Thomas Paine Shapard was the son of Lewis Thomas Shapard and Martha Paine Shapard. He married Ann Hope 31 May 1838 in Washington, Washington Co., Texas
See 1830 (1838) Census, Washington Co., Texas, "Thomas P. Shapard"
See 1840 Census, Texas, Washington Co., "Thomas P. Shephard"
See 1850 Census, Texas, Washington Co., Page 317, Line 21, T. P. Shepherd
This census shows Ann as being 30 years old with Ellen 11 and Martha 5. (Note: Charles K. Burlew and wife Mary (Maffett) Burlew are found on this same census page just two families down from Thomas and Ann).
In 1858/59 Thomas and Ann were living in Hempstead, Texas.
Information from Billie Bailey: Thomas Paine Shapard b. 22 July 1811, Caswell, NC, occupation Attorney, m. 31 May 1838, in Washington, Republic of Texas, Ann Hope, b. 7 February 1821, St. Francisville, W. Feliciana Parish, LA, d. 3 January 1870, Bryan, Brazos, Texas. Thomas died 13 June 1859, Hempstead, Austin, Texas. Thomas was the tenth child and seventh son of Lowis Thomas and Martha "Patty" (Paine) Shapard. Thomas came to Texas in about 1830 and settled at Old Washington-on-the-Brazos. He was an active attorney-at-law in the firm HOOD AND SHAPARD in the early days of Texas. Thomas was also a Land Agent and property owner. He was politically active as a citizen and served in the Republic of Texas Army in 1836. The following is from a Certified Copy of Thomas P. Shapard's Headright Certificate:
"This is to Certify that Thomas P. Shapard has appeared before us the Board of Land Commissioners for the County of Washington and proved according to law that he arrived in this county in the spring of the year Eighteen Hundred and Thirty Six. Was then a Single man but has since married-that he has served in the Army of Texas and was Honourably discharged, was a Citizen at the date of the Declaration of Independance and has remained here ever since-and entitled to two thirds of a League and one Labor of Land. (He having previously obtained one third of a League) upon the condition of paying on the note of Five dollars for every Labor of arable or Temporal Land and two 40/100 dollar for every Labor of Pasture land as may contain in the survey and secured to him by this certificate-given under his hand this 7 day of June 1837.
Signed Stephen R. Roberts, President
William Smith, Associate Comm.
Attest Prosper Hope
File 221, Montgomery County"
(Source: General Land Office, Austin, TX. Certified Copy of Thomas P. Shapard's Headright Certificate)
Prosper Hope, who attested to the above document, fought in the Battle of San Jacinto, and was the brother of Thomas' further wife, Ann Hope.
"The New Handbook of Texas" gives the following description of Washington-on-the-Brazos during the early days:
In late 1835 and early 1836, after the Texas Revolution had begun to unfold, Washington-on-the-Brazos became a center of political and military activities connected with teh rebellion. In December 1835 the Texas army commanded by General Sam Houston established its headquarters there; the following March the town was the site of the Convention of 1836 which issued the Texas Declaration of Independence and established the "ad interim" government.
(Source: "The New Handbook of Texas in Six Volumes, Volume 6, 1996)
"Sixty Years On The Brazos, The Life and Letters of Dr. John Washington Lockhart," 1824-1900, gives additional information on early life in Texas:
Old Washington-on-the-Brazos was located in a post oak grove and built on a second Bluff, with its houses out of sight of the river. Its one business street was, of course, called Main. The population was about 250. There was about the usual proportion of gambles, horse-racers and all-round sports-mostly floaters. The actual residents lived in well-made log and clapboard houses, and were indeed fine people, generous, hospitable, and courteous to strangers. Four doctors and four lawyers looked after the wants of the community professionally.
Most every man was a farmer, cattle herder of soldier against the ever threatening Mexican or the hostile Indian. Life was not monotonous. Good behavior of the pioneer, one to another, was the rule. The universal custom of wearing a weapon handy discouraged unseemly conduct, or discourteous remarks. Acute personal trouble seldom developed.
The customs of old Texas were simple and were simple and were expected so to be-and usually were lived up to the letter. However poor your host might be, he was the soul of hospitality. Real coffee might be scarce, and the substitute therefore of undesirable quality, but the pot was every boiling on the hearth, and the guest urged to partake.
When people left their homes, they, as a matter of course closed their doors to keep the "varmints" out, but the latch-string always hung outside, that the stranger might enter and make use of the house. Things were sacredly left untouched. Scarcely anything was stolen.
Thieves were not tolerated. They were looked upon with so much adhorrence that when they were caught they were either hanged or punished with such a severe flogging that they never dared show themselves in the community again.
(Source: Sixty Years On The Brazos, The Life and Letters of Dr. John Washington Lockhart, 1824-1900, by Mrs. Jonnie Lockhart Wallis, 1967)
Thomas Paine Shapard and Ann Hope were married May 31, 1838, in Washington, The Republic of Texas. From the "Telegraph and Texas Register", Saturday, 9 June 1838, page 3: "Married: In Washington on the 31st inst, by the Hon. J. P. Cole, Mr. Thomas P. Shapard of the firm of HOOD, SHAPARD & CO., to Miss Ann Hope, all of Washington County.
Thomas Paine Shapard had dealings in Washington County, Texas with Joshua Wilson McCown, who married his sister, Martha Shapard. It is recorded that "Thos. P. Shapard took out land grant #159 for 1/3 league, and land grant #520 for 2/3 league, 1 labor, in Washington County. From the Genealogica Records of Lou Poole about the Shapard family: Thomas P. Shapard was listed in the 1837 tax roll and the 1840 tax roll of Washington County, Texas, the latter as owner of 150 acres.
In the land office records kept in Brenham, Texas, it is stated in Land Grant #159 that he "emigrated before the year 1835."
From the book, "1840 Citizens of Texas", Vol. 1 Land Grants, page 227, by Gifford White: Thomas Shepherd [sic] was granted a Class 3 land grant (head of family) of 640 acres in Harris Co. 11 May 1839, Liberty 5 August 1844.
From Pioneers of Brazos County, Texas 1800-1850:
Washington County Affidavit;
"Thomas P. Shapard emigrated before the Declaration of Independence; single."
Washington County Tax Roll 1837.
Thomas and Ann Shapard are found in the 1850 Washington County, Texas census.
Thomas died when he was 48 years old and, although he was an attorney, he died without a will. His wife, Ann, and son-in-law, Alexander Cooke, petitioned to be administrators of his estate.
Petition:
"The Estate of Thomas P. Shapard, Dec'd.
