The Tupelo Depot Deed in Western Itawamba County: 1861

In looking through the old deed records of Itawamba County, many interesting items can be found. Everything from property schedules, marriage contracts, and business contracts to deeds of churches, schools, and cemeteries can be found from the 1800’s. Below is the deed to the Tupelo Depot of the Mobile and Ohio Railroad signed during 1861. The Mobile and Ohio Railroad was built through western Itawamba County during the 1850’s and was completed shortly after 1860. Several western Itawamba County towns developed along this line including Shannon, Verona, Tupelo, Saltillo, Guntown and Baldwyn. During 1867, Range 6 and most of Range 7, including all the western railroad towns, became a part of the new county of Lee. Below is a transcript of this 1861 depot deed found in the Itawamba County Chancery Court Clerk’s office:

Know all men by these presents that we Wm. R. Harris and G.C. Thomason, owners and proprietors of the northeast quarter of Section (31) Thirty One Township (9) Nine Range (6) Six East of the Chickasaw meridian and in the county of Itawamba and State of Mississippi for and in consideration of the sum of one dollar to us in hand paid the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged and for the further consideration of the benefit to accrue to us from the location and construction of a depot station of the Mobile and Ohio Rail road upon said above described land do hereby for ourselves our heirs executed … bargain, sell and convey to the Mobile and Ohio Road Road Company for the exclusive use and control of said company for their Depot Station the following described piece or parcel of the aforesaid land to wit: beginning at the southeast corner of the aforesaid quarter section, thence north along the section line about (618) six hundred and eighteen feet thence westwardly on a line perpendicular to the center line of the Rail Road (and crossing the said center line at Station No. 7785+30) (205) two hundred and five feet thence southwardly parallel with the center line of the Rail road (657) six hundred and fifty seven feet thence east along the quarter section line to the place of beginning containing (3 8/10) three and eight tenths acres including the right of way for said Rail Road. The said Rail Road company to have and to hold the above described premises for the use and purposes herein stated for themselves their successors and assigns forever and we do further declare said premises free from all incumberances that we have full and perfect rights to convey and sell the same and we will arrant and defend the said Rail Road Company in the quiet possession thereof against the claims of all persons whomsoever. Given under our hands and seal this 30th day of March AD 1861.

Wm.R. Harris S E A L
G.C. Thomason S E A L

In the presence of Thos. O. Sampson and Miles Nasford.

The State of Mississippi
Itawamba County

This day personally appeared before me, Thos. O. Sampson, an acting Justice of he Peace in and for said county, Wm. R. Harris and G.C. Thomason whose names appears subscribed to the foregoing deed and acknowledged that they signed, sealed and delivered the same for the purposes therein contained. Given under my hand and seal this 10th day of April AD 1861.

Thos. O. Sampson S E A L
Justice of the Peace

Source: Deed Book 16, Page 487


Genealogical Notes

1850 Pontotoc County Federal Census

Harrisburg Post Office
1154-1154
Geo. C. Thomason: 39, Farmer, MS
Margaret E.: 17, MS
Rebecca A.:, 15, MS
Saml. H.: 12, MS
Jno. A.: 10, MS
Wm. B.: 8, MS
Laura M.: 5, MS
Geo. F.: 2, MS

Poplar Springs Post Office
830-830
Wm. R. Harris: 46, Farmer, TN
Rhody A.: 39, AL
Peter F.: 19, AL
Ann S.: 16, MS
Berry D.: 13, MS
Duncan: 11, MS
Clementine: 9, MS
Alice: 6, MS
Susan: 3, MS

1850 Itawamba County Federal Census
Verona Post Office
1772-1772
T.O. Sampson: 35, Master Carpenter, MS
Mary E.: 32, MS
John J.: 11, AL
Wm. H.: 10, AL
Mary R.: 8, MS
Ellen M.: 6, MS