LOTS - WHERE SOME OF THESE LOTS ARE - EXPENSE OF SALE OF LOTS.

The first instrument recorded in Jackson County is rather a remark¬ able one and deserves special mention. It was concerning a certain patent obtained by Anthony Bencine, of Greensboro, N. C., who, for $500, sold the right for the counties of Lafayette, Ray, Clay and Jackson Counties to R. and L. McCaskrie. It states that it is for the improve¬ ment of grist mills, specifying that by certain arrangements of burrs, spindles, etc., perfect accuracy in grinding can be had in such a manner as has never before been attained or used in the United States. These letters patent were issued to A. Bencine by John Quincy Adams, Presi¬ dent, Henry Clay, Secretary of State, and certified to by Wm. Wirt, At¬ torney-General of the United States. The witnesses of the signature of A. Bencine, were T. Early Strange and Peter Adams, of North Carolina.

These documents are so exceedingly interesting that a careful perusal of them will afford the reader much pleasure. A simple description of them is not sufficient, we therefore insert them : Letters patent. The United States of America. To all to whom these letters patent shall come: Whereas, Anthony Bencine, a citizen of the United States, hath alleged that he has invented a new and useful improvement in grist mills, which improvement, he states, has not been known or used before his application; hath oath that he doth verily believe that he is the true in¬ ventor or discoverer of the said improvement; hath paid into the trea- sury of the United States the sum of thirty dollars, delivered a receipt for the same, and presented a petition to the Secretary of State, signifying a desire of obtaining an exclusive property in said improvement, and praying that a patent may be granted for that purpose. These are, there¬ fore, to grant, according to law, to this said Anthony Bencine, his heirs, administrators or assigns, for the term of fourteen years from the six¬ teenth day of January, one thousand eight hundred and twenty-seven, the full and exclusive right and liberty of making, constructing, using and vending to others to be used the said improvement, a description whereof is given in the words of the said Anthony Bencine himself, in the schedule thereunto annexed, and is made a part of these presents. '

In testimony whereof I have caused these letters to be made patent and the seal of the United States to be hereunto affixed. Given under mv hand at the city of Washington this sixteenth day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty-seven, and in the Independence of the United States of America the fifty-first. By the President, J. Q. Adams. H. Clay, Secretary of State.

City of Washington, to-wit: I do hereby certify that the foregoing letters patent were delivered to me on the sixteenth day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty-seven, to be examined ; that I have examined the same and find them conformable to law, and I do hereby return the same to the Secretary of State within fifteen dap from the date aforesaid, to-wit, on this sixteenth day of

First Record Of Marriages

Cupid, who is everywhere busy, was at work here in the hearts of the youthful immigrants, and as no officiating priest could be had, the aid of the Justice was invoked. Records followed as a legal necessity, and the first marriage notice we have on the books, is that of David G. Butterfield and Nancy Grayham, Feb. 26, 1827. Herewith we insert a verbatim copy of a few of the earlier marriages.

"State of Missouri, Jackson County. This is to certify, that on the fifteenth of February, I celebrated the writes of matrimony between Francis Prine and Eliza Daily, and joined them together as husband and wife, according to law. Given under my hand this 18th day of Mav 1827. Joel P. Walker, J. Peace. The above certificate was received and recorded on the 27th of July, 1827. Sam'l C. Owens, Clerk, Circuit Court, Ex-Officio Recorder."

"State of Missouri, Jackson County. This is to certify, that on the 15th day of February last, I celebrated the rites of matrimony between Silas Hitchcock and Margaret Patterson, and joined them together as husband and wife, according to law. Given under my hand and seal this 18th day of May, 1827. Joel P. Walker, J. P. The above certificate was received in my office on the 27th day of July, 1827, and recorded on the dame day. Sam, C. Owens, C. C. and Ex-Officio Recorder for Jackson County, Mo."

"State of Missouri, County of Jackson. This is to certify, that on the 26th day of February I celebrated the writes of matrimony between David G. Butterfield and Nancy Grayham, and joined them together as husband and wife, according to law. Given under my hand this 18th day of May, 1827. Joel P. Walker, The above certificate was recorded in my office on the 27th day of July, 1827, and recorded on same day. Sam. C. Owens, C. C. and Ex-Officio Recorder for Jackson County. I do hereby certify, that I married David Reed and Timmy Brock in the holy matrimony on the ninth day of April. Given under my hand this twentyfirst day of April, 1827. Recorded 7th of July, 1827, recorded on same day. Sam'l C. Owens, Clerk and Ex-Officio Recorder of Jackson County, Mo."

I do hereby certify, that I joined together William Butler and Margaret Warden, in the holy estate of Matrimony, on the first day of April last, this the 28th day of June, 1827. Lewis Jones, J, P. Recorded on the 7th day of July, 1827 ; received on same day. Sam C. Owens, Clerk, and Ex- Officio Recorder of Jackson County."

