Related Collections

Simons Family Collection
From England to Nova Scotia to New Orleans and eventually Texas the Simons family kept their history intact by correspondence, diaries, financial reports and ledgers. Their story began in 1794 when Captain Thomas Simons left Liverpool, England and headed for the new world. The family settled in Goliad County, Texas, fought in the Texas Revolution, Mexican-American War and the United States Civil War. They lived in a volatile place and time. Documenting many events and family histories this collection spans over 200 years history of South Texas.

Joseph M. Goffe Family Collection
Joseph M. and Susan Goffe settled in Goliad County, Texas prior to 1860. They created a furniture business selling furniture, coffins and caskets, orders filled at all hours. Joseph had served as a Private with the Texas Mounted Volunteers in the Mexican War. On January 29, 1887 Susan applied for a widow’s pension to the United States of America, Department of the Interior, Bureau of Pensions and was granted a pension of $8.00 a month. These papers include correspondence, financial records of their business and titles of property.

Richard Mertz's Research on Gregorio Cortez
In 1970 Richard Mertz, a graduate student at Texas A&I researched the events of Gregorio Cortez's life for his thesis. He focused on the incident where Cortez kills Sheriff Morris in Karnes County, Texas while being arrested for horse theft. The Texas Rangers captured Cortez and there was a trial. The research includes documents about the Rangers, the court case, correspondence, and newspaper articles concerning the case.