|
Chapter 11: A Successful Pioneer Settler |
 |
 |
 |
There is recorded on page 2, Box A, Deed Record of Butler County, a contract in which Thomas R. Davis sold his improvement and most of his possessions to a James Kelley of Arkansas. Mr. Davis sold out, "lock, stock and barrel," or "Hair, hide and tallow," take you pick of two long-ago expressions meaning a complete break with things as they were.
Thomas R. Davis was a successful man. By hard work, thrift and good management he and his family were living well. Today we would speak of such a man as "well-to-do," but in the light of his times we like the term, "well heeled," now in disrepute, implying "loaded with money," but a hundred or so years ago it complimented a man. In the fall of the year the provident farmer "heeled-in" apples, potatoes, turnips and other vegetables by covering them with straw or hay. It was a form of storage and, if well done, protected the fruits and vegetables against freezing throughout the winter or until used. Hence the "well heeled" citizen accumulated, stored or gathered together enough useful things that he and his family lived in the comfort of the times. He always had something on hand for his family to eat, meal in the barrel, apples and vegetables "heeled-in" or stored in a cave or cellar, hams and bacon in the smokehouse, a cow giving milk, dried fruits, and vegetables and other items to make life more livable. We humbly tip our hat to the "well-heeled" settler for he was of the stuff that made our civilization.
This document is now 115 years old and has a personality of its own. Any attempt on our part to discuss it piece by piece would detract from its interest. It is a fine example of the simplicity of English language by people who did not use big words and long phrases. We quote it in full, taking liberty only to add some punctuation for greater clarity. The early scribes used commas and periods sparingly. We leave the spelling as is. Sometimes it may be a trifle original, but it may also be in the accepted custom of its time.
"State of Missouri, County of Butler. Know all men by these presents that I, Thomas R. Davis, of the County of Butler and State of Missouri, have this day bargained, sold an delivered unto James Kelly of Randolph, State of Arkansas, for the sum of three hundred fifty dollars, to him in hand paid, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the following described property, to wit: One improvement on which the said Davis now resides, lying and being in Butler County and State of Missouri on Ten Mile Creek, containing something like twenty five acres of cleared land, four head of horses (to wit) Kit, Fly, Pedlar and Jerry, ten head of cattle, eleven head of sheep, six hundred pounds of bacon, twelve head of geese, three ploughs and clevises, three pare of geers, two axes, 1 smooth board gun, one cupboard with all the cupboard furniture, four beds with their bedding and bedsteads, one falling leaf table, one square table, one side saddle, one mans saddle, one loom, two whets, one reel, twelve chairs, one clock, twenty head of hogs, fifteen bushels of corn at Levi Carpenters, what corn is at this time in the crib, six bushels of wheat, with all other household and kitchen furniture which he, the said Davis, may at this time possess. Also a debt, nine dollars and forty eight cents, due by James Frank to said Davis to be paid in work when called for. In witness whereof I, the above names Thos. R. Davis, have here-unto set my hand and affixed my seal this 16th day of March, 1850." (Signed, Thos. R. Davis). Attest: Newton Wallace, Obadiah Epps, E.C. Scott, Filed for record March 18, 1850."
A considerable number of the pioneer settlers did not take title to the land on which they lived. If they decided to leave, they sold their "improvement," which included fences, buildings and whatever land had been cleared for cultivation. This practice seems strange to us now, but it was based on the realities of pioneer life. The United States District Land Office was at Jackson, Missouri, a hard and wearisome trip of 200 or more miles to file a claim on a tract of land. The set price of the land was one-dollar and twenty-five cents per acre. Fifty dollars per forty acres. Many of the settlers did not have fifty dollars and it might take several years to save that much money to complete title to the land. Some of the settlers arrived before the land was surveyed so had no legal description to the land on which they lived. Also land was plentiful. Most prospective settlers respected an "improvement" and kept going till they found an unoccupied track to their liking. In fact we feel that anyone tired of living could quickly end it all by attempting to run a settler away from his "improvement."
We note the clevises were specifically mentioned as belonging with the plows. Without them the plows would not have been of much use. Also we have to meditate about the "six bushels of wheat." A modern combine would thresh that much wheat in a few minutes. In 1850 it represented many hours of hand labor. After the wheat was grown it was cut by a cradle or scythe or possible by a hand hook, as in Biblical times. Then the trains were broken loose from the heads by beating them with a flail. Finally the grain was separated from the straw and chaff by tossing it into the air until the wind had blown the trash away.
Yes, Mr. Davis and his family had bacon and hams, milk and butter, goose feathers for bedding, wool for clothing and wheat for wheat bread to relieve the monotony of a steady diet of corn bread. He had livestock, farming tools, household and kitchen furniture beyond the ordinary in a pioneer home.
Where did Mr. Davis go? We wish we knew more about him and his family. On November 13, 1849, the County Court appointed him assessor for the county. On March 18, 1850, the same day his property sale was filed for record, he resigned this office. In the 1850 census "Thomas Davis" is enumerated, possibly the same as Thomas R. Davis but of this we cannot be certain. Thomas Davis was then 42 years old born in Virginia, his wife, Ruth, was 32 years old and born in Missouri. There were three children, James 13, Sarah 10 and John 7, all born in Missouri. In his household also were Samuel Howe, age 50, born in Pennsylvania, a tanner by trade, and Mary Wills, age 18 and born in Missouri.
Anyway, Thomas R. Davis vanished from Butler County. It is interesting to note that no wagons are listed in the items sold to James Kelly. Possibly Mr. Davis kept his wagons and enough horses to move westward, maybe to Texas or even to the call of gold in California. Wherever he again settled we are sure a community gained a worthwhile citizen.
Also we have searched forty years of the deed records of Butler County but failed to find a transfer of land from James Kelly so do not know the location of that twenty-five acres of cleared land on Ten Mile Creek. From the position of names in the census we believe Mr. Davis was a neighbor of Simmons R. Harviell and Martin Epps, near the crossing of Ten Mile Creek by present Highway TT.
|
|
