One of Austin’s Old Three Hundred colonists, Oliver Jones (1794–1866) was a Texas pioneer, Indian fighter, and public official who chaired the committee appointed to produce a flag and seal for the republic. Fellow pioneer John Cumings (died in 1839) was a successful businessman in Austin's colony. Very rare manuscript DS, written completely by Jones, two pages both sides, 7.75 x 9.75, January 28, 1838. Agreement between Jones and Cumings in which Jones leases his farm and hires out his slaves to Cumings for a period of approximately eight months. In part: “I O. Jones rents or hires to said Cumins [sic]…the following property, to wit, the farm on which he now resides, five Negroes, to wit, Jacob & his wife Violet, Peter, Kate, & Charity, and such farming utensils…He is also at liberty to use two mules and three oxen (which are running in the range) to aid in the cultivation of said farm. In consideration of the foregoing, said Cumins [sic] agrees to burn all the logs & brush that is cut in said farm for the purpose and to cultivate all the open land on the premises after the following manner, (to wit), all the small enclosure in which stands a brick kiln, in sweet potatoes, said Jones furnishing potatoes for seed, and the balance of the land in corn & such other vegetables as he may deem proper…He also agrees to board Daniel Tyson free of charge during the term…He agrees to gin and bale immediately all the seed cotton that is on the place & return to said Jones in good order all the property received from said Jones.” Signed at the conclusion by both Jones and Cumings. A postscript on the reverse of the second page, signed at the bottom again by Jones and Cumings states “If either of the aforementioned negroes dies, said Cumings shall not pay hire after said death, or if either of them should have a long protracted sickness, he shall not be bound to pay hire during said term of sickness, neither shall Jones [be] bound for any expenses, except Doctor’s bill during said sickness.” In good condition, with partial separations and repairs to horizontal folds on both pages, other small repairs to small vertical tears to page, paper loss and chipping to edges of both pages, scattered toning, horizontal fold through one of Jones’s signatures, scattered soiling, and writing lightly showing through from opposing sides. After Texas won independence from Mexico in 1836 and before it became part of the United States, it was known as the Republic of Texas. Documents of any kind executed during this brief period are scarce; this piece, entirely in the hand of one of the Old Three Hundred and signed by a second, is extremely rare. The Robert Davis Collection. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.
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