JOHN BELCHER’S FERRY BOND - Rusk County, Texas

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Submitted by ETGS
24 Aug 2002
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Originally published in the:
EAST TEXAS FAMILY RECORDS                VOL.14, NO.2, SUMMER 1990 
Some Records from Deed Book "A" - Rusk Co., TX (Continued)

Page 100                    JOHN BELCHER’S FERRY BOND

The Republic of Texas )
County of Rusk        )
     Know all men by these presents that we John Belcher as principal and James N. Brown as Security are held and firmly bound unto A. H. Watkins, Chief Justice of Said County and his successors in office in the Just and full sum of one thousand Dollars good and Lawful money of the Republic, the payment well and truly to be made, we bind ourselves our heirs, executors, admrs. or assigns Jointly, Severally, Firmly by these presents. Signed with our hand and Sealed with our Seals and dated this 7th day of January One Thousand Eight Hundred and Forty-one.
     The conditions of the above obligation is such that whereas the above bound John Belcher applied to the Commissioners Court of Roads & Revenues of said County on the 7th day of January A.D. 1845 for License for Public Ferry across the Sabine River at what is called Belchers Ferry and the same being granted by the Said Court and the following rates of Ferriage being established, To-Wit:

     Crossing road Waggon           One dollar
     Two Horse Waggon               Seventy Cents
     One Horse Waggon               Fifty Cents
     Man and Horse                  Twenty Cents
     Loose Horses and Cows          Sixty Cents
     Foot person                    Six 1/4 cents
     Hogs, Sheep and Goats          Three Cents each.

     These rates allowed at all Stages of the water. Now if the said John Belcher exacts no more than the above Rates and Keeps a good Safe and Sufficient Boat and other Crafts, as the case may be, and keeps the banks of said River at Said Ferry as prescribed by Law and do and perform all the other acts in Conformity to the same relative thereto, then the obligations to be null and void. Otherwise remain in full force and effect.

         Witness our hand and Seals this Seventh day of January A.D. 1845.
                                         John Belcher ( Seal )
Test.
                                         J. N. Brown ( Seal )
Ezra Wilson, Clk.
Rusk County
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