Summary
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The Galveston Bay and Texas Land Company was formed in 1830 by combining the contracts of David Burnet (1788-1870), Lorenzo de Zavala (1789-1836), and Joseph Vehlein after the three empresarios had encountered difficulties in starting their colonies. The records of the Galveston Bay and Texas Land Company consist of 39.1 linear feet of land titles, memoranda, and character certificates dated from 1834-1835.
Biographical Note
The Galveston Bay and Texas Land Company was formed in 1830 by combining the contracts of David Burnet (1788-1870), Lorenzo de Zavala (1789-1836), and Joseph Vehlein after the three empresarios had encountered difficulties in starting their colonies. Burnet received an empresario contract in 1826 to settle 500 families northwest of Nacogdoches between the Navasota and Sabine Rivers. Vehlein received a contract in 1826 for 300 families between the San Jacinto and Sabine Rivers south from Nacogdoches—excluding twenty leagues along the coast. Another contract in 1828 for 100 families expanded the boundary to include the coast leagues. Another contract for 200 families was made in 1826, with John Woodbury as partner, but was never settled.
De Zavala received a contract in 1829 for the settlement of 500 families between Vehlein's grant and the Sabine River. The issuance of land titles in the three colonies was prevented until 1834 by the law of April 6, 1830, which prohibited the entrance of Americans into Texas. George Anthony Nixon was appointed land commissioner in 1834 and issued 258 titles under Burnet's contract, 358 titles under Vehlein's contract, and 385 titles under Zavala's contract.
For more information see the entry for Galveston Bay and Texas Land Company at the Handbook of Texas Online
Scope and Content
De Zavala received a contract in 1829 for the settlement of 500 families between Vehlein's grant and the Sabine River. The issuance of land titles in the three colonies was prevented until 1834 by the law of April 6, 1830, which prohibited the entrance of Americans into Texas. George Anthony Nixon was appointed land commissioner in 1834 and issued 258 titles under Burnet's contract, 358 titles under Vehlein's contract, and 385 titles under Zavala's contract.
For more information see the entry for Galveston Bay and Texas Land Company at the Handbook of Texas Online
The records of the Galveston Bay and Texas Land Company consist of 39.1 linear feet of contract records, correspondence, land titles, character certificates, field notes, and plat maps, 1826-1836. There are also 2 volumes that contrain transcriptions of titles, 1862-1873. The bulk of the material consists of character certificates and land titles. The field note books take up much space, however, the 7 volumes also have field notes records from other colonies. Augmenting the field notes are the plat maps and the reference books to the colonies. Receipts and fragments contain receipts, correspondence, and fragments of unfinished paperwork.
Date
1826-1836; 1862; 1872-1873
Extent
39.10 Linear feet (40 document boxes, 21 bound volumes)
Language
Spanish
Arrangement
The Galveston Bay and Texas Land Company colony records contain 5 series:
1. Contract records and correspondence, 1826-1835
Because the Records are physically part of the Spanish Collection, the contract Records and correspondence are mixed in with material from other collections which accounts for the addition of 5 document boxes and 3 bound volumes while only adding 2.25 linear inches of material to the collection.
2. Titles, 1834-1835
3. Character certificates, delivery of title, and orders of survey, 1834-1835
4. Survey field notes and plat atlas maps, 1834-1835
5. Receipts and fragments, 1834-1836
Preferred Citation
1. Contract records and correspondence, 1826-1835
Because the Records are physically part of the Spanish Collection, the contract Records and correspondence are mixed in with material from other collections which accounts for the addition of 5 document boxes and 3 bound volumes while only adding 2.25 linear inches of material to the collection.
2. Titles, 1834-1835
3. Character certificates, delivery of title, and orders of survey, 1834-1835
4. Survey field notes and plat atlas maps, 1834-1835
5. Receipts and fragments, 1834-1836
Galveston Bay and Texas Land Company Records (SC.GB). Archives and Records Program, Texas General Land Office, Austin.
Access Restrictions
Unrestricted access.
Use Restrictions
Most records created by Texas state agencies are not copyrighted and may be freely used in any way. State records also include materials received by, not created by, state agencies. Copyright remains with the creator. The researcher is responsible for complying with U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17 U.S.C.).