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HISTORY of BRENHAM
AND WASHINGTON COUNTY, TEXAS
F 394 B83PA
1900
Glass
Book B&: P4
Copyright N.ยบ
COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT.
THE HISTORY OF BRENHAM AND WASHINGTON COUNTY
Penangto- Phag
BY MRS. R. E. PENNINGTON BRENHAM, TEXAS
STANDARD PRINTING & LITHOGRAPHING COMPANY HOUSTON, TEXAS 1915
COPYRIGHTED 1915 BY MRS. R. E. PENNINGTON
V
JAN 27 1916
CM.A418639 no 1.
DEDICATED TO MY HUSBAND R. E. Pennington
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I wish to thank E. W. Winkler of Austin, and W . D. Notley of Brenham for the valuable assistance given me in the preparation of this book
MRS. R. E. PENNINGTON
THE HISTORY OF BRENHAM AND WASHINGTON COUNTY
SHORT HISTORY OF TEXAS.
Vivid in coloring and wonderful in action are the moving pictures which History throws upon the screen of Time. The first films in the long reel unroll with creation's dawn. The soft pastel shades appearing after "the Spirit moved upon the waters and said, Let there be light." These are followed by films depicting the lovely rose pinks and delicate blues of the golden sky that arched the Garden of Eden, where Adam and Eve wandered in perfect peace and happi- ness in the beautiful green valley through which flowed the sparkling waters of the Euphrates. And then comes war,- grim visaged war, with its crimson carnage, and dull blues and browns of sorrow. Beginning with the killing of Abel by Cain, and ending with the present European struggle for supremacy, the dramatic action is based upon war. All through the fascinating reel some nation is warring with some other nation, for the purpose of changing conditions for the betterment and advancement of mankind. In the filmed pictures, since Adam and Eve were driven from Eden, there is no record of universal peace. But ever through History's scenario shines the Master's holy white light, leading each human being to "the peace which pass- eth all understanding."
Time's motion pictures of Texas, Washington County, and Brenham, are very likely, of greater interest to Brenhamites than any other historical photo-play in the world. The long reel opens with
TEXAS.
Texas dates its individual history with the signing of the Declaration of Independence at old Washington on the Brazos, March 2, 1836. Prior to that period the changes through which it passed were marvelous. Indians, French- men, Spaniards, Mexicans, Texans, Americans, Confederates and Americans, each in turn have controlled for a time its destinies.
Robert Cavalier, Sieur de la Salle, conducted the first Europeans to Texas. He commanded the squadron of four
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vessels and 300 men who landed near the entrance to Mata- gorda Bay February 18, 1685. Later the colonists built on the Lavaca River a fort which they called Saint Louis. La Salle went to search for the Mississippi River, and was killed in 1687 by his own men. The Indians attacked Fort Saint Louis and killed and scattered the colonists, thus ending French rule in Texas.
Little was done after this to settle Texas until 1715. Per- manent occupation by Spain may date from this year. La Bahia was settled in 1716, Nacogdoches in 1732, and Vic- toria soon after. Missions were built ; and each mission had a presidio, for church and fortress, cowl and carbine were ever together for mutual protection. Spain held Texas for upwards of 150 years.
Following the revolt of Mexico from the rule of Spain, the first grant from the Mexican government to found an American colony in Texas was dated January 17, 1821. It was given to Moses Austin, a native of Connecticut, and father of Stephen F. Austin. The father, Moses Austin, dying suddenly, the son undertook the work of carrying out his father's plans. Austin's first colonists arrived on the Brazos River late in December, 1821. On the first of Jan- uary, 1822, Austin named the creek upon which he and his party had camped New Year's Creek. The country watered by the Guadalupe, Colorado and Brazos rivers was explored, and the town of San Felipe de Austin was laid out on the Brazos in 1823. In the spring the emigrants realized that they had found a most beautiful country. There was plenty of fish and game, and great herds of deer and buffalo grazed peacefully upon the prairies. The thickly wooded forests, where wild birds warbled, were equally divided with the boundless prairies where innumerable wild flowers bloomed in profusion. Even at this early period the myriads of blue bonnets that carpeted the broad prairies and faded into the cerulean distance, excited wonder and admiration; and they were known as the colonists' loveliest flowers.
