Summary
Power and Hewetson's Colony, also known as the Refugio Colony, was founded in 1828 by James Power and James Hewetson by virtue of an empresario contract with the state of Coahuila and Texas under the provisions of the Colonization Law of 1825. Power and Hewetson's Colony Records contain contract records, correspondence, land titles, survey field notes, and survey plat maps.
Biographical Note
Power and Hewetson's Colony, also known as the Refugio Colony, was founded in 1828 by James Power and James Hewetson by virtue of an empresario contract with the state of Coahuila and Texas under the provisions of the Colonization Law of 1825. The project initially called for the introduction of 100 Mexican families and 100 Irish families into an area within the ten league coast reserve between the Lavaca and Guadalupe rivers, which was extended to the Nueces in 1829. In 1831 the former lands of the Refugio Mission were also added to the colony. The extension of the boundaries led to conflicts with neighboring De León's Colony. Neary 200 land titles were issued under Power and Hewetson's contract.
Within the colony, the town of Refugio was founded in 1834 at the site of the former mission. Lots in the town were surveyed by James Bray. The town was subsequently destroyed by the Mexican Army in 1836. Colonists located mainly between the Aransas and the San Antonio Rivers in what is now Refugio County.
Land Commissioners included Manuel de Moral and José Jesús Vidaurri (appointed in 1834). José Maria Portilla was appointed land commissioner in 1835.
For more information on Milam and Milam's Colony see the entry for Power and Hewetson Colony at the Handbook of Texas Online.
Scope and Content
Within the colony, the town of Refugio was founded in 1834 at the site of the former mission. Lots in the town were surveyed by James Bray. The town was subsequently destroyed by the Mexican Army in 1836. Colonists located mainly between the Aransas and the San Antonio Rivers in what is now Refugio County.
Land Commissioners included Manuel de Moral and José Jesús Vidaurri (appointed in 1834). José Maria Portilla was appointed land commissioner in 1835.
For more information on Milam and Milam's Colony see the entry for Power and Hewetson Colony at the Handbook of Texas Online.
Power and Hewetson's Colony Records contain contract records, correspondence, land titles, survey field notes, and survey plat maps, 1828-1839. There is also a volume of transcribed titles from 1846.
Date
1828-1834; 1846
Extent
3.14 Linear feet (9 document boxes, 2 bound volumes, 5 plat maps)
Language
English
Arrangement
The Records are arranged into 3 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 6 document boxes while only adding 4 linear inches of material to the collection.
2. Titles, 1834
3. Survey field notes and plat maps, 1830-1839, undated
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 6 document boxes while only adding 4 linear inches of material to the collection.
2. Titles, 1834
3. Survey field notes and plat maps, 1830-1839, undated
Power and Hewetson's Colony Records (SC.PH). 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.).