America’s School Trust Library The Zybach Collection

Letitia Carson · The Library’s own layer

Chronology

Every dated line in this series, with the page it came from.

Two kinds of line, and the difference matters. 229 of them are documents: a paper with that date on its face, in a court or land office file, which you can open and check. 24 are the creator’s: statements from what Bob Zybach has published, in his words, keeping his hedges where he hedged. The Library has added nothing of its own beyond the ordering.

◆ a dated document · ● the creator’s writing · ~ he marks it as uncertain

Kentucky and Antrim, to 1844 12

  1. 1814/1818

    ~ Letitia Carson is born, enslaved, in Kentucky — “sometime between 1814 and 1818”. Nothing is known of her early life, or how she came to Missouri before 1845.

    The Search for Letitia Carson, I, page 4

  2. 1818

    ~ David Carson comes to America from County Antrim with his older brothers and sisters, at about eighteen. The creator writes that he was “most likely” raised Presbyterian.

    The Search for Letitia Carson, I, page 4

  3. 25 October 1824

    Declaration of intention to become a citizen — E. & S. Carson Declare US Citizenship Intent

    North Carolina, 1824–1851: 18241025_Citizenship_Declaration-1

  4. 30 October 1824

    Declaration of intention to become a citizen — E. & S. Carson Declare US Citizenship Intent

    North Carolina, 1824–1851: 18241030_Citizenship_Declaration-2

  5. 30 October 1826

    Oath of allegiance

    North Carolina, 1824–1851: 18261030_Oath_of_Allegiance

  6. 15 April 1830

    Citizenship record

    North Carolina, 1824–1851: 18300415_Citizenship

  7. September 1830

    Affidavit

    North Carolina, 1824–1851: 18300900_Affidavit-1

  8. September 1830

    Affidavit

    North Carolina, 1824–1851: 18300900_Affidavit-2

  9. September 1830

    Citizenship record

    North Carolina, 1824–1851: 18300900??_Citizenship

  10. September 1830

    Naturalization record

    North Carolina, 1824–1851: 18300900??_Naturalization

  11. 16 December 1841

    Land deed — D. Carson Platte City Land Deed

    Platte County, Missouri, 1836–1851: 18411216_D_Carson_Land_Deed

  12. October 1844

    David Carson becomes an American citizen.

    The Search for Letitia Carson, I, page 6

The crossing and Soap Creek, 1845–1852 18

  1. 1845

    The family settles in a cabin they build on David Carson’s 640-acre Soap Creek Valley provisional land claim.

    The Search for Letitia Carson, I, page 6

  2. May 1845

    Letitia Carson begins the six-month crossing of the Oregon Trail with David Carson.

    The Search for Letitia Carson, I, page 4

  3. 9 June 1845

    Martha Josephine Carson is born near the crossing of the South Platte River.

    The Search for Letitia Carson, I, page 6

  4. 1849

    Adam Andrew Jackson (“Jack”) Carson is born. Oregon becomes a Territory in the same year.

    The Search for Letitia Carson, I, page 6

  5. 1850

    The Oregon Donation Land Act reduces the claim to 320 acres, because Letitia was not legally David’s wife — and, the creator adds, could not have held it in any case because she was black.

    The Search for Letitia Carson, I, page 6

  6. 1852

    Greenberry Smith is appointed administrator and declares that, as slaves, Letitia and the children are property and not entitled as heirs. The creator notes that, this being Oregon, they were not appraised or put up for sale.

    The Search for Letitia Carson, I, page 6

  7. September 1852

    David Carson dies after a short illness.

    The Search for Letitia Carson, I, page 6

  8. October 1852

    Court file endorsement

    File endorsements and superseded scans: 18521000_Estate_Label

  9. 25 November 1852

    Application and bond of the administrator — G. Smith Applies as Estate Administrator

    Oregon probate, 1852–1857: 18521125_Administrator_Smith-1

  10. 25 November 1852

    Application and bond of the administrator — G. Smith, J. Wiles & J. Hughart Sign Bond

    Oregon probate, 1852–1857: 18521125_Administrator_Smith-2

  11. 25 November 1852

    Court file endorsement

    File endorsements and superseded scans: 18521125_Affadavit_Label_Smith

  12. 4 December 1852

    Inventory of the estate — J. Wiles, A. Carson Inventory Estate

    Oregon probate, 1852–1857: 18521204_Estate_Inventory

  13. 6 December 1852

    Court file endorsement

    File endorsements and superseded scans: 18521206_Bond_Approval_Label

  14. 7 December 1852

    Appraisal of the estate — J. Modie, D. Davis Appraise Estate-1

    Oregon probate, 1852–1857: 18521207_Estate_Appraisal-1

  15. 7 December 1852

    Appraisal of the estate — J. Modie, D. Davis Appraise Estate-2

    Oregon probate, 1852–1857: 18521207_Estate_Appraisal-2

  16. 7 December 1852

    Appraisers’ sworn statements — J. Modie, J. Hughart & D. Davis

    Oregon probate, 1852–1857: 18521207_Appraiser_Statements

  17. 7 December 1852

    Court file endorsement

    File endorsements and superseded scans: 18521207_Affadavits_Label_Appraisers

  18. 7 December 1852

    Inventory of the estate

    File endorsements and superseded scans: 18521207_Estate_Inventory_Label

The estate and the suits, 1852–1859 205

  1. 1852

    Greenberry Smith is appointed administrator and declares that, as slaves, Letitia and the children are property and not entitled as heirs. The creator notes that, this being Oregon, they were not appraised or put up for sale.