The State of Texas County of Austin
To the Honorable Probate Court in and for the County of Austin July Term 1859
The petition of Ann Shapard & Alexander Cooke both residents of the town of Hempstead County of Austin State of Texas would respectfully show that Thomas P. Shapard deceased late a resident of the County of Austin aforesaid on the third day of June A.D. 1859 departed this life without having made any will or disposition of his estate real & parsonal - Petitioner futher represents that the Said Ann Shapard is the surviving wife of the Said Thomas P. Shapard and that the Said Alexander Cooke is the son in law of the Said intestate - promises condider and being next of kin to the Said intestate - Petitioners pray that letters of Administration may be granted to them as Co-administrator & Co-administratrix empowering them to administer on the Estate real personal and mixed of the Said Thomas P. Shapard deceased and as in duly bound, etc.
J. E. Herbert, Atty Petitioners
Filed June 27th 1859 and recorded August 3rd A. A. 1859
Geo. W. Johnson C.C.C.A.C.
Z. W. Matthews, Deputy
Order on Petition:
From Minutes D, Monday July 25th A.D. 1859
Estate of Thomas P. Shapard Dec.
In the matter of the petition of Ann Shapard and Alexander Cooke praying for letters of Administration on the Said Estate, and it appearing to the Court that the proper notices have been given according to law, and no abjections have been filed against the Same, therefore it is ordered by the Court that the same be and is hereby granted, and the Clerk is ordered to issue letters of Administration to the Said Ann Shapard and Alexander Cooke upon their giving bond in the sum of Thirteen Thousand Dollars.
Recorded August 3rd A.D. 1859
Geo. W. Johnson C.C.A.C.
Z. W. Matthews Deputy
The Probate Court Records for Thomas' estate include about eighteen pages.
On July 25th, 1859, the Court appointed J. E. Herbert, A. W. Bash, and R. R. Peebles to make out an estimative inventory and list of claims belonging to Thomas Shapard's estate. (Note by GAH: R. R. Peebles is Richard Roberts Peebles who Thoams and Ann probably named their last two children after, Richard Roberts Peebles Shapard and Mary Catherine "Katie" Peebles Shapard.)
From "The Statement of Effects of Estate Thos. P. Shapard Dec'd:
50 Lotts in the town of Washington 250.00
30 acres Land 1000.00
10 Head Cattle $5.00 Per Head 60.00
I Mule 50.00
1/4 House & Lott in Washington 250.00
1/4 Washington Ferry 500.00
1 Law Library 250.00
Lot 7 Block 246 in Hempstead 1100.00
1/2 Lott 1 and 2 in Blk 192 of Efnor 200.00
1 Pistol 10.00
43 Shares in Town Company 1130.00
1 Saddle 15.00
1/4 League land in Fayette Co. 3333.00
1/2 Interest in House & Lott Sheriff sale 50.00
100 Acers Land near Washington 1200.00
Probation of Thomas Shapard's estate which began in 1859 was not settled until 1867. On July 30, 1860, Alexander Cooke resigned as Co-Administrator and Luke Roberts, Ann Hope Shapard's brother-in-law, was approved to be Co-Administrator with Ann Hope Shapard.
The following petition was filed in 1867:
The State of Texas
County of Austin,
County Court
February Term 1867:
To Hon. George W. Johnson County Judge of Said County
The petition of Ann Shapard widow and Admx. of Thom. P. Shapard Dec'd. represents that in the inventory of the property of said dec'd. by mistake 1/4 interest in the Washington Ferry was inventoried as the property of said estate when in truth and in fact said 1/4 interest in said ferry is and was the separate property of petitioner. That a tract of land which petitioner inherited from the state of her father James Hope who was a Citizen of the State of Texas at the time of his death, was sold for a Negro Woman named Hannah who afterwards gave birth to a child by the name of Harriet and when she was about fifteen years of age she was sold for said 1/4 interest in said ferry, and that said 1/4 interest is her separate property having been entirely paid for with her separate property.
She further says that at the time said inventory was made out her son-in-law, Alex Cooke was Co-Administrator with her, and that the entire management of the Estate was left to him and that he caused said ferry property to be inventoried as a part of the Estate, and that she never intended to relinquish her right to said 1/4 interest of said ferry as her separate property, She further says that Luke Roberts a Citizen of Washington County Texas is now a Co-Administrator with her on said estate and prays that he be cited to answer this petition and taht upon the hearing hereof said inventory be corrected, and that your Honor will enter a decree striking said 1/4 ferry interests from said inventory and decreeing the same to be the separate property of petitioner, and she prays for general relief &c.
Filed Feby 25, 1867
Hunt Holland Atty. for Petitioner
The Court's answer to Ann's petition follows:
The petition of Ann Shapard widow and Admx. of Thomas P. Shapard dec'd. praying that the inventory of said estate be corrected and that the fourth interest in Washington Ferry be stricken from said inventory and decreed to be the separate property of petitioner, coming up for consideration and the Co-Administrator being in court and having waived service and time; and it having been proven in open Court to the satisfaction of the Court that the allegations in said petition are true, and that the one jourth interest in the Washington Ferry, inventoried as the property of said estate was paid for with the separate property of petitioner.
It is therefore ordered adjudged and decreed that said fourth interest in the Washington Ferry be stricken from the inventory of said estate and the same is hereby decreed to belong to, and to be the separate property of the said Ann Shapard.
Recorded August 6, 1867
Z. W. Matthews, Clerk
"The Hand Book of Texas" gives the following description of Washington County:
Washington County, in Southeast Centeral Texas, has an area of 611 square miles drained principally by the Brazos River, which forms the eastern boundry. Partly in the post oak belt and partly on the prairie, the county has level to rolling terrain; altitude varies from 200 to 500 feet.
The old Spanish Trail between Nacogdoches and La Bahia probably crossed the county, but no permanent settlement was made until the arrival of Stephen F. Austin's "Old Three Hunderd." In the early 1820's Horatio Chriesman (who married Ann Hope's sister, Augusta Hope), Thomas Gay (who married Eleanor Hope and another sister of Ann Hope) and others settled in the Washington-Gay Hill area. A ferry was opened across the Brazos River in 1822 and the town of Washington-on-the-Brazos developed in 1830. In 1835 the area became a municipality. The county, as created in 1836, included all of present Washington and Brazos counties, and about half of present Burleson County and part of present Lee County. In February, 1840 the area of the county now in Burleson County was annexed to old Miliam County and in January 1841, Navasota County was created out of Washington County. These losses of territory resulted in the removal of the county seat from Washington-on-the-Brazos to Brenham in 1844.
Population was about four thousand in 1847 and about eight thousand in the 1850's. Between 1850 and 1860 German migration began in the area and was increased after the Civil War. The county's plantation agrarian economy was seriously distrubed by the war which bankrupted most of the landowners and emancipated 40 per cent of its populations.
