Selkirk Family

James Henry Selkirk Family

Historical Marker Dedication Selkirk Family Samuel Gross Selkirk Family

James Henry Selkirk

Lucy Hall Selkirk

A sanguine personality influenced diverse development in the town of Matagorda and set the course of economic and cultural growth. With personal investment and sound judgment, municipal business and government entities emerged paving the way for regional commerce. James Henry Selkirk, an astute scholar and leader, saw the potential and contributed to the growth of his community. With Yankee ingenuity and fortitude, he epitomized the progressive leadership of Matagorda and the central Gulf Coast by establishing the avenues for a major shallow-draft seaport and economic growth.

The history of the Selkirk family in Matagorda County began with William Selkirk (1792-1830), father of James Henry Selkirk. William, son of James Selkirk (1757-1820) and Elizabeth Henry Selkirk (1776-1844) married Matilda Hallenbake (1794-1820) on November 22, 1813 in Albany County, New York. They had two children, James Henry and Rachel Elizabeth (1816-1897). Matilda died on August 25, 1820 and William transferred guardianship of his two children to his brother, Charles, in 1822. William then left for Texas as a surveyor with Stephen F. Austin’s “Old Three Hundred.”

“Selkirk made surveys throughout the colony, but principally along the Gulf Coast, where the counties of Brazoria, Matagorda and Jackson were organized at a later date. As a colonist, William received a headright grant of one league, situated on the Selkirk Islands which were formed by the branches of the Colorado River immediately above the town of Matagorda. The certificate for the lands was dated August 10, 1824.”

“Selkirk was active in the affairs of the colony and had the confidence of Stephen F. Austin, both personally and professionally. This is evidenced by the fact that in July, 1824, the empressario sent him to deliver Austin's "talk" to the Waco Indians. Judge Thomas Duke, James Baird, Thomas H. Bond, a Mr. Jones and John McCrosky went with him. William was elected second sergeant of the militia at an election held at San Felipe on July 10, 1824. On January 4, 1827, Selkirk was appointed on a committee of three to wait on the governor of Coahuila and "assure him of the loyalty of the citizens of Austin's Colony in regard to recent uprisings in Nacogdoches" (the Fredonian Rebellion).”

William Selkirk died in Matagorda County in mid September 1830. Since there were no other family members in Matagorda County, two prominent people in Matagorda tried to acquire everything that Selkirk had owned. It would later be the task of James Henry to reclaim the property.

Born in Selkirk, Albany County, New York, on March 29, 1815, James Henry Selkirk was the only son of William Selkirk and Matilda Hallenbake. Prior to relocating to his father’s original Spanish land grant in Matagorda County, John Henry was an apprentice employed by the Albany Coach Factory as an artist carriage painter7 He was active in the establishment of a historic society and the theatre. As a member of a group of New York volunteers who came to Texas, Selkirk rendered service to the Republic of Texas in the aftermath of the Revolution and received a second class headright.

At the youthful age of twenty-one, James Henry Selkirk arrived in Texas just after San Jacinto and settled in Matagorda where he set about recovering his father’s land from those who were trying to claim it. By legal action and proceedings, these illegal inhabitants were evicted and he came into the rightful possession of the Selkirk property.

Selkirk was at the forefront of economic development in Matagorda. Seeing the necessity for commercial shipping facilities, Selkirk and his cousin, James, partnered to build the first dock in the old port city. It was a large pier extending a quarter of a mile out into the bay from the southeast end of Market Street where the wagons serviced directly from the lighters. Several large commercial warehouses were built. In the bustling day sugar, molasses, cotton and wool were major exports from the Selkirk wharf. The Selkirk warehouses offered storage to those who were importing and exporting items in Matagorda. They found it was sometimes necessary to auction stored items when the storage fees went unpaid. The following notice appeared in the November 19, 1859 issue of the Matagorda Gazette: “Notice to whom it may concern. I will sell by public auction, at my warehouse, in the city of Matagorda, on Thursday-the 2d day of August, 1859, 14 Parkhurst & Co., Cotton Gins, or so many thereof as will pay the storage and other expenses thereon, which now amount to the sum of $42.00. Said Gins have been in my warehouse on storage since the month of October, 1857. Terms of Sale, Cash. James H. Selkirk. Matagorda July 12, 1859.”

