Jefferson_Deeds_E-F

The Republic of Texas, County of Jefferson } An article of agreement made and entered into this seventh day of August A. D., in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty-three, by and between Joseph W. Taylor of the one part and John G. Bigham of the other part, all of the county and republic aforesaid. Witnesseth, that for the mutual advantage and benefit of the parties above-named, [and] for the purpose of carrying on the business of farming to the [general] advantage for and during the term of five years from [and after] the first day of January one thousand eight hundred and forty-four, the said Taylor on his part agrees to put in and furnish five hands, to say three effective able-bodied men and two women of like description, slaves for life, belonging to the said Taylor. And also, to have an equal partition of all necessary expenses incurred in managing and carrying on the business of farming as aforesaid. And the above-named John G. Bigham on his part agrees to take charge of the said hands as above-mentioned, and also to furnish one able-bodied woman slave, to wit, in the capacity of a cook, and to reside on the farm with his family, and to bear an equal proportion or one-half of all expenses necessary for the supply and carrying on the aforesaid business of farming, and to direct his whole time and attention to the care and management of the business as aforesaid, and generally to do and act using his best skill and ability in the management of the said

business so that the greatest profits may arise to the said parties connected in the above business as aforesaid. And it is further agreed between the parties that the farm shall be made on that tract of land known as the Lancaster survey situated on Village Creek, [about] one half of said survey, say five hundred acres more or less. The half of which five hundred acres the said Bigham holds said Taylor's bond for title. And it is further agreed between the respective parties that annual settlements shall take place, say the first on the first of January A. D. 1845, and on the first of each year thereafter until the expiration of the five years above-named. At which time, after deducting and paying all necessary expenses incurred in the said business during the years therein, and then equally to divide the whole crop or product of the farm for the aforesaid year between the respective parties. And the said Bigham, after the division as aforesaid, agrees to pay to the said Taylor out of his half of the net pro[cee]ds one hundred dollars. The same to be an equivalent [for] the hire of two hands of the said Taylor's put in the said [farm] as aforesaid. And the said parties further agree to put [on] the farm jointly twenty cows and calves (each party ten) to [be] branded with a brand selected by said Bigham and us[ed] as a company brand. And also, an equal number [of h]ogs marked with a mark used as a compnay mark. The [use] and increase of the same to be used only for the benefit [of] the farm and business as aforesaid. And at the expiration [of] the five years as aforesaid, to be equally divided between [the] contracting parties. And the respective parties to the foregoing agreement for the faithful performance of these several promises, bind and obligate themselves, their heirs, executors, and administrators each to the other in the joint sum of two thousand dollars for the faithful payment of which well and truly to be made, we bind ourselves, our heirs, executors, and administrators firmly by these presents. In testimony of which, we hereunto set our hands and affix our scrolls, by way of seals, the day and date first above-written. In presence

of (interlined over fourth line from bottom on first page, the words (it is) before signing). Also, the fifth line from bottom erased from the beginning to the word and. And a line inserted over to the words it is [is] endorsed in brackets before signing. Marvin Delano, Christian Hillbrant, John C. Huston. Joseph W. Taylor {Seal}. John G. Bigham {Seal}. After signing the foregoing articles of agreement, the contracting parties and Marvin Delano, one of the witnesses, came before me at my office and in the presence of John C. Huston, requested that the word two on the last page, first word in sixth line from top, [be] altered to read (one). And after making the interlineation, said Houston signed his name as witness and the parties acknowledged the same in my presence, August 12th, 1843. Alexander Calder, Clerk, County Court, Jefferson County. The Republic of Texas, County of Jefferson } Personally appeared before the undersigned authority Joseph W. Taylor and John G. Bigham, the parties to the foregoing instrument, and acknowledged the same to be their voluntary acts and deeds for the objects and considerations therein set forth. Given under my hand and scroll for want of a seal of office this 12th day of August 1843. {Seal} Alexander Calder, Clerk, County Court, Jefferson County. I hereby certify the foregoing to be a true copy of the original as received in my office for record on this 12th day of August 1843. Given under my hand this 25th day of August 1843. Alexander Calder, Clerk, County Court, Jefferson County.

Know all men by these presents that I, Robert E. Booth of the County [of] Jefferson, Republic of Texas, for and in consideration of the sum [of] six hundred dollars in good and lawful money to me in hand [paid], and truly paid by Thomas J. Spear of the city and County of Galveston, republic aforesaid, the receipt of which I hereby acknowledge, have granted, bargained and sold and by these presents do grant, bargain and sell unto the said Thomas J. Spear, his heirs, executors, and assigns the negress slave Bashaba. To have and to hold the said slave Bashaba unto the said Thomas J. Spear, his executors, administrators, and assigns forever. And I, the said Robert E. Booth, for myself, executors, administrators, and assigns, do covenant with the said Thomas J. Spear, his executors, administrators, and assigns that I have

full right to sell and convey the said slave Bashaba to the said Thomas J. Spear and that I warrant and defend the same against the legal claims of all persons whomsoever. Provided nevertheless, that if I, the said Robert E. Booth, my executors, administrators, or assigns, or any of them, do and shall well and truly pay or cause to be paid unto the said Thomas J. Spear the full sum of six hundred dollars in the manner set forth in the following obligation, to wit. On or before the 29th day of November next, I promise to pay Mr. Thomas J. Spear or order the sum of six hundred dollars for value received, payable as follows, viz., four hundred and fifty dollars in good merchantable lumber at fourteen dollars per thousand [shingles], and one hundred and fifty dollars in good merchantable sole leather at twenty cents per pound. All to be delivered at Green's Bluff on the Sabine River or at a [suit]able place on Adams Bayou where vessels will receive it. [A]nd I also obligate myself to ship the same on board vessels [bou]nd for Galveston, provided there are vessels to be had. Said ve[sse]l to be furnished by said Spear free of charge. Said Spear p[ayi]ng freight. Provided, however, that should I fail to deliver the [above]- named quantity of lumber in the said named time, [I am] at liberty to make up the difference in leather at the ab[ove]- named price or in good cypress shingles at two and 75/100 [do]llars per thousand delivered as aforesaid. [If Booth pays his debt], then these presents shall be null and void; otherwise to be and remain in full force, virtue and effect. In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal (seal being in scroll) this twenty-eighth day of August eighteen hundred and fifty-three. The words "said vessels to be furnished by said Spear" interlined between fifth and sixth lines before signing. In presence of E. G. Phipps, Henry Hubbell. Robert E. Booth {Seal}. Republic of Texas, Galveston County } Before me, Robert D. Johnson, Chief Justice and ex officio Notary Public