Autograph legal document signed, 1 page, written in iron gall ink on laid paper. Gonzales County, Republic of Texas, dated 28 Ma 1840. Measures approx. 7 3/4 x 8 in.

A primary manuscript witness to the legendar 1836 Battle of the Alamo, executed under the laws of the Republic of Texas to establish the casualty claim for fallen defender Freeman H. K. Day.

The affidavit reads in full:"John D. Wolfe [?] on oath says that Freeman H. K. Day left Nacogdoches for San Antonio and never returned, and that from report he believes and has good reason to believe that the said Day reached San Antonio and fell in the Alamo, and he further says, that the said Day was usually called by his companions Freeman— / Sworn to & subscribed before me this 28th May A.D. 1840. / Edmd. Bellinger / Chief Justice / Gonzales County" with Wolfe's bold paraph signature to the right.

Freeman H. K. Day (ca. 1805 - 1836) was an early volunteer from the Nacogdoches district who rode west to join Lieutenant Colonel William Barret Travis's garrison inside the Alamo mission church, perishing during Santa Anna's predawn assault on 6 March1836. Following independence, the Republic of Texas Land Commission required sworn affidavits from comrades before the Board of Land Commissioners to grant bounty and donation land certificates to the heirs of fallen Alamo defenders.

Affidavits sworn in Gonzales County directly testifying that an early volunteer "reached San Antonio and fell in the Alamo" are exceedingly rare in private hands, and virtually never come to market. This is a sublime opportinity to acquire a vital piece of Texas history. 

[Texas Revolution, Republic of Texas, The Alamo, Battle of the Alamo, Freeman H.K. Day, Freeman Day, William Barret Travis, Gonzales County, Nacogdoches, Edmund Bellinger, Chief Justice, Land Grant, Bounty Certificate, Western Americana, 1840 Manuscript]

Very good condition. The laid paper retains strong structural integrity with honest deckled and rough-cut edges, showing light, uniform toning, faint horizontal mailing folds, and dark, fully legible ink script.