Selkirk played a prominent part in the affairs of early Matagorda, both in the town and county as a businessman and as a public official. He was city clerk and treasurer, county clerk from 1846 to 1862, county surveyor in 1839 and county treasurer from 1849 to 1862. The May 27, 1846 issue of the Texas Democrat reported Selkirk was appointed by the governor of Texas as a notary public until June 22, 1847. The August 1, 1854 issue of the Galveston Weekly News reported that James Selkirk, Matagorda, was serving as Deputy Marshal. On April 3, 1849, the citizens of Matagorda held a public meeting to address the problem of the raft blocking the Colorado River. James Henry was one of the secretaries elected to record the proceedings of the meeting.

Selkirk was a member of Christ Church, the Episcopal mother church of Texas, and was elected Junior Warden on June 2, 1851. He was interested in art and was a member of the American Art Society. Involved in the theatre, he was a member of the Thespian Company and paid Social Library Tax to support cultural events. He was also a member of the Masonic Lodge #7 A. F. & A. M. Selkirk was among the early members of La Salle Lodge No. 47, Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF). He was a member of the Sons of Temperance and served as Worthy Patriarch in 1851. He contributed $69.30 to the building of the first courthouse in the summer of 1849 and even gave the lock for the front door.

In Texas in the 1850s, there were many items that were unavailable. One of such must have been diamond glass cutters. James Henry Selkirk was apparently the only owner of a diamond cutter in the Matagorda County area as evidence by the following letter.

Decros Point Sept. 5th, 1852

Mr. Selkirk, Matagorda

Dear Sir

I have some glass to cut for the Lighthouse 6/16 in thick, ten in number. Wish to know when you can come down and cut them for [me]. If you cannot come I would like for you to send your diamond [cutter] to be used by Mr. Bush for which I will be responsible. Please write me as soon as possible and much on oblige.

Resp yours, William H. Jones, Engineer Lighthouse

Selkirk was a key player in the provision for public education which established the first free-school in Matagorda under the title of the Ingram School Fund. James Henry was appointed to supervise the election of school fund commissioners and several weeks later on July 4, 1856, he was elected to this financial commission. He was reelected as reported in the July 16, 1859 issue of the Matagorda Gazette.

Selkirk opened a daguerreotype studio in 1846 according to the Colorado Tribune on January 28, 1848. Selkirk advertised often and his ad in the April 17, 1848 issue of the Chronicle of the Times gave the best description of his services. “Daguerreotype Likenesses. J. H. Selkirk having purchased a new and improved Daguerreotype Apparatus, is now prepared to take likenesses. The materials for the purpose have been selected with care, and are of the best quality; the Camera is furnished with the most costly acromatic lenses, and he feels assured the likenesses will recommend themselves to the favor of the public better than by words in an advertisement. Specimens may be seen at the rooms of Mr. S. on Lewis Street.” By November 1851, James Henry had taken his cousin, James Selkirk, into the business. In the January 3, 1854 issue of the Galveston Weekly News, James H. & J. Selkirk once again advertised their daguerreotype studio. They were not only daguerreotype operators, but also dealers in daguerreotype stock. An additional ad in the January 28, 1856 Chronicle of the Times included “Daguerren Artists, and dealers in Daguerreotype Stock, Matagorda, Texas. Plates, cases, chemicals, and apparatus of foreign and American manufacture, constantly on hand for sale. Instructions give in the Art, on reasonable terms.