Thomas Shapard is the ancestor for Billie Cooke Bailey's membership in "The Daughters of the Republic of Texas".
See 1830 (1838) Census, Washington Co., Texas, "Thomas P. Shapard"
See 1840 Census, Texas, Washington Co., "Thomas P. Shephard"
See 1850 Census, Texas, Washington Co., Page 317, Line 21, T. P. Shepherd
This census shows Ann as being 30 years old with Ellen 11 and Martha 5. (Note: Charles K. Burlew and wife Mary (Maffett) Burlew are found on this same census page just two families down from Thomas and Ann).
In 1858/59 Thomas and Ann were living in Hempstead, Texas.
Information from Billie Bailey: Thomas Paine Shapard b. 22 July 1811, Caswell, NC, occupation Attorney, m. 31 May 1838, in Washington, Republic of Texas, Ann Hope, b. 7 February 1821, St. Francisville, W. Feliciana Parish, LA, d. 3 January 1870, Bryan, Brazos, Texas. Thomas died 13 June 1859, Hempstead, Austin, Texas. Thomas was the tenth child and seventh son of Lowis Thomas and Martha "Patty" (Paine) Shapard. Thomas came to Texas in about 1830 and settled at Old Washington-on-the-Brazos. He was an active attorney-at-law in the firm HOOD AND SHAPARD in the early days of Texas. Thomas was also a Land Agent and property owner. He was politically active as a citizen and served in the Republic of Texas Army in 1836. The following is from a Certified Copy of Thomas P. Shapard's Headright Certificate:
"This is to Certify that Thomas P. Shapard has appeared before us the Board of Land Commissioners for the County of Washington and proved according to law that he arrived in this county in the spring of the year Eighteen Hundred and Thirty Six. Was then a Single man but has since married-that he has served in the Army of Texas and was Honourably discharged, was a Citizen at the date of the Declaration of Independance and has remained here ever since-and entitled to two thirds of a League and one Labor of Land. (He having previously obtained one third of a League) upon the condition of paying on the note of Five dollars for every Labor of arable or Temporal Land and two 40/100 dollar for every Labor of Pasture land as may contain in the survey and secured to him by this certificate-given under his hand this 7 day of June 1837.
Signed Stephen R. Roberts, President
William Smith, Associate Comm.
Attest Prosper Hope
File 221, Montgomery County"
(Source: General Land Office, Austin, TX. Certified Copy of Thomas P. Shapard's Headright Certificate)
Prosper Hope, who attested to the above document, fought in the Battle of San Jacinto, and was the brother of Thomas' further wife, Ann Hope.
"The New Handbook of Texas" gives the following description of Washington-on-the-Brazos during the early days:
In late 1835 and early 1836, after the Texas Revolution had begun to unfold, Washington-on-the-Brazos became a center of political and military activities connected with teh rebellion. In December 1835 the Texas army commanded by General Sam Houston established its headquarters there; the following March the town was the site of the Convention of 1836 which issued the Texas Declaration of Independence and established the "ad interim" government.
(Source: "The New Handbook of Texas in Six Volumes, Volume 6, 1996)
"Sixty Years On The Brazos, The Life and Letters of Dr. John Washington Lockhart," 1824-1900, gives additional information on early life in Texas:
Old Washington-on-the-Brazos was located in a post oak grove and built on a second Bluff, with its houses out of sight of the river. Its one business street was, of course, called Main. The population was about 250. There was about the usual proportion of gambles, horse-racers and all-round sports-mostly floaters. The actual residents lived in well-made log and clapboard houses, and were indeed fine people, generous, hospitable, and courteous to strangers. Four doctors and four lawyers looked after the wants of the community professionally.
Most every man was a farmer, cattle herder of soldier against the ever threatening Mexican or the hostile Indian. Life was not monotonous. Good behavior of the pioneer, one to another, was the rule. The universal custom of wearing a weapon handy discouraged unseemly conduct, or discourteous remarks. Acute personal trouble seldom developed.
The customs of old Texas were simple and were simple and were expected so to be-and usually were lived up to the letter. However poor your host might be, he was the soul of hospitality. Real coffee might be scarce, and the substitute therefore of undesirable quality, but the pot was every boiling on the hearth, and the guest urged to partake.
When people left their homes, they, as a matter of course closed their doors to keep the "varmints" out, but the latch-string always hung outside, that the stranger might enter and make use of the house. Things were sacredly left untouched. Scarcely anything was stolen.
Thieves were not tolerated. They were looked upon with so much adhorrence that when they were caught they were either hanged or punished with such a severe flogging that they never dared show themselves in the community again.
(Source: Sixty Years On The Brazos, The Life and Letters of Dr. John Washington Lockhart, 1824-1900, by Mrs. Jonnie Lockhart Wallis, 1967)
Thomas Paine Shapard and Ann Hope were married May 31, 1838, in Washington, The Republic of Texas. From the "Telegraph and Texas Register", Saturday, 9 June 1838, page 3: "Married: In Washington on the 31st inst, by the Hon. J. P. Cole, Mr. Thomas P. Shapard of the firm of HOOD, SHAPARD & CO., to Miss Ann Hope, all of Washington County.
Thomas Paine Shapard had dealings in Washington County, Texas with Joshua Wilson McCown, who married his sister, Martha Shapard. It is recorded that "Thos. P. Shapard took out land grant #159 for 1/3 league, and land grant #520 for 2/3 league, 1 labor, in Washington County. From the Genealogica Records of Lou Poole about the Shapard family: Thomas P. Shapard was listed in the 1837 tax roll and the 1840 tax roll of Washington County, Texas, the latter as owner of 150 acres.
In the land office records kept in Brenham, Texas, it is stated in Land Grant #159 that he "emigrated before the year 1835."
From the book, "1840 Citizens of Texas", Vol. 1 Land Grants, page 227, by Gifford White: Thomas Shepherd [sic] was granted a Class 3 land grant (head of family) of 640 acres in Harris Co. 11 May 1839, Liberty 5 August 1844.
From Pioneers of Brazos County, Texas 1800-1850:
Washington County Affidavit;
"Thomas P. Shapard emigrated before the Declaration of Independence; single."
Washington County Tax Roll 1837.
Thomas and Ann Shapard are found in the 1850 Washington County, Texas census.
Thomas died when he was 48 years old and, although he was an attorney, he died without a will. His wife, Ann, and son-in-law, Alexander Cooke, petitioned to be administrators of his estate.
Petition:
"The Estate of Thomas P. Shapard, Dec'd.
