Overview
Stewart, Charles B. (Charles Bellinger), 1806-1885.
Papers
1833-1924
The papers of Charles Bellinger Stewart include correspondence, financial records, legal documents, a photograph, publications, and speeches, dating 1833-1924. The papers are an excellent source
of material concerning early East Texas, particularly
Montgomery County. Most valuable of the individual
items is Stewart's Day Book for 1836 through 1852.
This volume contains his records of medical fees and
prescriptions, fees collected during his tenure as
District Attorney and records of the cases, memoranda
of land dealings and personal accounts for the period.
A separate record of the Samuel Young Estate is also
included. The roster of individual names which
results is extensive. Stewart's personal
correspondence, which falls predominantly into the
period 1836 to 1868, includes some fragmentary
reminiscences of the Revolution and a letter from
Stewart to an unknown correspondent describing the
Smith Administration and his own role in that
government. Among his correspondents are Sam Houston,
P. W. Gray, J. W. Throckmorton, Guy M. Bryan, Richard
Coke, and David G. Burnet. Burnet's letter was
probably one of the more welcome communications since
Burnet informs Stewart that he has been able to secure
a full pardon for the doctor following the Civil War.
Also in this group are various newspaper
clippings concerning politics in Montgomery County in
1878, newspaper obituaries, official appointments, and
speeches and petitions on behalf of Montgomery County.
A final group of papers involves land dealings and
contains land deeds and patents, records of legal
action involving land claims and field notes. As an
outgrowth of this interest, Stewart created a
manuscript guide on "How to Hunt for a Deed or Record
in Montgomery County."
1.94 cubic ft.
English.
Restrictions on Access
None.
Restrictions on Use
Under the Copyright Law of 1996 as amended in 1998, unpublished manuscripts are protected at a minimum through December 31, 2002. Researchers are responsible for complying with the Copyright Law.
The day book is extremely fragile and may not be photocopied.
Preferred Citation
(Identify the item), Charles Bellinger Stewart Papers. Archives and Information
Services Division, Texas State Library and Archives Commission.
Biographical Sketch
Charles Bellinger Stewart came to Texas in 1830, settling first at Brazoria. From the beginning he was active in Texas political affairs and was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. He also participated in the Constitutional Conventions of 1836 and 1845. Following the Revolution he moved to Montgomery County where he practiced medicine. According to T. C. Richardson's
<emph render="underline">East Texas: Its History and Its Makers</emph>, Stewart set up a sun bath clinic while he was there, advocating the sun cure therapy several years before it became a popular remedy. He did not confine himself to medical practice, however, and in the course of his forty years in the county he served as District Attorney pro tem, postmaster, notary public, and clerk of the District Court. He represented Montgomery County in the First, Fourth, and Fourteenth Legislatures.
Scope and Contents of the Papers
The papers of Charles Bellinger Stewart include correspondence, financial records, legal documents, a photograph, publications, and speeches, dating 1833-1924. The papers are an excellent source of material concerning early East Texas, particularly Montgomery County. Most valuable of the individual items is Stewart's Day Book for 1836 through 1852. This volume contains his records of medical fees and prescriptions, fees collected during his tenure as District Attorney and records of the cases, memoranda of land dealings and personal accounts for the period. A separate record of the Samuel Young Estate is also included. The roster of individual names which results is extensive.
Stewart's personal correspondence, which falls predominantly into the period 1836 to 1868, includes some fragmentary reminiscences of the Revolution and a letter from Stewart to an unknown correspondent describing the Smith Administration and his own role in that government. Among his correspondents are Sam Houston, P. W. Gray, J. W. Throckmorton, Guy M. Bryan, Richard Coke, and David G. Burnet. Burnet's letter was probably one of the more welcome communications since Burnet informs Stewart that he has been able to secure a full pardon for the doctor following the Civil War. Also in this group are various newspaper clippings concerning politics in Montgomery County in 1878, newspaper obituaries, official appointments, and speeches and petitions on behalf of Montgomery County.
A final group of papers involves land dealings and contains land deeds and patents, records of legal actions involving land claims and field notes. As an outgrowth of this interest in land proceedings, Stewart created a manuscript guide on How to Hunt for a Deed or Record in Montgomery County.