The first settlements were made over an area of ground from the Lavaca River to the San Jacinto River, and ex- tending from the old San Antonio road to the Gulf of Mexico. This scope of country embraced what is now known as Austin, Brazoria, Brazos, Burleson, Colorado, Fort Bend, Grimes, Harris, Jackson, Lavaca, Lee, Matagorda, Waller, Washington, and Wharton counties. The first Mexican civil government was organized by Don Juan Antonio Sancedo, Political Chief of the Province of Texas. He assumed com- mand of the colony, May 20, 1824, and his proclamation is brief and sensible. Sancedo appointed Stephen F. Austin Political Chief and Judge, until the Ayuntamiento should be
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organized. Baron de Bastrop was the first surveyor, and Horatio Chriesman was employed and made most of the original surveys in Washington County. The first settlers in this section did not establish a town, but opened up farms. Judge John P. Coles, Col. Jared E. Groce, Dr. Colbert Baker and Andrew Robinson came to the west side of the Brazos in the winter of 1821-1822. Sam, William and Amos Gates, James Whitesides, M. Bird, James Lynch, Abner Kuykendall and Josiah H. Bell arrived in 1822-1823. The first child born in this settlement was Mariah Coles, the daughter of Judge and Mrs. John P. Coles, born in the win- ter of 1822.
The Mexican government passed colonization laws and held out inducements to the citizens of the United States. Immigration began to flow in and spread itself over the provinces of Texas and Coahuila, as by decree May 7, 1824, they had been provisionally united to form one of the con- stituent and sovereign states of the Mexican Confederacy. Forests were felled, wild prairies were broken, and farms established. In nine years the Americans had explored the whole southern portion of the provinces and redeemed it from wild beasts and Indians. Colonists came faster than provision could be made for their support; and the first settlers were often reduced to the necessity of subsisting entirely on wild game, and clothing themselves with skins. Buckskin was the common dress. Blessed indeed was the woman who had brought a supply of wearing apparel from the States, for even calico was hard to obtain and found a ready sale at seventy-five cents per yard. These pioneers suffered greatly from Indian depredations.
On April 6, 1836, an arbitrary law was passed prohibiting further immigration of American settlers into Coahuila and Texas. Military posts were established and the civil authori- ties were trampled under foot. The Texans held a general consultation in 1835 at San Felipe de Austin. Harry Smith was elected governor, and James W. Robinson lieutenant- governor of the provisional government. Sam Houston was made commander in chief of the Texas army. Branch T. Archer, William A. Wharton and Stephen F. Austin were appointed to seek aid from the United States. The appeal to arms in behalf of the constitution of 1824 rallied the whole people of Texas like one man, to the protection of their rights and liberties.
At Washington on the Brazos, March 2, 1836, the famous Declaration of Texas Independence was signed by the fifty- eight delegates.
Santa Anna, President of Mexico, and the self-styled "Napoleon of the West," resolved on driving out the Ameri-
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cans in Texas, or crushing their spirit of independence, at the head of 8000 men, marched into the city of San Antonio. The Texans, passing the San Antonio river, took refuge in the Alamo. Here Travis, aided by Bowie, Bonham and Crockett, and a handful of men, made that memorable stand whose watchword was "Victory or Death." History's pages perpetuate the record of many an heroic achievement upon the field of battle; and there have been displays of exception- al and pre-eminent courage which stand out conspicuous in the annals of valorous deeds. In the pass of Thermopylae, Leonidas and his brave Spartans set the standard of valor for many centuries; at Wagram, McDonald's legions made a wonderful charge that thrills the heart like a bugle call to arms; "into the jaws of death" at Balaklava rode the six hundred,-the flower of England's chivalry, and ever since their sublime courage has inspired the pen of historians and poets; Pickett and his devoted followers at Gettysburg mocked at danger and death, and on that fateful field won the laurels of a fadeless fame. The leader and men alike who came alive from that carnival of death carried pass- ports to immortality. History will not willingly let these illustrious names die, but though glorious were their deeds, the grandest example of unselfish heroism and fidelity to duty even unto death, was when, within the consecrated walls of the Alamo, on Sunday, March 6, 1836, a little band of Texans taught mankind the lesson of earth's loftiest martyrdom.
Then came the massacre of Fannin and his men on their retreat from Goliad on Palm Sunday; at the sunrise hour these brave patriots, with few exceptions, who had sur- rendered with honorable terms, with stipulations written in the English and Spanish languages, were shot in cold blood by order of the usurper. "Remember the Alamo, Remember Goliad," the cry for just vengeance went up to Heaven. It was avenged at San Jacinto. Houston and his gallant army of about 783 men defeated Santa Anna and his legions num- bering about 1500 veteran soldiers on April 21, 1836. The battle began at 3 o'clock in the afternoon and most authori- ties agree that it lasted about fifteen or twenty minutes. Sidney Sherman commanded the extreme left; Edward Bur- leson the center ; on the right was placed the artillery under George Hockley; four companies of infantry were com- manded by Millard, and the sixty-one cavalrymen were under Mirabeau B. Lamar. In the history of Texas two dates, March 2d and April 21st, 1836, will stand forever like imperishable marble monuments to the giant intellects of the Americans; at Washington in convention assembled they announced with their pens that they were free, sov-
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ereign and independent, and by force of arms on San Jacinto's glorious battlefield they ratified this declaration of Texas Independence. Never since the morning stars sang together has such a magnificent country been given to crown the efforts of men.
