WHARTON COUNTY HISTORICAL

Robert E. Davis

1854 - 1856- 1858 -1860 - 1862

Wharton County Sheriff




Robert E. Davis was born in Virginia in 1816. He was married to Mary Davis who was born in 1826 in Tennessee. Robert E. Davis and his wife lived in Mississippi in 1842 as their son G.S. Davis was born there. Around 1844 they moved to Louisiana and their daughter was Martha was born there. In 1860 while R.E. Davis was serving his 5th term as Sheriff, his son was working as a Clerk.

Robert E. Davis was elected on August 2,1850 having won 106 votes, and served until his term was up in August 1852. Jackson Stubbs won the next election and served for three months at which time R.E. Davis presented his bond as Sheriff of Wharton County and was approved.

From Texas County Sheriffs book:"Apparently Davis was appointed to replace Stubbs when he resigned but there is nothing in the State records that attest to that. This was the second time he served.

In 1853 he was sworn in as Commissioner to oversee the new courthouse. Then in August of 1854 he was appointed on the committee with Chief Justice/Judge W.R. Thomas to supervise the building of the new jail.

He was re-elected as Sheriff on August 7, 1854,and in June 1854 he was elected with 19 votes as School Trustee in the 3rd District of Wharton County. Then again elected Sheriff in August 1856, 1858 and 1860 and served until 1862.




COUNTY COMMISSIONER COURT MINUTES BOOK
Page:54

August 15th 1850

This day the returns for the Election held in this county the 5 day of August 1850 were opened by me and the following is the results.....: Page:55

Robert E. Davis was Elected Sheriff of Wharton County having recd 106 votes...

County Court August Term 1850

Robert E. Davis presented to the Court his Bond as sheriff of Wharton County which was rec'd and approved-

Page:57

February Term 1851

Robert E. Davis Sheriff of Wharton County presented his account for his services in attending the Courts to the Close of the Fall Term of the District Court 1850. Twenty five dollars and for articles furnished for the Court House one dollar Eighty Seven cents which is ordered to be paid by the clerk drawing draft from County Treasury.

Page:63

Called Term May 1851

At a called term of the County Court of Wharton County held at the Clerks office of said county in the Town of Wharton on Wednesday the 7th day of May A.D. 1851

Present:

Mason L. Weems-Chf Justice

Henry P. Cayce, Thomas Thatcher, Harmon G. Mercer, J.W. Lawson-County Commifsioners

Robert E. Davis Sheriff

G. Eagan-Clerk

[Eagan was granted to use lumber from old courthouse to have some bookshelves made for his office] It is ordered by the Court that the remainder of the lumber of the old Court House of this county be put up for public auction on the third Monday of this month on a credit till the first day of next January 1852 by the Sheriff of this County, R.E. Davis,who will give notice of the sale, & make due return of the sale to the next regular term of this court.

Page:64

At the regular term of the county Court of Wharton County held at the Clerks office of said County this the third Monday (19th day) of May A.D. 1851 when the following proceedings were had

Present

Mason L. Weems-Chf Justice

Thomas Thatcher, H.G. Mercer, Samuel W. Lam-Commifsioners

R.E. Davis Sheriff of Wharton County made Return of the sales of the lumber of the old Court House, & filed in the Court, the following named notes viz:

B & W Milburn Note with Jos. H. Deadrick.....

J.R. Griffin Note for One Hundred & Ninety Eight Dollars Payable the 1st of January 1852 with B.F. Milburn and Mr. K. Lawson as sureties....

November Term 1851

When the following proceedings were had M.R. Box presented his account against the County for his bringing back to prison of this county the Prisoner Andrew Everett who broke Custody from the Sheriff of this county during the October term of the district Court 1851. viz: Forty dollars for bringing and three dollars 50/100 for moving said prisoner. It is ordered by Court that the clerk draw his draft on the County Treasury for Forty dollars payable to Said M.K. Box out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated-the 3.50 for moving was paid by the Sheriff R.E. Davis

Robert E. Davis Sheriff of this county presented his a/c for his Services attending the Courts this year & for expenses of Keeping Prisoners House rent &c&c as per a/c on file for $196.38 which was ordered by the Court to be paid by giving said Davis J.R. Griffins Note for $198.00 as with Benjamin F. Milburn and Mr K. Lawson as sureties due and payable 1st January 1852

Page:70

February Term 1852
The account of R.E. Davis Sheriff for A.C. Horton for chains & Moving Prisoners for twenty three dollars & fifty cents and H.H. Higley Bailiff to the Grand jury at the fall term 1851 Seven dollars and fifty cents, It is ordered...

