Minutes of the Bellville, Texas Town Meeting on January 18, 1858, which was called in memory of the recently deceased Thomas Bell, "the father of Bellville," who arrived in Texas in 1822 and settled in Austin's Colony and served under Ben Milam during the Texas Revolution.

Text of a sermon given by Horace Clark about Christian Union, discussing his understanding of the need for Christian denominations to create a unified Church, based on various scriptural references.

Minutes of the annual meeting of the Union Baptist Association in Texas include accounts of proceedings at the session, committee reports, statistics regarding Baptist churches in Texas, and other relevant notes and commentaries.

Minutes of the annual meeting of the Union Baptist Association in Texas include accounts of proceedings at the session, committee reports, statistics regarding Baptist churches in Texas, and other relevant notes and commentaries.

Minutes of the annual meeting of the Union Baptist Association in Texas include accounts of proceedings at the session, committee reports, statistics regarding Baptist churches in Texas, and other relevant notes and commentaries.

Minutes of the annual meeting of the Union Baptist Association in Texas include accounts of proceedings at the session, committee reports, statistics regarding Baptist churches in Texas, and other relevant notes and commentaries.

Letter of standing for Richard and Nancy Rhoades from Harmony Baptist Church. The letter stated that the Rhoades held full membership with the church and that they would be dismissed when they joined a church of the same faith.

Letter of standing for Lucinda Mahan from Bethlehem Baptist Church. The letter included some of the beliefs of the church and stated that Lucinda held full membership with the church and that she would be dismissed if she joined a church of the same faith.

Letter of standing for Charlotte Reed from Bethlehem Baptist Church. The letter included some of the beliefs of the church and stated that Charlotte held full membership with the church and that she would be dismissed if she joined a church of the same faith.

Letter of standing for Sarah Brooks from Siloam Baptist Church. The letter stated that Sarah held full membership with the church and that she would be dismissed if she joined a church of the same faith.

Letter of standing for John Bachman from Carrollton Baptist Church. The letter stated that John was a full membership of the church and was dismissed when he joined another church of the same faith.

Letter of standing for J. A. Middleton from Beech Grove Baptist Church. The letter stated that Middleton was a member in full standing of the church and was dismissed when joining another church of the same faith.

Letter from Ann Roberts to her sister, Junia Roberts Osterhout, discussing family news.

Letter from Junia Roberts Osterhout to her sister, Mary Roberts, discussing the death of Mary's husband, the birth of her baby, and other news.

Letter from Junia Roberts Osterhout to her sister, Ann Roberts, discussing the possibility of Ann coming to liver with the Osterhouts in Texas. Junia says that she thinks Ann would easily find a husband there.

Certificate of payment stating that E. H. Cantes was owed money and that John Patterson Osterhout, an attorney, would obtain the payment and receive half as commission. On the back the certificate says the payment was received in full on March 15, 1855.

Oath of service in the Western frontier of Texas for Elijah Collar in the fall of 1842 under General Wall. The oath was taken by James J. Allphin and tracked where Private Collar went in the Western frontier. It stated that he served in R. Williams's company as a private. On the bottom, a notary public, James S. Fai[rl]y, certified the oath and added his seal to the paper.

Business card for John Patterson Osterhout, an attorney and collector of claims for Austin and surrounding counties. On the back of the card is a note concerning that if money was collected from a claim, it would be paid to someone while John would retain half as commission.

Oath of military service in the Western Frontier of Texas during an invasion by Mexico. The oath was made by H. M. Watkins and B. N. Robinson and certified that Private [Juno] D. Banton[deco], deceased, served under General Vasquez. John Davidson, the county clerk, served as a witness to the oath and added his seal of office to the paper.

Proof of payment by John Patterson Osterhout for the military service of John N. Robinson. The money was due to Eliza Bennett and was paid in full. The payment was signed and dated by John Ridens.

Certificate of payment for J. Bird and the enlisted help of John Patterson Osterhout, an attorney, in collecting the debt. On the back of the certificate it states that the debt was paid in full on March 15, 1855. Included is a business card for John Patterson Osterhout. The card states he is an attorney for Bellville, Texas and on the back of the card is an agreement for another collection to be done by John.

Appointment of John Patterson Osterhout as Hazel P. Ford's attorney to allow him to receive bounty and law warrants that were due to Ford for military services. At the bottom of the document, a clerk verified that the statement was signed.

Letter from the Pension Office to John Patterson Osterhout discussing Lewis Summer's request for a war bounty scrip instead of land. The request was view favorably and sent to the Office of the Secretary of the Treasury. Included is an envelope addressed to "John P. Osterhout Esq."

Letter of appointment to Public Notary for John Patterson Osterhout for the county of Austin. It was signed by the governor of Texas, Peter Hansborough Bell, and the Secretary of State.