• Home
  • Contact Us
  • Story of Hallettsville
  • Items of Interest
  • MAPS
  • Block Descriptors
  • Records & Files
  • Snapshots from the Square
  • Hallettsville Graveyard
  • Petersburg
  • From the Past
  • More
    • Home
    • Contact Us
    • Story of Hallettsville
    • Items of Interest
    • MAPS
    • Block Descriptors
    • Records & Files
    • Snapshots from the Square
    • Hallettsville Graveyard
    • Petersburg
    • From the Past
  • Home
  • Contact Us
  • Story of Hallettsville
  • Items of Interest
  • MAPS
  • Block Descriptors
  • Records & Files
  • Snapshots from the Square
  • Hallettsville Graveyard
  • Petersburg
  • From the Past

BLOCK 1

BLOCK 1, 1846 - 1850

To 1846 - 1850 MAP


Block 1 is located northwest of the Courthouse square and is bordered by First St. on the north, Second St. on the south, Main St. on the east and Front St. on the west.   The block is comprised of eight lots each lot 80 varas X 80 varas. What is a Vara? Click here to find out.

___________________________________________________


Ira McDonald Blacksmith Shop and Home (Block 1 Lot 2)

One of the first businesses to locate on Block 1 was the blacksmith shop of Ira McDonald. McDonald, his wife and seven children along with his apprentice David Phelps were some of the first individuals to locate in the Hallet Settlement.
The McDonald shop and residence were located across Main St. and just north of Collantinus Ballard’s store which was located on Block 5.

Ira McDonald
1846 Tax Roll
1850 Census Blacksmith
Died May 1851 in Missouri

David Phelps (Felps) 
1850 Census Apprentice Blacksmith
​Reference:
*Free State of Lavaca, p. 161
*No deed to this property was found in County records.

For more information about Ira McDonald and his family please read

"Forever Divorced: the Rest of the Story". See BELOW for file.

Downloads

Forever Divorced The Rest of the Story (pdf)

Download

BLOCK 1, 1846 - 1850, continued

To 1846 - 1850 MAP


Block 1 is located northwest of the Courthouse square and is bordered by First St. on the north, Second St. on the south, Main St. on the east and Front St. on the west.   The block is comprised of eight lots each lot 80 varas X 80 varas. What is a Vara? Click here to find out.

___________________________________________________


William Smothers Grocery (Block 1 Lot 6) ​


On May 15, 1850, Collantinus Ballard sold Lot 6 in Block 1 to William Smothers. Once Smothers had established Smothers Grocery on the lot which fronted on Main St., Ballard sold the lot to Smothers for $100. When the county seat was moved from Petersburg to Hallettsville, court proceedings were held in Smothers Store.  


William Smothers 

1846 Tax Roll 1850 Census Grocer  


“By nature, William Smothers liked to mingle and travel with the fun-loving bucks, the characters who loved to drink, gamble and generally raise ….  Beginning in 1850, he operated a liquor store in Hallettsville; at times he would secure the necessary permits, then again he wouldn’t, and in four instances he was indicted before complying with the law.  In the store-house, Smothers sponsored – promoted may be a better word- activities that included those generally found in a liquor establishment: keeping a pool table and a monte bank, permitting play on such equipment and card playing.  For such activities he was indicted in nine instances, paying fines in six cases.  He was a free-lance card player and was indicted seventeen times for gambling…..He paid fines in ten of these cases.”   

References: 

*Hallettsville Tribune 01/08/1974 

*Free State of Lavaca p. 80-81, 161 

*Lavaca County Deed Book A/620

BLOCK 1, 1851 - JUNE 1852

To 1851 - JUNE 1852 MAP


Block 1 is located northwest of the Courthouse square and is bordered by First St. on the north, Second St. on the south, Main St. on the east and Front St. on the west.   The block is comprised of eight lots each lot 80 varas X 80 varas. What is a Vara? Click here to find out.

___________________________________________________


Ira McDonald Blacksmith Shop and Home (Block 1 Lot 2)
___________________________________________________


Silas Bennett (Block 1 Lot 4)

On February 26, 1852, Collatinus Ballard sold to Silas and Casana Ballard Lot 4 in Block 1.  On March 23, 1852, the Bennetts sold the property back to Ballard.

References:
*Lavaca County Deed B/43
*Lavaca County Deed B/51
___________________________________________________

William Smothers Grocery (Block 1 Lot 6)
___________________________________________________


Thomas Simons & Son (Block 1 Lot 7)

On November 6, 1851, Collatinus Ballard sold Lot 7 in Block 1 to Captain Thomas Simons and his son, Maurice, merchants in the coastal town of Texana.  The corner lot fronted on Second and Front Streets and bounded on the east by the lot on which the Masonic Hall was erected.  The lot was located across from the Hick’s Hotel and Dr. Bennett’s drug store stand.  The Simons constructed a store doing business as Simons & Son.  The Simons also owned stores located in Texana and Indianola.  Here is the whole Simons story. 

