BLOCK 5, 1846 - 1850
Block 5 is located north of the Courthouse square and is bordered by First St. on the north, Second St. on the south, LaGrange St. on the east and Main St. on the west. The block is comprised of eight lots each lot being 80 varas X 80 varas. (What is a Vara? Click here to find out.)
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G.W. Guthrie/Dr. Joel Ponton (Block 5 Lot 3)
On June 7, 1849, Dr. Joel Ponton purchased Lot 3 in Block 5 from* G. W. Guthrie. On this lot was a house and improvements that were at the time occupied by an E.C. Clemments/Clements. The lot was described as adjoining the lot and improvements of Jesse L. Saunders.
*No recorded deed has been located indicating how or when Guthrie was deeded Lot 3 in Block 5.
George W. Guthrie
Lavaca County Civil Case #20 (Toliver B. vs. Bennett M. B.) May 2, 1848
George W. Guthrie was not available to testify in the case because he is now and had been for a long time absent from the county in the Army of the United States.
1850 Census (Sheriff)
Lavaca County Sheriff 1850 – 1852
E.C. Clements
Married Mary Hornburg 23 March 1848 in Victoria County Texas
References:
*Lavaca County Deed A/439
*Hornburg Story p.434
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Jesse L. Sanders Residence/ James Short Residence (Block 5 Lot 5)
On November 10, 1848, Collatinus Ballard sold to Jesse L Sanders Lot 5 in Block 5 being the same lot upon which James Short and the said Jesse L. Sanders and wife now live. This residence was directly behind the store of Ballard’ which was located on Lot 7.
Jesse L. Sanders
Lavaca County Constable #4 1850 – 1853
1850 Census (Farmer)
James Short
Lavaca County Commissioner 1847
1850 Census (Farmer)
Elvira Hallum Short (wife)
Died 15 January 1852
References:
*Lavaca County Deed A/321
*Free State of Lavaca p. 161
While Margaret Hallet had, for many years, maintained a store in the settlement, in 1841, a larger and more imposing log structure was built by Collatinus Ballard on the NW corner of the town square, the corner of Second and Main Streets. Ballard maintained a freight line from Lavaca (Port Lavaca) his wagons hauling produce there and returning with the staple items and sundry goods.
Collatinus Ballard
1846 Tax Roll
1850 Census Merchant
References:
*Free State of Lavaca p. 154, 161
*Hallettsville Herald Oct. 17, 1907
*Hallettsville Herald Feb. 10, 1888
BLOCK 5, 1851 - JUNE 1852
Block 5 is located north of the Courthouse square and is bordered by First St. on the north, Second St. on the south, LaGrange St. on the east and Main St. on the west. The block is comprised of eight lots each lot being 80 varas X 80 varas. (What is a Vara? Click here to find out.)
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Ira McDonald Home (Block 5 Lot 3)
On February 14, 1851, Dr. Joel Ponton sold Lot 3 in Block 5 to the local blacksmith Ira M. McDonald. This lot adjoined the lot currently owned by Jesse L. Sanders. Ira, through his attorney, Silas Bennet, then sold this property to his wife, Dorothy, on February 26, 1852 as a portion of their community property.
Note: This property was the McDonald home and it is possible that after they purchased the property they lived in the house that had been occupied by the previous tenant E.C. Clements.
References:
*Lavaca County Deed B/46
*Lavaca County Deed B/47
For more information about Ira McDonald and his family please refer to the PDF files, below.
BLOCK 5, 1851 - JUNE 1852, continued
George W. and Mary Dufner Guthrie Residence (Block 5 Lot 5)
In 1848, Collatinus Ballard sold to Jesse Sanders Lot 5 in Block 5. In 1851, Sanders allegedly sold Lots 5 & 6 in Block 5 to Mary Dufner (now Mary Guthrie)
Said Mary Guthrie at the time of the sale was Mary Dufner, a feme sole, who entered into a contract with Jesse L. Sanders for the purchase of the two lots. However, Sanders was not the rightful owner of the lots (Sanders did indeed own Lot 5 but Collatinus Ballard was the owner of Lot 6. The deed was made but was destroyed before it was recorded. The fraud was not discovered until 1852.
