Includes: Manuscript transfer deed from John Price to Reuben Smith, for “one half of all the interest that I have of a concession of four thousand acres of land granted to be by government and said concession is now in the hands of Thomas Madden… Witness by hand this 28 of December 1803…” * Manuscript indenture transferring from Matthew Mullin to Reuben Smith for $200 “a certain tract or parcel of land lying and being situate on the watters of Big River, and the watters of the St. Francois, in the township of Bellview… being a Spanish grant made to me the said Matthew by Francois Vallu commandante of the part of Saint Genevieve… containing five hundred and _____ acres… being the same tract surveyed for me by John Stewart…” with Mullin’s mark. May 30, 1814. * A.L.s. from a Robert Anderson to Reuben Smith, regarding payment due for land, “your concession was surveyed too late that he would lay it before Congress as it was I expect that is the reason that Cerre wants his money so bad now for fear you will not pay him if it is not confirmed…” Oct. 5, 1815. * Two land grants printed on vellum, filled out in ink, each signed by James Monroe as President of the United States, granting land in Missouri to Reuben Smith. May 1 & May 20, 1824. * Small manuscript plat map for land (Sec. 24), affixed to sheet with descriptions of the trees on the property. No date. * Transcript of the marriage contract between Reuben Smith and Susan Horine, laying out the division of considerable property, both real and slaves, with the complication that Susan owned said property in conjunction with her brother. The original 3½-page document was executed in 1825, this copy was made in 1827. * Manuscript listing of the “Estate of R. Smith decd. in acct. with Susan C. Smith”, 1828. Plus 4 other manuscript documents relating to land transactions, etc.
Original documents relating to the land transactions of early Missouri Territory resident Reuben Smith, brother of John Smith T (who added the T, for Tennessee, to his name to differentiate himself from all the other John Smiths), Thomas Adams Smith, etc. Reuben Smith was notably the leader of an early (1809) trading expedition to Santa Fe. His son Francis married Ellen O'Fallon, daughter of Benjamin O'Fallon, in 1860. Provenance: Descended in the Benjamin O’Fallon family.
Condition:
Some darkening, staining and other wear, the two Monroe documents badly stained and soiled; all good to very good.