"Jackson County, State of Missouri. This is to certify, that I, Caleb Weeden, a regularly authorized preacher of the Gospel, did on the 17th day of April, 1827, legally solemnized the rite of matrimony between Mr. James Chambers and Miss Margaret Johnson, of the county and State above mentioned. Given under my hand this 18th day of April, 1827. Caleb Weeden. The above certificate was received in my office on the 27th day of July, 1827, and recorded on the same day. Sam. C. Owens, C. C., and Ex-Officio Recorder of Jackson County."

"State of Missouri, Jackson County. This is to certify that on the 27th day of May, 1827, I Celebrated the writes of matrimony between Hyram Shears and Eliza Creek, and joined them together as husband and wife, according to law. Given under my hand this 22d day of August,

1827. Abr'm McClellan. The above certificate was received in my office on the 24th day of August, 1827, and recorded on the same day. Sam'l C. Owens, Ex-Officio Recorder."

"State of Missouri, County of Jackson, Township of Blue, to-wit; I do hereby certify that I joined together in holy state of matrimony Mr. William Warden and Mahulda Butler on the 27th of this instant, this the 28th day of June, 1827. Lewis Jones, J. P. Recorded on the 7th of July, 1827; received on the same day. Samuel C. Owens, Clerk, and Ex- Officio Recorder of Jackson County, Mo."

"State of Missouri, County of Jackson. I, William I. Baugh, a jus¬ tice of the peace within and for said county, do certify that on the 17th day of August, A. D. 1827, I joined together as husband and wife, Moses Belcher and Eliza Richy. Given under my hand this 3d day of Novem¬ ber, 1827. Wm. I. Baugh, J. P. The above certificate was received in my office on the 3d day of November, 1827, and recorded same day. Samuel C. Owens, Clerk and Ex-Officio Recorder."

"State of Missouri, Jackson County. I, Lewis Jones, a justice of the peace within and for said county, do certify that I joined together Mr. James Lewis and Miss Margaret Gregg, both of this county, on the 6th day of this instant, this 20th day of November, 1827. Lewis Jones, J. P. The above certificate was received in my office on the 20th day of No¬ vember, 1827, and recorded on same day. Samuel C. Owens, C. C. and Ex-Officio Recorder for Jackson County."

"Jackson County, State of Missouri. I do certify that I joined to¬ gether in bonds of matrimony Jonathan Cameron and Phoebe Connor, September 27th, 1827. Joel P. Walker, J. P. The above certificate was received in my office on the 27th of March, 1828, and recorded same day. Samuel C. Owens, C. C. C. and Ex-Officio Recorder for Jackson County, Mo."

"December the 29th day, 1827. To the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Jackson County: This is to certify that I solemnized the rites of matrimony between Charles Johnston and Kisiah Trapp according to Law, on the 18th of October, 1827. Zachariah Linville, Elder of the Christian Church. The above certificate was received in my office on the 31st day of December, 1827, and recorded on the same day. Samuel C. Owens, C. C. C. and Ex-Officio Recorder for Jackson County."

"State of Missouri, Jackson County. I, William I. Baugh, a justice of the peace for Fort Osage township in said county, do certify that on the 18th of October, 1827, I joined together as man and wife Levi Russell and Nancy Bledsoe in the holy bands of matrimony. Given under my hand this 18 January, 1828. W. I. Baugh, J. P. The above certificate was received in my office on the 18th of January, 1828 and recorded same day. Samuel C. Owens, C. C. C. and Ex-Officio Recorder for Jackson County."

"State of Missouri, Jackson County. I, Lewis Jones, a Justice of the Peace within and for said county do certify that I joined together Mr. James Lewis and Miss Mary Gregg both of this county, on the 6th day of this instant, this 20th day of November, 1827. Lewis Jones, J. P. The above certificate was received in my office on the 20th day of Novem¬ ber, 1827, and recorded on the same day. Samuel C. Owens, C. C. and Ex-Officio Recorder for Jackson County."

"State of Missouri, Jackson County. I, Lewis Jones, a justice of the peace within and for said county, do hereby certify that I joined together in the holy state of matrimony on the 18th day of this instant, Mr. John Smith and Miss Sarah Fristo, both of this county, this 20th day of No¬ vember, 1827. Lewis Jones, J. P. The above certificate was received in my office on the 20th day of November, 1827, and recorded on the same day. Samuel C. Owens, C. C. and Ex-Officio Recorder for Jackson County."

"State of Missouri, County of Jackson, Fort Osage Township. I, Jesse Lewis, a justice of the peace within and for the county aforesaid, do cer¬ tify that on the 22d day of December, 1827, I united Jonathan Smith and Elizaan Dier, in the holy estate of matrimony according to law. Given under my hand this 15th day of February, 1828. Jesse Lewis, J. P. The above certificate was received in my office on the 17th of March, 1828, and recorded same day. S. C. Owens, C. C. C. and Ex-Officio Recorder, Jackson County."

^ December 11th, 1827. Joel P. Walker, J. P. The above certificate was filed in my office on the 27th of March, A. D. 1828, and recorded same day. Samuel C. Owens, C. C. C. and Ex-Officio Recorder for Jackson County."