The State of Texas County of Austin
To the Honorable Probate Court in and for the County of Austin July Term 1859
The petition of Ann Shapard & Alexander Cooke both residents of the town of Hempstead County of Austin State of Texas would respectfully show that Thomas P. Shapard deceased late a resident of the County of Austin aforesaid on the third day of June A.D. 1859 departed this life without having made any will or disposition of his estate real & parsonal - Petitioner futher represents that the Said Ann Shapard is the surviving wife of the Said Thomas P. Shapard and that the Said Alexander Cooke is the son in law of the Said intestate - promises condider and being next of kin to the Said intestate - Petitioners pray that letters of Administration may be granted to them as Co-administrator & Co-administratrix empowering them to administer on the Estate real personal and mixed of the Said Thomas P. Shapard deceased and as in duly bound, etc.
J. E. Herbert, Atty Petitioners
Filed June 27th 1859 and recorded August 3rd A. A. 1859
Geo. W. Johnson C.C.C.A.C.
Z. W. Matthews, Deputy
Order on Petition:
From Minutes D, Monday July 25th A.D. 1859
Estate of Thomas P. Shapard Dec.
In the matter of the petition of Ann Shapard and Alexander Cooke praying for letters of Administration on the Said Estate, and it appearing to the Court that the proper notices have been given according to law, and no abjections have been filed against the Same, therefore it is ordered by the Court that the same be and is hereby granted, and the Clerk is ordered to issue letters of Administration to the Said Ann Shapard and Alexander Cooke upon their giving bond in the sum of Thirteen Thousand Dollars.
Recorded August 3rd A.D. 1859
Geo. W. Johnson C.C.A.C.
Z. W. Matthews Deputy
The Probate Court Records for Thomas' estate include about eighteen pages.
On July 25th, 1859, the Court appointed J. E. Herbert, A. W. Bash, and R. R. Peebles to make out an estimative inventory and list of claims belonging to Thomas Shapard's estate. (Note by GAH: R. R. Peebles is Richard Roberts Peebles who Thoams and Ann probably named their last two children after, Richard Roberts Peebles Shapard and Mary Catherine "Katie" Peebles Shapard.)
From "The Statement of Effects of Estate Thos. P. Shapard Dec'd:
50 Lotts in the town of Washington 250.00
30 acres Land 1000.00
10 Head Cattle $5.00 Per Head 60.00
I Mule 50.00
1/4 House & Lott in Washington 250.00
1/4 Washington Ferry 500.00
1 Law Library 250.00
Lot 7 Block 246 in Hempstead 1100.00
1/2 Lott 1 and 2 in Blk 192 of Efnor 200.00
1 Pistol 10.00
43 Shares in Town Company 1130.00
1 Saddle 15.00
1/4 League land in Fayette Co. 3333.00
1/2 Interest in House & Lott Sheriff sale 50.00
100 Acers Land near Washington 1200.00
Probation of Thomas Shapard's estate which began in 1859 was not settled until 1867. On July 30, 1860, Alexander Cooke resigned as Co-Administrator and Luke Roberts, Ann Hope Shapard's brother-in-law, was approved to be Co-Administrator with Ann Hope Shapard.
The following petition was filed in 1867:
The State of Texas
County of Austin,
County Court
February Term 1867:
To Hon. George W. Johnson County Judge of Said County
The petition of Ann Shapard widow and Admx. of Thom. P. Shapard Dec'd. represents that in the inventory of the property of said dec'd. by mistake 1/4 interest in the Washington Ferry was inventoried as the property of said estate when in truth and in fact said 1/4 interest in said ferry is and was the separate property of petitioner. That a tract of land which petitioner inherited from the state of her father James Hope who was a Citizen of the State of Texas at the time of his death, was sold for a Negro Woman named Hannah who afterwards gave birth to a child by the name of Harriet and when she was about fifteen years of age she was sold for said 1/4 interest in said ferry, and that said 1/4 interest is her separate property having been entirely paid for with her separate property.
She further says that at the time said inventory was made out her son-in-law, Alex Cooke was Co-Administrator with her, and that the entire management of the Estate was left to him and that he caused said ferry property to be inventoried as a part of the Estate, and that she never intended to relinquish her right to said 1/4 interest of said ferry as her separate property, She further says that Luke Roberts a Citizen of Washington County Texas is now a Co-Administrator with her on said estate and prays that he be cited to answer this petition and taht upon the hearing hereof said inventory be corrected, and that your Honor will enter a decree striking said 1/4 ferry interests from said inventory and decreeing the same to be the separate property of petitioner, and she prays for general relief &c.
Filed Feby 25, 1867
Hunt Holland Atty. for Petitioner
The Court's answer to Ann's petition follows:
The petition of Ann Shapard widow and Admx. of Thomas P. Shapard dec'd. praying that the inventory of said estate be corrected and that the fourth interest in Washington Ferry be stricken from said inventory and decreed to be the separate property of petitioner, coming up for consideration and the Co-Administrator being in court and having waived service and time; and it having been proven in open Court to the satisfaction of the Court that the allegations in said petition are true, and that the one jourth interest in the Washington Ferry, inventoried as the property of said estate was paid for with the separate property of petitioner.
It is therefore ordered adjudged and decreed that said fourth interest in the Washington Ferry be stricken from the inventory of said estate and the same is hereby decreed to belong to, and to be the separate property of the said Ann Shapard.
Recorded August 6, 1867
Z. W. Matthews, Clerk
"The Hand Book of Texas" gives the following description of Washington County:
Washington County, in Southeast Centeral Texas, has an area of 611 square miles drained principally by the Brazos River, which forms the eastern boundry. Partly in the post oak belt and partly on the prairie, the county has level to rolling terrain; altitude varies from 200 to 500 feet.
The old Spanish Trail between Nacogdoches and La Bahia probably crossed the county, but no permanent settlement was made until the arrival of Stephen F. Austin's "Old Three Hunderd." In the early 1820's Horatio Chriesman (who married Ann Hope's sister, Augusta Hope), Thomas Gay (who married Eleanor Hope and another sister of Ann Hope) and others settled in the Washington-Gay Hill area. A ferry was opened across the Brazos River in 1822 and the town of Washington-on-the-Brazos developed in 1830. In 1835 the area became a municipality. The county, as created in 1836, included all of present Washington and Brazos counties, and about half of present Burleson County and part of present Lee County. In February, 1840 the area of the county now in Burleson County was annexed to old Miliam County and in January 1841, Navasota County was created out of Washington County. These losses of territory resulted in the removal of the county seat from Washington-on-the-Brazos to Brenham in 1844.
Population was about four thousand in 1847 and about eight thousand in the 1850's. Between 1850 and 1860 German migration began in the area and was increased after the Civil War. The county's plantation agrarian economy was seriously distrubed by the war which bankrupted most of the landowners and emancipated 40 per cent of its populations.
Thomas Shapard is the ancestor for Billie Cooke Bailey's membership in "The Daughters of the Republic of Texas".