Page: 78

Ordered that the County be and is hereby divided into four Election Precincts as followed...

Precinct No.2 to extend from the upper line of the Kuykendall League of land on the East Side of the Colorado leading from Egypt down said River So as to include the Town of Wharton to the upper line of the Sims League of land and to include the Kincheloe Settlement on the west side of the river and that Robert E, Davis be appointed presiding Officer in said Precinct and that the Elections be held at the Court House in the Town of Wharton.

Page: 85

May Term 1852
R.E. Davis Sheriff of Wharton County presented his account against the County for Keeping the prisoner Everett 140 days @$1.00 per day = $210.00 and carrying him to Huntsville Prison $70.00 & his attentions to the Spring term of the Court $25.00 making together $305.00. The Court approved of the $25.00 and $70.00 entries in Said account but would not allow more than one dollar per day for board and custody of the Prisoner. When the Sheriff Davis withdrew his account.-

The Sheriff presented the account of Lucuis B. Harvey for guarding the prisoners 28 days $42.00 which was rejected on the ground that one of the prisoners escaped through his neglect.

Then the Sheriff (R.E. Davis) presented the account of Hunt & Veazey for Rent of Room for the use of Grand Jury Spring term 1852 5 days @ $3.00 per day $15.00. It is ordered by the Court that the clerk draw on the County Treasury for the seven dollars and fifty cents which the Court thinks is enough to satisfy them for said Rent.

Page:86

Special Court Appointed by M.L. Weems-Chief Justice
of Wharton County for this 1st day of June A.D. 1852

Robert E. Davis Sheriff of Wharton County presented the Same account against this county which he presented and withdrew at the last sefsion of this court and asks that the Same may be reconsidered. Whereupon the Court reconsidered said account and ordered that the clerk of this court draw a draft on the County Treasury in fav. & payable to Said R.E. Davis for three hundred and five dollars out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated

The account of J.B. Hogan Sheriff of Harris County was then presented for the sum of forty two dollars and fifty cents for bringing

Page:87

after arresting the Prisoner Samuel Powers who was accused of killing Wm Allen in the Town and County of Wharton - It is ordered by the court that the clerk draw a draft on the county Treasury for the Same payable out of the first money in Said Treasury-

The Sheriff of this county having represented to this court that it is Impofsible for him to keep Safely the body of Samuel Powers, committed to Jail for the Murder of Wm. Allen. It is ordered and Decreed that he take said Powers to the jail of Harris County in this state there to be safely Kept until discharged by due course of Law - and then court adjourned.

Page:90

County Court for County Purposes Aug 16th 1852

R.E. Davis Sheriff Presented his account against the County of Thirty five dollars for carrying Prisoner Powers to the Houston Jail & for guarding him & keeping him two days which was allowed and ordered to be paid

Page:92

At a Called Court of Wharton County Sept 27th 1852

It is ordered by the court that an appropriation be made for the sum of two hundred and twenty five dollars and that a draft be drawn on the county Treasury for the same to be paid over to the Sheriff of Wharton County for the purpose of paying the expenses of Prisoner Everett Sent from this County to the Jail of Walker County and the Prisoner Powers who was also Sent from Wharton County to the jail of Harris County which Prisoners Said Sheriff of this county shall have at our next District Court in October 1852 on the first day of Said Court.

Page:93

Regular Term County Court 18th Nov 1852

Robert E. Davis presented his bond as Sheriff of this County which was approved.