Selkirk’s personal papers housed in the Matagorda County Museum indicate that he once had a goal of capturing an image of each of the Old 300 colonists with his daguerreotype equipment and did photograph at least 11. An undated list of daguerreotypes taken by the Selkirks included the names and charges. The orders varied from $1.50 to $4.00, apparently based on the number of “likenesses” ordered. The 28 names on the list read like a “Who’s Who” of early Matagorda County.

The December 1, 1855 issue of the State Gazette in Austin, Texas, carried the advertisement for the new business venture of William W. Royall and James Selkirk. “Royall & Selkirk, (successors to Gordon McCauly & Co.,) Receiving, Forwarding and Commission Merchants, Matagorda Texas.” Their merchant enterprise was again advertised in the January 28, 1856 issue of Matagorda’s newspaper, Chronicle of the Times. Some of the vast array of items for sale included cooking stoves, crockery, hydraulic cement, lime, medicines, salt, powder, shot and percussion caps, cut and wrought nails, cotton rope, twine, spikes, shelf hardware, bedsteads, chairs, rockers, washstands, towel racks, looking glasses, floor matting, gold and silver watches, bracelets, earrings, rings, buckles, tin ware, whiskey, tobacco, cigars, corn shellers, grind stones, spades, shovels, axes, handsaws, cooking stoves, blacksmith tools, etc. The firm also took cotton on consignment to ship to New York with an increase in rates during hurricane months. A bill of sale for one of their business customers dated 1858, indicates the variety of goods which they sold including the items: hats, fabric, needles, buttons, nails, buckets, thread, axes, socks, shoes, lamps, locks, etc.

James Henry married Lucy Hall (1825-1892) on August 15, 1843, in Matagorda. She was born in England on August 4, 1825 and died in Waukesha, Wisconsin on June 10, 1892. They met while James Henry was ferrying the Hall family across the Colorado River when they moved to Matagorda. Their family Bible records six children born to this union: William Selkirk (1845-1915), James H. Selkirk (1847-1919), Catherine C. Selkirk (1849-1924), John McMullen Selkirk (1852-1920), Samuel Gross Selkirk (1856-1934) and Lucy Adelaide Selkirk (1859-1939).

On October 13, 1863 at age of 47, this strikingly handsome gentleman, was one of the 45 victims who died of the Yellow Fever that scourged Matagorda in the fall of 1862. He is buried in historic Matagorda Cemetery and his grave is marked by a tall four-sided zinc obelisk that is facing east. Upon the death of Lucy Hall Selkirk, she was buried with her husband at Matagorda Cemetery.

Descendents of William and James Henry Selkirk eventually developed the Selkirk Island property which in 2021 contains over 450 home sites. The development perpetuates their name as it is known as Selkirk Island.

The economic fortunes of Matagorda in the middle part of the 19th Century can he credited in greater part to James Henry Selkirk with the building of the docking pier, warehouse, and wharf. Selkirk was a multifaceted personality with an astute business mind that created the avenue for the regional import and export business during the plantation era and contraband trade during the Civil War. Selkirk was a public servant. He served as city treasurer and city clerk; as county surveyor, treasurer and clerk, and commissioner of the free education system. He created a photographic imagery library which continues to be studied. Selkirk embraced the arts and the community theater. A man of vision and action, he contributed to the growth of the town where his numerous contributions continue to mark his legacy. He was truly Matagorda’s Renaissance Man.

Matagorda Cemetery

Mrs. Lucy Selkirk

Matagorda, Tex., June 29.--The many friends and acquaintances of Mrs. Lucy Selkirk, an old merchant of this town and mother of the treasurer, Mr. James H. Selkirk, were grieved to learn that she had quietly passed away from this earth on the 10th instant, while traveling for her health. Her remains were brought here to be interred by the side of her husband. Dr. Fred Fisher and wife of Galveston, the latter a daughter of Mrs. Selkirk, were here to attend the funeral.