    The Search for Letitia Carson, I, page 6

  2. September 1852

    David Carson dies after a short illness.

    The Search for Letitia Carson, I, page 6

  3. October 1852

    Court file endorsement

    File endorsements and superseded scans: 18521000_Estate_Label

  4. 25 November 1852

    Application and bond of the administrator — G. Smith Applies as Estate Administrator

    Oregon probate, 1852–1857: 18521125_Administrator_Smith-1

  5. 25 November 1852

    Application and bond of the administrator — G. Smith, J. Wiles & J. Hughart Sign Bond

    Oregon probate, 1852–1857: 18521125_Administrator_Smith-2

  6. 25 November 1852

    Court file endorsement

    File endorsements and superseded scans: 18521125_Affadavit_Label_Smith

  7. 4 December 1852

    Inventory of the estate — J. Wiles, A. Carson Inventory Estate

    Oregon probate, 1852–1857: 18521204_Estate_Inventory

  8. 6 December 1852

    Court file endorsement

    File endorsements and superseded scans: 18521206_Bond_Approval_Label

  9. 7 December 1852

    Appraisal of the estate — J. Modie, D. Davis Appraise Estate-1

    Oregon probate, 1852–1857: 18521207_Estate_Appraisal-1

  10. 7 December 1852

    Appraisal of the estate — J. Modie, D. Davis Appraise Estate-2

    Oregon probate, 1852–1857: 18521207_Estate_Appraisal-2

  11. 7 December 1852

    Appraisers’ sworn statements — J. Modie, J. Hughart & D. Davis

    Oregon probate, 1852–1857: 18521207_Appraiser_Statements

  12. 7 December 1852

    Court file endorsement

    File endorsements and superseded scans: 18521207_Affadavits_Label_Appraisers

  13. 7 December 1852

    Inventory of the estate

    File endorsements and superseded scans: 18521207_Estate_Inventory_Label

  14. 1853

    ~ Letitia Carson leaves Soap Creek for the upper Cow Creek valley in Douglas County, where she works for the Elliff family as a midwife and housekeeper. When she moved on to South Myrtle Creek “is unknown”.

    The Search for Letitia Carson, I, page 8

  15. 4 January 1853

    Account of the estate sale — List of Items Sold by Purchaser-1

    Oregon probate, 1852–1857: 18530104_Estate_Sale-1

  16. 4 January 1853

    Account of the estate sale — List of Items Sold by Purchaser-2

    Oregon probate, 1852–1857: 18530104_Estate_Sale-2

  17. 4 January 1853

    Account of the estate sale — List of Items Sold by Purchaser-3

    Oregon probate, 1852–1857: 18530104_Estate_Sale-3

  18. 4 January 1853

    Appraiser’s bill

    Oregon probate, 1852–1857: 18530104_Hughart_Appraiser_Bill

  19. 4 January 1853

    Appraiser’s bill

    Oregon probate, 1852–1857: 18530104_Modie_Appraiser_Bill

  20. 10 January 1853

    Physician’s bill — S.A. Smith Bills Attendance & Meds $40

    Oregon probate, 1852–1857: 18530110_Doctor_Billing

  21. 20 January 1853

    Account of the estate sale

    File endorsements and superseded scans: 18530120_Estate_Sale_Label

  22. 20 February 1853

    Record of a private sale — G. Smith Sells Calf & Hogs $27

    Oregon probate, 1852–1857: 18530220_Private_Sale_Smith

  23. 4 March 1853

    Bill — David Carson-2 $194 Labor Billing?

    Oregon probate, 1852–1857: 18530304_Billing_D_Carson

  24. 4 April 1853

    Bill

    Oregon probate, 1852–1857: 18530404_Billing_AJ_Carson

  25. 4 April 1853

    Record of a private sale

    File endorsements and superseded scans: 18530404_Private_Sale_Label

  26. 8 April 1853

    Receipt

    Oregon probate, 1852–1857: 18530408_Receipt_D_Carson

  27. May 1853

    Land survey — D. Carson Land is Surveyed

    Oregon probate, 1852–1857: 18530500_Land_Survey_Hathorn

  28. May 1853

    Land survey — D. Carson Land is Surveyed

    File endorsements and superseded scans: 18530500_Land_Survey_Label

  29. May 1853

    Receipt for survey work — G. Smith Pays Hathorn $18.84

    Oregon probate, 1852–1857: 18530500_Survey_Receipt_Hathorn

  30. 8 May 1853

    Receipt

    Oregon probate, 1852–1857: 18530508_Receipt_AJ_Carson

  31. 8 July 1853

    Appraisers’ oaths — R. Mason, J. Farley, W. English

    Missouri probate, 1852–1859: 18530708_Appraiser_Oaths

  32. 2 October 1853

    Receipt — D. Carson-2 Receives $242

    Oregon probate, 1852–1857: 18531002_Receipt_D_Carson

  33. 14 November 1853

    Tax receipt — G. Smith Pays Estate Land Tax $0.45

    Oregon probate, 1852–1857: 18531114_Tax_Receipt_Smith

  34. 15 December 1853

    Account of the estate sale

    File endorsements and superseded scans: 18531215_Estate_Sale_Labels

  35. 15 December 1853

    Bill — G. Smith Bills for Fence “Railes” $39.87 1/2

    Oregon probate, 1852–1857: 18531215_Billing_D_Carson

  36. 27 February 1854

    Complaint — A. Thayer Files Claim (cont.)