"State of Missouri, Jackson County, Blue Township, to-wit: I, Lewis Jones, a Justice of the Peace, within and for the county aforesaid, do certify that on the 27th day of December, 1827, I united Joseph Keeny and Winny Chesney in the holy state of matrimony. Given under my hand this, the 1st day of March, 1828. Lewis Jones, J. P. The above certificate was received in my office on the 17th of March, 1828, and recorded same day. Samuel C. Owens, C. C. C. and Ex-Officio Recorder for Jackson County."

"State of Missouri, County of Jackson, Blue Township, to-wit: I, Lewis Jones, a Justice of the Peace, in and for the county aforesaid, do certify that on the third day of January, 1828, I united Thomas Pitcher and Nancy Parish in the holy estate of matrimony. Given under my hand this first day of March, 1828. Lewis Jones, J. P. The above certi¬ ficate was received in my office on the 17th of March, 1828, and re¬ corded the same day. Samuel C. Owens, C. C. C. and Ex-Officio Re¬ corder for Jackson County."

"I do hereby ase^'tify that I, William Silvers, a justes of the peace, did, on the 14th day of January, 1828, marry Thomas Milsaps and Ma¬ tilda Chesney in the holy matrimony. Given under my hand this tenth day of April, William Silvers, 1828. The above certificate was filed in my office on the 12th of April, 1828, and recorded same day. Samuel C. Owens, C. C. C. and Ex-Officio Recorder for Jackson County."

"State of Missouri, County of Jackson, to-wit: Blue Township. I, Lewis Jones, a justice of the peace, within and for the county aforesaid, do certify that on the 30th of January, 1828, I united Joseph Brown and Nancy King in the holy estate of matrimony. Given under my hand this 1st day of March, 1828, Lewis Jones, J. P, The above certificate was received in my office on the 17th of March, 1828, and recorded same day. Samuel C. Owens, C. C. C. and Ex-Officio Recorder for Jackson County."

"State of Missouri, County of Jackson, Fort Osage Township. I, Jesse Lewis, a Justice of the Peace, within and for the county aforesaid, do certify that on the 8th day of February, I united in the holy estate of matrimony James Linch and Mary Smith, according to law. Given under my hand this, the first day of May, 1828. Jesse Lewis, J. P. The above certificate was filed in my office on the first day of May, 1828, and re¬ corded same day. Samuel C. Owens, Ex-Officio Recorder for Jackson County, Mo."

"I do hereby certify that I, William Silvers, a justice of the peace, for the County of Jackson, did, on the 14th day of February, 1828, marry Mirich Davis and Sary Anderson, in the holy matrimony. Given under my hand this, the 10th day of April. William Silvers, 1828. The above certificate was filed in my office on the 12th day of April, 1828, and recorded same day. Samuel C. Owens, C. C. C. and Ex-Officio Recorder for Jackson County."

"Jackson County, Missouri. This is to certify that I joined in the bands of matrimony the persons under named, Jacob Gregg and Nancy Lewis, on March 4, 1828. Joe P. Walker, J. P. The above certificate was filed in my office this 27th day of March, A. D. 1828, and recorded same day. Samuel C. Owens, C. C. C. and Ex-Officio Recorder for Jackson County."

"I Lewis Jones, a Justice of the Peace within and for the County of Jackson, do certify that on the 20th day of March, 1828, I united John Gibson and Sarah Noland in the holy estate of matrimony. Lewis Jones, J. P."

"I, William Silvers, a justice of the peace, within the county afore¬ said, do certify that on the 25th day of May, 1828, I joined together as man and wife Hugh Parsons and Nancy Smith in the holy estate of matri¬ mony. Given under my hand this day and date aforesaid. William Sil¬ vers, J. P.*'

"I, Lewis Jones, a Justice of the Peace within and for the county aforesaid, do certify that on the 23d day of March, 1828, I united James Townson and Hannah Smith in the holy bands of matrimony. Lewis Jones, J. P."

"I, William Silvers, Justice of the Peace within and for the county aforesaid, certify that on the 11th day of June, 1828, I joined together as man and wife Edly Carnet and Elizabeth Davis in the holy estate of matrimony. William Silvers, J. P."

"This is to certify that I joined together in the bands of matrimony Bryant Baxter and Sarah Ross, on the 8th day of July, 1828. Joel Walker, J. P."

"This is to certify that I joined together in the bands of matrimony Jeremiah Bumes and Sarah Baxter, on the 3d day of July, 1828. Joel P. Walker, J. P."

"I, Lewis Jones, a Justice of the Peace within and for said county, do certify that on the 10th day of July last, I united Mr. Breeton Savage and Mrs. Rachel Linch in the holy estate of matrimony. Lewis Jones, J. P."

"I, Lewis Jones, a justice of the peace within and for said county, do certify that on the 19th day of August last, I united Absolom Smith and Hilly Kinzly in the holy estate of matrimony. Lewis Jones, J. P." '

'T do hereby certify that Pierre Reualette was married to Mrs. L. Roi, both of the one said county, and that they were married in the pres¬ ence of several witnesses by the undersigned Justice of the Peace on the tenth day of September last. Given under my hand and seal the 8th of October, 1828. Samuel Johnston, J. P."

