Center for Glenwood Archival Collection
Mission Statement
Reflective of Glenwood Cemetery’s long history of serving the public are voluminous archival records and original source holdings that document its residents and operations for over 150 years. These records contain the day-to-day business of the Cemetery and serve to memorialize the people interred there, revealing a vast store of genealogical and historical information.
Our mission for the Glenwood Cemetery Archive is to acquire, preserve, and maintain these unique and original records. These documents are primary sources of information and cannot be found in any other repository around the world.
Vision and Values
Glenwood Cemetery archives serve as the institutional memory of the unique lives that have impacted Houston’s history.
We value our collections power to motivate learning, preserve history, connect lives, and inspire wonder. We are dedicated to the long-term stewardship of the resources entrusted to our care.
The Collections connect people with historical artifacts of physical and digital materials in support of a wide range of teaching, research, and learning.
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1877 Deed of Sale from Ellen H. Harnell to Thomas J. House and S.P. Christian
Archive
The item contains the deed of sale from 3049 from M. Looscan, Attorney at Law, from Ellen H. Harnell to Thomas J. House and S.P. Christian. The front of the deed states "Filed for record this 11th day of February, 1878 at two o'clock P.M. and Recorded February 11th, 1878 in Harris County Record of Deeds Vol. 16, pages 552 & 553, Witness by hand & official seal at office R. W. Westcott - Clerk. By Ed Dunn, Deputy. Paid $1.00" Both Ellen H. Harnell and S.P. Christian signed the original deed, which was notarized on December 1, 1877. The contract states: "The State of Texas. Know all Men by these Presents, that I, Ellen H. Harnell of the County of Harris State of Texas in consideration of the sum of six hundred (600.00) dollars to me paid by Thomas J. House and S.P. Christian of the County of Harris State of Texas have granted, bargained, sold and released, and by present do grant, bargain, sell and release unto the said Thomas J. House and S.P. Christian the following described land and premises, situated in the County of Harris State of Texas to-wit: Lot number six, near Lynchburg of the Lynch League, containing thirty two acres of land together with the dwelling house and other improvements there upon situated being the same land conveyed to me by Thomas J, House and John B. Snyder May 30, 1873 as purchased accorded in Vol 13. pp: 33 &34. Also forty head of cattle remaining on range near Lynchburg. Brads I.G. & 55. together with all and singular rights, members, hereditaments, and appurtenances to the same belong, or in any wise incident or appertaining, To have and to Hold, all and singular the premises above mentioned, until the said Thomas J. House & S.P. Christian, heirs and assigns, in fee simple forever. I do hereby bind myself, heirs, executors, and administrators to warrant and forever defend all and singular, the said premises unto the said Thomas J. House and S.P. Christian, heirs and assigns, against every person whomsoever, lawfully claiming or to claim the same, or any part thereof. Provided a lien is retained on same land for the payment of a note for three hundred dollars, unpaid purchase money due in twelve months from date here as given to me...Witness my and this the 1st day of December 1877. E.H. Harnell. The State of Texas, Harris County. Before m, J.M. Poland a notary public in and for Harris County duly commissioned and qualified, this day came and personally appeared Mrs. Ellen H. Harnell to me personally known, who acknowledged the execution of the foregoing deed, dated the first date of December A.S. 1977 and delivered the same as her binding act and deed, for the purposes and considerations therein set forth and contained, Writing my hand and office deal at office in Houston this the first day of December AD 1877. J.M. Poland Notary Public Harris Co. Texas
The receipt serves as an important historical artifact, reflecting not only the economic conditions of the late 19th century but also the administrative procedures employed in business dealings of the era.
Archive Highlights
historical/cultural context
deeds
notarial documents
Document signings
Deed
1877
Ellen H. Harnell
Thomas J. House
S.P. Christian
Deed of Sale
J.M. Poland
Glenwood Cemetery Incorporated
Dec 1, 1877 - Feb 11, 1878
Feb 11, 1878
2 pages
Written permission to publish or display reproductions of Glenwood Cemetery, Inc. archive materials must be secured from the Foundation prior to use of the material. The following credit must be printed under each reproduction: “Reprinted with the permission of Glenwood Cemetery, Inc. & Glenwood Cemetery Historic Preservation Foundation”. Clearance of any copyrighted material is the responsibility of the person wishing to publish or display said material.
