Lot #113

Pamela Mann

Description

One hundred dollar payment for “a yoke of oxen” issued to the woman who denied Houston oxen for his ‘Twin Sister’ cannon two years earlier

Businesswoman of the Republic of Texas, who was a hotel proprietor who accumulated substantial property, wealth, and social standing despite a good deal of notoriety. Between 1836 and 1840 Mrs. Mann became involved in numerous legal cases both as plaintiff and as defendant. She was indicted for a variety of crimes, ranging from larceny and assault to fornication. In 1839 she was convicted of forgery, a conviction that carried a mandatory death penalty, but upon the recommendation of the jury she was awarded executive clemency by President Mirabeau B. Lamar. Partly-printed DS, signed “x,” one page, 5.5 x 2.75, November 9, 1838. Treasury warrant issued to Mann for one hundred dollars “for the payment of the Military for a yoke of oxen.” Signed at the bottom by the Comptroller, and signed on the reverse with her mark “x,” with “Pamela Mann, her mark,” written around it in another hand. In very good condition, with a central vertical fold, triangular area of paper loss to the cancellation cut to left side, and some mild staining. Mrs. Mann established her place in history as the matron who confronted Houston over return of her yoke of oxen which was pulling the ‘Twin Sisters’ cannons as the army turned toward San Jacinto in 1836 away from the road to Nacogdoches. The story states that Houston had borrowed oxen from Mrs. Pamela Mann to pull them through the mud bogs, but as the army tuned toward Harrisburg, Mrs. Mann wanted her oxen back. Houston explained he couldn’t move the cannon without the oxen. "I don’t care a damn for your cannon," she has been reported as saying. She then jumped down from her wagon and cut the harness from the cannon, taking her oxen with her. The Robert Davis Collection, read more about Robert Davis. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.

Auction Info

• Auction Title: Texas & Western
• Dates: #379 - Ended November 17, 2011

This item is Pre-Certified by PSA/DNA
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