'T, Lewis Jones, a Justice of the Peace within and for said county, do certify that on the 25th day of December, 1828, I united in the holy estate of matrimony Mr. Hesekiah Warden and Miss Sarah Butler, by the consent of each of their parents. Lewis Jones, J. P."

"Married by the undersigned justice of the peace on the 25th day of December, 1828, Andrew Patterson to Elizabeth Hitchcock, both of this county, and were married in the presence of several witnesses. Sam'l Johnston, J. P."

In the year 1827 there were recorded 17 marriages, in 1828, 19 mar¬ riages. We have thus fully chronicled these first marriages because of the peculiarity of their style of expression, and because the names are now nearly forgotten and lost. Many, however, yet living in Jackson County and elsewhere will recognize in these their ancestral names.

The First Warranty Deed

Greeting: Know ye, that I, John Baptiste James lonka, of Jackson County and State of Missouri, for and in consideration of the sum of two hundred and fifty dollars, lawful money of the United States, to me in hand paid by Joseph Roi, of the county and State aforesaid, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, have granted, bargained, sold and con¬ veyed, and by these presents do grant, bargain, sell and convey unto the said Joseph Roi all my right, title and claim unto a certain tract or parcel of land containing six hundred and forty acres, which land I hold as a half-breed of the Kansas Nation or tribe of Indians, by virtue of a re¬ serve made said nation from the United States in the late treaty between the Kansas Nation and the United States, together with all and singular the rights, privileges and appurtenances thereunto belonging unto him, the said Joseph Roi, his heirs and assigns forever; and I do covenant unto the said Joseph Roi that I am lawfully seized in fee of the premises, and that they are free from all encumbrances.

"On the twenty-fifth day of June, eighteen hundred and twentyeight, John Baptiste James lonka, personally known to me, appeared be¬ fore me and executed and acknowledged the above and foregoing instru¬ ment of writing, as his hand and seal, for the purpose therein contained, this 25th June 1828.

Samuel Johnson

"I Samuel C. Owens, Clerk of the Circuit Court and ex-officio Re¬ corder for the county aforesaid, do certify that the preceding instrument of writing from John Baptiste James lonka to Joseph Roi was filed in my office on the 5th day instant, and by me duly recorded same day, Septem¬ ber 3, 1828.

Samuel C. Owens Another Warranty Deed

This indenture, made and entered into this twenty-ninth day of Sep¬ tember, one thousand eight hundred and twenty-eight, between Abner J. Adair and Mary Adair, his wife, of the County of Jackson and State of Missouri, of the first part, and Joseph Adair, of the County of Fleming and State of Kentucky, of the second part; witnesseth, that the party of the first part, through natural love and affection, do give unto our brother, Joseph Adair, of the second part, all that lot or parcel of ground, situate lying and being in the towm of Independence, Jackson County, Missouri, numbered twenty and twenty-one, with all the rights, titles claim or inter¬ est of us or either of us in law or equity, of, in and to the above premises ; to have and hold unto his own proper use, benefit and behoof; for which we bind ourselves, our heirs, executors, administrators or assigns, to the said Joseph Adair, his heirs or assigns, that the before recited tract of land and premises aforesaid, they will warrant and forever defend against the right, title, claim, interest or estate of all and every person or persons whatever. In testimony whereof, we have hereunto set our hands and seals the day and year aforesaid.

State Of Missouri

Be it remembered, that on this tenth day of December, in the year of our Lord, eighteen hundred and twenty-eight, before me, a justice of the peace within and for the county aforesaid, personally came Abner J. Adair and Mary, his wife, both personally known to me to be the persons whose names are subscribed to the foregoing instrument of writing, as having executed the same, and severally acknowledged the same to be their act and deed, for purposes therein mentioned; she, the said Mary Adair, being by me first made acquainted with the contents thereof, and exam¬ ined separate and apart from her husband, whither she executed the said, and relinquishes her dower to land and tenements therein mentioned vol¬ untarily, freely, and without compulsion or undue influence of her said husband, acknowledged and declared that she executed the said deed, and relinquishes her dower in the said lands and tenements therein men¬ tioned, voluntarily, freely and without compulsion or undue influence of her husband.

