HENDERSON COUNTY, TEXAS HISTORY An Act Creating the County of Henderson 1846 This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Michael J. Vaughn June 1, 2005 Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgenwebarchives.org *********************************************** SOURCE: H. P. N. Gammel, compiler, The Laws of Texas: 1822-1897, 10 volumes (Austin: The Gammel Book Company, 1898), Volume II, pages as noted below: Acts of the First Legislature of the State of Texas: Pages 1447 & 1448, 27 April 1846: “AN ACT Creating the county of Henderson. Section 1. Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Texas, That all that portion of the counties of Houston and Nacogdoches included in the following bounds, or limits, viz: commencing at the north east corner of Anderson county, on the Neches river; thence, north with the western boundary lines of the counties of Cherokee and Smith, to the Sabine river; thence, down said river to the south west corner of Upshur county; thence, north with the western boundary line of said Upshur county, to the southern boundary line of Titus county; thence, west with the southern boundary of said county, to the county of Hopkins; and thence, continuing west with the southern boundary of said Hopkins and Hunt counties, to the north east corner of Dallas county; thence, south with the eastern boundary line of said Dallas count, to its south east corner; thence, west with the southern boundary line of said county, to the Trinity river; thence, down said Trinity river, to the north west corner of Anderson county; and thence, east with the northern boundary line of Anderson county, to the place of beginning, be and is hereby constituted the county of Henderson. Sec. 2. Be it further enacted, That William Ware, David Carlysle, Alfred Moore, Thacker Vivian, Senior, and James Hooker, be and they are hereby constituted a board of commissioners, to select and locate a temporary site for the seat of justice of said county. Sec. 3. Be it further enacted, That the said county shall be entitled to all the rights, privileges and immunities, incident to other counties of this State, except that of being a separate land district, and the right of separate representation. Sec. 4. Be it further enacted, That this act shall take effect from and after its passage. Approved, 27th April, A. D. 1846.” SOURCE: H. P. N. Gammel, compiler, The Laws of Texas: 1822-1897, 10 volumes (Austin: The Gammel Book Company, 1898), Volume III, pages as noted below: Acts of the Second Legislature of the State of Texas: Pages 408 & 409, 18 March 1848: “CHAPTER 236. An Act to authorize John H. Reagan and his Associates to open and construct a turnpike road from the Town of Buffalo, on the Trinity river, across the bottom to the high land, on the west side, in the direction to the Town of Corsicana. Section 1. Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Texas, That John H. Reagan and his Associates, be, and they are hereby authorized to construct a turnpike road from the town of Buffalo, on the Trinity river, across the bottom thereof on the west side, in the direction to the town to Corsicana, to the high lands. Sec. 2. Be it further enacted, That the said John H. Reagan and his associates shall have the right of way, together with timber and stone, upon such vacant and public lands through which said road may pass, which may be necessary for the construction of said road. Sec. 3. Be it further enacted, That so soon as the said John H. Reagan and his associates shall establish all necessary ferry boats, bridges, embankments, causeways, to render said road passable and safe at all seasons of the year, the said John H. Reagan and his associates shall be authorized to demand and receive the following tolls, viz: for each wagon or other carriage, not to exceed ten cents per wheel; for each horse or mule and rider, ten cents; for loose horses, mules or cattle, not to exceed five cents per head; for each sheep, hog or goat, not to exceed two cents per head. Sec. 4. That there may be erected as many gates for the collection of tolls as may be deemed necessary: Provided, no person shall be required to pay toll at more than one gate; And, further provided, That persons travelling a part of the distance, shall be required to pay full toll, if such person cross the main river. Sec. 5. Be it further enacted, That if any person or persons shall travel upon said road or drive any horses, mules, cattle, sheep, hogs or goats, wagon or other carriage, without paying the tolls therefor, or shall obstruct or damage the said road, then a right of action shall accrue to the said company, in any court having jurisdiction, to recover the tolls or damage sustained. Sec. 6. Be it further enacted, That should any person or persons, using or travelling upon said turnpike, be detained or damaged, either in his or her person or property, by reason of the inattention, negligence, inexperience or mal conduct, of any agent or other person employed by the company, then the said John H. Reagan and his associates shall be liable to the person or persons in an action in any court having competent jurisdiction, and that said turnpike may be seized and sold as other property, to satisfy any judgment thus obtained. Sec. 7. Be it further enacted, That said company shall enjoy, and exercise the privilege herein granted, for the term of twenty years from and after the completion of said turnpike; after which time it shall belong to the counties of Henderson and Navarro, in equal moieties. Sec. 8. Be it further enacted, That said John H. Reagan and his associates shall have three years to complete said turnpike road, and in case the same is not completed, then this charter to be forfeited. Approved, March 18, 1848.”