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No. 189, [Harriet S. Davis], Robert G. Davies, claimant, Honolulu, August 17, 1846
F.R. 125-130v1
To the Board of Commissioners for investigating land claims. Gentlemen:
[margin note: See counter claim No. 637]
The following is a statement of the boundaries limits & area of a certain piece of ground situated in the town of Honolulu upon which I now reside; and also a statement of the duration of occupancy and other particulars which I consider as giving me the right to claim such lot of ground before your board in behalf of my wife and her heirs. The description of said lot is as follows: according to the survey lately made by Mr. Metcalf with a plan or plot of the same, if desired.
Commencing at North corner of this place on South side of alley leading to Hotel St. being also the east corner of the Reeves' place and running
South 41 West 2 chains 35 8/12 feet along boundary line between this and the Reeves' lot to Paki's north wall and slight angle. Thence
South 48 15' East 2 chains 7 3/12 feet along Paki & Reynold's lots to the Haalilio place occupied by John Ricord. Thence
North 39 30' East 1 chain 4 feet along Haalilio place to slight angle; thence
North 37 East 44' 10/12 feet along Thompson lot to North corner of Thompson lot; Thence
North 47 West 1 chain 62 feet to place of commencement, taking in all boundary walls and including an area of fathoms 732 feet 15.
The above lot is part of a certain parcel of land, given many years since by his Majesty, Liholiho (Kamehameha II) to one John Reeves, said to be a native of France, at that time a (Punahele), or favorite of His Majesty, whether for service or payment of debt, or merely in consequence of the esteem entertained by His Majesty. A thing not uncommon at the first visits of foreigners at these Islands, as the gentlemen of the Commission are no doubt aware. I am unable to say; although from common report & the conversations I have had with old residents and natives I should presume probably the latter. One thing, however, is certain as can be shewn by the testimony of several individuals now living, and I doubt not of some of the chiefs also, that said John Reeves was one who accompanied his Majesty on his visit to England; that said Reeves did also occupy said land and kept a house of entertainment or Hotel thereon & that he occupied it a certain term of time free of all dispute or molestation from any chief or chiefs, and also that his children occupy it and live on it at the present time; and I am informed, have presented their claim before the Board to a certain portion of it. Your Board must be well aware by this time that the above is the nature of almost all the claims to land, acquired by foreigners in those early times, not only in this village, but as far as I have learned, throughout the Islands.
What I have to state now is what I can prove by good witnesses, if required by your Board. In June 1823 Charles Hammett (agent for some firm in Boston) the Father of my wife, arrived at this place, and in about two or three weeks after purchased the above described place; being a part of the grant by Liholiho (Kamehameha II) as above mentioned, of said John Reeves for about $400; and immediately built upon & occupied the same. The document which Mr. Hammett received from said Reeves is not, nor has it ever been in our possession, but was probably taken by said Hammett with him 2 or 3 years afterwards to the United States where said Hammet [sic] subsequently deceased; and from whom nothing has ever been heard in relation to said land since his departure.
Previous however to his leaving he informed S. Reynolds of this place, one of his intimates, that he left the land or house lot for his daughter, then a child and the only one which is known to belong to him at these Islands now living. Suffice it to say that said lot has been in the quiet possession of my wife & her mother ever since the departure of said Hammett, and reckoning from the time of said purchase by said Hammett, ....
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.... days it was not very common to take or pass papers in such matters; though he might have taken a bill of sale of Mr. Rives & have taken it away with him perhaps; for he was the most precise man ever living on these Islands. I know they have always occupied ever since, and have never to my knowledge, been disturbed, nor have I ever heard any one claim the place.
The road formerly went in front if it; but since they made the streets, it went at the mountain side.
The lot as it now exists was enclosed from the first with fence, part stick, and part a mud wall, which was built soon after Mr. Hamet took possession of it; Mr. Hamet died about 1829; he only lived two or three years after he got home.
Mr. Meek, sworn deposed, I know Mr. Hamet built a house and lived there. I do not know much about the history of it. I do not know for certainty but presume [he] left the house & premises to Charlotte Holmes (his [wife &] daughter[)], because they always lived there. I do not [know] about the fence; but I think there was a stick fence. I never head that anyone ever claimed the place.
Continued page 153
F.T. 153v1
Claim No. 189, R.G. Davis; resumed from page 122, June 23 [1847]
Mrs. Charlotte Holmes, mother of claimant was summoned before the Board, and stated her wish that the land claimed in No. 189, should be confirmed to her daughter, Mrs. Davies, wife of claimant; and that she would look to her daughter for support and renounced all claim to the place in her own right.
See Transactions page 41 [42 N.T. volume 2]
N.T. 42-44v2
No. 189, Robert Davis, Honolulu December 2, 1846
S. Reynolds sworn: I arrived here on the 8th day of May 1843 [!] and Luahine [Rives] had a hotel on the place Robert (Lobata) is living now. Four weeks after I had arrived Hamata [sic] had a transaction with Luahine [Rives] for $350.00 or $400.00 probably. Four months after Hamata [sic] had arrived here, I went to live with him. When it was about two months before he was leaving this land, he gave me a small note asking me to take care of his daughter and wife and I have received letters from him from Macao and America telling me to take care of them, until the proper time when he would send the document of the sale between Luahine [Rives] and him for the land which was to be for his daughter and his wife. At all times, I have tried very hard in all things that was good for them according to their desires at that time. There were not many documents issued at that time for everyone knew that perhaps Luahine [Rives] had papers with Hamata [sic]. I have not known that anyone had objected to them. At that time a good road was built, and at this time a new road has been built, which has moved a little further toward the mountain.
I had seen at the time before that that property was enclosed with a fence like the one that is there now. There was a wooden fence, and a mud fence, too. It was not long before the entire fence was completely covered with mud like it is at the present time. I have not heard someone claim an interest there. I think Hamata had died in the year 1829 or close to that time.
See page 246
John Meek sworn: I do not know much, but I do know that Hamata (sic) had built houses and had lived there. I do not know exactly what he had left; however, I think he did leave for his daughter and wife (land) on which they have lived together to the present time. I think it was enclosed with a wooden fence at that time. I do not know too much, but I have not heard anyone say, from the time I had arrived to the present time, that he had any claim.
N.T. 246v2
No. 187!, R. G. Devis (Davis) From page 42
Halaki [Charlotte Holmes] had appeared before the officers who quiet land titles and said, I would like to have the place which Davis's wife is claiming, claim No. 189, be certified as for her only and I am relinquishing all of my rights with my signature.
Honolulu, June 30, 1847
[Award 189; R.P. 36; Hotel St. Honolulu Kona; 1 ap.; .60 Ac.]