The oldest document I found in district court records was an 1832 bill of sale for three slaves, written at the storehouse of G.W. Gray in Jonesboro. The bill of sale was evidence in an 1840s debt suit. In another document, Gray was listed as pilot and owner of the steamboat Lexington. Gray was not a resident of Texas at the time of the suit, and when subpoenaed for the trial, stated that the Republic had no jurisdiction over him. This has nothing to do with the question of JP dockets and other records, but the case was interesting. Bob Merriman

Thanks Bob, Such matters of interest pertaining to Red River Co is what gives "life" to this board without going off on tangents. I for one appreciate you input. For those that may not know, Bob use to be with the Paris News until about 2 or 3 years age. One of his projects was to write articles from time to time about old cemeteries in the area. Most that I recall were of cemeteries in RR Co. I really enjoyed his articles as many other did. It is my understanding that the News ordered him to stop the cemeteries stories. I am glad to see him on this board, he will be a big asset. I thin Bob now lives in Sulphur Springs, Tx, but not sure of that. The first time I ever met Bob face to face was when he was still with the News and I was there for some reason, don't even remember why. Anyway, the mention of Red River County must have came up, and he provided me with some information on my GGG GF that I had never seen before and plugged in a information gap for me. We have exchange (questions by me) a few e-mails over the last couple of years and he has always been helpful. Jim Giddens Paris, Tx ----- Original Message ----- From: "PRISCILLA MERRIMAN" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Saturday, August 27, 2005 11:29 AM Subject: [TXREDRIV] JP dockets > The oldest document I found in district court records was an 1832 bill of sale for three slaves, written at the storehouse of G.W. Gray in Jonesboro. The bill of sale was evidence in an 1840s debt suit. In another document, Gray was listed as pilot and owner of the steamboat Lexington. Gray was not a resident of Texas at the time of the suit, and when subpoenaed for the trial, stated that the Republic had no jurisdiction over him. This has nothing to do with the question of JP dockets and other records, but the case was interesting. > Bob Merriman > > > ==== TXREDRIV Mailing List ==== > > > > ============================== > View and search Historical Newspapers. Read about your ancestors, find > marriage announcements and more. Learn more: > http://www.ancestry.com/s13969/rd.ashx

Welcome aboard, Bob Merriman. I, too, was a fan during your Paris News days. ----- Original Message ----- From: "PRISCILLA MERRIMAN" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Saturday, August 27, 2005 11:29 AM Subject: [TXREDRIV] JP dockets > The oldest document I found in district court records was an 1832 bill of > sale for three slaves, written at the storehouse of G.W. Gray in > Jonesboro. The bill of sale was evidence in an 1840s debt suit. In another > document, Gray was listed as pilot and owner of the steamboat Lexington. > Gray was not a resident of Texas at the time of the suit, and when > subpoenaed for the trial, stated that the Republic had no jurisdiction > over him. This has nothing to do with the question of JP dockets and other > records, but the case was interesting. > Bob Merriman > > > ==== TXREDRIV Mailing List ==== > > > > ============================== > View and search Historical Newspapers. Read about your ancestors, find > marriage announcements and more. Learn more: > http://www.ancestry.com/s13969/rd.ashx