References:
*Lavaca County Civil Case # 117
*Lavaca County Deed A/165
Collatinus Ballard Store (Block 5 Lot 7)
The Times-Picayune, New Orleans, LA
Thursday, July 3, 1851
BLOCK 5, JUNE 21, 1852 - DECEMBER 1852
TO JUNE 21, 1852 - DECEMBER 1852 MAP
Block 5 is located north of the Courthouse square and is bordered by First St. on the north, Second St. on the south, LaGrange St. on the east and Main St. on the west. The block is comprised of eight lots each lot being 80 varas X 80 varas. (What is a Vara? Click here to find out.)
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Lavaca County Block (5 Lot 6 & 8)
Albert G. Foster (Block 5 Lot 1, 2, 4 and 7)
Lots 1, 2, 4 and 7 in Block 5 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.
Reference:
*Lavaca County Deed B/207
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Dorothy McDonald (Block 5 Lot 3)
George W. and Mary Dufner Guthrie (Block 5 Lot 5)
Collatinus Ballard (Block 5 Lot 7)
*Note: While the B/207 deed states that Lot 7 in Block 5 was reserved for A.G. Foster, Lot 7 was the location of the Collatinus Ballard store
BLOCK 5, 1853
Block 5 is located north of the Courthouse square and is bordered by First St. on the north, Second St. on the south, LaGrange St. on the east and Main St. on the west. The block is comprised of eight lots each lot being 80 varas X 80 varas. (What is a Vara? Click here to find out.)
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Albert G. Foster (Block 5 Lot 1, 2, 4, & 7)
*Note: While the B/207 deed states that Lot 7 in Block 5 was reserved for A.G. Foster, Lot 7 was the location of the Collatinus Ballard store.
Dorothy McDonald (Block 5 Lot 3)
Collatinus Ballard (Block 5 Lot 5)
Lavaca County to Dowling and Kelly (Block 5 Lot 6 & 8) Dec 1853
In 1852, Jesse Sanders allegedly sold Lot 5 & 6 to Mary Dufner (now Mary Guthrie). In 1852 it was discovered that the deed was fraudulent and that Sanders was the rightful owner of Lot 5 but not Lot 6. The deed had been created, but was destroyed before it was officially recorded. In April 1853, the Guthries took Sanders to court, but the court ruled in favor of Sanders.
In October of 1853, Jesse L. Sanders & wife Margaret, William Smothers and George W. Guthrie sold Lot 5 in Block 5 to Collatinus Ballard where Guthrie and his wife now lived. It is hereby understood that this deed is not to interfere or prejudice any right or claim which the said William Smothers or the said Guthrie & wife may have against the said Sanders for and adjoining lot (Lot 6) to the above bargained lot, but all right, title, interest demands and claims it to stand as if this deed had never been made, as nothing relating to the additional lot is to be compromised by this deed...
Reference:
*Lavaca County Deed B/428
BLOCK 5, 1854
Block 5 is located north of the Courthouse square and is bordered by First St. on the north, Second St. on the south, LaGrange St. on the east and Main St. on the west. The block is comprised of eight lots each lot being 80 varas X 80 varas. (What is a Vara? Click here to find out.)