I, Samuel Weston, deputy clerk of the Circuit Court, and ex-officio recorder for the aforesaid, do certify that the foregoing instrument of writing, being a deed from Abner J. Adair and his wife, was filed in the office on the tenth instant, and by me duly recorded same day, December 10, 1828. SAMUEL WESTON,

This indenture made and concluded this 12th day of August, in the year of our Lord one thousand, eight hundred and twenty-nine, by and between Samuel Owens, commissioner of the seat of justice for the County of Jackson (the same being the town of Independence), in the State of

Missouri, one the one part, and Abner J. Adair of the other part, witnesseth that the said Samuel C. Owens, commissioner aforesaid, for, and on behalf of the County of Jackson aforesaid, has this day for, and in con¬ sideration of twenty-two dollars, lawful money, to him paid by the said Abner J. Adair, the reseipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, bargained and granted, sold and conveyed, and do by these presents bargain, grant, sell and convey unto the said Abner J. Adair, his heirs and assigns for¬ ever, certain tracts or parcels of land lying and being in the town of Inde¬ pendence, the same being the seat of justice for the County of Jackson, containing each forty-five square rods and known as the plat of said town by the numbers of twenty and twenty-one, together with all and singular the privileges and appurtenances to the said land, lots, parcels or pieces of ground of aforesaid thereto belonging or in any wise appertaining. To have and to hold the above granted premises to said Abner J. Adair, his heirs and assigns to his and their use and behoof forever. And I, the said Samuel C. Owens, commissioner aforesaid, for and on behalf of the county aforesaid, do covenant with the said Abner J. Adair, his heirs and assigns, that I the said Samuel C. Owens commissioner aforesaid for and on behalf of the county aforesaid, am lawfully seized in fee of the afore granted premises that they are free from all encumbrances. That I, Samuel C. Owens, commissioner aforesaid for and on behalf of the county aforesaid have as such good right to sell and convey the same to the said Abner J. Adair as aforesaid. That I Samuel C. Owens commissioner aforesaid for and on behalf of the county aforesaid will, and that my successor or suc¬ cessors in office shall warrant and forever defend the same to the said Abner J. Adair, his heirs and assigns, against the lawful demands of all persons whatsoever.

In testimony whereof I, Samuel C. Owens, commissioner aforesaid, for and in behalf of the county aforesaid, have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal at the County of Jackson, this day and date aforesaid.

Be it remembered that I, Samuel C. Owens, the within named com¬ missioner, and who was personally known to the undersigned, personally came and appeared before me, John Smith, a justice of the peace within and for the county aforesaid, and acknowledged the within deed of con¬ veyance for and on behalf of the county aforesaid, and that the premises

I, Samuel C. Owens, of the Circuit Court, and Ex-Officio Recorder for the county aforesaid, do certify that the foregoing deed from Samuel C. Owens, commissioner on the part of said county to A. J. Adair, was filed and recorded in my office on the 18th of August, A. D. 1829.

Early Land Entries

There is in the Recorder's office at Independence, an old plat book showing the names of all persons who entered the land and date of entry from the Government. It is found on said plat book that the first patent issued for land purchased was to John Davis, for the northwest quarter of section 19, township 49, range 31, on the 6th day of November, 1828, and the same day patents were issued as follows : Richard Fristoe for the northwest quarter of section 19, township 49, range 31, and to Lawrence Flournoy for the southwest quarter of section 19, township 49, range 31.

First entries township 47, range 29, Aug. 30, 1832, William Craw¬ ford, southeast quarter of northeast quarter section 32 ; Aug. 30, 1832, Charles Hopper, west half of the northwest quarter and northwest quarter of southwest quarter section 20.

Township 48, range 29, Aug. 30, 1832, James Welch, west half of southwest quarter section 18; Sept. 4, 1832, John Cox, southeast quarter of northeast quarter section 21.

Township 49, range 29, Oct. 10, 1832, Leonard R. Renick, west half of northwest section 6; Nov. 15, 1832, Jas. Henderson, east half of north¬ west section 17.

Township 50, range 29, Hugh Dickinson, south half of southwest sec¬ tion 32 ; Oct. 23, 1832, William Renick, east half of southeast section 33.

Township 47, range 30, Aug. 3, 1830, Jno. Powell, west half of south¬ west quarter of section 31 ; Jan. 20, 1830, Redan Crisp, west half of south¬ east quarter section 27.

Township 49, range 30, Feb. 18, 1841, Gallant Dickinson, west half of southeast section 14; Aug. 3, 1840, Silas Gibson, west half of north¬ east quarter of section 15; Aug. 3, 1840, Jno. Gilliam, northwest quarter of section 1 ; Aug. 3, 1840, Robert A. Renick, northeast quarter of section 1.

Township 50, range 30, Feb. 4, 1840, David F. M. McClennan, south¬ east quarter of section 4; Feb. 4, 1840, Abraham McClellan, northeast quarter of section 4. Nearly whole township entered in 1840.

Township 51, range 30, May 3, 1835, Wm. P. McClennan, southwest quarter section 34; Feb. 3, 1834, Geo. C. Sibley, southeast quarter of section 34.

Township 47, range 31, Jan. 20, 1830, Jacob Powell, east half of southeast quarter of section 30; July 2, 1836, Bazil Coon, east half of southeast section 24. Balance principally entered from 1852 to 1856.

Township 49, range 31, Sept. 20, 1831, Doctor Smith, west half of northwest quarter section 33 ; Feb. 28, 1832, N. B. Stone, east half of southwest quarter of section 32 ; Jan. 16, 1830, Sam'l Hink, west half of northwest section 23. Mostly all entered by 1850.