References:
*Free State of Lavaca p. 163
*Lavaca County Deed A/635
*Hallettsville Tribune Jan. 11, 1974
___________________________________________________


Murchison Lodge A.F. & A.M. No. 80 (Block 1 Lot 8)

            First Floor: M. B. Bennett drugstore 
                           Peter McDermott 
            Second Floor: Murchison Lodge

On February 14, 1851, Collatinus Ballard sold Lot 8 in Block 1 to Silas Bennett, Master and Thomas Bishop and James Short, Wardens of the Murchison Lodge.  The lot was on the northwest corner fronting on Main Street and running back on Second Street.  On this site the Lodge constructed a two story wooden building.  The Lodge used the top floor as a meeting hall and rented out the lower floor.  Note: Ballard did give the property to the Lodge but did not official deed the property to the lodge until, as was his pattern, that they had established themselves in the community.
___________________________________________________

​

Peter McDermott Store (Block 1 Lot 8)

On February 7, 1851, the Murchison Lodge sold to Peter McDermott “the lower story of said hall with all the right to the Lodge has in and to the lot on which the said hall stands on for the sum of $301.00.  Said McDermott is to leave the Masons of said Lodge the undisturbed and unmolested right of way to the width of 10 feet off the west end of said hall and as to himself his heirs and assignees never to molest or trouble or disturb the Masons in enjoying the upper story with right of way of same.” 

McDermott’s pattern of operation was similar to Ballard.  He operated a gin, purchased the county’s produce, dealt in cattle and hogs, as well as cotton, and in turned shipped or carted them to Lavaca.  McDermott did an extensive business boasting in 1852 of having “the largest stock in the upper county” but had about twelve to fifteen thousand out on credit extended to settlers in the area.


During 1851 and 1852, McDermott was in partnership with John W. Kelly in a business known as Peter McDermott & Co. This partnership was still operating in late March of 1852 but was dissolved later in that year. Please see below for the whole McDermott story. 

References:
*Lavaca County Deed B/107
*Lavaca County Deed A/561
*Hallettsville Tribune Jan. 11, 1974 & Jan. 25, 1974
*Headwaters of the Lavaca and Navidad p. 147
*Hallettsville Herald Aug. 5, 1977
*Free State of Lavaca p. 162

*Marshall B. Bennett and Lewis Layton executors of Peter McDermott vs. Adam Coble and Hohn W. Kelly. Civil Case #148. No judgement.
*James E. North & Co. in Louisiana vs. John W. Kelly Civil Case $162. Debt on note. A/205 Kelly must pay note. 

Simons Story (pdf)

Download

McDermott Story (pdf)

Download

BLOCK 1, JUNE 21 - DECEMBER 1852

To JUNE 21, 1852 - DECEMBER 1852 MAP


Block 1 is located northwest of the Courthouse square and is bordered by First St. on the north, Second St. on the south, Main St. on the east and Front St. on the west.   The block is comprised of eight lots each lot 80 varas X 80 varas. What is a Vara? Click here to find out.

___________________________________________________


Albert G. Foster (Block 1 Lot 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5)

Lots 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 in Block 1 were reserved to A.G. Foster per the deed of Margaret P. Hallet and Collatinus and Mary Jane Ballard to John H. Livergood, County Judge of Lavaca County dated 21st June 1852.

Albert G. Foster 
Arrived in Lavaca County in 1840
1846 Tax Roll
1850 Census

References:

*Lavaca County Deed B/207
*History of Lavaca County p.12
___________________________________________________

William Smothers (Block 1 Lot 6)
Thomas Simons & Son (Block 1 Lot 7)
Link to Simons story.
Murchison Lodge/Peter McDermott (Block 1 Lot 8)
Link to McDermott Story

BLOCK 1, 1853

To 1853 MAP


Block 1 is located northwest of the Courthouse square and is bordered by First St. on the north, Second St. on the south, Main St. on the east and Front St. on the west.   The block is comprised of eight lots each lot 80 varas X 80 varas. What is a Vara? Click here to find out.

