Lot #9

William Barret Travis

Description

Reimbursement to the Travis estate for Alamo expenses

Manuscript DS, signed “Jno. R. Jones,” one page both sides, 7.75 x 9.75, no date, but docketed December 18, 1837. An inventory of goods purchased by Travis from January through March of 1836, and owed to his estate by the government of the Republic of Texas, written out by the executor of Travis’ estate. A total of 27 entries are made totalling $143.00. The entries read:

“1836 Jany 21st Paid for flour.....$5.00 “ “Tin ware.....2.50 “ “ Twine.....1.00 “ “ Leggins (3.00) & Spurs (2.00).....5.00 “ “ Flag (5.00) & powder flask (1.00).....6.00 “ “ Bridle (4.00) 3 blankets (15).....19.00 “ “ Tent (12.00) frying pan (1.25).....13.25 “ “ 6 ft. rope......75

Jany 22 “ “ corn to Wade.....1.00 “ “ “to Burnam for corn.....1.00 “ 23 “ Do Do.....1.00 “ 24 “ Mouly for corn.....2.00 “ 25 “Burnam for blankets for 2 soldiers.....10.00 “ “ “ coffee (4.00) sugar (3.00).....7.00 “ 26 5066 Jackson for blanket for soldier.....5.00 “ “ “Winburn for Do 2 blankets.....8.00 “ “ “ McDaniel.....2.50 “ “ “ to soldiers for bounty (’see orders’)..17.00

Amount carried over $107.00

Amount brought forward $107.00

1836 Jany 28th to Chadorn for corn.....3.00 30 “ Dement for shoeing horses.....6.00 “ Kimballs bill for corn.....2.00

Feby 3rd For corn (3.00) & wood (1.50) at St. Antonio.....4.50 “ 7th “ “ for Forsyth’s company.....6.00 “ “ “ cash to soldiers Bounty.....4.00 “ 8 “ corn for horses.....2.00 “ 12 “ Paper (2.00) Bread (3.00).....5.00 “ 16 “ Fire wood (1.50) 17th corn (2.00).....3.50

$143.00” At the conclusion Jones writes, “Note Horses, saddles, & arms—q Masters books. The foregoing is taken from the original entries in Col. Travis’ handwriting made in a small black morocco bound book with his name in it. The deceased Wm. Barret Travis has other claims for money expended horses &c while in the army as will appear by the books of the Quarter Master Jackson.”

Second integral page is docketed “John R. Jones, Exetor of W. B. Travis filed Dec. 18, 1837.” Underneath Jones’ docketing is an endorsement by Francis Lubbock, which reads, “Approved 21st Dec 1837, Francis R. Lubbock, Controller.”

Scattered toning and creasing, circular stain to upper left corner, light overall wrinkling, and light show-through from writing on opposite side, otherwise fine condition.

This important historical record of Travis’ estate, written by his executor and former Republic of Texas Postmaster General John Rice Jones Jr., illustrates the Alamo commander’s remarkable commitment to his men and to his command post, having purchased from his own pocket the much needed provisions, supplies, and clothing itemized in this document.

Perhaps having once known crushing personal debt from his setbacks in Alabama, Travis wanted to ensure that he would eventually be reimbursed for the large amounts of his own personal cash he was laying out to finance the purchase of much-needed supplies and paying his troops. Sometime between February 17—his last recorded expenditure—and Santa Anna’s arrival in San Antonio, Travis submitted an accounting of his personal expenses for reimbursement. The $143 he requested represented all of his expenditures since leaving San Felipe.

A unique opportunity to acquire a document requesting that the Republic of Texas make good on its financial obligations to the most famous martyr of the Revolution. 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

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