Michael Reed (1777–1859), an early settler of Robertson’s Colony, was born in Pennsylvania to James Reed, Jr. (1735–1808, son of an Irish immigrant) and Sarah (b. 1745, last name unknown). In 1800 he married Martha Burnett (1780–1855), and they had seven children:  Sarah (b. 1807), John Burnett (b. 1809), Wilson “Wiltz” (b. 1811), William Whitaker (b. 1816), Jefferson (b. 1818), Harriet (b. 1820), and James (b. unknown, died at an early age). Michael Reed moved from Pennsylvania to North Carolina and on to Tennessee, where several of his children were born in Bedford County. According to family lore, Reed’s family was so poor that they walked on foot with their belongings seventy-five miles from Tennessee to Mississippi, where Reed perfected his method of growing corn in the American Indian style.

On January 14, 1834, Michael Reed applied to S. C. Robertson to become a member of what was then the Nashville Colony (to be renamed after Robertson later that year) in central Texas. Reed and his immediate family were the first settlers to receive land grants under Robertson and the first American settlers of present-day Bell County in Texas. Michael Reed’s land was located near the properties of his sons and sons-in-law on the northeast side of the Little River between the present-day Texas towns of Holland and Rogers. Before the outbreak of the Texas Revolution, Reed was a prominent member of the colony and also made land transactions with at least nine other Americans that allowed them to become his fellow colonists.

During the Runaway Scrape of 1836, members of Michael’s family buried many of their household goods before fleeing, and tragedy struck when daughter Sarah Reed Sparks died in childbirth during the flight from the Mexican Army. During the Texas Revolution, Michael Reed’s sons William and Jefferson and his son-in-law Wiley Carter were members of L. H. Mabbitt’s Texas Army company of volunteers, who were notable for burying the dead after the Goliad Massacre. After the victory of the battle of San Jacinto, the Reed family and other white settlers attempted to return to their original holdings, but Native American raids prevented them from staying long. Michael and his family did not permanently return to the Little River area until about 1845, and in the meantime, they raised livestock and farmed in Wheelock, Texas.

In his later life, Michael Reed became prosperous. Upon his death, his heirs inherited about 23 slaves, 43 horses, 126 cattle, and $1,758.50 in cash. He lived in a home constructed by slave labor and made with local wood. On his farm, his primary crop was corn, which he fed to his livestock; he also grew wheat and cotton. He owned a mill for grinding corn and wheat, and in 1851 he built the first cotton gin in the area. Reed, his friends, and his family were prominent members of the community who established the first roads, farms, schools, and churches. In the early days of Robertson’s colony, Primitive Baptist services were held in Reed’s home. His family also boarded local children so that they could attend the first schoolhouse in Bell County. On March 26, 1859, Michael Reed passed away in his Little River community.

Adapted from Handbook of Texas Online, Emily Grover, “Reed, Michael,” accessed March 07, 2017, http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/freed. Uploaded on May 5, 2016. Published by the Texas State Historical Association.

This collection features records of Michael Reed’s business endeavors in the Robertson Colony, including promissory notes, receipts, records of payments and bills, and correspondence concerning requests for Reed’s corn and other goods. Included are many bills of sale for slaves as well as Michael Reed’s ledger of the daily activities of his slaves. Other documents include court documents, affidavits, ledgers, petitions, currency, and newspapers.

The materials cover Reed’s life and business from 1818-1859, the settlement of his estate after his death in 1859, and the continuation of his family’s legal and business dealings until 1874. From after this date, the collection includes a booklet describing expenses for a trip from Las Cruces, New Mexico to Seattle, Washington circa 1932 (presumably by one of Michael Reed’s descendants), genealogical records confirming eligibility for the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Daughters of the Republic of Texas from 1962, and a CoinSite Article entitled “Infamous #8894 Bank of the United States $1000 Bill” alongside one of the counterfeit bills and its negatives.

Notes: folder titles and descriptions use the alternative spelling “affadavit.” In the documents, the surname “Reed” is frequently spelled as the variant “Read.” Content is arranged chronologically according to the processor’s best knowledge.

