Historic 1876 Michigan Public Land & Lumber Dispute Archive Pioneer John Ball For Sale

Historic 1876 Michigan Public Land & Lumber Dispute Archive

Including Correspondence to Pioneer John Ball, Western Union Delivery Set, and Legal Settlement

Item Overview

An exceptional 4-piece original historical archive from October 1876 detailing a high-stakes land forfeiture and bond settlement in Michigan. Centered on Section 16 (School Lands) in Overisel Township (Allegan County) and addressed to prominent Michigan pioneer, politician, and land agent John Ball, this archive provides a complete, self-contained story arc of 19th-century Midwest land speculation, legal disputes, and financial negotiation.

• Date Range: October 1876

• Location: Grand Rapids, Lansingburgh, and Bay City, Michigan

• Format: 2 Manuscript Letters, 1 Western Union Telegram, 1 Original Telegraph Delivery Envelope

• Key Figures: John Ball, S. R. Noyes, D. J. Evans, Bachman & Co.

Detailed Chronology of Events

1. October 8, 1876 — Initial Legal Inquiry (Letter 1)

   • Sender: S. R. Noyes (Lansingburgh, MI)

   • Event: Noyes confirms receipt of funds from the \"Jansen Judgment\" and holding $1,363.22 to satisfy a bond claim owed to the State of Michigan. He asks Ball whether paying the claim retains the land or if it remains forfeited by the Company, inquiring if a better arrangement can be negotiated.

2. October 16, 1876 — Urgent Meeting Coordination (Telegram & Envelope)

   • Sender: D. J. Evans (Bay City, MI)

   • Event: Evans sends a collect Western Union telegram to Noyes: \"Will be home part of tomorrow. Come up tonight.\" The message coordinates an immediate meeting between the partners to handle the pending State land claim. The telegram is delivered in its original yellow Western Union envelope with a handwritten 40-cent collect charge matching the telegram text.

3. October 1876 (Follow-up) — Settlement Resolution (Letter 2)

   • Sender: Bachman & Co.

   • Event: Bachman & Co. report that after traveling to meet the State officer in charge, they confirmed the lands on Sec. 16, T.6, R.14 (Overisel Twp, Allegan Co.) were permanently forfeited to the State and deemed of little value. They successfully negotiate the bond down from $1,363.22 to approximately $800.00, urging immediate payment to save interest and close the case.

Complete Explanation of Materials1. Autograph Letter Signed (ALS) – S. R. Noyes to John Ball

• Date: October 8, 1876

• Condition: Excellent legibility in dark brown iron gall ink; light horizontal fold lines from original mailing.

• Content: Inquires about the $1,363.22 State bond claim and land retention.

2. Original Western Union Telegraph Form

• Date: October 16, 1876

• Header: Official Western Union Telegraph Co. imprint featuring Anson Stager (Gen. Sup\'t) and William Orton (Pres\'t).

• Condition: Complete document; dark manuscript text; minor age-toning and faint bleed-through consistent with late-19th-century telegraph paper.

• Content: Collect message (9 words / 40 cents) from D. J. Evans to S. R. Noyes.

3. Original Western Union Telegraph Delivery Envelope

• Imprint: \"Western Union Telegraph Co. / WILLIAM ORTON, Pres\'t.\"

• Condition: Vibrant yellow paper stock; intact edges; minor age spots.

• Content: Handwritten addressee (\"S. R. Noyes\") and matching notation \"Charges 40\" on the lower-left corner, directly tying it to the October 16 telegram.

4. Autograph Letter Signed (ALS) – Bachman & Co. to S. R. Steyn

• Date: October 1876

• Condition: Crisp manuscript text; clear signature and financial figures; light age toning along original fold creases.

• Content: Final report detailing the inspection of Section 16 school land and negotiation of the $800 settlement.

Historical Significance & Provenance

• John Ball Connection: John Ball (1794–1884) was one of Grand Rapids\' most prominent early settlers, a member of the Michigan Legislature, and the land agent responsible for selecting state school and university lands.

• Public Land Survey System (PLSS): Section 16 in Michigan townships was specifically designated by federal law as School Land to fund local public education. This archive documents the real-world legal and financial mechanics of 19th-century school land forfeitures.

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