Series 1154: Choctaw Cession Land Records. 1831-1847.
Collection Title: Series 1154: Choctaw Cession Land Records. 1831-1847. Secretary of State (RG 28).
Creator: Secretary of State (RG 28).
Collection Summary: A variety of survey records pertaining to lands acquired in the Choctaw Cession of 1830. Included are a book of surveyor’s field notes for lands east and west of the Basis Meridian; lists of school lands; diagrams showing multiple townships; a list of 181 townships in the Choctaw Cession; and miscellaneous surveys and field notes. Of particular interest is a book titled “Descriptive Notes of Choctaw District,” which contains written land descriptions in the following categories: quality of land on boundaries of township and on the interior section lines; corners described on boundaries of township; description of section corners on interior of township; and description of quarter-section corners on interior lines of township.
Access Restrictions: None.
Date(s): 1831-1847; undated.
Volume: 1.0 cubic feet.
Language(s): English.
Finding Aid Created By: Shaun Stalzer in April 2024
Record Group History: The office of secretary of state was created by the Constitution of 1817, article IV, section 14 with a term of two years. The secretary of state was given the responsibility of keeping a register of all official acts and proceedings of the governor and when required, and had to present this and all relative papers, minutes, and vouchers to the legislature. All election returns of the people were sent to the secretary of state, who in turn delivered them to the House of Representatives. The 1868 Constitution lengthened the secretary of state's term to four years and set the minimum qualifying age at twenty-five, [article V, section 19]. The secretary of state along with the attorney general and the superintendent of education made up the state's Board of Education [article VIII, section 3]. The 1890 Constitution refers to the secretary of state as the "keeper of the capitol" [article V, section 133]. It is the duty of the secretary of state to keep the following: a record of all domestic charters of corporations as well as foreign charters [General Laws of Mississippi of 1987, chapter 485]; the originals of all laws passed [Mississippi Annotated Code of 1972, section 7-3-5]; the bonds of all state officers and districts of the state except his own, which is kept by the clerk of the Supreme Court; and also has all laws and departmental reports published [General Laws of Mississippi of 1988, chapter 486]. The secretary of state is a member of the State Board of Public Contracts [section 107 of the Mississippi Constitution of 1890]; and is a member of the Board of Capitol Commission [chapter 553, section 8952 of the General Laws of Mississippi of 1970].
- Collection Inventory
Box Content Box Number
Descriptive Notes of Choctaw District book 20466 Field notes book 20466 List of townships 20466 Multiple townships diagrams 20466 School lands lists 20466 Surveys and field notes 20466