1. Business Records, Financial and Legal Records, Correspondence, Currency; 1818-184?, 1853, 1862, 1864

1.1  Confederate and Kentucky Currency; 1853, 1862, 1864, n.d.

1.2  Photocopies of Various Documents; June 1, 1833-April 2, 1836

Correspondence regarding debt and corn

Bill of Sale for a slave woman named Selvy(?)

Record of Application of Michael Reed to become member of the Nashville Colony

1.3  Promissory Note for Thomas Love; March 31, 1818

1.4  Promissory Note for Joseph Dfrueth(?); November 3, 1819

1.5  Michael Reed Record of Payment; November 19, 1819

1.6  Michael Reed Bill of Payment; April 15, 1830

1.7  Michael Reed Record of Payment; July 25, 1831

1.8  Correspondence between David Read and William Crain; July 25, 1831

1.9  Promissory Note for Michael Reed; November 15, 1831

1.10  Bill of Sale for a Slave; January 23, 1832

1.11  Michael Reed Record of Payment; March 5, 1832

1.12  Michael Reed Record of Payment; October 23, 1832

1.13  Bill of Sale for a Slave; November 13, 1852

1.14  Michael Reed Bill of Payment; January 19, 1833

1.15  Michael Reed Bill of Payment; January 19, 1833

1.16  Michael Reed Record of Payment; February 2, 1833

1.17  Michael Reed Record of Payment; March 8, 1833

1.18  Certificate of Application to the Nashville Colony; January 14, 1834

1.19  Certificate of Application to the Nashville Colony; March 18, 1834

1.20  Land Survey Note; October 27, 1834

1.21  Michael Reed Deed; December 29, 1834

1.22  Correspondence; March 12, 1835

1.23  Correspondence; March 13, 1835

1.24  Michael Reed Record of Payment; March 21, 1835

1.25  Copy of Michael Reed Deed; n.d., Apr. 26, 1835, Aug. 21, 1837, Oct. 1, 1856

1.26  Promissory Note for Willis Collins; June 8, 1835

1.27  Power of Attorney; June 10, 1835

1.28  Promissory Note for Michael Reed; July 28, 1835

1.29  Michael Reed Record of Payment; July 29, 1835

1.30  Bill of Sale for a Slave; October 26, 1835

1.31  Michael Reed Land Grant; December 8, 1835

1.32  Promissory Note for Michael Reed; December 15, 1835

1.33  Business Contract; January 9, 1836

1.34  Promissory Note for Michael Reed; January 11, 1836

1.35  Promissory Note for Michael Reed; January 12, 1836

1.36  Promissory Note for Michael Reed; January 14, 1836

1.37  Promissory Note for Michael Reed; January 15, 1836

1.38  Promissory Notes and Power of Attorney; January 16, 1836

1.39  Receipt; February 10, 1836

1.40  Michael Reed Record of Purchases; February 12, 1836

1.41  Receipt; June 5, 1836

1.42  Promissory Note for Willis Collins; June 9, 1836

1.43  Promissory Note for Michael Reed; September 10, 1836

1.44  Promissory Note for Michael Reed; December 7, 1836

1.45  Receipt; July 2, 1837

1.46  Correspondence and Copy(?) of Michael Reed Deed; June 10, 1835, August 26, 1837

1.47  Receipt; March 26, 1838

1.48  Bill of Costs; April 10, 1838

1.49  Receipt; April 21, 1838

1.50  Receipt; April 22, 1838

1.51  Receipt; May 13, 1838

1.52  Receipt; July 16, 1838

1.53  Record of Jury Duty; October 1838

1.54  Receipt; October 24, 1838

1.55  Receipt; December 15, 1838

1.56  Court Summons; March 2, 1839

1.57  Receipt; September 13, 1839

1.58  Article of Agreement; December 8, 1839

1.59  Receipt; March 19, 1840

1.60  Bill of Sale for a Slave; March 19, 184?

2. Business Records, Financial and Legal Records, Correspondence; 1840-1856, 1991

2.1  Article of Agreement; July 24, 1840

2.2  Ledgers; June 1837, November 1, 1840

2.3  Correspondence; December 6, 1840

2.4  a. Bank of the United States Promissory Notes; December 15, 1840

b. Miscellaneous Documents; n.d., October 16, 1991

Negatives of $1000 Promissory note

Correspondence between Malcolm D. McLean and Lewis S. Reed

CoinSite Article “Infamous #8894 Bank of the United States $1000 Bill”