    Carson v. Smith, 1854–1857: 18540227_Complaint_L_Carson-2

  37. 27 February 1854

    Complaint — A. Thayer Files Claim For Letitia Carson

    Carson v. Smith, 1854–1857: 18540227_Complaint_L_Carson-1

  38. 28 February 1854

    Notice — Service of Complaint $10

    Carson v. Smith, 1854–1857: 18540228_Notice_Smith

  39. 28 February 1854

    Statement

    File endorsements and superseded scans: x-18540228_Statement_Label_L_Carson

  40. March 1854

    Statement

    Carson v. Smith, 1854–1857: 18540300_Kelsay_Statement-7

  41. March 1854

    Statement — J. Kelsay Refutes L. Carson's Testimony-1

    Carson v. Smith, 1854–1857: 18540300_Kelsay_Statement-2

  42. March 1854

    Statement — J. Kelsay Refutes L. Carson's Testimony-2

    Carson v. Smith, 1854–1857: 18540300_Kelsay_Statement-3

  43. March 1854

    Statement — J. Kelsay Refutes L. Carson's Testimony-3

    Carson v. Smith, 1854–1857: 18540300_Kelsay_Statement-4

  44. March 1854

    Statement — J. Kelsay Refutes L. Carson's Testimony-4

    Carson v. Smith, 1854–1857: 18540300_Kelsay_Statement-5

  45. March 1854

    Statement — J. Kelsay Refutes L. Carson's Testimony-5

    Carson v. Smith, 1854–1857: 18540300_Kelsay_Statement-1

  46. March 1854

    Statement — J. Kelsay Refutes L. Carson's Testimony-6

    Carson v. Smith, 1854–1857: 18540300_Kelsay_Statement-6

  47. 1 March 1854

    Subpoena

    Carson v. Smith, 1854–1857: 18540301_Subpoena_D_Carson_et_al

  48. 1 March 1854

    Subpoena — A.J. Carson Summoned by Locke

    Carson v. Smith, 1854–1857: 18540301_Subpoena_A_Carson

  49. 1 March 1854

    Subpoena — A.J. Carson Summoned by Locke

    Carson v. Smith, 1854–1857: x-18540301_Subpoena_AJ_Carson

  50. 6 March 1854

    Subpoena

    Carson v. Smith, 1854–1857: 18540306_Subpoena_D_Carson_Bill

  51. 7 March 1854

    Subpoena — A.N. Locke Summons Knighton & Walker

    Carson v. Smith, 1854–1857: 18540307_Subpoena_Knighton_Walker

  52. 13 March 1854

    Bill

    Carson v. Smith, 1854–1857: 18540313_Billing_Jackson

  53. 13 March 1854

    Court file endorsement

    Carson v. Smith, 1854–1857: x-18540313_Thayer_Affadavits_Label

  54. 13 March 1854

    Court file endorsement

    File endorsements and superseded scans: 18540313_Thayer_Affadavit_Label

  55. 13 March 1854

    Probate paper

    File endorsements and superseded scans: 18540313?_Probate_Label?

  56. 13 March 1854

    Sheriff’s bill for serving subpoenas — W. Jackson, Deputy Sheriff Bills $2

    Carson v. Smith, 1854–1857: x-18540313_Subpoena_Billing

  57. 13 March 1854

    Statement

    File endorsements and superseded scans: 18540313_Kelsay_Statement_Label

  58. 13 March 1854

    Statement — A. Thayer Regarding (cont.)