The presidents of the Republic of Texas were David G. Burnet, president ad interim, March 16 or 17, 1836, to Octo- ber 22, 1836; Sam Houston, October 22, 1836, to December 10, 1838 ; Mirabeau B. Lamar, December 10, 1838, to Decem- ber 13, 1841 ; Sam Houston, December 13, 1841, to December 9, 1844; Anson Jones, December 9, 1844, to February 16, 1846. The first and last presidents were both in- augurated at old Washington on the Brazos. In the spring of 1845 the United States Congress passed resolutions ad- mitting Texas into the Union; and while President Jones surrendered his authority to J. Pinckney Henderson, who had been elected governor, and announced at Austin that "the first act in the great drama is performed. The Republic of Texas is no more," the Republic really died at Washing- ton when the last Congress passed the resolutions of an- nexation.
The story of Texas under the long line of governors who succeeded Henderson is of prosperity and happiness, and is quite familiar to every one.
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SOME HISTORICAL FACTS ABOUT WASHINGTON COUNTY
The municipality of Washington embraced a large terri- tory. The county of Washington, one of the oldest and most historic in the State, was created March 17, 1836, and organ- ized December 14, 1837. It has been occupied for nearly ninety-four years, the first settlers being Austin's colo- nists, who arrived in 1821-22. The average body of land on its whole surface is, very likely, better than any other county in the State. The men who owned its soil originally were among the first Texans to do valiant work for the cause of civilization.
In the early history of Texas, the town of Washington "stood as one of the leading centers of business, politics, education and social culture." Today this ancient place is deserted and well nigh forgotten. Changed conditions have caused the decay and death of a number of other Washington County towns and settlements, once inhabited by people who were prosperous and happy. Some of these places have disappeared completely from the face of the earth, and so long have they been numbered with the things that were, that it is difficult to locate them and determine when and where they existed. This list will probably be of interest :
JACKSONVILLE.
Jacksonville, which took its name from Terrell Jackson. a wealthy planter of that settlement, was one of the oldest towns in Washington County, and was situated about three or four miles north of Chappell Hill. It is said that well educated and good people lived there, and that there were prosperous merchants whose business houses were well built. Most of the commerce was carried on by steamboats, which plied up and down the Brazos River. Quite a broad and straight street was laid out through the main part of the town and this was called the avenue. Only the very oldest inhabitants are able to recall the days of Jackson- ville's departed glory-for there is not a vestige of the old town left.
TURKEY CREEK.
Turkey Creek was so named by a family of Guytons 'way back in the '40s, and was one of the four candidates for
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the county seat of Washington County in 1844. Every year somebody plows over the place where this town was, six miles east of Brenham-and every year somebody gath- ers cotton and corn where it once flourished, and nobody remembers much about Turkey Creek.
ROCK ISLAND.
At Rock Island, once a promising village, just a few miles south of Graball, was a fine educational institution, known as the Rock Island Academy, and the youth for many miles around went there to have their minds trained. In 1837, legislation having been had providing for the selection of county seats by the vote of the people, Chief Justice John P. Coles ordered an election to be held to locate the county seat of Washington. Rock Island was a candidate against Washington for the honor. At Pecan Grove, the polling place half way between the rival towns, Washington was chosen. When the Houston & Texas Central Railroad wanted to cross the Brazos River at Rock Island and build into Washington for a bonus of $11,000.00, Washington refused, and this was the death of Rock Island, and the death of Washington also. Rock Island was given its name by Amos Gates.
MUSTANG.
Seventy-eight years ago Mustang was a trading point three miles east of Brenham. Mustang Gray, the celebrated Texas ranger, lived here and clerked in a store, and the place was named for him. W. B. Travis, the hero of the Alamo, lived in Mustang and practiced law in the alcalde's court in the early '30s. Its end is shrouded in obscurity.
MOUNT VERNON.