___________________________________________________


Albert G. Foster (Block 1 Lot 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5)
William Smothers (Block 1 Lot 6)
Thomas Simons & Son (Block 1 Lot 7)
Link to Simons story
Murchison Lodge/Peter McDermott (Block 1 Lot 8)
Link to the McDermott Story


The Times-Picayune, New Orleans, LA Friday, February 11, 1853

Reference:
*Probate Minutes Vol. A

BLOCK 1, 1854

To 1854 MAP


Block 1 is located northwest of the Courthouse square and is bordered by First St. on the north, Second St. on the south, Main St. on the east and Front St. on the west.   The block is comprised of eight lots each lot 80 varas X 80 varas. What is a Vara? Click here to find out.

___________________________________________________


Albert G. Foster (Block 1 Lot 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5)
William Smothers (Block 1 Lot 6)
Thomas Simons & Son (Block 1 Lot 7)
Link to Simons story
Murchison Lodge (Block 1 Lot 8)
Link to McDermott Story

Block 1, 1855

To 1855 MAP


 

Block 1 is located northwest of the Courthouse square and is bordered by First St. on the north, Second St. on the south, Main St. on the east and Front St. on the west. The block is comprised of eight lots each lot 80 varas X 80 varas. What is a Vara? Click here to find out.

___________________________________________________

 

Albert G. Foster (Block 1 Lot 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5)

William Smothers (Block 1 Lot 6)

Maurice K. Simons (Block 1 Lot 7) Link to Simons story

 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

William B. Davis (part) & Wiley T. Rogers & B.B. Walker (part) (Block 1 Lot 8)


1855 August 13: M.B. Bennett and L.W. Layton executor of Peter McDermott decd. To John M. Bennett and A.K. Foster for $1,010.00

Reference:

*Lavaca County Deed C/539

1855 August 13: A.K. Foster to John M. Bennett for $550.00. All the right, title and interest, claim and demand which I have in and to Lot 8 in Block 1.

Reference:

*Lavaca County Deed C/540


1855 September 17: John M. Bennett to William B. Davis, Wiley T. Rogers and Bluford B. Walker. Convey unto said Davis, one undivided half and unto Rogers & Walker the other undivided half of Lot 8 in Block 1 …fronting on Main St and Second St. containing 800 varas…the said described lot together will all and singular the rights, members, tenements and appurtenances thereto belonging or in anywise incident to appertaining except the Masonic Hall and the right of way to the same as it now exists which is reserved for Murchison Lodge No. 80

Link to the Davis Story

Davis Story (pdf)

Download

Block 1, 1856

TO 1856 MAP


Block 1 is located northwest of the Courthouse square and is bordered by First St. on the north, Second St. on the south, Main St. on the east and Front St. on the west. The block is comprised of eight lots each lot 80 varas X 80 varas. What is a Vara? Click here to find out.


___________________________________________________


Albert G. Foster (Block 1 Lot 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5)

William Smothers (Block 1 Lot 6)

Maurice K. Simons (Block 1 Lot 7) Please see Simons Story, below

William B. Davis (part) & Wiley T. Rogers & B.B. Walker (part) (Block 1 Lot 8)

Please see Davis Story, above 

Simons Story (pdf)

Download

Block 1, 1857

TO 1857 MAP


Block 1 is located northwest of the Courthouse square and is bordered by First St. on the north, Second St. on the south, Main St. on the east and Front St. on the west. The block is comprised of eight lots each lot 80 varas X 80 varas. What is a Vara? Click here to find out.


___________________________________________________


Albert G. Foster (Block 1 Lot 1, 2, 3, & 5)

Collatinus Ballard (Block 1 Lot 4)

William Smothers (Block 1 Lot 6)

Maurice K. Simons (Block 1 Lot 7) See Simons Story, above.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------Josiah Dowling & James A. York (Block 1 Lot 8) 

1857 February 2: W.T. Rogers & B.B. Walker to Josiah Dowling & James A. York Lot 8 Block 1 along with property on Block 11. Also included in the sale was all the drugs, medicines etc. purchased from Bennett & Bros. by W.B. Davis and all the drugs, medicines etc. now on hand in the Hallettsville Drug Store. If Rogers & Walker can pay off the liability this instrument will be null & void.

Reference:

*Lavaca County Deed E/255

Block 1, 1858

TO 1858 MAP


Block 1 is located northwest of the Courthouse square and is bordered by First St. on the north, Second St. on the south, Main St. on the east and Front St. on the west. The block is comprised of eight lots each lot 80 varas X 80 varas. What is a Vara? Click here to find out.


___________________________________________________


Lot 1, 2, 3, & 5 – Albert G. Foster

Lot 4 – Collatinus Ballard  

Lot 6 – William Smothers

Lot 7 – Maurice K. Simons

Lot 8 – Josiah Dowling & James A. York

Hallettsville Block Party

‭(361) 772-4755‬

Copyright © 2023 Hallettsville Block Party - All Rights Reserved.

Powered by GoDaddy Website Builder