    Carson v. Smith, 1854–1857: 18540313_Statement_L_Carson-2

  59. 13 March 1854

    Statement — A. Thayer Regarding Knighton & Walker

    Carson v. Smith, 1854–1857: 18540313_Statement_L_Carson-1

  60. 13 March 1854

    Subpoena

    Carson v. Smith, 1854–1857: 18540313_Subpoena_A_Carson_Bill

  61. 27 March 1854

    Bill for taking a deposition

    Carson v. Smith, 1854–1857: 18540327_Walker_Deposition_Bill

  62. 27 March 1854

    Deposition

    Carson v. Smith, 1854–1857: 18540327_Walker_Deposition

  63. 8 May 1854

    Receipt — Carson Estate Receives $11.36

    Oregon probate, 1852–1857: 18540508_Receipt_Avery

  64. 12 July 1854

    Bill for labour

    Carson v. Smith, 1854–1857: 18540712_L_Carson_Labor_Bill

  65. 31 July 1854

    Court file endorsement

    Carson v. Smith, 1854–1857: 18540731_Label_GB_Smith_Refusal

  66. September 1854

    Subpoena

    Carson v. Smith, 1854–1857: 18540900_Subpoena_Read_et_al

  67. 22 September 1854

    Complaint

    Carson v. Smith, 1854–1857: 18540922_L_Carson_Complaint

  68. 22 September 1854

    Sheriff’s bill for serving subpoenas

    Carson v. Smith, 1854–1857: 18540922_Subpoena_Bill-a

  69. 22 September 1854

    Subpoena

    Carson v. Smith, 1854–1857: 18540922_Subpoena_GB_Smith

  70. 22 September 1854

    Testimony

    Carson v. Smith, 1854–1857: 18540922_Testimony_Thayer

  71. 25 September 1854

    Sheriff’s bill for serving subpoenas

    Carson v. Smith, 1854–1857: 18540925_Subpoena_Bill

  72. 25 September 1854

    Subpoena

    Carson v. Smith, 1854–1857: 18540925_Subpoena_Read_et_al

  73. 26 September 1854

    Billing statement — Unpaid Advertising Bill $5

    Oregon probate, 1852–1857: 18540926_Billing_Statement_Bush

  74. 28 September 1854

    Subpoena

    Carson v. Smith, 1854–1857: 18540928_Subpoena_Smith_Bill

  75. October 1854

    Receipt — E. Taylor Rec. Horse Board & Feed $6

    Oregon probate, 1852–1857: 18541000_Receipt_Taylor

  76. 5 October 1854

    Subpoena

    Carson v. Smith, 1854–1857: 18541005_Subpoena_Hughart_et_al

  77. 7 October 1854

    Motion

    Carson v. Smith, 1854–1857: 18541007_Motion_Thayer

  78. 7 October 1854

    Sheriff’s bill for serving subpoenas

    Carson v. Smith, 1854–1857: 18541007_Hughart_et_al_Subpoena_Bill

  79. 9 October 1854

    Subpoena

    Carson v. Smith, 1854–1857: 18541009_Subpoena_Writsman_et_al

  80. 10 October 1854

    Answer to the complaint

    Carson v. Smith, 1854–1857: 18541010_Answer_GB_Smith-1

  81. 10 October 1854

    Answer to the complaint

    Carson v. Smith, 1854–1857: 18541010_Answer_GB_Smith-2

  82. 10 October 1854

    Answer to the complaint

    Carson v. Smith, 1854–1857: 18541010_Answer_GB_Smith-3

  83. 10 October 1854

    Answer to the complaint

    Carson v. Smith, 1854–1857: 18541010_Answer_GB_Smith-4

  84. 10 October 1854

    Receipt — G. Smith Pays Statesman $5

    Oregon probate, 1852–1857: 18541010_Receipt_Bush

  85. 11 October 1854

    Response

    Carson v. Smith, 1854–1857: 18541011_Response_Thayer-1

  86. 11 October 1854

    Response

    Carson v. Smith, 1854–1857: 18541011_Response_Thayer-2

  87. 12 October 1854

    Bill — D. Logan, Attorney Bills Smith $75

    Oregon probate, 1852–1857: 18541012_Billing_Logan

  88. 7 November 1854

    Receipt — Locke Rec. Probate Judge Fees $10.45

    Oregon probate, 1852–1857: 18541107_Receipt_Locke

  89. 7 November 1854

    Tax receipt — G. Smith Pays Estate Taxes $11.58 & 5 mills

    Oregon probate, 1852–1857: 18541107_Tax_Receipt_Smith

  90. 17 March 1855

    Subpoena

    Carson v. Smith, 1854–1857: 18550317_Subpoena_Hughart_et_al

  91. 7 May 1855

    Sheriff’s bill for serving subpoenas

    Carson v. Smith, 1854–1857: 18550507_Subpoena_Bill_(1)

  92. 7 May 1855

    Sheriff’s bill for serving subpoenas

    Carson v. Smith, 1854–1857: 18550507_Subpoena_Bill_(2)

  93. 8 May 1855

    Subpoena

    Carson v. Smith, 1854–1857: 18550508_Subpoena_Hartless

  94. 10 May 1855

    Sheriff’s bill for serving subpoenas

    Carson v. Smith, 1854–1857: 18550510_Subpoena_Bill

  95. 11 May 1855

    Subpoena

    Carson v. Smith, 1854–1857: 18550511_Subpoena_Read_et_al

  96. 11 May 1855

    Subpoena

    Carson v. Smith, 1854–1857: 18550511_Subpoena_St_Clair

  97. 11 May 1855

    Subpoena

    Carson v. Smith, 1854–1857: 18550511_Subpoena_St_Clair_Bill

  98. 12 May 1855

    Certified copy of the judgment

    Carson v. Smith, 1854–1857: 18550512_Judgment_True_Copy

  99. 12 May 1855

    Judgment

    Carson v. Smith, 1854–1857: 18550512_Judgment

  100. 31 May 1855

    Receipt — G. Smith Pays Clerk Fees $7.05

    Oregon probate, 1852–1857: 18550531_Receipt_Hovey

  101. June 1855

    Appraiser’s receipt — G. Smith $2 to Jacob Modie

    Oregon probate, 1852–1857: 18550600_Modie_Appraiser_Receipt

  102. June 1855

    Receipt — G. Smith $2 to Jacob Modie

    Carson v. Smith, 1854–1857: 18550600_Receipt_Modie

  103. 3 June 1855

    Receipt

    Oregon probate, 1852–1857: 18550603_Receipt_Locke

  104. 5 June 1855

    Bill allowed by the court

    Carson v. Smith, 1854–1857: 18550605_Bill_Allowed

  105. 5 June 1855

    Receipt

    Oregon probate, 1852–1857: 18550605_Receipt_Locke_(1)

