Joseph Henry Polley [Cover]
Name/Title
Joseph Henry Polley [Cover]Description
Antebellum cover from Whitehall, New York addressed to “Joseph Henry Polley, Sutherland Springs, Bexar County, Texas.”Context
Joseph Henry Polley, rancher, son of Jonathan Polley, was born in Whitehall, Washington County, New York, on December 28, 1795. He traveled with Moses Austin to Texas in 1820 and, as a member of Stephen F. Austin's expedition the following year. Polley opened his home, Whitehall (his birthplace and where this cover originated), as one of the earliest public houses and several early revolutionary councils met at Whitehall. Polley became the first sheriff of the Austin colony. Polley’s cattle herds grew quickly and in 1847, he settled east of Cibolo Creek, away from marshy ground, but near the warm sulfur springs later advertised by Dr. John Sutherland as a cure for cholera and other ailments, including neuralgia, from which Polley suffered. That area became Sutherland Springs and Dr. John Sutherland, Jr opened a post office in his home in 1851. With Wilson County cut from Bexar and Karnes counties by an act of the legislature on February 13, 1860. This antebellum cover originated from Polley's hometown of White Hall, New York and certainly passed through Dr. John Sutherland, Jr.‘s home / post office.Category
Longhorn Cattle
Agriculture, TSHA Categories