Thomas Paine Shapard was the son of Lewis Thomas Shapard and Martha Paine Shapard. He married Ann Hope 31 May 1838 in Washington, Washington Co., Texas
See 1830 (1838) Census, Washington Co., Texas, "Thomas P. Shapard"
See 1840 Census, Texas, Washington Co., "Thomas P. Shephard"
See 1850 Census, Texas, Washington Co., Page 317, Line 21, T. P. Shepherd
This census shows Ann as being 30 years old with Ellen 11 and Martha 5. (Note: Charles K. Burlew and wife Mary (Maffett) Burlew are found on this same census page just two families down from Thomas and Ann).
In 1858/59 Thomas and Ann were living in Hempstead, Texas.
Information from Billie Bailey: Thomas Paine Shapard b. 22 July 1811, Caswell, NC, occupation Attorney, m. 31 May 1838, in Washington, Republic of Texas, Ann Hope, b. 7 February 1821, St. Francisville, W. Feliciana Parish, LA, d. 3 January 1870, Bryan, Brazos, Texas. Thomas died 13 June 1859, Hempstead, Austin, Texas. Thomas was the tenth child and seventh son of Lowis Thomas and Martha "Patty" (Paine) Shapard. Thomas came to Texas in about 1830 and settled at Old Washington-on-the-Brazos. He was an active attorney-at-law in the firm HOOD AND SHAPARD in the early days of Texas. Thomas was also a Land Agent and property owner. He was politically active as a citizen and served in the Republic of Texas Army in 1836. The following is from a Certified Copy of Thomas P. Shapard's Headright Certificate:
"This is to Certify that Thomas P. Shapard has appeared before us the Board of Land Commissioners for the County of Washington and proved according to law that he arrived in this county in the spring of the year Eighteen Hundred and Thirty Six. Was then a Single man but has since married-that he has served in the Army of Texas and was Honourably discharged, was a Citizen at the date of the Declaration of Independance and has remained here ever since-and entitled to two thirds of a League and one Labor of Land. (He having previously obtained one third of a League) upon the condition of paying on the note of Five dollars for every Labor of arable or Temporal Land and two 40/100 dollar for every Labor of Pasture land as may contain in the survey and secured to him by this certificate-given under his hand this 7 day of June 1837.
Signed Stephen R. Roberts, President
William Smith, Associate Comm.
Attest Prosper Hope
File 221, Montgomery County"
(Source: General Land Office, Austin, TX. Certified Copy of Thomas P. Shapard's Headright Certificate)
Prosper Hope, who attested to the above document, fought in the Battle of San Jacinto, and was the brother of Thomas' further wife, Ann Hope.
"The New Handbook of Texas" gives the following description of Washington-on-the-Brazos during the early days:
In late 1835 and early 1836, after the Texas Revolution had begun to unfold, Washington-on-the-Brazos became a center of political and military activities connected with teh rebellion. In December 1835 the Texas army commanded by General Sam Houston established its headquarters there; the following March the town was the site of the Convention of 1836 which issued the Texas Declaration of Independence and established the "ad interim" government.
(Source: "The New Handbook of Texas in Six Volumes, Volume 6, 1996)
"Sixty Years On The Brazos, The Life and Letters of Dr. John Washington Lockhart," 1824-1900, gives additional information on early life in Texas:
Old Washington-on-the-Brazos was located in a post oak grove and built on a second Bluff, with its houses out of sight of the river. Its one business street was, of course, called Main. The population was about 250. There was about the usual proportion of gambles, horse-racers and all-round sports-mostly floaters. The actual residents lived in well-made log and clapboard houses, and were indeed fine people, generous, hospitable, and courteous to strangers. Four doctors and four lawyers looked after the wants of the community professionally.
Most every man was a farmer, cattle herder of soldier against the ever threatening Mexican or the hostile Indian. Life was not monotonous. Good behavior of the pioneer, one to another, was the rule. The universal custom of wearing a weapon handy discouraged unseemly conduct, or discourteous remarks. Acute personal trouble seldom developed.
The customs of old Texas were simple and were simple and were expected so to be-and usually were lived up to the letter. However poor your host might be, he was the soul of hospitality. Real coffee might be scarce, and the substitute therefore of undesirable quality, but the pot was every boiling on the hearth, and the guest urged to partake.
When people left their homes, they, as a matter of course closed their doors to keep the "varmints" out, but the latch-string always hung outside, that the stranger might enter and make use of the house. Things were sacredly left untouched. Scarcely anything was stolen.
Thieves were not tolerated. They were looked upon with so much adhorrence that when they were caught they were either hanged or punished with such a severe flogging that they never dared show themselves in the community again.
(Source: Sixty Years On The Brazos, The Life and Letters of Dr. John Washington Lockhart, 1824-1900, by Mrs. Jonnie Lockhart Wallis, 1967)
Thomas Paine Shapard and Ann Hope were married May 31, 1838, in Washington, The Republic of Texas. From the "Telegraph and Texas Register", Saturday, 9 June 1838, page 3: "Married: In Washington on the 31st inst, by the Hon. J. P. Cole, Mr. Thomas P. Shapard of the firm of HOOD, SHAPARD & CO., to Miss Ann Hope, all of Washington County.
Thomas Paine Shapard had dealings in Washington County, Texas with Joshua Wilson McCown, who married his sister, Martha Shapard. It is recorded that "Thos. P. Shapard took out land grant #159 for 1/3 league, and land grant #520 for 2/3 league, 1 labor, in Washington County. From the Genealogica Records of Lou Poole about the Shapard family: Thomas P. Shapard was listed in the 1837 tax roll and the 1840 tax roll of Washington County, Texas, the latter as owner of 150 acres.
In the land office records kept in Brenham, Texas, it is stated in Land Grant #159 that he "emigrated before the year 1835."
From the book, "1840 Citizens of Texas", Vol. 1 Land Grants, page 227, by Gifford White: Thomas Shepherd [sic] was granted a Class 3 land grant (head of family) of 640 acres in Harris Co. 11 May 1839, Liberty 5 August 1844.
From Pioneers of Brazos County, Texas 1800-1850:
Washington County Affidavit;
"Thomas P. Shapard emigrated before the Declaration of Independence; single."
Washington County Tax Roll 1837.
Thomas and Ann Shapard are found in the 1850 Washington County, Texas census.
Thomas died when he was 48 years old and, although he was an attorney, he died without a will. His wife, Ann, and son-in-law, Alexander Cooke, petitioned to be administrators of his estate.
Petition:
"The Estate of Thomas P. Shapard, Dec'd.