Mount Vernon, the second county seat of Washington County, was named by Judge John Stamps in honor of George Washington's home-which is so beautifully situ- ated on the classic Potomac River-when he laid out the town in 1841. A log courthouse was built, and at the sug- gestion of Judge R. E. B. Baylor, was dedicated to justice. Under a spreading live oak tree about one hundred yards from the courthouse the learned judges often retired to deliberate over their verdicts. In 1844, in an election for the county seat between Turkey Creek, Independence, Mount Vernon and Brenham, Mount Vernon dropped out of the contest. After the removal of the county seat to Brenham the town went rapidly to decay, and its beautiful site, upon a high knoll, about six miles west of Brenham, is likely unknown to the folks who cultivate the land above its grave.
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TIGER POINT.
Tiger Point received its cognomen from Phil Coe in the '30s, because he said it was full of men who led fast and furious lives. It was a town of some importance. But it went down before the pitiless decree of fate, and the site, six miles south of Brenham, is just an ordinary Washington County farm.
OLD GAY HILL AND OTHER TOWNS.
Old Gay Hill was once a place of note, Rev. James Weston Miller established, in 1850, there an excellent school for girls, entitled the Live Oak Female Seminary. For many years it was an important seat of learning. Old Gay Hill boasted of fine Baptist, Cumberland and Old School Presby- terian churches, and Rev. Miller was pastor of the latter. It was a place of matchless natural beauty, situated upon an eminence dotted with live oak trees; its people were elegant, refined and humane as any who ever lived. All that is left is the old colonial home of Dr. Miller and a recently erected Presbyterian church.
Evergreen, or Waco Spring, was noted chiefly as the place where the Tonkaway and Waco Indians had a battle in 1837. It was a small settlement.
The old town of Union Hill, three miles north of Burton, had its site selected by a local physician, Dr. Gant, who also supplied its name. Near this place the Gocher family was massacred by the Indians in 1838.
Lots were laid off for a town in a settlement known as Warren, at the mouth of New Year's Creek; but as there were few buyers, the plan of making a city was soon aban- doned, and the land reverted to the original owner, who was named Warren.
R. E. B. Baylor and Rufus C. Burleson used to preach occasionally at Mount Gilead, where there were a few Bap- tists. The town of Ayers was named for David Ayers. Little is known of these two places, save that they once existed.
CITIES AND TOWNS OF TODAY.
Besides Brenham, the prominent towns of Washington County at the present time are Chappell Hill, Independence, Burton, Gay Hill, Greenvine, William Penn, and a number of lesser importance.
Independence was first known as Coles Settlement, hon- oring John P. Coles, who first settled there in 1824. It was given its present name by Dr. Asa Hoxie, to commem- orate the Texas Declaration of Independence. It has been
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memorable for the number of distinguished people that have lived within its precincts, and for the great educa- tional zeal of its pioneer citizens. The first school was taught in 1838 by J. D. Giddings. On February 1, 1845, the charter for Baylor University, named for R. E. B. Baylor, was granted by the Congress of the Republic of Texas, and this famous educational institution was located at Independence. Among the first presidents were Henry L. Graves, Rufus C. Burleson, George W. Barnes, and Will- iam Carey Crane. Baylor Female College was founded in 1866. These two schools became very famous; and it was a sad day, in 1886, for Washington County, when lack of rail- road facilities caused their removal to Waco and Belton. Independence was incorporated August 1, 1859, and T. T. Clay was elected mayor. The city government was of short duration.
CHAPPELL HILL.
Chappell Hill, named for Robert Chappell, a pioneer, was known as early as 1849 as a trading point. Among the first people were Robert Alexander, one of the founders of the Methodist Episcopal church in Texas; H. S. Thrall, who wrote a history of Texas; O. Fisher, B. T. Kavanaugh, F. C. Wilkes, George W. Carter, William Halsey, C. C. Gillespie, J. E. Carnes, F. A. Mood, W. G. Conner, John C. Moore, C. G. Forshey, Pinckney Hill, Williamson S. Oldham, Gabriel Felder, W. W. Browning, R. T. Swearingen and Terrell Jackson. It came into prominence with the estab- lishment of Soule University, which was chartered in 1856, and the founding of Chappell Female College a few years later. This University was consolidated with the South- western University at Georgetown in 1875; and the Female College was discontinued a few years ago. Chappell Hill was incorporated April 7, 1856, and John D. Wallis was elected mayor. This form of government, however, was abandoned within a few years.
BURTON.
When the Houston & Texas Central Railroad was extend- ed in 1871 to Austin, the settlement in the Burton neigh- borhood assumed commercial importance, and was named for John M. Burton.
