Born in South Carolina December 12, 1793, killed by Indians October 8, 1848. Served in the Army of Texas, 1835-36 signed the Texas Declaration of Independence, '36 member of the Senate of the second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh Congresses of the Republic.

Born in New York November 26, 1807. Came to Texas in 1835; delegate to the Consultation 1835; signed the Texas Declaration of Independence 1836; Senator in the Congress, Republic of Texas, Oct. 3, 1836 - Dec. 9, 1840. Died July 12, 1844.

The family of Andres de Acosta, who settled in Nacogdoches in 1779, owned this property as early as 1809. Acosta sold the property, which included a house to Joseph Durst (1789-1843) in 1827. Durst, who was alcalde of Nacogdoches when he bought the property, sold it in 1836 to David Hoffman, then alcalde. It included a house. The architecture of this dwelling is representative of a traditional house form of Anglo settlers in East Texas. It features gable end chimneys, slightly tapered square columns and balustrade, and paneled shutters. It is possible that this restored structure dates prior to 1827, but it is more probable, because of its Anglo characteristics, to have been constructed during Durst's tenure. Subsequent owners of the house include: Issac W. Burton, veteran of the Battle of San Jacinto; Bennett Blake, delegate to the 1875 Constitutional Convention; Thomas J. Rusk, signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence and one of Texas' first two United States Senators; and William Ochiltree, member of the Provisional Congress of the Confederacy. Lawrence S. Taylor (1842-1925), Civil War veteran and Nacogdoches County clerk, acquired the property in 1870. The property remained in the Taylor family until 1989.

Born in Pennsylvania in 1810. Came to Texas in 1835. A signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence March 2, 1836. Died in Victoria July 13, 1836 while an officer in the Army of the Republic of Texas.

Born in Ireland, Colonial James Power came to New Orleans in 1809 and to Texas in 1823. With fellow Irish Empresario James Hewetson (1796-1870), he was awarded contracts to settle Irish Catholic and Mexican families between the Guadalupe and Lavaca Rivers. Their territory was extended in 1830 to the Nueces.

Power went to Ireland to recruit colonists. On the return voyage sickness and shipwreck tragically reduced their numbers. In 1835 he urged his colonist to garrison Goliad, and battled staunchly against hostile Indians. He was a fine diplomat and helped secure Indian neutrality during the Texas Revolution. A close friend General Sam Houston, Power signed both the the Texas Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. In 1838 he was commissioned to conclude a treaty with the Lipan Indians. In 1842 he was briefly imprisoned by a Mexican invasion force.

He represented Refugio in the Republic of Texas Senate and at the Annexation Convention of 1845. Power married twice, to Dolores (d.1836) and later Tomasa Portilla, Spanish-born daughters of Empresario Felipe Portilla, and had seven children. He died at Live Oak Point, his principal home, in 1852, and was reintered at Mount Calvary Cemetery, Refugio, about 1872.

At the cotton gin of William Millican, near here, on July 17, 1835, occurred the significant Lavaca-Navidad Meeting, held by pioneers living near the two rivers. James Kerr, the founder of Gonzales, was chairman and the Rev. S.C.A. Rogers, secretary. The meeting adopted resolutions protesting mistreatment of Texas colonists by the Government of Mexico. This early formal public protest was a forerunner of the Declaration of Independence on March 2, 1836, and the constituting of the Republic of Texas.

One of the oldest Baptist churches in Texas. Founded by settlers who came by ferry across Sabine River as early as 1818. After a number of homes were built on hills near good springs of water, a church was considered essential. It is recorded that this one ministered to spiritual needs in Republic of Texas era. Congregation assembled by riding many miles, usually in farm wagons, and with baskets of food.

Original log building, heated by 8-foot fireplace with mud chimney, had split log benches. The windows, without glass, had shutters on wooden hinges.

In season, school was held in this early building.

The name "Fellowship" honored loyalties among the pioneer families. First pastor was the Rev. Wyatt S. Childress, a kinsman of Geo. C. Childress, one of the authors of the Texas Declaration of Independence. First church clerk was Dr. John Moses Taylor.

Erected after sawmills were in use in the 1870s was second church building, of plank construction. This was several times relocated and remodeled. The present structure was built in 1939; enlarged 1967.

The old "Busbee Place" Spring, initially responsible for choice of this site, still supplies water for the church and baptistry.

Most of the "Old Three Hundred" settlers in Stephen F. Austin's first Texas Colony in the early 1820s came from the United States and were proud of their Anglo-America Heritage. Austin discouraged any display of American loyalties which might anger the Mexican authorities or violate colonization laws. Many customs persisted, however, including observance of July Fourth as American Independence Day. On July 4, 1826, settlers around Beason's Crossing, nucleus of the present town of Columbus, planned a barbecue to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the signing of the American Declaration of Independence. No doubt, many colonists traveled long distances for this important gathering.

West of the Colorado River in Green DeWittt's Colony, a small group set out from Gonzales on July 2 to attend the barbecue at Beason's. While camped for the night, they were attacked by Indians but managed to escape. Returning to Gonzales, they found their homes plundered and one man killed. The other settlers were visiting at a nearby cabin and escaped the Indian raid. The survivors then proceeded to the safety of older settlements along the the Colorado.

Came from Tennessee to Texas colony, 1835. In 1836 signed Declaration of Independence; helped write Constitution of the Republic; Became first Attorney General; Soon also Secretary of War; died in office.

In Texas the Attorney General advises the Governor and district and county attorneys; represents the state in proceedings before the Supreme Court and Court of Civil Appeals; inquires into and reports on handling of public monies; examines and approves bonds of counties, towns and special districts; has anti-trust powers over corporations; approves the leases on public lands; prosecutes election frauds involving 2 or more counties; is ex-officio member of many state boards; is entrusted with advising 153 different state agencies and 315 local officials. Traditionally the protector of public funds, the Attorney General in 1954 sustained claim of Texas to tidelands valued at more than $3,500,000,000.

The Republic of Texas set the Attorney-General's salary at $3,000 a year, but soon lowered it to $1,000. Now the figure is $22,500. Many men have gone from this office to the U.S. Senate, Texas Supreme Court or other high posts in public service. Since Thomas, 49 different men have been Attorney General.