Galveston Daily News, June 30, 1892

Dock built by James H. Selkirk in 1850. Picture taken in 1913.

Estate of James H. Selkirk Decd. Petition for probate of Will and Letters of succession ship

The State of Texas, County of Matagorda
In County Court, December Term 1862

To the Hon. Matthew Talbot Chief Justice in and for said Matagorda County.

The petition of Mrs. Lucy Selkirk respectfully represents unto your honor that James H. Selkirk her husband departed this life in the City of Matagorda on or about the ___ day of ____ A. D. 1862 ____ making and appointing your petitioner sole executor of his last will and testament. Petitioner represents that her said husband had been for years many years and was at the time of his death a citizen of said County, and that he left much estate in said County and in other portions of Texas consisting of real personal and mixed property and slaves.

Petitioner therefore prays that said last will and testament may be proven up and admitted for probate at the next term of your Honorable Court, and that she your petitioner may then and there be recognized and appointed executrix thereof with full powers as in _____ for in said will, and your petitioner prays for notices according ____ and for all ____ belief.

D. E. E. Braman, Atty for Petitioner

Matagorda Probate Records, Book D, Pages 225-226 (image 399)

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Decree

In the matter of the estate of James H. Selkirk: Proof and probate of last will and testament.

Mrs. Lucy Selkirk widow of James H. Selkirk deceased filed in this Court an instrument of writing purporting to be the last will and testament of James H. Selkirk deceased, together with her petition in writing in which latter among other things she prays that said will be proven up and admitted to probate in the Court according to law, as and for the last will and testament of James H. Selkirk deceased and that the said Lucy Selkirk may be appointed and recognized as sole executor thereof by this Court and the said last will and testament being now produced in open Court and satisfactory proof being now exhibited to the Court that the proper notices of said application have been made and completed before this time according to law and there being no opposition to said application, the court and proceedings to the proof and probate of said will as follows viz The said last Will and testament bearing date the 4th day Feby A. D. 1853, is now at same time proven by the written affidavit of Wm Hillard one of the subscribing witnesses to said will to have been signed and executed by the said James H. Selkirk, on the day that at _____ to November done in the presence of E. A. Pearson and Wm. B. Grimes and of ____ said William Hillard and the said Wm. Hillard further testifies that he was well acquainted with said James H. Selkirk and knows the signature and handwriting of said Selkirk decd was signed by said James H. Selkirk in the presence of him said deponent and in the presence of said E. A. Peareson & Wm. B. Grimes, and that said _____ _____ then __ knowledge the same to be his last will and testament and that all of said witnesses at same time signed said will as witnesses in the presence of said testator and at his request.

Said witnesses being all well known to the Court as reliable persons of legal age and the proof being sufficient. Therefore it is hereby, by reason of the law, the ____ said the evidence or decree, as signed and ____ by the Court that the said last will and testament of heirs, the said James H. Selkirk decd. as ___ before the Court, is well proved and established as said for the last will and testament of said testator said it _____ appearing to the court by the ____ of said will that said Mrs. Lucy Selkirk was appointed sole executrix over all of said testators estate, and that by the intentions of said testator as expressed in said will, no other action is to be taken in __ ______ than the probating of said will and receiving an _____ of said estate and the oath of said executrix: --Therefore she the said Lucy Selkirk sole executrix by the terms of said last will and testament is hereby appointed and recognized as the sole executrix of the last will and testament of said James H. Selkirk deceased, and the Court by this decree now confers on her all the rights, powers, duties and obligations of sole executrix of said last will and testament over and concerning all the property, rights and exempts her from any further jurisdiction of this Court excepting to file an inventory and list of claims, and to take the oath provided by law, so that said will may be carried unto full _____ and be performed as was therein intended by said testator.

And it is further ordered and decreed that said last will and testament be recorded and registered in the _____ of this Court according to law.

And she the said Lucy Selkirk is ordered to return into this Court within Sixty days an inventory appraisement and list of claims belonging to said estate and to take the oath provided by law.