2.5  Affadavit; January 1, 1841

2.6  Receipt; May 28, 1841

2.7  Bill of Sale for a Slave; October 1, 1841

2.8  Interrogatory; October 22, 1841

2.9  Receipt; January 1, 1842

2.10  Affadavit; March 7, 1842

2.11  Receipt; January 1, 1843

2.12  Receipt; January 21, 1843

2.13  Receipt; February 24, 1843

2.14  Receipts; February 24, 1843

2.15  Receipt; October 4, 1843

2.16  Correspondence; December 11, 1843

2.17  Correspondence; March 4, 1844

2.18  Bill of Payment; April 25, 1844

2.19  Receipt; September 17, 1844

2.20  Promissory Note; May 22, 1846

2.21  Correspondence; June 20, 1846

2.22  Receipt; January 1, 1848

2.23  Land Survey; July 3, 1848

2.24  Receipt; January 1, 1849

2.25  Receipt; January 7, 1850

2.26  Receipt; November 10, 1850

2.27  Land Patent; November 12, 1850

2.28  Bill of Sale for a Slave; December 15, 185?

2.29  Payment of Witness Expenses; October 9, 1851

2.30  Bill of Payment; November 7, 1851

2.31  Correspondence; April 13, 1852

2.32  Eviction Notice; April 20, 1852

2.33  Article of Agreement; January 20, 1853

2.34  Bill of Payment; December 12, 1851

2.35  Receipt; May 14, 1853

2.36  Correspondence; June 1, 1853

2.37  Bill of Payment; June 29, 1853

2.38  Bill of Sale for Slaves; August 5, 1853

2.39  General Land Office Certificate; December 22, 1853

2.40  Correspondence; July 4, 1854

2.41  Correspondence; July 6, 1854

2.42  Receipt; September 26, 1854

2.43  Correspondence; December 13, 1854

2.44  Receipts; n.d., February 23, 1855

2.45  Promissory Note; March 8, 1855

2.46  Bill of Sale for Slaves; June 19, 1855

2.47  Promissory Note; June 20, 1855

2.48  Receipt / Bill of Sale for a Slave; December 22, 1855

2.49  Receipt; January 1, 1856

2.50  Receipt / Bill of Sale for a Slave; January 2, 1856

2.51  Receipt / Bill of Payment; February 21, 1846

2.52  Correspondence; March 3, 1856

2.53  Bill of Sale for a Donkey; March 26, 1856

2.54  Receipt; April 3, 1856

2.55  Bill of Sale for a Slave; May 30, 1856

2.56  Receipt; June 5, 1856

2.57  Correspondence; June 7, 1856

2.58  Promissory Note; June 27, 1856

2.59  Receipts of Payment; July 12, 1856

2.60  Receipt of Payment; July 24, 1856

2.61  Bill of Sale for a Slave; August 8, 1856

2.62  Receipt; August 23, 1856

2.63  Correspondence; September 12, 1856

2.64  Bill of Payment; December 3, 1856

3. Business Records, Financial and Legal Records, Correspondence, Inheritance Records; 1856-1861

3.1  Receipt; October 14, 1856

3.2  Note for Michael Reed; March 21, 1857

3.3  Bill of Payment; May 8, 1857

3.4  Bills of Payment; May 23, 1857

3.5  Bill of Payment; May 30, 1857, October 30, 1857

3.6  Bill of Payment; October 30, 1857

3.7  Bill of Payment; January 25, 1858

3.8  Record of Payment; March 7, 1858

3.9  Correspondence; March 19, 1858

3.10  Ledger of Daily Activities for Slaves; April 11, 1858-January 1859

Also includes promissory notes, bills and receipts of payments

An Act to Provide an Internal Improvement Fund, and to Commence a System of Internal Improvements by the State