  106. 5 June 1855

    Receipt

    Oregon probate, 1852–1857: 18550605_Receipt_Locke_(2)

  107. 6 June 1855

    Judgment

    Carson v. Smith, 1854–1857: 18550606_Judgment

  108. 22 June 1855

    Receipt — G. Smith Pays $529.50 Judgment to L. Carson

    Oregon probate, 1852–1857: 18550622_Receipt_Wright

  109. 24 June 1855

    Bill of costs on the judgment

    Carson v. Smith, 1854–1857: 18550624_Judgment_Bill

  110. 4 July 1855

    Receipt

    Carson v. Smith, 1854–1857: 18550704_Receipt_Hovey

  111. 2 August 1855

    Complaint

    Carson v. Smith, 1854–1857: 18550802_Complaint_Thayer-1

  112. 2 August 1855

    Complaint

    Carson v. Smith, 1854–1857: 18550802_Complaint_Thayer-2

  113. September 1855

    Summons

    Carson v. Smith, 1854–1857: x-18550900_Summons_Copy-1

  114. 20 September 1855

    Notice of discontinuance

    Carson v. Smith, 1854–1857: 18550920_Discontinuence_Thayer

  115. 20 September 1855

    Notice of discontinuance

    File endorsements and superseded scans: 18550920_Label_Discontinue

  116. 20 September 1855

    Notice of discontinuance

    File endorsements and superseded scans: 18550920_Label_Discontinuence

  117. 21 September 1855

    Request for subpoenas

    Carson v. Smith, 1854–1857: 18550921_L_Carson_Subpoenas_Request

  118. 21 September 1855

    Sheriff’s bill for serving subpoenas

    Carson v. Smith, 1854–1857: 18550921_Subpoena_Bill

  119. 21 September 1855

    Subpoena

    Carson v. Smith, 1854–1857: 18550921_Subpoena_GB_Smith

  120. 21 September 1855

    Subpoena

    Carson v. Smith, 1854–1857: 18550921_Subpoena_Read_et_al

  121. 21 September 1855

    Testimony

    Carson v. Smith, 1854–1857: 18550921_Testimony_Thayer-1

  122. 21 September 1855

    Testimony

    Carson v. Smith, 1854–1857: 18550921_Testimony_Thayer-2

  123. 25 September 1855

    Sheriff’s bill for serving subpoenas

    Carson v. Smith, 1854–1857: 18550925_Subpoena_Bill

  124. 4 October 1855

    Response

    Carson v. Smith, 1854–1857: 18551004_Response_Smith-1

  125. 4 October 1855

    Response

    Carson v. Smith, 1854–1857: 18551004_Response_Smith-2

  126. 25 February 1856

    Subpoena

    Carson v. Smith, 1854–1857: 18560225_Subpoena_Read_et_al

  127. 29 February 1856

    Statement of estate funds

    Oregon probate, 1852–1857: 18560229_Estate_Funds

  128. 5 March 1856

    Sheriff’s bill for serving subpoenas

    Carson v. Smith, 1854–1857: 18560305_Subpoena_Bill

  129. 7 March 1856

    Receipt — G. Smith Pays Statesman Ads $5

    Oregon probate, 1852–1857: 18560307_Receipt_Bush

  130. May 1856

    Bill for taking a deposition

    Carson v. Smith, 1854–1857: 18560500_A_Carson_Deposition_Bill

  131. 3 May 1856

    Deposition

    Carson v. Smith, 1854–1857: 18560503_Deposition_A_Carson

  132. 3 May 1856

    Deposition

    File endorsements and superseded scans: 18560503_Label_Deposition

  133. 3 May 1856

    Subpoena

    Carson v. Smith, 1854–1857: 18560503_Subpoena_Writsman_et_al

  134. 17 May 1856

    Sheriff’s fees

    Carson v. Smith, 1854–1857: 18560517_Sheriff_Fees

  135. 19 May 1856

    Response

    Carson v. Smith, 1854–1857: 18560519_Response_L_Carson-1

  136. 19 May 1856

    Response

    Carson v. Smith, 1854–1857: 18560519_Response_L_Carson-2

  137. 22 May 1856

    Motion for a continuance

    Carson v. Smith, 1854–1857: 18560522_Continuance_Smith

  138. June 1856

    Administrator’s accounting

    Oregon probate, 1852–1857: 18560600_Estate_Accounting

  139. 16 September 1856

    Notification

    Carson v. Smith, 1854–1857: 18560916_Thayer_Notification

  140. 27 September 1856

    Subpoena

    Carson v. Smith, 1854–1857: 18560927_Subpoena_Read_et_al

  141. 29 September 1856

    Subpoena

    Carson v. Smith, 1854–1857: 18560929_Subpoena_Writsman_et_al

  142. 6 October 1856

    Sheriff’s bill for serving subpoenas

    Carson v. Smith, 1854–1857: 18561006_Subpoena_Bill_(1)