Call Term March 28th 1853

The Chief Justice W.R. Thomas and Jno. T. Carson in accordance with a previous enactment of the county court of Wharton County choose and appoint the following commissioners to examine and receive (acting under the contract of said Jno T. Carson with said county court) the new Court House. Viz: Geo. Quinan, R.E. Davis & Jos. H. Deadrick who were duly sworn by the Chief Justice and proceeded to discharge their duty.

March 28th 1853

R.E. Davis and other Commissioners submitted report on Court house pages 102 and 103

Page:108

August term 1853

[R.E. Davis was present but no business]

Page:109

Call Session September 13th 1853

Ordered that a guard for the proper security and safe keeping of the prisoners at present confined in the jail be appointed & that the Sheriff be and is hereby as [?shorigis?] to select said guard to consist of four persons fully qualified according to the judgement of said sheriff and that the remuneration granted to each member of said guard be two dollars for each day and night services.

Page 110

November Term A.D. 1853

When the following proceedings were had R.E. Davis Sheriff of Wharton Co presented the following account against the County for payments

The County of Wharton

To R.E. Davis

For services attending Dist & County Court for 1853.....50.00

Commitment of John Holland.............................. 1.00

171 days Board for John Holland @ 50cts per day.........85.50

2 commitments for Mexicans.............................. 2.00

108 days Board for Mexicans at .50 ea per day..........108.00

2 commitments for Miller & Harris.......................2.00

47 days Board for Harris @ .50 per day.................23.50

74 days Board for Miller @.50..........................37.00

5 Releases of Holland, Harris, Mexicans & Miller........5.00

3 pr Hand Cuffs @ 1.25 each.............................3.75

3 blankets @5.00, 1 pr Handcuffs @ 2.50.................7.50

3 chamber pots $3.00 1 bucket 1.00......................4.00

5 tin cups 62, 1 padlock .50, 1 oz chains 3.00..........4.12

2 pictures 10 2 pr [?pacr?] chains 2.00.................4.50

1 cushioned chair 5.00 1 gal oil 1.50...................6.50

Doctor bill for prisoners..............................5.00

Washing 4 doz pieces @ 1.50 per doz.....................6.00

1 lamp 3.00 [not legible].............................26.80

Guarding prisoners 5 nights...........................15.00

4 gal Lamp Oil [?] 2 chimney lamps 15...................6.30

2 pair shoes for Mexicans 1.50 ea.......................3.00

Walking Blk Smith [?]..................................28.70

......................................................430.17

The Court considered the foregoing account for 430 17/100 to be just and correct

It is therefore ordered that the Clerk draw a warrant on the County Treasury in favour of said Davis for said Amt. payable out of any Money....

Page: 118

February Term A.D. 1854

Precinct No. 2 - R.E. Davis presiding officer Elections to held at Court House

Page: 124

Call Session March 13th 1854

R.E. Davis Sheriff The Court proceeded to the consideration of the Subject of building a county Jail. The court after a little discussion adjourned until next...

Page: 125

May Term A.D. 1854

R.E. Davis-Sheriff Present

Page: 128

District No.3 R.E. Davis presiding Officer Election to be held at Court House

Page 133

[New Jail discussed and planned and layed out in this session]

Ordered that Sheriff Davis be and is hereby commanded to commence suit in the name of the County against James W. Lam for placing obstructions across road number 4 and also against Jno Carson for placing obstructions across road number 5 - provided said Lam & Carson refuse to remove said obstructions after being legally notified by the Sheriff, 5 days.

Page:134

Ordered that R.E. Davis be instructed to confer with the Kincheloes in [?Ugan?] to [?] donating a for for[word repeated] a jail site.

[on same page] On this 15th day of June A.D. 1854 the Chief Justice Wharton County proceeded to open & examine the election returns for the election of school trustees for Wharton County, when it appeared that the following persons were elected in said district having received the no of votes opposite their names...

3rd District...R.E. Davis...19 votes

Page:136

August 17th 1854

This day the 17th of August 1854 the chief Justice W.R. Thomas proceeded to open and count the returns of the election.....

R.E. Davis for Sheriff W.C...........128 votes

Page:137

[Above repeated]

Page:139

August 26th 1854

Present to adjournment the court met on this Saturday the 26th of August 1854 for the purpose of arranging the contract for building County jail with W. A. Dowdy..