The State of Texas County of Austin
To the Honorable Probate Court in and for the County of Austin July Term 1859
The petition of Ann Shapard & Alexander Cooke both residents of the town of Hempstead County of Austin State of Texas would respectfully show that Thomas P. Shapard deceased late a resident of the County of Austin aforesaid on the third day of June A.D. 1859 departed this life without having made any will or disposition of his estate real & parsonal - Petitioner futher represents that the Said Ann Shapard is the surviving wife of the Said Thomas P. Shapard and that the Said Alexander Cooke is the son in law of the Said intestate - promises condider and being next of kin to the Said intestate - Petitioners pray that letters of Administration may be granted to them as Co-administrator & Co-administratrix empowering them to administer on the Estate real personal and mixed of the Said Thomas P. Shapard deceased and as in duly bound, etc.
J. E. Herbert, Atty Petitioners
Filed June 27th 1859 and recorded August 3rd A. A. 1859
Geo. W. Johnson C.C.C.A.C.
Z. W. Matthews, Deputy
Order on Petition:
From Minutes D, Monday July 25th A.D. 1859
Estate of Thomas P. Shapard Dec.
In the matter of the petition of Ann Shapard and Alexander Cooke praying for letters of Administration on the Said Estate, and it appearing to the Court that the proper notices have been given according to law, and no abjections have been filed against the Same, therefore it is ordered by the Court that the same be and is hereby granted, and the Clerk is ordered to issue letters of Administration to the Said Ann Shapard and Alexander Cooke upon their giving bond in the sum of Thirteen Thousand Dollars.
Recorded August 3rd A.D. 1859
Geo. W. Johnson C.C.A.C.
Z. W. Matthews Deputy
The Probate Court Records for Thomas' estate include about eighteen pages.
On July 25th, 1859, the Court appointed J. E. Herbert, A. W. Bash, and R. R. Peebles to make out an estimative inventory and list of claims belonging to Thomas Shapard's estate. (Note by GAH: R. R. Peebles is Richard Roberts Peebles who Thoams and Ann probably named their last two children after, Richard Roberts Peebles Shapard and Mary Catherine "Katie" Peebles Shapard.)
From "The Statement of Effects of Estate Thos. P. Shapard Dec'd:
50 Lotts in the town of Washington 250.00
30 acres Land 1000.00
10 Head Cattle $5.00 Per Head 60.00
I Mule 50.00
1/4 House & Lott in Washington 250.00
1/4 Washington Ferry 500.00
1 Law Library 250.00
Lot 7 Block 246 in Hempstead 1100.00
1/2 Lott 1 and 2 in Blk 192 of Efnor 200.00
1 Pistol 10.00
43 Shares in Town Company 1130.00
1 Saddle 15.00
1/4 League land in Fayette Co. 3333.00
1/2 Interest in House & Lott Sheriff sale 50.00
100 Acers Land near Washington 1200.00
Probation of Thomas Shapard's estate which began in 1859 was not settled until 1867. On July 30, 1860, Alexander Cooke resigned as Co-Administrator and Luke Roberts, Ann Hope Shapard's brother-in-law, was approved to be Co-Administrator with Ann Hope Shapard.
The following petition was filed in 1867:
The State of Texas
County of Austin,
County Court
February Term 1867:
To Hon. George W. Johnson County Judge of Said County
The petition of Ann Shapard widow and Admx. of Thom. P. Shapard Dec'd. represents that in the inventory of the property of said dec'd. by mistake 1/4 interest in the Washington Ferry was inventoried as the property of said estate when in truth and in fact said 1/4 interest in said ferry is and was the separate property of petitioner. That a tract of land which petitioner inherited from the state of her father James Hope who was a Citizen of the State of Texas at the time of his death, was sold for a Negro Woman named Hannah who afterwards gave birth to a child by the name of Harriet and when she was about fifteen years of age she was sold for said 1/4 interest in said ferry, and that said 1/4 interest is her separate property having been entirely paid for with her separate property.
She further says that at the time said inventory was made out her son-in-law, Alex Cooke was Co-Administrator with her, and that the entire management of the Estate was left to him and that he caused said ferry property to be inventoried as a part of the Estate, and that she never intended to relinquish her right to said 1/4 interest of said ferry as her separate property, She further says that Luke Roberts a Citizen of Washington County Texas is now a Co-Administrator with her on said estate and prays that he be cited to answer this petition and taht upon the hearing hereof said inventory be corrected, and that your Honor will enter a decree striking said 1/4 ferry interests from said inventory and decreeing the same to be the separate property of petitioner, and she prays for general relief &c.
Filed Feby 25, 1867
Hunt Holland Atty. for Petitioner
The Court's answer to Ann's petition follows:
The petition of Ann Shapard widow and Admx. of Thomas P. Shapard dec'd. praying that the inventory of said estate be corrected and that the fourth interest in Washington Ferry be stricken from said inventory and decreed to be the separate property of petitioner, coming up for consideration and the Co-Administrator being in court and having waived service and time; and it having been proven in open Court to the satisfaction of the Court that the allegations in said petition are true, and that the one jourth interest in the Washington Ferry, inventoried as the property of said estate was paid for with the separate property of petitioner.
It is therefore ordered adjudged and decreed that said fourth interest in the Washington Ferry be stricken from the inventory of said estate and the same is hereby decreed to belong to, and to be the separate property of the said Ann Shapard.
Recorded August 6, 1867
Z. W. Matthews, Clerk
"The Hand Book of Texas" gives the following description of Washington County:
Washington County, in Southeast Centeral Texas, has an area of 611 square miles drained principally by the Brazos River, which forms the eastern boundry. Partly in the post oak belt and partly on the prairie, the county has level to rolling terrain; altitude varies from 200 to 500 feet.
The old Spanish Trail between Nacogdoches and La Bahia probably crossed the county, but no permanent settlement was made until the arrival of Stephen F. Austin's "Old Three Hunderd." In the early 1820's Horatio Chriesman (who married Ann Hope's sister, Augusta Hope), Thomas Gay (who married Eleanor Hope and another sister of Ann Hope) and others settled in the Washington-Gay Hill area. A ferry was opened across the Brazos River in 1822 and the town of Washington-on-the-Brazos developed in 1830. In 1835 the area became a municipality. The county, as created in 1836, included all of present Washington and Brazos counties, and about half of present Burleson County and part of present Lee County. In February, 1840 the area of the county now in Burleson County was annexed to old Miliam County and in January 1841, Navasota County was created out of Washington County. These losses of territory resulted in the removal of the county seat from Washington-on-the-Brazos to Brenham in 1844.
Population was about four thousand in 1847 and about eight thousand in the 1850's. Between 1850 and 1860 German migration began in the area and was increased after the Civil War. The county's plantation agrarian economy was seriously distrubed by the war which bankrupted most of the landowners and emancipated 40 per cent of its populations.