  143. 6 October 1856

    Sheriff’s bill for serving subpoenas

    Carson v. Smith, 1854–1857: 18561006_Subpoena_Bill_(2)

  144. 8 October 1856

    Deposition

    Carson v. Smith, 1854–1857: 18561008_Deposition_Walker-1

  145. 8 October 1856

    Deposition

    Carson v. Smith, 1854–1857: 18561008_Deposition_Walker-2

  146. 8 October 1856

    Deposition

    Carson v. Smith, 1854–1857: 18561008_Deposition_Walker-3

  147. 8 October 1856

    Deposition

    Carson v. Smith, 1854–1857: 18561008_Deposition_Walker-4

  148. 20 October 1856

    Court file endorsement

    Carson v. Smith, 1854–1857: 18561020_Judgment_Label_Carson

  149. 20 October 1856

    Judgment

    Carson v. Smith, 1854–1857: 18561020_Judgment_$1200

  150. 20 October 1856

    Sheriff’s bill for serving subpoenas

    Carson v. Smith, 1854–1857: 18561020_Subpoena_Bill

  151. 20 October 1856

    Subpoena

    Carson v. Smith, 1854–1857: 18561020_Subpoena_Bear_Williams

  152. 21 October 1856

    Jury verdict and judgment

    Carson v. Smith, 1854–1857: 18561021_Jury_Judgment_$1200

  153. 21 October 1856

    Sheriff’s bill for serving subpoenas

    Carson v. Smith, 1854–1857: 18561021_A_Carson_Subpoena_Bill

  154. 21 October 1856

    Sheriff’s bill for serving subpoenas

    Carson v. Smith, 1854–1857: 18561021_Modie_Subpoena_Bill

  155. 21 October 1856

    Sheriff’s bill for serving subpoenas

    Carson v. Smith, 1854–1857: 18561021_Subpoena_Bill

  156. 21 October 1856

    Sheriff’s bill for serving subpoenas

    Carson v. Smith, 1854–1857: x-18561021_Subpoena_Bill

  157. 21 October 1856

    Subpoena

    Carson v. Smith, 1854–1857: 18561021_Subpoena_A_Carson

  158. 21 October 1856

    Subpoena

    Carson v. Smith, 1854–1857: 18561021_Subpoena_Modie

  159. 21 October 1856

    Subpoena

    Carson v. Smith, 1854–1857: 18561021_Subpoena_Stewart

  160. 1 November 1856

    Record of the collection of a judgment

    Carson v. Smith, 1854–1857: 18561101_Judgment_Collection_$1393

  161. 2 December 1856

    Order on the judgment

    Carson v. Smith, 1854–1857: 18561202_Judgment_Order

  162. 2 December 1856

    Subpoena

    Carson v. Smith, 1854–1857: 18561202_Subpoena_GB_Smith

  163. 4 December 1856

    Court file endorsement

    File endorsements and superseded scans: 18561204_Judgment_Label

  164. January 1857

    Statement of estate expenses

    Oregon probate, 1852–1857: 18570100_Estate_Expenses_Smith

  165. January 1857

    Summary of estate expenses

    Oregon probate, 1852–1857: 18570100_Estate_Summary-1

  166. January 1857

    Summary of estate expenses

    Oregon probate, 1852–1857: 18570100_Estate_Summary-2

  167. January 1857

    Summary of estate expenses

    Oregon probate, 1852–1857: 18570100_Estate_Summary-3

  168. 6 January 1857

    Petition for leave to sell land

    Oregon probate, 1852–1857: 18570106_Petition_To_Sell_Smith-1

  169. 6 January 1857

    Petition for leave to sell land

    Oregon probate, 1852–1857: 18570106_Petition_To_Sell_Smith-2

  170. 6 January 1857

    Petition for leave to sell land

    Oregon probate, 1852–1857: 18570106_Petition_To_Sell_Smith-3

  171. 9 January 1857

    Bill for serving a citation — S.B. Fargo Serves Citation $2.90

    Carson v. Smith, 1854–1857: 18570109_Citation_Billing_Smith

  172. 23 February 1857

    Bill — Smith & Dade Bill Legal Fees $100

    Carson v. Smith, 1854–1857: 18570223_Billing_Dade

  173. March 1857

    Administrator’s bill of expenses

    Oregon probate, 1852–1857: 18570300_Administrator_Expenses-5

  174. March 1857

    Administrator’s bill of expenses

    Oregon probate, 1852–1857: 18570300_Administrator_Expenses-6

  175. March 1857

    Administrator’s bill of expenses — G Smith Bills 1852, 1853 $93

    Oregon probate, 1852–1857: 18570300_Administrator_Espenses-1

  176. March 1857

    Administrator’s bill of expenses — G Smith Bills 1852, 1853 $93

    Oregon probate, 1852–1857: 18570300_Administrator_Expenses-1

  177. March 1857

    Administrator’s bill of expenses — G. Smith Bills 1854, Oct 1855 $69

    Oregon probate, 1852–1857: 18570300_Administrator_Expenses-3

  178. March 1857

