Kaufman Herald
26 May 1938

    Originals of several old documents, dating back to 1841, are included among the treasured files of the county clerk in Kaufman.  One of the documents is said to be unique in that it transferred property from one man to another for substituting for him in the service of the Confederate States of America under act of Congress, passed on the 16th day of April 1862.  This original, written in ink, was signed Sept. 1, 1862.

Among these old documents are these:

The State of Texas, Kaufman County:
Know all men by these presence, That I, William C. Tunnell for and in consideration of Elbert Williams, substituting for me in the service of the Confederate States of America under act of Congress, passed on the 16th day of April 1862; in the camp of instruction at Tyler, Smith County, Tex., and to suit the said Elbert Williams conveniences and requests, I, W.C. Tunnell, do deed and convey unto J.B. and B. and G.W. Daughterty their heirs and assigns for ever all that certain tract and parcel of land being out the the east corner of 1064 acre tract deed by said J.B. and B. and G.W. Daugherty by Jacob Masters and by the said Daugherty to me; out of the Martha Music 26 Labour survey in Kaufman county said tract beginning at the East corner of the said 1064 acre tract post set on prairie, thence N. 45 degrees west 505 1/2 varas to corner post on prairie, thence south 45 degrees w. 950 varas to corner post on prairie, thence s. 45 east 505 1/2 varas to corner on prairie. Thence N. 45 degrees E. 950 varas to the beginning, containing 85 acres of land and valued at $225, to either will all and singular the right hereditaments and appertinances to the same belonging or in any wise incident there to, to have and to hold all the premises above mentioned unto the said J.B. and B. [and] G.W. Daugherty their heirs and assigns forever.  And I do further bind myself, my heirs and assigns and administrators forever to warrant and defend the above mentioned premises unto the said J.B. and B. and G.W. Daugherty or their heirs or assigns against any person or persons lawfully claiming the same or any part thereof.  The intention of the above is to invest the said Daughertys with the same title to the above tract of land that they had to the same before they deeded the same to me on the 18th day of May 1861 and in testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name, this Sept. 1st 1862.
(signed) Wm. C. Tunnell.