English
1877 Deed of Sale to S.P. Christian
The item contains the deed of sale from 3049 from M. Looscan, Attorney at Law, from Ellen H. Harnell to Thomas J. House and S.P. Christian. The front of the deed states "Filed for record this 11th day of February, 1878 at two o'clock P.M. and Recorded February 11th, 1878 in Harris County Record of Deeds Vol. 16, pages 552 & 553, Witness by hand & official seal at office R. W. Westcott - Clerk. By Ed Dunn, Deputy. Paid $1.00" Both Ellen H. Harnell and S.P. Christian signed the original deed, which was notarized on December 1, 1877. The contract states: "The State of Texas. Know all Men by these Presents, that I, Ellen H. Harnell of the County of Harris State of Texas in consideration of the sum of six hundred (600.00) dollars to me paid by Thomas J. House and S.P. Christian of the County of Harris State of Texas have granted, bargained, sold and released, and by present do grant, bargain, sell and release unto the said Thomas J. House and S.P. Christian the following described land and premises, situated in the County of Harris State of Texas to-wit: Lot number six, near Lynchburg of the Lynch League, containing thirty two acres of land together with the dwelling house and other improvements there upon situated being the same land conveyed to me by Thomas J, House and John B. Snyder May 30, 1873 as purchased accorded in Vol 13. pp: 33 &34. Also forty head of cattle remaining on range near Lynchburg. Brads I.G. & 55. together with all and singular rights, members, hereditaments, and appurtenances to the same belong, or in any wise incident or appertaining, To have and to Hold, all and singular the premises above mentioned, until the said Thomas J. House & S.P. Christian, heirs and assigns, in fee simple forever. I do hereby bind myself, heirs, executors, and administrators to warrant and forever defend all and singular, the said premises unto the said Thomas J. House and S.P. Christian, heirs and assigns, against every person whomsoever, lawfully claiming or to claim the same, or any part thereof. Provided a lien is retained on same land for the payment of a note for three hundred dollars, unpaid purchase money due in twelve months from date here as given to me...Witness my and this the 1st day of December 1877. E.H. Harnell. The State of Texas, Harris County. Before m, J.M. Poland a notary public in and for Harris County duly commissioned and qualified, this day came and personally appeared Mrs. Ellen H. Harnell to me personally known, who acknowledged the execution of the foregoing deed, dated the first date of December A.S. 1977 and delivered the same as her binding act and deed, for the purposes and considerations therein set forth and contained, Writing my hand and office deal at office in Houston this the first day of December AD 1877. J.M. Poland Notary Public Harris Co. Texas
Glenwood Cemetery Incorporated
Dec 1, 1877 - Feb 11, 1878
Folder
Document signings
Signing of documents
1877
Deed
Deed of Sale
Ellen H. Harnell
Thomas J. House
S.P. Christian
Deed
16-3/4 in
14 in
VAULT
Permanent
Pre Exhibit
Poor
Creasing
Bleeding
Fold
Missing Areas / Holes
Chip / Chipping
Discoloration
Wear
Wrinkling
Sep 25, 2025
The item exhibits significant creases and folds that crisscross its surface, likely due to the way the document was folded. These features contribute to its distinctly worn and aged appearance. Additionally, there are several noticeable rips along the edges of the document, further compromising its overall integrity. The ink from the handwriting has bled and smeared across the pages.
Paper
The use of or access to certain materials may be restricted for legal reasons or due to donor stipulations. Written permission to publish or display reproductions of Glenwood Cemetery, Inc. archive materials must be secured from the Foundation prior to use of the material. The following credit must be printed under each reproduction: “Reprinted with the permission of Glenwood Cemetery, Inc. & Glenwood Cemetery Historic Preservation Foundation”. Clearance of any copyrighted material is the responsibility of the person wishing to publish or display said material.
Written permission to publish or display reproductions of Glenwood Cemetery, Inc. archive materials must be secured from the Foundation prior to use of the material. The following credit must be printed under each reproduction: “Reprinted with the permission of Glenwood Cemetery, Inc. & Glenwood Cemetery Historic Preservation Foundation”. Clearance of any copyrighted material is the responsibility of the person wishing to publish or display said material.
Restricted Collections
The following collections are restricted and require approval for viewing, please get in touch to learn more about viewing items in these collections.
Collection 2 Meetings and Administrative Files
Collection 14 Digital Materials
Most of this material is cross referenced from other collection. Ex: Veteran dedication photographs are put on a CD, or internment lot records that were copied onto film.
Collection 18 Fundraising Campaigns/ Donor Information
Collection 19 Financial Information (Completely Restricted)
Educator's Resources
Schedule a Field Trip / Visit
To schedule a field trip or visit, please contact Glenwood Cemetery. Our tours can accommodate up to 80 students at a time
Visit Us
Archive viewing and research is available by appointment only.
2525 Washington Avenue, Houston, TX 77007
(713) 864-7886
How to Donate to the Materials Archive
The Glenwood Cemetery Archive welcomes gifts of archival materials that fall within the scope of itscollecting activities, that will enhance the strength of our collections, and that support the historicalintegrity of Glenwood’s history
Reproduction Policy
The Archival collection is available for study and research; however, to preserve original documents and photographs and to maintain the integrity of the collection, none of the materials are allowed to leave the archives or to be reproduced without authorization.