Township 49, range 31, Aug. 3, 1833, Larkin Johnson, southeast quar¬ ter of southwest quarter of section 32 ; Aug. 16, 1830, R. D. Stanley, south¬ west quarter of southeast quarter section 34; July 24, 1832, R. D. Stanley, southeast quarter of southeast quarter of section 34; Feb. 2, 1829, John Smith, west half of northeast section 26 ; Nov. 25, 1828, Ira Smith, west half of northwest quarter of southeast quarter of section 26; Nov. 6, 1820, John Davis, northwest quarter of section 19; Nov. 6, 1828, Richard Foster, northwest quarter of section 18; Nov. 6, 1828, Lawrence Flour¬ noy, southwest quarter of section 7 ; Dec. 30, 1828, Thos. Nelson, north¬ west quarter of section 4.

Township 50, range 31, Dec. 5, 1828, Morris Baker, east half of southeast quarter of section 31 ; Nov. 7, 1828, Roland Flournoy, west half of north section 31.

To-wnship 51, range 31, Dec. 29, 1831, Helen Fry, east half of south¬ east quarter of section 34; Jan. 24, 1832, east half of southwest quarter of section 34.

To-wnship 47, range 32, Jan. 25, 1825, Ansen McCracken, southwest quarter of southwest quarter of section 19; March 4, 1825. Sam'l Parsen, northeast quarter of northeast quarter of section 20; Oct. 10, 1833, Jas. Lawence, southeast quarter of southeast quarter of section 17.

Township 48, range 32, not surveyed until 1843, Feb. 2, 1844, Frank¬ lin M. Emison, southwest quarter of section 4; Feb. 19, 1844, Geo. W. Rhodes, southwest quarter of section 4 ; July 22, 1844, Arch Rice, west half of southwest quarter of section 5, and east half of southeast quarter sec¬ tion 6; Feb. 22, 1844, Stephen C. Oldham, northwest quarter of section 9.

Township 49, range 32, Nov. 11, 1828, James Chambers, west half of southeast quarter of section 22 ; Nov. 11, 1828, Gan Johnson, west half of northwest quarter of section 22; Nov. 11, 1828, Jos. Shepherd, west half of northeast quarter of section 12.

Township 50, range 32, Nov. 2, 1829, Jno. B. Flournoy, east half of southwest quarter of section 24 ; Oct. 20, 1829, Jno. Whitman, east half of northeast half of section 27; July 23, 1827, Jno. Williams, east half of southeast of section 27.

Township 47, range 33, not surveyed until 1843, Dec. 11, 1844, Jno. Bartleson, southwest quarter of section 33; Jan. 2, 1845, Thos. Millsop, southeast section 32 ; Dec. 17, 1844, Joel Lipscomb, east half of southeast quarter of section 6.

Township 48, range 33, Aug. 22, 1833, E. A. Milburne, west half of southwest section 32 ; Nov. 15, 1830, Sam'l Son, northeast quarter of sec¬ tion 3 ; June 6, 1831, Dan'l M. Boone, west half of southeast quarter sec¬ tion 4 ; June 27, 1831, Francis Travis, west half of northwest of section 11 ; Nov. 9, 1835, Geo. and John Fitzhugh, south half of section 31.

Township 49, range 33, Nov. 14, 1825, Anderson P. Patterson, north¬ west quarter of section 30 (county clerk) ; Nov. 14, 1828, Robt. Johnson, east half of southeast quarter of section 18 ; Oct. 12, 1831, Edward Part¬ ridge, northwest quarter of section 13 ; Dec. 8, 1832, Edward Partridge, northeast quarter of section 13.

Township 50, range 33, Feb. 1, 1833, Francis Choteau, east half of fractional section 28; July 12, 1833, Pierre M. Choteau, southwest quarter of section 22; July 7, 1835, Eypraim Choteau, west half of west half of section 27; Nov. 6, 1835, Jos. Self, east half of southeast section 33; May 11, 1828, Wm. Bonnery and Jno. Lovelady, east half of southwest of sec¬ tion 36; April 1, 1831, Thos. Linville, west half of southwest quarter of section 36.

First Road Records

On petition of twelve householders inhabitants of the County presents to the Court by Mr. Francis Pine, praying for the appointment of suitable persons to view a road from the Waggon fords of Little Blue to Prairie Ferry. It is therefore ordered by the Court that James Lewis, Jas. Blakely, Isaac Allen, Dabney Johnson and Benedict Weldon be appointed Commissioners to view and make said road the nearest and best way.

The Court orders that they now proceed to the appointment of a com¬ missioner for the seat of justice of this county. Whereupon Samuel New¬ ton was appointed and entered into Bond and surety accordingly and took the oath prescribed by law.

The Court orders that the Commissioner of the seat of Justice of the County be directed to proceed to lay off the town of Independence, on the southwest quarter of section 2, township 49, range 32, west of 5th Prin¬ cipal Meridian and to have a plat of said town prepared and ready to lay, before the Court at a special term which will be held on Friday the first day of June.

