385.     MAVERICK, Mary A[nn] A[dams]. Memoirs of Mary A. Maverick Arranged by Mary A. Maverick and Her Son Geo. Madison Maverick. Edited by Rena Maverick Green (Illustrated). San Antonio: Alamo Printing Co., 1921. [1-7], 8-136 pp., title with portrait, 16 photographic plates (including frontispiece portrait of Mary and her children). 8vo (23 x 15 cm), original cream pictorial wrappers with illustration of the rose window at the Alamo. Other than very mild foxing, a fine copy of a fragile book difficult to find in acceptable condition, errata slip laid in

     First edition, first issue, line 5 on p. 64 ending “of the blacksmith shop” and line 24 of page 69 beginning “in the yard.” Adams, Herd 1460: “Gives the history of her husband’s experiences in his cattle venture, and the true origin of the term ‘maverick’ as applied to unbranded cattle.” Basic Texas Books 140: “One of the most interesting and important narratives of life in Texas during the 1830s and 1840s…. The memoirs are engrossing and colorful…. Insights into the lives of famous Texans are numerous.” Campbell, p. 94. CBC 351. Dobie, pp. 57, 62: “Essential.” Eberstadt, Texas 162:529. Graff 2727. Howes M443: “First woman from the States to settle in San Antonio.” King, Women on the Cattle Trail, p. 17: “Good account of early days in the Austin and San Antonio area.” Tate, The Indians of Texas: An Annotated Research Bibliography 2089: “Includes eyewitness account of the 1840 Council House Fight in San Antonio, description of the Tonkawas, and a ranger fight with Comanches.” Winegarten, Finder’s Guide to the Texas Women: A Celebration of History Exhibit Archives, p. 132; Texas Women’s History Project, p. 40. See also: Handbook of Texas Online: Mary Ann Adams Maverick (1818-1898).

     Though Mary was born and raised on an Alabama plantation, she adapted very well to life in Texas from the start. Describing a riding party of ladies and gentlemen from Houston who came to San Antonio in 1839, she comments:

They were, ladies and all, armed with pistols and bowie knives. I rode with this party…around the head of the San Antonio river…. The day was cool and bright, and we saw three of the missions, including San Juan Capistrano seven miles below town. We galloped home, down the east side, and doubted not that Indians watched us from the heavy timber of the bottom.

($100-200)

Auction 22 Abstracts