Collections : [Archives of Michigan]

These records document township business beginning with the first meeting of town electors in 1856. Record dates span 1856 to1921, with a few items dating from later in the Twentieth Century. Researchers should note that Covert Township began as “Deerfield Township” and held that name until it changed to “Covert Township” in 1877.

The series includes financial records, contracts, election results, meeting minutes, correspondence, tax assessments, railroad bonds and school reports. Bills and receipts (1856-1901) document township expenses for goods and services rendered. Common jobs include “posting notices,” “making out road warrants,” “inspecting peach trees,” “digging graves,” and working as a “school inspector.” There are also receipts for purchased goods from vendors. Examples include receipts for official record books, election tickets and stationary.

Election materials (1856-1903) include statements of votes. These detail the quantity of votes per candidate or ballot proposal. Elections notices originate with the Van Buren County Sheriff’s office and are addressed to the Covert Township clerk. There are also voting tallies, lists of candidates and a “poll list”.

Some folders pertain to Covert’s dog tax (1865-1900). Dog owners were taxed, with the revenue used to reimburse farmers for livestock killed by stray dogs (This was a frequent occurrence at the time.). Dog tax materials include a list of taxed dog owners, announcements on the law and its enforcement, a list of dogs killed and a few judgments on reimbursements for farm animals killed by dogs.

Highway records (1857-1902) include, contracts, overseers accounts and assessments, highway petitions to build roads and official answers to those petitions. Two general files include Board of Highway Commissioners minutes, financial information, road plans and specifications, and some grievances. Overseers’ annual accounts (1870-1872) list individuals and note the number of days assessed and the number of days worked.

Overseer’s assessments (1857-1900) list resident and nonresident landowners, legal descriptions of lands and amount of tax and labor assessed. Highway Commissioners’ Orders (1866, 1890-1895) are notices of payment due to individuals for labor performed. School District Reports(1857-1902) contain mostly statements of taxes voted. However, there are a few annual reports, which include financial statements and school censuses. The series also includes vital records (1867-1868, 1896-1897) and records of Covert township meetings (1856-1903).