December 29th A. D. 1862

Mr. Talbot
Chief Justice

Matagorda County Probate Records, Book D, Pages 226-227 (image 400)

Last Will & Testament of J. H. Selkirk

In the name of God Amen.

I James H. Selkirk of the State of Texas and County of Matagorda, by the mercy of God at present in good health and sound mind memory and understanding and knowing the certainty of Death but the uncertainty of the time thereof, and to the end that I may be better prepared to leave this World whenever it shall please God to call me hence do make and publish this my last will and testament. And first and principally I commit my soul to my Creator who gave it and my body to the earth from whence it came to be intered at the direction of my executrix hereinafter named, and to such worldly estate wherewith it has pleased God to intrust me I dispose of the same as follows.

First: I devise that all just debts are due by me together with my funeral expenses be paid first out of such money or funds as may be on hand at the time of my decease and of the proceeds of the sale of such property as my executrix hereinafter named may be pleased to sell.

Second: I give and bequeath to my dearly beloved Wife Lucy Selkirk the one equal undivided half or moiety of the residence of my estate both real and Personal for her own seperate use and behalf subject to the qualifications hereinafter set forth.

Third: In as much as my observation has shown me that no other person has the same earnest desire and unceasing care to protect the interest of children as their Parents, and the management of their affairs by strangers often tends to destroy their estate, therefore my wish and desire is that the bequest above made to the said Lucy Selkirk of one half of all the residue of my estate is to take effect as it relates to my own seperate property only while she remains a widow and herself retains the sole management of my children, but should she again marry after my decease then my will is that all my seperate estate (viz) The Islands in the Colorado River in Matagorda County inherited by me from my Father William Selkirk shall go to my children as hereinafter named and provided for in equal proportions among them share and share alike and that my said Wife Lucy Selkirk be left to her community interest in our common property.

Fourth: I give and bequeath to my children William Selkirk, James H. Selkirk, Catherine C. Selkirk and John McM. Selkirk and any others that may be borne to me by my wife Lucy Selkirk, the other equal undivided half or moiety of the residue of my estate both real and personal share and share alike and should any of my children die then their portion to go to the survivors in equal proportions that is if they die without issue alive capable of inheriting, but if they have issue then such issue to take their Parents share.

And I hereby nominate constitute and appoint my dearly beloved Wife Lucy Selkirk sole executrix of this my last Will and testament, also Guardian of my children with full power to sell and dispose of any and every description of property she may think proper in the same manner as I myself might or could do if present and in existance without awaiting the tardy process of the law, with full power also to appoint under her or for her assistance such other person or persons as executor or executrix of this my last will and testament as she may think proper. And as I owe no debts but what can easily be paid by my said executrix out of the proceeds of my estate it is my express wish and desire that the trouble and expence of passing my said Estate through the County or Probate Court be saved as far as possible, and that no Bond or security be required of my said Executrix for any of her acts as such and that she only be required to file an Inventory and list of Claims as the law demands should be filed.

In testimony of all the foregoing I have hereunto signed my name and affixed my seal (the seal being a scrowl) in the City of Matagorda this fourth day of July A. D. One thousand eight hundred and fifty three.

James H. Selkirk seal

The above being all in the handwriting of the said James H. Selkirk be acknowledged the same in our presence and signed the same in our presence calling upon us to Witness the same which we do by hereunto signing our names as witnesses in the presence of the said Selkirk and of each other.

E. A. Peareson, W. Hilliard, W. B. Gaines

Matagorda County Will Records, Pages 109-111 (image 63)
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9Q9-B2Y8?i=62&wc=M4F9-R2Q%3A337776001%2C337776002&cc=2016287
Matagorda County Probate Records, Pages 227-228 (image 400)

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Proof of Will

The State of Texas, County of Matagorda.

In County Court December Term A. D. 1862.