3.11  Correspondence; April 13, 1858

3.12  Bill of Sale for a Slave; June 15, 1858

3.13  Correspondence; November 6, 1858

3.14  Bill of Payment; November 19, 1858

3.15  Delivery Note; November 22, 1858

3.16  Bill of Payment; January 1, 1859

3.17  Miscellaneous Records; January 6, 1859, 1860

Promissory note, affidavit, record of payment

3.18  Promissory Note; January 27, 1859

3.19  Ledger and Bill of Payment; February 5, 1859, June 16, 1866?

3.20  Miscellaneous Records; February 11, 1859, September 6, 1859, December 27, 1859

Promissory note, record of payment, affadavit

3.21  Affadavit and Promissory Note; February 15, 1859, September 6, 1859

3.22  Promissory Note; March 10, 1859

3.23  Debt Assessment and Inventory for Estate of Michael Reed; March 26, 1859

3.24  Claim Petition; March 26, 1859

3.25  Affadavit; April 1859

3.26  Promissory Note; April 9, 1859

3.27  Receipt; April 18, 1859

3.28  Receipt; April 27, 1859

3.29  Receipt; April 29, 1859

3.30  Receipt; May 5, 1859

3.31  Affadavit; May 7, 1859

3.32  Receipt; May 8, 1859

3.33  Letters of Administration, Bill of Legal Fees; May 30, 1859

3.34  Affadavit; June 1, 1859

3.35  Copies of Documents; June 2, 1859

Estate inventories for Martha Reed and Michael Reed, debt assessment for Michael Reed

3.36  Correspondence; June 7, 1859

3.37  Bill of Sale for Cotton; August 6, 1859

3.38  Michael Reed Estate Record of Payment; August 26, 1859

3.39  Inventory Note; August 29, 1859

3.40  Affadavit; September 26, 1859

3.41  Michael Reed Estate Record of Payment; September 29, 1859

3.42  Receipts of Inheritance; October 12, 1859

3.43  Miscellaneous Documents Related to Division of Michael Reed Estate; October 12, 1859

Explanation of division of stock, record of payment of debts, appraisal of estate

3.44  Affadavit and Account of Debt; June 1, 1859

3.45  Affadavit; November 14, 1859

3.46  Affadavit; December 17, 1859

3.47  Correspondence; January 14, 1860

3.48  Correspondence; January 29, 1860

3.49  Correspondence; February 2, 1860

3.50  Promissory Note; February 28, 1860

3.51  Receipt of Payment; March 23, 1860

3.52  Correspondence; March 30, 1860

3.53  Receipt of Payment; May 28, 1860

3.54  Receipt of Payment; May 28, 1860

3.55  Promissory Note; June 1, 1860

3.56  Direct Mail Advertisement; July 1860

3.57  Court Summons; July 7, 1860

3.58  Court Summons and Copy of Petition; July 9, 1860

3.59  Record of Branding Cattle; September 29, 1860

3.60  Certification of Debt and Petition and Court Summons; December 3, 1860, March 1861

4. Business Records, Financial and Legal Records, Correspondence, Currency, Genealogical Records; 1861-1874, 1932, 1962

4.1  Correspondence; January 14, 1861

4.2  Photocopy of Ledger of Purchases; July 1859, February 1861

4.3  Ledger of Purchases; July 1859, February 1861

a. Photocopy of Court Summons; March 16, 1861

b. Court Summons; March 16, 1861

4.4  Petition of John Danly and James Lambert; March 26, 1861

4.5  Court Summons; March 27, 1861

4.6  Petition and Court Summons; May 2, 1861

4.7  Court Summons; May 7, 1861

4.8  Affadavit; June 24, 1861

4.9  Receipt; December 14, 1861

4.10  Receipt; May 1, 1862

4.11  Correspondence; May 16, 1862

4.12  Travel Pass; June 19, 1862

4.13  Photocopies; October 25, 1862, August 10, 1864

Record of sale of cattle to the Confederate States of America, Confederate bills

4.14  Record of Sale and Confederate Bills; October 25, 1862

4.15  The Belton Weekly Journal; December 17, 1870

4.16  a. Photocopy of Court Summons; March 28, 1871

b. Court Summons; March 28, 1871

4.17  General Land Office Certificate; August 26, 1874

4.18  Percy Medicine Booklet; July 23, 1932

4.19  Genealogical Records; April 21, 1962

4.20  Miscellaneous; n.d.

Correspondence, receipt, ledger booklet, bill of payment, and promissory note

4.21  Miscellaneous; n.d.

Record of expenses, bills

4.22  List of expenses; n.d.