Present....R.E. Davis Sheriff...etc..

Page:140

Ordered that R.E. Davis be appointed as Member of the building committee to act with Judge M.R. Thomas in supervision of said building & building material.

Page:142

November Term 1854

Ordered that the account of R.E. Davis Sheriff, for Board, Keeping, guarding, moving & other expenses of the prisoners amounting to $325.00 be allowed that the clerk draw for the same on County Treasury. $325.00

In answer to the petition of J.D. Whitten Deputy District Clerk praying to have a plank floor placed in the office of said clerk. It is ordered that said Petition be granted and that the office of the County Clerk & that of the Sheriff be & is hereby

Page:143

approved to contract for & superintend the laying of said floors upon the best terms obtainable not to exceed the customary notes of labor

Ordered that the Sheriff contract for the building of a suitable book case similar to the county clerks office - for the District clerks office

Then came to be considered the proposals for building a jail in the town of Wharton [lists the proposals and the amounts they bid it at. E.G. Martin was chosen]

Ordered that the Sheriff inform Mr. Martin of the acceptance by the court of his proposal and cite him to attend upon this court at it call session to held on Monday the 27th of Nov. 1854 to give his bond with security....

Page:146

County Court February Term 1855

Monday 19th Feb. A.D. 1855 Present...R.E. Davis-Sheriff

Page:148

It is ordered by the court that the sheriff and County Clerk be paid each out of the County Treasury One Hundred Dollars per annum including the present term: and the Chief Justice fifty Dollars per Annum - including present term, as their per annum for services as County Officers.

Page:155

The Court then proceeded to appoint Privacy officers for Election precinct

Precinct No. 2 R.E. Davis presiding officer. Elections to be held at Court House.

Page:157

Wharton County May Term 1855

On this day 21st may A.D. 1855 Present: R.E. Davis-Sheriff

Page:158

It is ordered by the Court that Treasury Warrants issue to:

R.E. Davis Sheriff.....$75.00 for services as Officers for Wharton County up to this time May 21, 1855 from August 1854..

August Term 1855

Page: 162

R.E. Davis - Sheriff Present

[Chief Justice Thomas was fined $10.00 for not attending session] Page: 163

November Term 1855

On this day 7th of November A.D. 1855...Present:

R.E. Davis - Sheriff

Page: 164

Call Session December 1855

On this Saturday the 1st of December was began and held a call session of the County Court of Wharton County Present: R.E. Davis - Sheriff...etc.

[Extension on the building of the new jail]

.........And it is agreed between the said Martin & the court that said Martin shall pay any extra charges above the usual Jail fees that may accrue to the county for keeping any prisoners that may be in the custody of the Sheriff of this county from the 1st Jany 1855 till said Jail is completed.

Page: 167

Dec 4th, 1855 Present: R.E. Davis - Sheriff

February Term 1856

It is ordered by the court that a warrant be issued in favor of R.E. Davis for inspecting the work as it progresses of the County Jail ~~~for $50.00

Page:180

[County Jail Completed]

This day E.G. Matthis Contractor for building a Jail for the County of Wharton, came personally and represented to the court that he had completed the same in accordance with his contract and asked the court to receive the same. Also came W.R. Thomas Chief Justice and R.E. Davis who were appointed by the county court agents to examine and receive the said jail and reported that the said Matthis had fully complied with the said contract in building and completing said County Jail, and that they had in accordance with their duty received the same on behalf of the county

It is therefore ordered and decreed by the Court that the action of the above named agents W,R, Thomas Chief Justice and R.E, Davis in receiving the County Jail from the hands of this contractor E.G. Matthis be and is hereby confirmed and approved, and that the said Jail is now received and that the said E.G. Mattis and his sureties are duly released from their Bond.

Page:182

Call Session March 24th 1856

Present: R.E. Davis - Sheriff

Page: 183

The Court then proceeded to appoint presiding Officer Election to be held....

Precinct No. 2 R.E. Davis presiding Officer Election to be held at the Court House

Page:184

May Term 1856

It is ordered by the court that warrants issue to the following persons:

R.E. Davis Shff.....100.00

for services as officers of Wharton County up this term.

