Petition for Land

May 292014
 

The property where Cleng Peerson lived his last years together with the Colwick family is located in the Norse Historical District near Clifton, Texas.
petition
This is a copy of the petition Cleng Peerson sent to the State of Texas in December 1855, asking to acquire the property. He was given the property by the Legislature in August 1856. The petition states that Cleng Peerson lived at the property from about 1854 and cultivated it after the former owner, Andris Broten, died. There is a possibility that the former owner could be the same as “Andreas Bretta,” the first Norwegian who died in Norse.

Transcription of the Petition:

The State of Texas
County of Bosque

To the hon Legislature of the State of Texas the under Signed petitioner would respectfully represent into your honorable boddy than on about the 6th Nov AD 1854 Andris Broten made application to Erath & McLennan Dis. Surveyors of Milam Land District to Survey for him a tract containing 320 acres of land out of the Public Domain of Texas under the Laws then regulating Preemption Claims and that Said land was surveyed accordind to Law on the …………………………… and furthermore that the Said Andris Broten departed this Life on and about the ……………… AD 1854, and his heirs and Legal representatives being Aliens and bond by the Statutes of this State from holding land in Such Case made and provided and I the under Signed having no freehold or home Sted have lived upon and cultivated the Same up to this Date and I Pray your hon boddy to grant your petitioner a Pattent as an actual Settler he is justly entitled to on the following proof for which he will ever pray
this 27th Day of Dec AD 1855.
Cleng Peerson

dahl-canutesonWe and each of us do Solemnly Swear that the facts Set fourth in the above Petition is just and true to the best of my Knowledge and blief So help me God.
Henrik O. Dahl
Ole Canuteson

Sworn to and Subscribed before me
this 17th day of Dec AD 1855
J.K. Helton
J.P.B.C.

Transcription of the Affidavit on the back of the Petition:

helton-mabrayThe State of Texas
Bosque County

I, Jasper N. Mabray
Clerk of the County Court of Said County
Do hereby certify that J.K. Helton is a Justice of the Peace in Bosque County and is duly commissioned and qualified according to Law and that Messers Dahl and Canuteson are Men of Credibility.
Witness my hand and Official Seal at my office in Meridian
this Dec 31st 1855.
Jasper N. Mabray

Norse Visit: April 2014

May 072014
 

Thomas Mannes and Eldbjørg Djønne-Stuve (from Tysvær, Norway) came to the Norse Community near Clifton, Texas in April 2014 and were able to meet with many people from the area and to make some plans for the Cleng Peerson cabin and the property where it stands.

A copy of the Petition to the State of Texas written by Cleng Peerson in 1855 was obtained, and is posted here for you to read. And interesting point in the Petition states that Cleng Peerson lived at the property from about 1854 and cultivated it after the former owner, Andris Broten, died. It has been suggested that the former owner could be the same as “Andreas Bretta,” the first Norwegian who died in Norse; and several people in the area have supported this theory.

At present, designs are underway for information plaques to be placed at the property to provide a short historical overview of Cleng Peerson’s role, the original cabin on the land, and the remains of the Colwick home where Cleng spent his final days.

The old log cabin has been cleaned and temporary coverings placed on the floor. Because the cabin itself is unstable, and potentially unsafe, as well as home to snakes, visitors are not allowed entrance in the cabin at this time.

Some interior modifications are planned for the “new” red barn to facilitate future activities, such as the preparation and serving of traditional Norwegian food.

The Bosque County Chapter of the Norwegian Society of Texas invited Thomas Mannes to the St.Olav’s Kirke (Old Rock Church) Gathering Place to give a short presentation about these plans. The enthusiastic and positive response by so many in this “Norwegian Capital of Texas” is quite encouraging.

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