Earthquake information makes this document of historic interest but not of great genealogical value. 23 Jan 1813 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free Information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Files may be printed or copied for Personal use only. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Submitted by: Jerry Morrison Email: LWM@genesisnetwork.net ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- From the books "Territorial Papers - Louisiana-Missouri Territory" 1806-1814, Volume XIV pages 623-625 DEPOSITION OF HENRY CASSIDY [January 23, 1813] MISSOURI TERRITORY SS. Henry Cassidy late one of the judges of the Courts of the late District of Arkansas in said Territory being duly sworn deposes and says that he was on or before the 29th day of October last duly authorised by certain of the inhabitants of said District of Arkansas to enter their claims to Land with the recorder of Land titles for the aforesaid territory pursuant to the act of congress* "Making further provision for settling the claims to land in the territory of Missouri" about fifty claims in number which have not been heretofore filed with the said recorder that this deponent left Arkansas on the said 29th day of October last for the purpose of filing said Land claims with the said recorder who resides at St Louis in said Territory a distance by land (which persons are compelled to travel since the earth quakes) from said Arkansas of between four and five hundred miles-that this deponent proceeded on his journey with five other persons in company intending going with all convenient speed to St Louis with said Land claims and until they arrived at a crossing place on the river St Francois about 120 miles northwardly of the Cherokee village where they were prevented from crossing said river of St Francois on account of the waters thereof being too high occasioned as this deponent believes by the effects of the Earthquakes which have choaked the channel of the river and caused the waters thereof to overflow the low lands of the country-that no person in company with this deponent would venture to cross the said waters and this deponent being taken sick deemed it dangerous to his life to make an attempt alone inasmuch as they were then out of provisions and were compelled to return back,-This deponent went to the mouth of the river St Francis where on account of ill health and the inclemency of the weather he did not arrive till the 7th of December last after the time for recording of Land claims under the said act had expired from which place your deponent proceeded by water to New Madrid District and from thence to St Louis by Land- This deponent further saith that the said inhabitants of Arkansas did not obtain notice of the passage of the afore said law of congress or that they were privileged to enter their said claims to Land until about the 20th day of October last and unless provision is made by law for entering said claims and such extent of time given as will enable the said inhabitants to enter their said claims after they can obtain in their remote situation information thereof they will as your deponent verily believes suffer and sustain great loss and injury-and further this deponent saith not.- HENRY CASSIDY Sworn to and subscribed before me the undersigned one of the judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of St Louis in the Territory aforesaid the 23rd day of January 1813.-W. Christy Frederick Bates Secretary of the territory of Missouri & exercising the Government To all whom it may concern-Be it known that William Christy is a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas and Quarter Sessions of the Peace within and for the county of St Louis in the territory of Missouri, regularly commissioned. In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed the seal of the territory of Missouri. Given under my hand at St Louis the 23rd day of January, in the SEAL year of our Lord, One Thousand Eight Hundred and Thirteen and of the Independence of the United States the thirty Seventh FREDERICK BATES [Endorsed] Deposition of Henry Cassidy relative to claims to land in the district of Arkansaw. 11th June, 1813. Referred to the Committee on Public Lands. 7 July, 1813. Committee discharged.*2 * Act approved June 13, 1812 (2 Stat. 748-752). *2 There is no reference to this deposition in the printed journals.