Page:185

19th of May 1856

R.E. Davis Sheriff..Present.

Page:186

August 14th 1856

[Election results]>p> For Sheriff

Robt E. Davis....100 votes

Frank Bell........47 votes

Page:187

The following are the persons elected County officers according to the foregoing note:

Robt. E. Davis - Sheriff

Page:188

18th day of August

R.E. Davis Present

The following regualrly elected officers of Wharton County presented their Bonds which were approved and took the oath of office-

Robt E. Davis Sheriff

Page:191

August Term 1856 City Council

It is ordered by the court that R.E. Davis be appointed a committee to contract for the unveiling of the ceiling of the Court house.

Page:192 Page:190

November Term 1856

R.E. Davis - Sheriff Present

Page:194

It is ordered by the court that R.E. Davis be authorized to contract for the making of a suitable [?Sadden?] to be used in repairing the Court House.

Page: ?

December 8th 1856

The County Court of Wharton County proceeded to meet pursuant to adjournment..Present

R.E. Davis...sheriff

Page: [not shown]

February Term 1857

It is ordered by the court that the Shff be instructed to contract with more workmen for repairing the Court House when the [?rods?] pass through the walls - not to exceed fifteen dollars which he is authorized to draw upon the Treasury for that amt when the work is completed.

It is ordered by the court that Warrants issue to the General Officers as follows:

R.E. Davis...Shff..75.00

Page:198

Monday 11th day of Feb. 1857

Present: R.E. Davis...Sheriff

Page:[not shown]

May Term County Court 1857

18th of May 1857

R.E. Davis Sheriff...Present

Page: [Not shown]

July Term 1857

R.E. Davis Sheriff...Present

Page: [Not shown]

August Term 1857

R.E. Davis Sheriff...Present

Page: [Not shown]

January Term 1858

R.E. Davis Sheriff...Present

Page:224

February Term 1858

R.E. Davis Sheriff...Present

Page: [Not shown]

May Term 1858

R.E. Davis Sheriff...Present

Page: [Not shown]

February Term 1858

The officers of this court entered their bills against the County including their pay up to the term of the court.

Issued- R.E. Davis a/c for $125.10

Page: 234

Call Session of the County Court Term April 1858

R.E. Davis Sheriff...Present

Page: [Not shown]

Commissioners Court July A.D. 1858

R.E. Davis Sheriff...Present

[Note: The elections were again in August 1858 and R.E. Davis did not run]

Page: [Not shown]

County Court August Term 1858

R.E. Davis Sheriff...Present

Page: 253

County Court November Term 1858

R.E. Davis Dpty Sheriff...Present

Page: 253

Commissioners Court January 1859

R.E. Davis Dpty Sheriff...Present

Page: 259

Commissioners Court February 1859

R.E. Davis Dpty Sheriff...Present

Page: [not shown]

[Patrols assigned districts]

District No 2 Section 2nd

W.F.S. Alexander Captain

R.E. Davis

Page: [not shown]

The following officers drew their pay to this term as follows:

R.E. Davis...Dpty Shf...278.00

[Note: This is a summary Mem of Drafts on County Treasury for 1847 through 1855] Warrant No.32 To R.E. Davis>/b> Feby 17th 1851...$26.84

Warrant No. 54 R.E. DavisShff June 1,1852...305.00

Warrant No. 57 to R.E. Davis Aug 16, 1852..35.00

Warrant No. 58 to Sheriff to pay expenses of Prisoners Sept 27,52..225.00 ........R.E. Davis Keeping Prisoners 20th Feby 854...430.17

Treasury Warrant to R.E. Davis services guarding Prisoners, boarding of as per bill of November 1854 325.00

R.E. Davis Sheriff November Term 1855..182.40

R.E. Davis Sheriff..May Term 1855 75.00

Page: 272

County Court Call Term Mar 28th 1859

R.E. Davis Dpty Sheriff...Present



This page researched and written by Janet Barrett Hobizal in June 2007,

From records found at the Wharton County Historical Museum


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