Washington County has been the home of a greater num- ber of men of distinction than any other county in Texas. This incomplete list of their names, without their biogra- phies, will prove this statement: Sam Houston, Mirabeau B. Lamar, Anson Jones, Martin Ruter, W. M. Tryon, R. E. B. Baylor, Robert Alexander, W. Y. Allen, John Hemphill,
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A. S. Lipscomb, R. M. Williamson, Jack Hall, Barry Gil- lespie, James H. Willie, W. P. Rogers, B. E. Tarver, W. Y. McFarland, William Pinckney Hill, A. M. Lewis, G. W. Horton, Anthony Butler, John T. Mills, Richardson Scurry, F. W. Adams, Joe Crosby, James Weston Miller, W. H. Ewing, J. D. and D. C. Giddings, J. E. and C. B. Shepard, John Sayles, B. H. Bassett, T. W. Morriss and Seth Shepard. Dr. Gideon Lincecum, one of the State's first naturalists, lived at Long Point, where the most of his investigations were made.
Washington County has had only two Congressmen, Col. D. C. Giddings; and the present Congressman, Hon. J. P. Buchanan, who was elected to fill the unexpired term of Postmaster General Albert S. Burleson, and is now serving his first regular term.
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THE LIFE OF RICHARD FOX BRENHAM
THE MIER MARTYR, FOR WHOM THE CITY OF BRENHAM, WASHINGTON COUNTY, TEXAS, IS NAMED.
Among the most interesting characters in the early his- tory of Texas is that of Richard Fox Brenham, the Mier martyr, and brilliant Kentuckian for whom the county seat of Washington County is named. He arrived at Washing- ton on the Brazos in the spring of 1836, and for seven years served the Lone Star Republic as physician, soldier and surgeon. This pioneer soul, while blazing his pathway through the wilderness where highways never run, was a living exponent of high ideals. With great medical skill he ministered to the sick settlers of Washington County ; with tender hands he cared for the dying travelers across the great southwestern prairies; and in mercy he allevi- ated the pains of the suffering and wounded soldiers who went with the ill-fated Mier expedition. Imprisoned in Mexico's darkest dungeon, the lofty spirit of the gallant soldier-surgeon pressed on with the ardor of hope; and he made brave speeches to his comrades prophetic of freedom. The crowning act of Dr. Brenham's useful life was at the hacienda de Salado, when he courted death unselfishly, and carried his cross to his Calvary and gave his life for his fellow men.
Richard Fox Brenham was a native of Kentucky, and was born in 1810, in Woodford County, near Frankfort. His mother was Mary M. Fox, and his father was Robert Brenham. Their ancestry has been traced in unbroken lines to Governor John West of Virginia, brother of Lord De La Ware, and to the oldest and best English landed gentry dating back to the time of William the Conqueror. Richard received his education at Transylvania College, Lexington, Kentucky, and was graduated with high honors.
During the '30s many Kentuckians, having heard of the natural advantages and wonderful resources of the new Re- public, came to Texas seeking homes, fortunes, and adven- tures. Dr. Brenham arrived at Washington on the Brazos just after the battle of San Jacinto. He was a brave and fearless man; and, if he had been in Texas on April 21,
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1836, his name undoubtedly would be enrolled among the immortals who participated in that memorable conflict. The records in the General Land Office at Austin show that a bounty warrant was issued Richard Fox Brenham for 320 acres of land, by the Secretary of War for services in the army of Texas from June 15 to September 15, 1836, said land being located in Cooke County. His first place of resi- dence in Washington County was with Sanford Woodward, on Woodward's Creek, about three miles east of the City of Brenham. This was his home up to 1839, when he went to Austin. He never lived in what is called Brenham, for the place was not named for him until 1844, about one year after his death.
All nature combined to make Dr. Brenham a model man; and physically, intellectually, and morally his life is worthy of emulation by the youth of Brenham. He was a strikingly handsome man, of tall and commanding physique; around his broad forehead were masses of light brown hair ; and his classical features were lighted by dark brown eyes in which gleamed the fires of intelligence. He possessed superior edu- cation, magnetic personality, a cheerful disposition, a rare gift of oratory, and being naturally witty always pleased a crowd. Many incidents illustrating the sterling character of Dr. Brenham were told by the early settlers. When he lived in Washington County he had many friends among the men, women, and little children; and they so loved this bright and skillful physician, that when the time came to name the town of Brenham the brave and good man and his services were not forgotten; for with one accord the pa- triotic women of the settlement paid tribute to the dead soldier-surgeon, and christened the little place, Brenham, in his honor.
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