    Administrator’s bill of expenses — G. Smith Bills 1856 $40

    Oregon probate, 1852–1857: 18570300_Administrator_Expenses-2

  179. March 1857

    Administrator’s bill of expenses — G. Smith Bills Jun, Sep, Oct 1856 $40

    Oregon probate, 1852–1857: 18570300_Administrator_Expenses-4

  180. March 1857

    Bill — I.N. Smith & D. Dade Bill $75

    Oregon probate, 1852–1857: 18570300_Billing_Smith

  181. 1 March 1857

    Bill

    Oregon probate, 1852–1857: 18570301_Billing_Smith

  182. 2 March 1857

    Power of attorney — B. Young Appoints Mathew Carson POA

    Missouri probate, 1852–1859: 18570302_Power_of_Attorney

  183. 3 April 1857

    Power of attorney — W. Carson Appoints Mathew Carson POA

    Missouri probate, 1852–1859: 18570403_Power_of_Attorney

  184. 4 April 1857

    Newspaper’s bill for a published notice — Platte Argus Publishes Estate Notice

    Missouri probate, 1852–1859: 18570404_Newspaper_Billing

  185. 30 May 1857

    Record of a land sale — G. Smith Sells DLC to G. Fogle

    Oregon probate, 1852–1857: 18570530_Land_Sale

  186. June 1857

    Confirmation of sale — D. Carson Land Sale Confirmed & Conveyed

    Oregon probate, 1852–1857: 18570600_Sale_Confirmation

  187. 2 June 1857

    Receipt — G. Smith Pay Judgment $778.80

    Carson v. Smith, 1854–1857: 18570602_Receipt_L_Carson

  188. 2 June 1857

    Receipt — G. Smith Pays $48.67

    Carson v. Smith, 1854–1857: 18570602_Receipt_Jackson

  189. 2 June 1857

    Receipt — G. Smith Pays Attorney $81.12

    Carson v. Smith, 1854–1857: 18570602_Receipt_Kelsay

  190. 2 June 1857

    Receipt — G. Smith Pays Land Sale Ads $5

    Carson v. Smith, 1854–1857: 18570602_Receipt_Odeneal_(1)

  191. 2 June 1857

    Receipt — G. Smith Pays Land Sale Ads $5

    Carson v. Smith, 1854–1857: 18570602_Receipt_Odeneal_(2)

  192. 2 June 1857

    Record of a land sale

    File endorsements and superseded scans: 18570602_Land_Sale_Label

  193. 17 August 1857

    Oregon adopts its Constitution, making it illegal for black citizens to own land in Oregon or to marry white citizens, and illegal to hold slaves.

    The Search for Letitia Carson, I, page 8

  194. 3 May 1858

    Power of attorney — A.J. Carson Appoints M.N.C. Robinson POA

    Missouri probate, 1852–1859: 18580503_Power_of_Attorney

  195. 21 June 1858

    Payment out of the estate — Estate Pays B. Young $259.60

    Missouri probate, 1852–1859: 18580621_Estate_Payment

  196. 26 September 1858

    Power of attorney — J. Blevins Appoints Mathew Carson POA

    Missouri probate, 1852–1859: 18580926_Power_of_Attorney

  197. 16 November 1858

    Power of attorney — J.H. Carson Appoints Mathew Carson POA

    Missouri probate, 1852–1859: 18581116_Power_of_Attorney-1

  198. 16 November 1858

    Power of attorney — James H. Carson

    Missouri probate, 1852–1859: 18581116_Power_of_Attorney-2

  199. 14 February 1859

    Oregon becomes a State.

    The Search for Letitia Carson, I, page 8

  200. 26 September 1859

    Power of attorney — R. Carson et al Appoint Mathew Carson POA

    Missouri probate, 1852–1859: 18590926_Power_of_Attorney

  201. 30 September 1859

    Payment out of the estate — Estate pays R. Carson et al $197.58

    Missouri probate, 1852–1859: 18590930_Estate_Payment

  202. 30 September 1859

    Power of attorney — Andrew Carson Appoints M. Carson POA

    Missouri probate, 1852–1859: 18590930_Power_of_Attorney

  203. 22 October 1859

    Payment out of the estate

    Missouri probate, 1852–1859: 18591022_Estate_Payment-A_Carson

  204. 22 October 1859

    Payment out of the estate

    Missouri probate, 1852–1859: 18591022_Estate_Payment-Blevins

  205. 22 October 1859

    Payment out of the estate

    Missouri probate, 1852–1859: 18591022_Estate_Payment-J_Carson

The homestead, 1860–1888 25

  1. 1860

    ~ Letitia and her children are not found in the census. The creator writes that this was “possibly by design”, and that they most likely continued to live in Douglas County.

    The Search for Letitia Carson, I, page 8

  2. 20 May 1862

    The Homestead Act is signed into law.

    The Search for Letitia Carson, I, page 8

  3. 1 January 1863

    The Emancipation Proclamation.

