Thomas Norris Survey #29
Abstract 688
Unfinished Mexican Title - On Sept. 1. 1835, at San Augustine, Thomas Norris presented a petition for land to George. W. Smyth, a land commissioner appointed by the Mexican State of Coahulla and Texas to issue titles to settlers on the eastern border of Texas. In this petition Norris stated that he emigrated to Texas in 1803 and was a married man, his wife's name was Elizabeth, with a family of six persons. For reasons not explained in this document, the steps required to obtain a title were not completed and Norris did not receive a Mexican land grant. This document is in Spanish and bears what purports to be Norris' signature.
Character Certificate - Issued at San Augustine on Sept. 1, 1835, by Samuel Thompson, alcalde, this document certified that Thomas Norris was a native of Maryland, a man of family consisting of six persons, a good citizen who was friendly to the laws and religion of the country, and that he emigrated in 1803. These certificates were obtained for the purpose of presenting them to the commissioner when applying for a Mexican land grant.
Headright Certificate, File 149, Nacogdoches County, Thomas Norris by - James Reily, September 1, 1835, Field Notes 1 League and Labor, Thomas Norris by James Reily.
Muster Roll, page 84, of Capt. Holmes Company of Kentucky Volunteers., August 27, 1836, Velasco. Name: Thomas Norris
Muster Roll Page 94, Captain Read's Company continued, enrolled June 1. Thomas Norris, perion - 6 months. Remarks: Received of the Government 1 coat, 1 pr pants, 1 shirt, 1 coat, 1 pr shoes. (This muster roll covers enlistments to September 1, 1836
Muster Roll page 110. Captain Reed's Company Continued, Enlisted, June 1, Name. Thomas Norris (This muster roll covers enlistments to September and October 1836)
Patent from Sam Houston to James Reily, January 17, 1842
Map of Mercer Colony, May 1st, 1845
Map of U.S.
October 3, 1881, McLennan County, Elizabeth Norris applies for a certificate as the widow of Thomas Norris, who died June 14, 1877, for his service in Capt. Henry Reed's Company from June 1 to December 1, 1836.
The survey was made by D.O. Norton. He later moved to Weatherford and became co-editor of the Frontier News.
The deed was witnessed by William W. Barker, a native of Gibson County, Indiana. He married Almira B. (Harlow), a native of Missouri and the daughter of Nicholas Harlow. William and Almira had nine children. They were Henry C., James W., Lou A. Willis W., Jennie, Susan, Mattie, Joshua and Ellen. William Barker came to Texas in 1836 and settled in Sulpher Springs. He was a farmer, stock raiser and the county surveyor for 25 years.
Source: Texas General Land Office, Austin, Texas
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