DS, signed “Andrew Kent,” one page, 8 x 7, January 3, 1835. Promissory note reads in full, "January the 3d 1835 Received of Henry Bridger 20 dollars in payment on a note that the said Bridger has given to Richard Heath the said note amounts to 38 dollars and becomes due February 1836 this is to Shew that I am to pay the said note to the said Heath and to clear the said Bridger of it." Co-signed by Adam Zumwalt.
On the reverse is a Manuscript endorsement signed "Joseph Kent Admin." In full, "I, Joseph Kent, admn of the estate of Andrew Kent, decd. hereby acknowledge and admit the within receipt of the said Andrew Kent in favor of Henry Bridger for $38.00 - as justly chargeable to said estate, and is accordingly allowed. April 5, 1841." Beneath which is a short handwritten endorsement, "The above allowed April 5th 1841. Edmd Bellinger Probate Judge." To the left of the Joseph Kent and Edmund Bellinger's endorsements is another endorsement signed "H H Baldridge Agent for H. Bridger." In full, "Recd Gonzalez May 28 1844 of J. Kent admn of A Kent decased [sic] fifty three Dollars Eighty three cents in full for principal and interest on the within account."
In very good condition, with intersecting folds, somewhat irregular shade of mild mottled toning, several small blue ink stains to blank areas of reverse, and slightly irregular edges.
Kent was a friend of Daniel Boone who paid for the defense of the Alamo with his life. Both Kent and his co-signer and brother-in-law, “Black” Adam Zumwalthad, were also also veterans of the 1835 Battle of Gonzales, the first battle of the Texas Revolution. Interestingly another Texas signer, Bellinger, had participated in the Battle of San Jacinto. One of Andrew J. Kent’s great, great, great grandson has noted that in February 1836, when the famous call came from Colonel William B. Travis for additional volunteers to secure the Alamo, his ancestor was one of the 32 men who accepted—knowing that they faced certain death—and did indeed pay the ultimate price. Ironically, this promissory note, handwritten and signed in January 1835, "becomes due February 1836." The Siege of the Alamo began on February 23, 1836, and the Alamo fighters were killed on March 6. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
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