    The Search for Letitia Carson, I, page 8

  4. 17 June 1863

    Letitia Carson files a Homestead Act claim for 160 acres on South Myrtle Creek, as a widow and single mother of two. Martha is eighteen and pregnant; Jack is almost fourteen. Although the Act includes freed slaves, she does not identify herself as one.

    The Search for Letitia Carson, I, page 8

  5. 17 June 1863

    Affidavit — L. Carson Citizenship Affidavit

    Douglas County, 1853–1922: 18630617_Affidavit

  6. 17 June 1863

    Application

    Douglas County, 1853–1922: 18630617_Application

  7. 17 June 1863

    Receipt — L. Carson Initial Homestead Receipt

    Douglas County, 1853–1922: 18630617_Receipt

  8. 19 June 1863

    Affidavit

    Douglas County, 1853–1922: 18630619_Affidavit

  9. 26 November 1864

    Mary Alice Bigham, Letitia Carson’s first grandchild of record, is born.

    The Search for Letitia Carson, I, page 8

  10. 15 January 1868

    Sworn testament — J. Thorn Attests to M. Carson's Age

    Douglas County, 1853–1922: 18680115_Testament_Thorn

  11. 18 January 1868

    Sworn testament

    Douglas County, 1853–1922: 18680118_Testament_Grauslaus

  12. 19 January 1868

    Martha Carson marries Narcisse Lavadour.

    The Search for Letitia Carson, I, page 8

  13. 19 January 1868

    Marriage certificate — N. Lavadour & M. Carson Married

    Douglas County, 1853–1922: 18680119_M_Carson_Marriage_Certificate

  14. 19 June 1868

    Letitia Carson’s homestead claim is certified. She is among the first seventy-one people in the United States so recognised, and the only black woman in Oregon known to have completed such a claim.

    The Search for Letitia Carson, I, page 8

  15. 19 June 1868

    Certificate — L. Carson Permit to Patent Homestead

    Douglas County, 1853–1922: 18680619_Certificate

  16. 19 June 1868

    Proof — J.G. Clark & J. Wright Affirm L. Carson

    Douglas County, 1853–1922: 18680619_Proof

  17. 19 June 1868

    Receipt

    Douglas County, 1853–1922: 18680619_Receipt

  18. 1 October 1869

    Homestead grant — L. Carson Homestead App. Approved

    Douglas County, 1853–1922: 18691001_L_Carson_Homestead_Grant

  19. 1 October 1869

    Homestead grant — L. Carson Homstead Granted

    Douglas County, 1853–1922: 18691001_Homestead_Grant

  20. 21 July 1884

    Record of a land sale — L. Carson Sells Homestead to A. Carson

    Douglas County, 1853–1922: 18840721_Land_Sale_L_Carson-1

  21. 21 July 1884

    Record of a land sale — L. Carson Sells Homestead to A. Carson

    Douglas County, 1853–1922: 18840721_Land_Sale_L_Carson-2

  22. 21 July 1884

    Warranty deed — L. Carson Deeds Land to A.C. Carson

    Douglas County, 1853–1922: 18840721_L_Carson_Warranty_Deed-2

  23. 21 July 1884

    Warranty deed — L. Carson Deeds Land to A.C. Carson

    Douglas County, 1853–1922: 18840721_L_Csrson_Warranty_Deed-1

  24. 1887

    The two Lavadour–Carson families move to the Umatilla Reservation to take up Dawes Act allotments. Jack stays with his mother, and she deeds her land to him.

    The Search for Letitia Carson, I, page 10

  25. February 1888

    Letitia Carson dies and is buried in the Stephens family graveyard, a few miles from her homestead.

    The Search for Letitia Carson, I, page 10

After, 1889–1922 5

  1. 1911

    Martha Carson Lavadour is buried in Umatilla County.

    — Stated in the creator’s own chapter headings on his section index page; the Library has not found the record behind it in this corpus.

  2. 1922

    Jack Carson dies and is buried in the Stephens graveyard next to his mother.

    The Search for Letitia Carson, I, page 10

  3. 25 September 1922

    Probate paper — Alice Lavadour and Agness Morrisette

    Douglas County, 1853–1922: 19220925_Probate_AC_Carson-1

  4. 25 September 1922

    Probate paper — Petition to Probate A.C. Carson Estate

    Douglas County, 1853–1922: 19220925_Probate_AC_Carson-2

  5. 3 October 1922

    Petition for an order of sale — McGilvray Petitions to Sell A.C. Carson Estate

    Douglas County, 1853–1922: 19221003_Petition_for_Sell_Order

Where the record and the account disagree

When Letitia Carson passed the homestead to her son

  • A warranty deed and a record of sale, both dated 21 July 1884, stand in the Douglas County group. See it
  • The creator writes that Letitia deeded her land to Jack in 1887, when the Lavadour families left for the reservation, and his own chapter heading reads “Jack is Given the Land, 1887”. See it

Both are kept. The Library has not seen a document dated 1887, and does not know whether the creator is describing a second conveyance, a later recording, or a slip.

Provenance

Built by
The Library, from the dates on the creator’s scans and from his published writing
Sources
The document registers and the works reproduced in this series; every line links to one of them
Not included
Anything the Library could not trace to a page a reader can open
Generated
4 September 2026

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