Historic Documents Found

University archivist uncovers signed property deeds

Contributed photo: Property deed signed by 15th president James Buchanan.

A collection of property deeds and surveys signed by the 15th President of the United States was discovered in Troy University’s archives.

While it is unknown how the university ended up with the documents, it is speculated that a former history professor donated them.

University Archivist Rodney Lawley uncovered the collection of documents and analyzed them.

“The dates these land grants were issued span from 1823 all the way to 1888,” Lawley said. “In total, I ended up counting 11 federal land grants and five transaction records.

“The federal grants were all signed by U.S. Presidents and represented land obtained from the Creek Indians that was being sold to settlers in Alabama.”

Lawley also shared why one document has a special significance to Troy.

“Out of all of these grants, one was particularly interesting to me because it was signed by President James Buchanan,” Lawley said. “The deed was dated November 1st, 1858, and it was issued to William Henderson, of Pike County, Alabama.

“In Troy, Henderson is a very well-known name. I’m almost certain that the individual on this land deed was the uncle to former Pike Country mayor and Alabama governor, Charles Henderson."

Lawley contacted Dr. Steve Ramroop, GISP associate professor and program director, and asked if it would be possible to determine the location of the land based on the antiquated description on the 1858 document. Fortunately, Ramroop was able to use the information on the document to find the modern location of the land.

“The land now appears to be in Josie, Alabama,” said Ramroop. “It sits right next to Highway 29 and is mostly forested over.

“On Google Maps, you can also see a few houses that have been built as well as some farmland.”

Lawley also expressed the value behind the history of the document.

“While there doesn’t appear to be anything exciting or modern on the land now, I think it’s interesting to know the backstory behind it,” Lawley said. “As an archivist, I think it’s important to know how things got to be the way they are today.

This document is only one of several hundred still sitting in Troy’s archive. Among other discoveries, Lawley found a document signed by the fourth President of the United States, James Madison.