Court met persuant to adjournment all members present. In persuance of an order of Court, Samuel Newton, Commissioner of seat of Jus¬ tice made the following report:

The undersigned commissioner of the seat of justice for the County of Jackson reports, that in pursuanec of an order of the Court, to him directed has proceeded to lay off the Town of Independence on the quarter Section of land selected for the purpose and has prepared a plat of same, which is herewith presented for the consideration of the Court.

Ordered the plat of the Town of Independence, the seat of Justice of the County, this day presented to the Court by the Commissioner of the seat of Justice, be approved and that the following certificate of approval be endorsed on the said plat to-wit :

We the undersigned Justices of the County Court, within and for the County of Jackson, do approve of the within plat of the town of Inde¬ pendence, the seat of Justice of this County and direct the same to be de¬ posited in the office of the recorder of this county for safe keeping.

Ordered that the Commissioners of the seat of Justice be directed to have a copy of the plat of the Town of Independence prepared on or before

At that time stores must have been scarce where books and stationery could be furnished. We find that the clerk of the court had to go away from here to buy supplies, as evidenced by the following account:

We find that newspapers were also scarce in Jackson County at that time, and the people had to go away from home to get their legal notices published, as witness the following :

For cash paid Nathl. Patten for publishing in the Missouri Intellipneer the notice of the intended presentation of a petition from the inhab¬ itants of Jackson County to the last Legislature praying the establishment of that County, April 20, 1827, as per receipt herewith - $4.00.

Ordered that the Commissioner of the seat of Justice be directed to proceed to give such public notice as he may deem necessary that a public sale of the lots of the town of Independence be held at the County Seat on Monday, the 9th day of July next, and that the sale be continued for three days, in succession unless sooner disposed of and that the commissioner be directed to proceed on that day to offer each lot separately until the whole number of lots have been offered for sale and it is further ordered that the terms and conditions of the sale shall be as follows, to-wit : All of Lots of less size than 1 acre not to be sold for less than Ten Dollars, all lots of 1 acre or more for not less than $10.00 per acre. One fourth of the purchase price to be paid on the day of the sale, and the balance in three equal installments Twelve, Eighteen and Twenty four months from and after the day of sale.

Since the adjournment of the court held June 1st, some of its mem¬ bers must have had a change of view as to the value of lots in Inde¬ pendence. At a special term of said court held July 7, 1827, we find the following on the records of the court :

This Court orders that so much of the order of this Court which was made on the 1st day of June, relating to the price of lots in the town of Independence as fixes the price of all lots of one or more acres at Ten Dollars, per acre, be reserved and that the Commissioner of the seat of Justice be directed to offer any lot containing one or more acres at Five Dollars per acre and not to dispose of any such lots for a less price per acre.

Ordered that the Court do now proceed to appointment of a constable for each township in this county for one year whereon the court appointed James W. McClellan constable of Ft. Osage Township, Joseph Brown, con¬ stable for Blue Township, Richard Hancock, constable for Kaw Township.

We wonder what some of the county assessors of the State of Mis¬ souri at this time would think if they were called upon to asses their county for the munificent amount paid for the first assessment made of the property of Jackson County. Here is an itemized account of the total cost of making the assessment for the year 1827 :

At that time the members of the county courts were paid $1.75 per day for their services, as evidenced by the first bill ever presented for allowance for services as a member of said court in this county:

The clerks of courts were not paid as large salaries as now. The first account allowed for services as county clerk of this county was as follows :

Lilburn W. Bogg presented to the Court his account against the County for fees as County Clerk amounting to Twenty Four Dollars 8714 Cents, Ordered that said account be allowed and paid as follows :

$5.89 out of any monies in the treasury arising from sale of lots at the County Seat, and $18,98 out of any money in the County Treasury ap¬ propriated to County expenditures.

First Ferry

There were no bridges over the Missouri River and as the roads of the traveling points passing from one point to another demanded means of crossing, ferry boats and landings were put into service at many points on the river. The law demanded that every person keeping a ferry should have a license from the county in which it was operated, and gave the county court authority to fix the amount to be charged for rendering the service. At the November term, 1827, an order is found as follows:

On petition of citizens this day presented to the Court praying for the establishment of a Ferry across the Missouri River at the place called Uneaw's Ferry about three miles below Chouteaus former trading house. It is ordered by the Court that clerk of this Circuit issue to said Uneaw a license for one year to keep a ferry at the place aforesaid upon the pro¬ duction of the collectors receipt and entering into bond with sufficient security Tax $2.00 and it is further ordered that the following rates be

The Randall Residence, Independence First Sale Of Lots

Independence was laid out by David Ward, Julius Emmons and John Bartleson in 1827. These gentlemen were appointed by the General As¬ sembly of Missouri to preempt a tract of land upon which to locate a county seat for Jackson County; their final report bears the date of March, 1827. The first court was held by David Todd, on the 21st of May, following. The original town plat contained 240 acres, upon which have been found sixteen springs of pure water. The first public land was sold in Jackson County on the 11th day of November, 1828.