Thomas Shapard is the ancestor for Billie Cooke Bailey's membership in "The Daughters of the Republic of Texas".
See 1830 (1838) Census, Washington Co., Texas, "Thomas P. Shapard"
See 1840 Census, Texas, Washington Co., "Thomas P. Shephard"
See 1850 Census, Texas, Washington Co., Page 317, Line 21, T. P. Shepherd
This census shows Ann as being 30 years old with Ellen 11 and Martha 5. (Note: Charles K. Burlew and wife Mary (Maffett) Burlew are found on this same census page just two families down from Thomas and Ann).
In 1858/59 Thomas and Ann were living in Hempstead, Texas.
Information from Billie Bailey: Thomas Paine Shapard b. 22 July 1811, Caswell, NC, occupation Attorney, m. 31 May 1838, in Washington, Republic of Texas, Ann Hope, b. 7 February 1821, St. Francisville, W. Feliciana Parish, LA, d. 3 January 1870, Bryan, Brazos, Texas. Thomas died 13 June 1859, Hempstead, Austin, Texas. Thomas was the tenth child and seventh son of Lowis Thomas and Martha "Patty" (Paine) Shapard. Thomas came to Texas in about 1830 and settled at Old Washington-on-the-Brazos. He was an active attorney-at-law in the firm HOOD AND SHAPARD in the early days of Texas. Thomas was also a Land Agent and property owner. He was politically active as a citizen and served in the Republic of Texas Army in 1836. The following is from a Certified Copy of Thomas P. Shapard's Headright Certificate:
"This is to Certify that Thomas P. Shapard has appeared before us the Board of Land Commissioners for the County of Washington and proved according to law that he arrived in this county in the spring of the year Eighteen Hundred and Thirty Six. Was then a Single man but has since married-that he has served in the Army of Texas and was Honourably discharged, was a Citizen at the date of the Declaration of Independance and has remained here ever since-and entitled to two thirds of a League and one Labor of Land. (He having previously obtained one third of a League) upon the condition of paying on the note of Five dollars for every Labor of arable or Temporal Land and two 40/100 dollar for every Labor of Pasture land as may contain in the survey and secured to him by this certificate-given under his hand this 7 day of June 1837.
Signed Stephen R. Roberts, President
William Smith, Associate Comm.
Attest Prosper Hope
File 221, Montgomery County"
(Source: General Land Office, Austin, TX. Certified Copy of Thomas P. Shapard's Headright Certificate)
Prosper Hope, who attested to the above document, fought in the Battle of San Jacinto, and was the brother of Thomas' further wife, Ann Hope.
"The New Handbook of Texas" gives the following description of Washington-on-the-Brazos during the early days:
In late 1835 and early 1836, after the Texas Revolution had begun to unfold, Washington-on-the-Brazos became a center of political and military activities connected with teh rebellion. In December 1835 the Texas army commanded by General Sam Houston established its headquarters there; the following March the town was the site of the Convention of 1836 which issued the Texas Declaration of Independence and established the "ad interim" government.
(Source: "The New Handbook of Texas in Six Volumes, Volume 6, 1996)
"Sixty Years On The Brazos, The Life and Letters of Dr. John Washington Lockhart," 1824-1900, gives additional information on early life in Texas:
Old Washington-on-the-Brazos was located in a post oak grove and built on a second Bluff, with its houses out of sight of the river. Its one business street was, of course, called Main. The population was about 250. There was about the usual proportion of gambles, horse-racers and all-round sports-mostly floaters. The actual residents lived in well-made log and clapboard houses, and were indeed fine people, generous, hospitable, and courteous to strangers. Four doctors and four lawyers looked after the wants of the community professionally.
Most every man was a farmer, cattle herder of soldier against the ever threatening Mexican or the hostile Indian. Life was not monotonous. Good behavior of the pioneer, one to another, was the rule. The universal custom of wearing a weapon handy discouraged unseemly conduct, or discourteous remarks. Acute personal trouble seldom developed.
The customs of old Texas were simple and were simple and were expected so to be-and usually were lived up to the letter. However poor your host might be, he was the soul of hospitality. Real coffee might be scarce, and the substitute therefore of undesirable quality, but the pot was every boiling on the hearth, and the guest urged to partake.
When people left their homes, they, as a matter of course closed their doors to keep the "varmints" out, but the latch-string always hung outside, that the stranger might enter and make use of the house. Things were sacredly left untouched. Scarcely anything was stolen.
Thieves were not tolerated. They were looked upon with so much adhorrence that when they were caught they were either hanged or punished with such a severe flogging that they never dared show themselves in the community again.
(Source: Sixty Years On The Brazos, The Life and Letters of Dr. John Washington Lockhart, 1824-1900, by Mrs. Jonnie Lockhart Wallis, 1967)
Thomas Paine Shapard and Ann Hope were married May 31, 1838, in Washington, The Republic of Texas. From the "Telegraph and Texas Register", Saturday, 9 June 1838, page 3: "Married: In Washington on the 31st inst, by the Hon. J. P. Cole, Mr. Thomas P. Shapard of the firm of HOOD, SHAPARD & CO., to Miss Ann Hope, all of Washington County.
Thomas Paine Shapard had dealings in Washington County, Texas with Joshua Wilson McCown, who married his sister, Martha Shapard. It is recorded that "Thos. P. Shapard took out land grant #159 for 1/3 league, and land grant #520 for 2/3 league, 1 labor, in Washington County. From the Genealogica Records of Lou Poole about the Shapard family: Thomas P. Shapard was listed in the 1837 tax roll and the 1840 tax roll of Washington County, Texas, the latter as owner of 150 acres.
In the land office records kept in Brenham, Texas, it is stated in Land Grant #159 that he "emigrated before the year 1835."
From the book, "1840 Citizens of Texas", Vol. 1 Land Grants, page 227, by Gifford White: Thomas Shepherd [sic] was granted a Class 3 land grant (head of family) of 640 acres in Harris Co. 11 May 1839, Liberty 5 August 1844.
From Pioneers of Brazos County, Texas 1800-1850:
Washington County Affidavit;
"Thomas P. Shapard emigrated before the Declaration of Independence; single."
Washington County Tax Roll 1837.
Thomas and Ann Shapard are found in the 1850 Washington County, Texas census.
Thomas died when he was 48 years old and, although he was an attorney, he died without a will. His wife, Ann, and son-in-law, Alexander Cooke, petitioned to be administrators of his estate.
Petition:
"The Estate of Thomas P. Shapard, Dec'd.
