BLOCK 1

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.

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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.

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.

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Ira McDonald Blacksmith Shop and Home (Block 1 Lot 2)
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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
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William Smothers Grocery (Block 1 Lot 6)
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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
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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.
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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. 

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.

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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

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.

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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

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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

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.

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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