And now at this term of Court personally came and appeared before me the undersigned Chief Justice William Hillard a respectable citizen of said County, of lawful age and to me personally well known who being by me duly sworn according to law in open Court deposes and says that he was well acquainted with James H. Selkirk Esq. late and for many years past a resident citizen of the City of Matagorda in the County aforesaid.

And the paper purporting to be the last will and testament of the said James H. Selkirk written on two whole pages and in portions of the third page of a letter sheet of paper dated this fourth day of July A. D. one thousand eight hundred and fifty three, signed James H. Selkirk (seal) and witnessed by E. A. Peareson W. Hillard and W. B. Grimes being now before the Court for examination proof and probate and being now shown to the said witness Wm. Hillard he the said witness on oath further says that said instrument is wholly in the hand writing of said James H. Selkirk and that the signature thereto is the genuine signature of said Selkirk and said Hillard further on oath says that he saw said Selkirk sign seal and execute said instrument on or about the said 4th of July 1853 as and for his last will and testament and deponent further says that said last will was signed and sealed by said testator in the presence of him said deponent and of E. A. Peareson and W. B. Grimes who were called by said testator as witnesses thereto and that said testator then and there declared to said witnesses that said instrument was his last will and testament, and he then and there acknowledged the execution thereof and afterwards, at same time deponent says that he and said Peareson and Grimes signed said last will and testament at the request of said testator and in his presence and in the presence of each other.

W. Hillard

Deponent on oath further said that the said testator and in his presence and in the presence of each other.

Deponent on oath further says that the said James H. Selkirk departed this life at his residence in said City some time during the month of October last past.

Subscribed & sworn to by said witness W. Hillard before me in open Court this 29th Dec A. D. 1862, which I certify under my hand & seal of office.

M. Talbot, Chief Justice

Recorded 23rd day of Feby. A. D. 1863, Wm. M. Power Clerk C. C. M. C.

Matagorda County Will Records - Book A, Pages 111-112 (image 64)
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9Q9-B2Y8?i=62&wc=M4F9-R2Q%3A337776001%2C337776002&cc=2016287
Matagorda County Probate Records - Book D, Pages 228-229 (image 401)

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Whereas on the 30th day of December A. D. 1862. Mrs. Lucy Selkirk, Executrix, on the estate of James H. Selkirk deceased filed in this court her oath as such Executrix.

Matagorda County Probate Records - Book D, Page 240 (image 407)

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Order Appointing Appraisers

Order

In the matter of the Estate of James H. Selkirk deceased

Appointment of appraisers

Galen Hodges, Samuel W. Fisher and William D. Barbour are hereby appointed appraisers on the estate of James H. Selkirk deceased and they are hereby ordered with the assistance of Mrs. Lucy Selkirk executrix, inventory all the property belonging to said estate and affix the value thereto.

December 29th 1862

M. Talbot, Chief Justice

Matagorda County Probate Records - Book D, Page 229 (image 401)

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County Court in Vacation
Monday January 12th A. D.

Estate of James H. Selkirk, Deceased

On this 12th day of January A. D. 1860 Mrs. Lucy Selkirk filed an inventory, list of Property and claims of the estate of James H. Selkirk deceased.

Matagorda County Probate Records - Book D, Page 241 (image 407)

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The State of Texas
County of Matagorda

In District Court, October Term, A. D. 1865

To the Hon. William H. Burkhart, Chief Justice in and for said Matagorda County.

