HEADRIGHTS
There were four classes of HEADRIGHTS.
The first was granted by the delegates who adopted the Constitution of the Republic of Texas in March of 1836 at Washington-on-the-Brazos. It provided that “all persons except Africans and their descendents, and Indians, living in Texas on the day of the Declaration of Independence, are entitled to headright grants, if they be heads of families one league and one labor, and if a single man, 17 years old or older, one-third of a league”.
Second Class Headright Certificates went to heads of families and single men who arrived in Texas as immigrants after the Declaration of Independence and prior to October 1, 1837, provided they remained in the Republic three years and performed the duties of citizenship. Heads of families were to receive certificates for 1280 acres and single men a certificate for 640 acres.
The Third Class of Headright Certificates were granted to heads of families and single men who immigrated to Texas after October 1, 1837, and before January 1, 1842. Heads of families under this class were entitled to 640 acres of land and single men to 320 acres.
Fourth Class Certificates were issued to immigrants who arrived in Texas after January 1, 1840, and before January 1, 1842. Young men who were permanent residents and became 17 years of age before January 1, 1840, were also eligible for this certificate. Heads of families could receive certificates for 640 acres, and single men for 320 acres. The recipient was required to perform the duties of a citizen for three years.
A number of famous men connected with Texas history, or their heirs, received the First Class Headright Certificate. They included James Bowie and David Crockett, who died at the Alamo. Another interesting First Class Certificate went to Thomas Lagow, who immigrated to Texas in November, 1835. His property was located on White Rock Creek in Dallas County, and covered a large part of what is now the southeast part of the City of Dallas.
Among Third Class Certificates will be found all colonial grants. The Republic of Texas encouraged immigration by contracting with numerous people who agreed to settle a number of immigrants on public domain.
Each immigrant who was head of a family was to receive 640 acres of land, and a single person 320 acres. The colonizers were to receive their pay in land.
Four of the better-known colonies were Peters’, Mercer’s, Castro’s, and Fisher and Miller’s. The first two were located in the North Central part of the state. Dallas County, for example, was a part of Peters’ Colony, which was headed by W. S. Peters. Mercer’s Colony was located to the southeast of Peters’. These two colonies were settled by immigrants from the United States.
Castro’s Colony, which was established southwest of San Antonio, was settled by Germans and Alsatians. More Germans settled to the northwest of San Antonio in Fisher and Miller’s Colony.
The total number of acres in these four colonies was 4,494,806. All four contracts were signed during the first half of the 1840’s.