urn:taro:rice.wrc.00106 Guide to the C. A. Dwyer collection, 1854-1882 Finding aid by Joan Ferry. Woodson Research Center February 2004 Coded by Mandy York, Woodson Research Staff, February 2004. Finding aid written in English. 2004/04/03 Edited with XMetal3 by Mandy York according to instructions in TARO 2 EAD 2002 Editing Instructions Descriptive Summary C. A. Dwyer collection 1854-1882 1 folder (7 items) MS 248 Woodson Research Center, Fondren Library, Rice University, Houston, TX Seven items ranging in date from 1854 to 1882, consisting of six deeds and one anonymous Resolution against polygamy; the deeds primarily concern property transactions in and around San Antonio, Texas, and the Resolution was drafted for a public meeting against polygamy held February 22, 1882. Historical Note

The six deeds in this collection are a sampling of the system of public documentation used for recording property transactions in and around San Antonio, Texas, during the early decades of the state’s existence; the public meeting against polygamy and the Resolution for which it was written reflect concern over evidence that the practice of polygamy then existing in the Territory of Utah was spreading into adjoining Territories.

 Scope and Contents

The C. A. Dwyer Collection consists of seven items ranging in date from 1854 to 1882 (six deeds and one anonymous Resolution against polygamy). The deeds are mainly for sales of property in and around San Antonio, Texas (some specifically designated as lying in “Alamo City,” the name then applied to the region east of the San Antonio River); one deed describes the boundaries of a plot by the location of certain stakes and types of trees; another includes a notarized declaration from a private interview with the wife of a couple selling property, verifying that she had “willingly signed, sealed and delivered” the deed and did not wish to retract it. The Resolution against polygamy urges members of the United States Congress to enforce eradication of polygamy in the Territory of Utah and prevent its spread into adjoining territories, arguing the inconsistency of polygamy with moral and religious principles established at the nation’s founding.

Access Restrictions

This material is open for research.

 Use Restrictions

Permission to publish material from the C. A. Dwyer Collection must be obtained from the Woodson Research Center, Fondren Library, Rice University.

 Index Terms Places San Antonio, Texas – History – 19th century. Subjects Polygamy. Formats Deeds. Legal documents. Preferred Citation

C. A. Dwyer Collection, Woodson Research Center, Fondren Library, Rice University

 Acquisition Information

The C. A. Dwyer Collection, 1854-1882, was a gift of C. A. Dwyer and was received March 15, 1977.

 Detailed Description of the Collection Documents, 1854 1 Deed from John Fries to Jacob Buttron, July 8, 1854 1 Deed from William Weil to Henry Prinz, August 21, 1854 Documents, 1857 1 Deed from Jacob Buttron and Mary Brinz, his wife, to Anton Kamp, January 20, 1857 1 Deed from August Steinefs to Jacob Buttron and his wife, Mary Brinz, January 23, 1857 Documents, 1859-1882 1 Deed from Henry Prinz and Wilhelmine Prinz, his wife, to Anton Kamp, April 4, 1859 1 Deed from A. R. Park and Jesse W. Park to R. H. Baxley, June 10, 1870 1 Resolution against polygamy from public meeting against polygamy, February 22, 1882 (author unknown)