The petition of Lucy Selkirk, Executrix of the last will and Testament of James H. Selkirk, deceased, respectfully represents unto your Honor, that her testator, the said James H. Selkirk, was the owner in his lifetime of a certain promissory note and mortgage as follows; Viz: A promissory note dated Matagorda, March 19, 1859, wherein one Joseph F. Haden, on teh first day of April, eighteen hundred and sixty, promised to pay John D. Newell on order, the sum of Twelve hundred Dollars, value received; being the purchase price of certain real estate in the County of Matagorda with interest at the rate of ten per cent per annum from date until paid, and signed Joseph F. Haden, which promissory note in given as the purchase price of the following real estate situated in the City and County of Matagorda, To wit; That certain parcel of ground known as East quarter of Block Number Five, in Tier number Three, Matagorda Front, commencing one hundred and sixty seven feet from the Corner of Wightman and Cedar Street, on Cedar Street, thence along said Cedar Street, one hundred and sixty-seven feet to Lewis Street; thence along Lewis Street, one hundred and sixty seven feet towards Mulberry Street; thence in a parallel line with Cedar Street, one hundred and sixty seven feet towards Wightman Street; thence in a parallel line with Lewis Street, one hundred and sixty seven feet towards Cedar Street, the place of beginning.

Second: Also a certain fraction of ground in Block Number Five, Tier Number Three, Matagorda Front of said City, Viz: --Eight inches front on Cedar Street, by a depth of One Hundred and Sixty seven feet, commencing one hundred and eleven feet and four inches from the corner of Lewis and Cedar Streets on Cedar Street; thence in a parallel line with Lewis Street, one hundred and sixty-seven feet towards Mulberry Street, thence at right angles eight inches towaqrd Wightman Street; thence in a parallel line with Wightman Street, one hundred and sixty seven feet to Cedar Street; thence along Cedar Street, eight inches toward Lewis Street, to the place of beginning.

Also all of that fraction of Block Number Five, Tier Number Three of the Matagorda Front of said City, To wit: Seventeen feet front on Lewis Street, by a depth of one hundred and eleven feet, four inches, commencing one hundred and sixty-seven feet from the Corner of Cedar Street and Lewis Street, thence at right angles as parallel lines with Cedar Street, one hundred and eleven feet four inches towards Wightman Street; thence in a parallel line with Lewis Street, seventeen feet towards Mulberry Street, thence in a parallel line with Mulberry Street, one hundred and eleven feet and four inches; thence along Lewis Street towards Cedar Street, seventeen feet to the place of beginning, together with all the rights thereto belonging.

Petitioner further represents that said John D. Newell before the maturity of said note, for value received, sold and transferred the same, and said mortgage security to your Petitioner's testator. That said note had been reduced by payments, so that on the first day of January, A. D. 1864, it amounted for principal and interest to the sum of $468.28 in coin of the United States.

Petitioner further represents that said Joseph F. Haden departed this life in the year 1862, being then a resident of said City of Matagorda, and that George Burkhart was thereafter appointed by your Honorable Court, Administer on his Estate, To wit: sometime in the said year, 1862, and that he still holds said trust, said Estate never having been settled. That said Burkhart in his capacity of Administrator as aforesaid, on the 2nd day of March, A. D. 1864, duly accepted the balance due on said claim, to be paid in due course of administration, and that the same was thereafter approved by the Chief Justice of said County.

Your petitioner therefore prays that after an examination of said petition, your Honorable Court will order and decree said real estate and appurtenances to be sold for specie, payable on the day of sale and that the proceeds of said sale may be appropriated to your Petitioner's claim, as so much of said proceeds as may be necessary for that purpose.

And your Petitioner also prays for citation against said Administrator to answer this Petition, and for all other relief. For a more perfect description of said mortgaged property, reference is here made to Book J, pages 107, 108 & 109 of the proper records of said County.

Lucy Selkirk, Executrix, Estate of J. H. Selkirk

Matagorda County Probate Records, Book E, Pages 15 - 18

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Acceptance of service

I hereby acknowledge full legal service and notice of this petition, and waive the necessity of being served by the Sheriff, five full days before Court, and will answer at the October Term, 1865, of the County Court of Matagorda County.

Geo. Burkhart, Admin.

Copyright 2010 - Present by the Selkirk Family All rights reserved
Created Dec. 25, 2010	Updated Jun. 14, 2020

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