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Title: PART OF THE BOUNDARY BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND TEXAS
- Author: J.H. Overton (U.S. Commissioner), Geo. W. Smyth (Texas Commissioner). and James Kearney (Lt. Col. T.E., certifying officer)
- Date: 1841
- Condition: Excellent - Age related toning
- Inches: 7 3/4 x 12 5/8 [Paper]
- Centimeters: 19.68 x 32.06 [Paper]
- Product ID: 308468
These three works are detailed 19th-century survey maps documenting the boundary between the United States and the Republic of Texas, specifically north of the Sabine River. Each sheet is a product of the Joint Commission established by the 1838 Convention between the U.S. and Texas, with surveys conducted in 1841. The maps are notable for their precision, historical context, and technical execution.
The first map (A.2) depicts the boundary between the United States and Texas from the Sabine River northward to the 36th mile mound, carefully marking each mile mound, nearby settlements such as Poladoos, Dixon’s, and Lovell’s, and referencing township lines and local landmarks.
The second map (B.2) continues this boundary north of the Sabine River from the 36th to the 72nd mile mound, illustrating features like Ferry Lake, Neutral Island, Des Bayou, plantations, and a sequence of mile mounds, with additional detail on the surrounding landscape and settlements.
The third map (C.2) completes the surveyed boundary from the 72nd mile mound to the Red River, showing the progression of mile mounds through varied terrain, including the Red River bottom, camps such as Col. Kearney’s, and notable sites like David Lloyd’s, all annotated with survey notes and certifications.
Background on Creator(s)
J.H. Overton, U.S. Commissioner: John H. Overton was a U.S. government official and surveyor who played a key role in representing the United States in the boundary commission.
Geo. W. Smyth, Texas Commissioner: George Washington Smyth was a prominent Texas politician, signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence, and later served as commissioner of the Texas General Land Office. He was appointed as the Texas commissioner in charge of determining the boundary line between the Republic of Texas and the United States.
James Kearney, Lt. Col. T.E.: Lieutenant Colonel James Kearney compared the maps with the field notes and certified them as authentic and correct for submission to the commission.