The State of Texas County of Austin
To the Honorable Probate Court in and for the County of Austin July Term 1859
The petition of Ann Shapard & Alexander Cooke both residents of the town of Hempstead County of Austin State of Texas would respectfully show that Thomas P. Shapard deceased late a resident of the County of Austin aforesaid on the third day of June A.D. 1859 departed this life without having made any will or disposition of his estate real & parsonal - Petitioner futher represents that the Said Ann Shapard is the surviving wife of the Said Thomas P. Shapard and that the Said Alexander Cooke is the son in law of the Said intestate - promises condider and being next of kin to the Said intestate - Petitioners pray that letters of Administration may be granted to them as Co-administrator & Co-administratrix empowering them to administer on the Estate real personal and mixed of the Said Thomas P. Shapard deceased and as in duly bound, etc.
J. E. Herbert, Atty Petitioners
Filed June 27th 1859 and recorded August 3rd A. A. 1859
Geo. W. Johnson C.C.C.A.C.
Z. W. Matthews, Deputy
Order on Petition:
From Minutes D, Monday July 25th A.D. 1859
Estate of Thomas P. Shapard Dec.
In the matter of the petition of Ann Shapard and Alexander Cooke praying for letters of Administration on the Said Estate, and it appearing to the Court that the proper notices have been given according to law, and no abjections have been filed against the Same, therefore it is ordered by the Court that the same be and is hereby granted, and the Clerk is ordered to issue letters of Administration to the Said Ann Shapard and Alexander Cooke upon their giving bond in the sum of Thirteen Thousand Dollars.
Recorded August 3rd A.D. 1859
Geo. W. Johnson C.C.A.C.
Z. W. Matthews Deputy
The Probate Court Records for Thomas' estate include about eighteen pages.
On July 25th, 1859, the Court appointed J. E. Herbert, A. W. Bash, and R. R. Peebles to make out an estimative inventory and list of claims belonging to Thomas Shapard's estate. (Note by GAH: R. R. Peebles is Richard Roberts Peebles who Thoams and Ann probably named their last two children after, Richard Roberts Peebles Shapard and Mary Catherine "Katie" Peebles Shapard.)
From "The Statement of Effects of Estate Thos. P. Shapard Dec'd:
50 Lotts in the town of Washington 250.00
30 acres Land 1000.00
10 Head Cattle $5.00 Per Head 60.00
I Mule 50.00
1/4 House & Lott in Washington 250.00
1/4 Washington Ferry 500.00
1 Law Library 250.00
Lot 7 Block 246 in Hempstead 1100.00
1/2 Lott 1 and 2 in Blk 192 of Efnor 200.00
1 Pistol 10.00
43 Shares in Town Company 1130.00
1 Saddle 15.00
1/4 League land in Fayette Co. 3333.00
1/2 Interest in House & Lott Sheriff sale 50.00
100 Acers Land near Washington 1200.00
Probation of Thomas Shapard's estate which began in 1859 was not settled until 1867. On July 30, 1860, Alexander Cooke resigned as Co-Administrator and Luke Roberts, Ann Hope Shapard's brother-in-law, was approved to be Co-Administrator with Ann Hope Shapard.
The following petition was filed in 1867:
The State of Texas
County of Austin,
County Court
February Term 1867:
To Hon. George W. Johnson County Judge of Said County
The petition of Ann Shapard widow and Admx. of Thom. P. Shapard Dec'd. represents that in the inventory of the property of said dec'd. by mistake 1/4 interest in the Washington Ferry was inventoried as the property of said estate when in truth and in fact said 1/4 interest in said ferry is and was the separate property of petitioner. That a tract of land which petitioner inherited from the state of her father James Hope who was a Citizen of the State of Texas at the time of his death, was sold for a Negro Woman named Hannah who afterwards gave birth to a child by the name of Harriet and when she was about fifteen years of age she was sold for said 1/4 interest in said ferry, and that said 1/4 interest is her separate property having been entirely paid for with her separate property.
She further says that at the time said inventory was made out her son-in-law, Alex Cooke was Co-Administrator with her, and that the entire management of the Estate was left to him and that he caused said ferry property to be inventoried as a part of the Estate, and that she never intended to relinquish her right to said 1/4 interest of said ferry as her separate property, She further says that Luke Roberts a Citizen of Washington County Texas is now a Co-Administrator with her on said estate and prays that he be cited to answer this petition and taht upon the hearing hereof said inventory be corrected, and that your Honor will enter a decree striking said 1/4 ferry interests from said inventory and decreeing the same to be the separate property of petitioner, and she prays for general relief &c.
Filed Feby 25, 1867
Hunt Holland Atty. for Petitioner
The Court's answer to Ann's petition follows:
The petition of Ann Shapard widow and Admx. of Thomas P. Shapard dec'd. praying that the inventory of said estate be corrected and that the fourth interest in Washington Ferry be stricken from said inventory and decreed to be the separate property of petitioner, coming up for consideration and the Co-Administrator being in court and having waived service and time; and it having been proven in open Court to the satisfaction of the Court that the allegations in said petition are true, and that the one jourth interest in the Washington Ferry, inventoried as the property of said estate was paid for with the separate property of petitioner.
It is therefore ordered adjudged and decreed that said fourth interest in the Washington Ferry be stricken from the inventory of said estate and the same is hereby decreed to belong to, and to be the separate property of the said Ann Shapard.
Recorded August 6, 1867
Z. W. Matthews, Clerk
"The Hand Book of Texas" gives the following description of Washington County:
Washington County, in Southeast Centeral Texas, has an area of 611 square miles drained principally by the Brazos River, which forms the eastern boundry. Partly in the post oak belt and partly on the prairie, the county has level to rolling terrain; altitude varies from 200 to 500 feet.
The old Spanish Trail between Nacogdoches and La Bahia probably crossed the county, but no permanent settlement was made until the arrival of Stephen F. Austin's "Old Three Hunderd." In the early 1820's Horatio Chriesman (who married Ann Hope's sister, Augusta Hope), Thomas Gay (who married Eleanor Hope and another sister of Ann Hope) and others settled in the Washington-Gay Hill area. A ferry was opened across the Brazos River in 1822 and the town of Washington-on-the-Brazos developed in 1830. In 1835 the area became a municipality. The county, as created in 1836, included all of present Washington and Brazos counties, and about half of present Burleson County and part of present Lee County. In February, 1840 the area of the county now in Burleson County was annexed to old Miliam County and in January 1841, Navasota County was created out of Washington County. These losses of territory resulted in the removal of the county seat from Washington-on-the-Brazos to Brenham in 1844.
Population was about four thousand in 1847 and about eight thousand in the 1850's. Between 1850 and 1860 German migration began in the area and was increased after the Civil War. The county's plantation agrarian economy was seriously distrubed by the war which bankrupted most of the landowners and emancipated 40 per cent of its populations.
Thomas Shapard is the ancestor for Billie Cooke Bailey's membership in "The Daughters of the Republic of Texas".
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