The first census of Jackson County was taken by Mr. Jacob Gregg, in 1826, and he received $10 for ten days services. It hardly looks as if it could have been thoroughly done in that time by one person, but such is the record.

Mr. Samuel Newton was the commissioner appointed to number the lots and his report gives much of local interest. Labor was cheap, one dollar a day being his own charge for services. He quotes whisky at 50 cents per gallon, and he charged the city 25 cents for the survey of each lot.

S. G. Owens, Garrett M. Hensley, Jno. R. Swearingen and Judge John Smith were appointed commissioners to sell lots. John Dunston was sur¬ veyor, and completed his work Jan. 9, 1827, afterward the town was platted off by Geo. W. Rhodes, which plat is on record in the office. Abner J. Adair purchased the first lots. Nos. 20 and 21, in the old town. Three years after the first part of the town was laid off, the annexed part, the south half of northwest quarter of section No. 2, was added by special act of the Legislature, and Abram McClelland was appointed com¬ missioner to convey the property to various individual purchasers. This act was passed in 1831.

The first sale of lots took place on the 9th, 10th and 11th days of July, 1827, and in the Recorder's office will be found the report of the commissioner of the sale to the court. The account reads : "Commis¬ sioner's accounts of lots sold in the town of Independence, at the first sale, on the ninth, tenth and eleventh days of July, A. D. 1827."

Total amount of cash received for the sale of land was $374.57. The lots were sold partly on time, and about one-fourth of the amount of each lot was paid down. The following receipt was given for the cash paid at the sale:

"Received of Samuel Newton, commissioner of the seat of justice for Jackson County, $374.57, being the whole amount of moneys collected by him on account of sales of lots in the town of Independence, up to this date.

"Received of Lewis Jones, commissioner of the seat of justice for Jackson County, Two Hundred and Sixty-Eight Dollars and eighteen cents in specie, and Fifty Dollars in United States paper; Fifteen Dollars in Auditor's warrants, taken of L. W. Boggs, by order of the court ; Eigh¬ teen Dollars in county warrants, payable to L. W. Boggs; paid S. C. Owens, as County Treasurer, Eighteen Dollars and ninety-two cents; also seven dollars and fifty cents, in two notes - one on Smith and the other on John Cornet, both to be charged to said John Smith, as the bidder of the public gaol; making in the whole, allowing the said Lewis Jones onehalf per cent for collection, three hundred and sixty-six dollars and fiftysix cents. This 2d day of February, A. D. 1829.

It may be interesting to some of the present day lot owners to know where some of those lots that brought the former prices are situated. Lot 10, that was sold at the sale to Solomon Flournoy for $40.50, is the lot on which Clinton's drug store and Casper and Shimfessel's store now stands. Lot 11, that was sold to James Aull for $32.00, is the lot on which Beaty's jewelry store now stands.

Lot 13, for which James Roy paid $40.50, is the lot on which the Wat¬ kins Music Company and Fuche's jewelry store and Cook and Dilling¬ ham's shoe store now stands. Lot 18, for which Smallwood B. Noland paid the big price of $25.50, is now occupied by the Bank of Independ¬ ence, DeCoursey's store, and other properties.

Lot 20, for which Lewis Jones paid $34.50, is now occupied by the Air Line depot. Lot 19, for which Daniel Munro paid $10.25, is the lot just east of the Air Line depot. Lot 50, for which Thomas Pitcher paid $35.25, now occupied by Bostains the Fashion, Sturges jewelry store and Dooleys. Lot 51 is now occupied by Pendleton and Gentry's drug store and other buildings. Lot 73, that was bought by James Kimzey for $27.00, is now occupied by the Chrisman Sawyer Banking Company and the Jackson County Bank.

Lot 69, now occupied by the Mize Hardware Company, was sold for $10.00 to Lawrence Flournoy. The lot on which the Mason building stands was sold to Roland Flournoy for $10.00.

Cicero Brown paid $10.00 for the lot on which the City Hall stands. Elisha Todd paid $42.00 for the lot on which Ott & Sampson building now stands.

Lot 43, for which James Brown paid $41.00, is now occupied by the Bundschu store. Lot 5, for which Geo. Alexander paid $25.25, is now occupied by the Hill Bros, hardware store.

It developed at the sale that demand for Independence property was not very urgent ; that money was scarce or not many bidders that wanted to buy. There were 143 lots laid out and only 85 of them sold at the sale. The amount presented by Mr. Newton for the expense of the sale was

We wonder what the county court or the people of the present day would think if such an account was presented for payment. At that day and time people looked upon the liquor traffic in a very different light than the present day. The court made the following order in relation to

Ordered that the sum of $64.56 be allowed Samuel Newton as Com¬ missioner of the seat of justice for this County, being the amount of his account this day presented to the Court, and settled and entered in this book page 15, and it is further ordered that the Clerk issue a Warrant for the said sum payable out of any moneys in the County treasury aris¬ ing from the sale of lots at the County seat.