Arrangement of the Papers
These records are arranged by type of material or subject.
Index Terms
The terms listed here were used to catalog the
papers. The terms can be used to find similar or related papers.
Personal Names:
Stewart, Charles B. (Charles Bellinger), 1806-1885.
Subjects:
Land use--Texas--Montgomery County.
Medicine--Practice--Texas--Montgomery County.
Legislators--Texas.
Places:
Montgomery County (Tex.)
Texas--History--Republic, 1836-1846.
Texas--History--Civil War, 1861-1865.
Document Types:
Correspondence--Texas--1833-1924.
Speeches--Texas--1833-1924.
Legal documents--Texas--1833-1924.
Publications--Texas--1833-1924.
Photographs--Texas--1833-1924.
Financial records--Texas--1833-1924.
Related Material
The following materials are offered as
possible sources of further information on the individuals and subjects covered by
the papers. The listing is not exhaustive.
Center for American History, University of Texas at Austin
Charles Bellinger Stewart Papers, 1836-1876, 1.5 inches [photocopy]
Processing Information
None.
Accession Information
Accession number: 1966/004
These papers were donated to the Archives and Information
Services Division of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission by Mrs. Howard W. Fling, granddaughter of Charles Bellinger Stewart, on September 2, 1966.
Detailed Description of the Papers
Papers, 1833-1924,
1.94 cubic ft.
2-23/860
Correspondence, 1838-1924
(bulk 1838-1884)
Items after Stewart's death in 1885 deal with his papers and with veterans groups.
(59 items)
2-23/860
Bills for Drugs, 1833-1838
(12 items)
2-23/860
First Flag of the Republic of Texas
2-23/860
Memorabilia
(10 items)
2-23/860
Photograph of Stewart
2-23/860
Confederate Tax Records
(9 items)
2-23/860
Official Appointments
(27 items)
2-23/860
Obituaries
(20 items)
2-23/860
Newspaper Clippings Dealing with Texas History
2-23/860
Manuscripts and Clippings Dealing with Medicine
2-23/860
Newspaper Clippings and Two Manuscripts on Montgomery County Politics in 1878
2-23/860
Miscellaneous Newspaper Clippings
2-23/860
Day Book, 1836-1852
2-23/861
Deeds to Land
(25 items)
2-23/861
Field Notes for Land Surveys
(34 items)
2-23/861
Patents for Land
(8 items)
2-23/861
Notes on Taxes
(3 items)
2-23/861
Litigation Involving Land
(15 items)
2-23/862
How to Hunt for a Deed or Record in Montgomery County Manuscript Booklet by Charles B. Stewart
2-23/862
An Abstract of the Original Titles of Record in the General Land Office. Houston, 1838.
On the end papers of the book is a plat showing Stewart and adjoining land on the San Jacinto River.
2-23/862
Miscellaneous Newspapers and Clippings.
2-23/863
Extracts and Excerpts Book of Sundries Literary and Useful
(Newspaper clippings pasted in book announcing the death of William A. Buckingham)
2-23/863
Abstract Patented Lands Compiled from the Records of the Land Office of the State of Texas. Austin: Printed by J. G. Tracy, State Printer, 1871.
2-23/863
Selections Interesting and Useful Matter and Information
(Newspaper clippings)
2-23/863
Abstract of Land Claims, Compiled from the Records of the General Land Office of the State of Texas, and Published under the Superintendence of the Comptroller. Galveston: Printed at the Civilian Book Office, 1852.
2-23/863
Harper's New Monthly Magazine. Four articles, 1857-1858.
2-23/863
Whitby's Saturday Night and Family Friend. Assorted issues, March, 1882, to March 1883.
2-22/711
Additions:
Henry Smith commission establishing John Cameron, Sam Houston, and John Forbes as Indian commissioners. Signed by Stewart
(Photocopy)
2-22/711
Letter to unknown correspondent describing Smith administration and Stewart's role in that government.
2-22/711
Letter to Stanley describing value of Taro culture for food value.
Artifact Box 32
Artifacts:
Artifact Box 32
Item 94:
Ear trumpet
Artifact Box 32
Item 95:
Surveyor's Chain
Artifact Box 32
Item 96:
Two Gourds used to hold Powder
Artifact Box 32
Item 97:
Coin purse and billfold