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Albert G. Foster (Block 5 Lot 1, 2 & 4)
Collatinus Ballard (Block 5 Lot 3, 5 & 7)
1854 January 27: Dorothy McDonald to Collatinus Ballard Lot 3 in Block 5.
Reference:
*Lavaca County Deed C/16
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John W. Kelly (Block 5 Lot 6 & 8)
1854 January 1: Josiah Dowling to John W. Kelly Lots 6 & 8 in Block 5, Lots 1 & 2 in Block 10, Lots 6 & 7 in Fractional Block 4 and my title to the upper north half of the town lying east of the Mitchell Branch
Reference:
*Lavaca County Deed C/201
John W. Kelly Store House
Kelly, second only to Ballard in promoting the town’s progress and an active sponsor of many civic projects, had his storehouses on the E ½ of Block 5, on the north side of the square. He dealt primarily in dry goods and carried a large stock of ready clothing, hats, boots, shoes and dress goods, but he also stocked stoneware, saddles, stationery and school supplies. Kelly, like Ballard, went bankrupt in 1866.
Reference:
*Free State of Lavaca p. 164
BLOCK 5, 1855
Block 5 is located north of the Courthouse square and is bordered by First St. on the north, Second St. on the south, LaGrange St. on the east and Main St. on the west. The block is comprised of eight lots each lot being 80 varas by 80 varas. What is a Vara? Click here to find out.
Albert G. Foster (Block 5 Lot 1, 2 & 4)
Collatinus Ballard (Block 5 Lot 3, 5 & 7)
John W. Kelly (Block 5 Lot 6 & 8)
BLOCK 5, 1856
Block 5 is located north of the Courthouse square and is bordered by First St. on the north, Second St. on the south, LaGrange St. on the east and Main St. on the west. The block is comprised of eight lots each lot being 80 varas by 80 varas. What is a Vara? Click here to find out.
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Albert G. Foster (Block 5 Lot 1, 2 & 4)
Collatinus Ballard (Block 5 Lot 3, 5 & 7)
John W. Kelly (Block 5 Lot 6 & 8)
BLOCK 5, 1857
Block 5 is located north of the Courthouse square and is bordered by First St. on the north, Second St. on the south, LaGrange St. on the east and Main St. on the west. The block is comprised of eight lots each lot being 80 varas by 80 varas. What is a Vara? Click here to find out.
Albert G. Foster (Block 5 Lot 1, 2 & 4)
Collatinus Ballard (Block 5 Lot 3, 5 & 7)
John W. Kelly (Block 5 Lot 6 & 8)
1857 : John W. & Lycette E. Kelly to B.B. Wilkins Lot 6 & 8 in Block 5. If Kelly pays note, then this instrument is null & void. Instrument cancelled September 1858.
Reference:
*Lavaca County Deed D/298 & D/151
BLOCK 5, 1858
Block 5 is located north of the Courthouse square and is bordered by First St. on the north, Second St. on the south, LaGrange St. on the east and Main St. on the west. The block is comprised of eight lots each lot being 80 varas by 80 varas. What is a Vara? Click here to find out.
Albert G. Foster (Block 5 Lot 1)
J.W. Kelly (Block 5 Lot 2 & 4)
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1858 May 18 : Collatinus Ballard to J.W. Kelly Lot 2 & 4 in Block 5
Reference:
*Lavaca County Deed E/545
John W. Kelly, second only to Ballard in promoting the town’s progress and an active sponsor or many civic projects, had his storehouse on the E ½ of Block 5, on the N side of the square. He dealt primarily in dry goods and carried a long stock of ready clothing, hats, shoes and dress goods, but he also stocked stoneware, saddles, stationery and school supplies. Kelly, like Ballard, went bankrupt in 1866.
Collatinus Ballard (Block 5 Lot 3, 5 & 7)
John W. Kelly (Block 5 Lot 6 & 8)
BLOCK 5, 1859
Block 5 is located north of the Courthouse square and is bordered by First St. on the north, Second St. on the south, LaGrange St. on the east and Main St. on the west. The block is comprised of eight lots each lot being 80 varas by 80 varas. What is a Vara? Click here to find out.
Albert G. Foster (Block 5 Lot 1)
J.W. Kelly (Block 5 Lot 2 & 4)
Collatinus Ballard (Block 5 Lot 3, 5 & 7)
John W. Kelly (Block 5 Lot 6 & 8)