History of the

Creation of Montgomery County, Texas

(From: The Early History of Montgomery County, Texas)

 by: Kameron Searle 

   This chapter details the history of the creation of Montgomery County, Texas by the Congress of the Republic of Texas. This history is built on a framework of four petitions that were presented to the Congress of the Republic of Texas by the citizens of Washington County.  It appears that at least two of these petitions were never considered previously by Montgomery County historians.  These two "new" petitions greatly enhance our understanding of the history, both local and Congressional, surrounding the creation of Montgomery County, Texas. 

   As with most of the pages on this web site, this page is a work in progress. We encourage you to return regularly for the latest research on the early history of Montgomery County.

   There are a great number primary records that prove that Montgomery County was almost named Travis County.

Travis County Petition - Petition #1

[Scan of Petition with Transcription]

Legislative History of the Travis County Bill

Jesse Grimes Presents Petition for Travis County

   Republic of Texas Senator Jesse Grimes who represented Washington County spearheaded the first attempt to create a new county out of the territory of Washington County during the first session of the first Congress.  In fact, it was Jesse Grimes who moved for the appointment of a committee in the Senate on county boundaries on Wednesday, October 26, 1836.

October 26, 1836

From the November 2, 1836 edition of the Telegraph and Texas Register

   Mr. Grimes moved a committee be appointed on county boundaries. 

   The motion being adopted, the chair appointed Messrs. Grimes, Irion, and Luster said committee.

   See November 2, 1836, Telegraph and Texas Register (Columbia, Texas), Vol. 1, No. 36, p. 4, c. 1.  Jesse Grimes was a member of the Senate committee on county boundaries.

   The next day, Thursday, October 27, 1836, Jesse Grimes presented the petition praying for the establishment of a new county to be called Travis.

Senate - October 27, 1836

From the November 2, 1836 edition of the Telegraph and Texas Register

Mr. Grimes presented a petition of sundry citizens from Washington county, praying the establishing of a new county, to be called Travis.

 

   See Telegraph and Texas Register (Columbia, Texas), November 2, 1836,Vol. 1, No. 36, p. 4., c. 1. The next day, Friday, October 28, 1836, the bill to establish Travis County was read for the first time.

 Senate - Friday, October 28, 1836

From the November 2, 1836 edition of the Telegraph and Texas Register

The bill to establish the county of Travis was taken up, read a first time, and laid on the table until to-morrow.

   See Telegraph and Texas Register (Columbia, Texas), November 2, 1836,Vol. 1, No. 36, p. 4., c. 2.

Senate - November 14, 1836

From the November 23, 1836 edition of the Telegraph and Texas Register

An Act to form a new county to be called "Travis" was taken up and engrossed for a third reading;

   See Telegraph and Texas Register (Columbia, Texas), November 23, 1836,Vol. 1, No. 41, p. 4., c. 1.  We also find this legislative record for November 15, 1836 in the November 23, 1836 edition of the Telegraph.

Senate - November 15, 1836

From the November 23, 1836 edition of the Telegraph and Texas Register

An Act forming a new county called "Travis" was read a third and last time:

   See Telegraph and Texas Register (Columbia, Texas), November 23, 1836,Vol. 1, No. 41, p. 4., c. 1. The Act forming the new county called Travis passed in the Senate on November 15, 1836.  The Travis County Act went to the House shortly after passing in the Senate.

House of Representatives - November 17, 1836

From the November 23, 1836 edition of the Telegraph and Texas Register

An act establishing a new county to be called Travis, that passed the senate the 15th October[November], was read a first time.

   See Telegraph and Texas Register (Columbia, Texas), November 23, 1836, Vol. 1, No. 41, p. 3., c. 1.  The date the Travis County Act was reported to have passed in the Senate is a typo and should read November 15 not October 15.  Remember, Jesse Grimes did not even present the petition for the establishment of the new county of Travis until October 27, 1836. 

    Following this first reading, the Travis County Act began to run into strong opposition.

Petition Opposing - Petition #2 - Scan with Transcription

Legislation in Second Session of First Congress

Travis County Bill Dies

Shepperd and Moody Found the Town of Montgomery

Predictions made by Shepperd and Moody

   In the second paragraph of the advertisement, Shepperd and Moody make a couple of bold predictions:

1. It is expected that a new county will be organized, at the next session of congress, embracing this section of country,...

2. ...in which event , the town of Montgomery from its central position, must be selected as the seat of justice.

Inside Information - creation of new county in next session and Montgomery would be county set

Petition for Creation of County with "no name" - Petition #3 - Scan with Transcription

Legislative History

Petition Opposing  - Petition #4 - Scan with Transcription

Legislative History

Creation of Montgomery County, December 14, 1837

Transcribe Act

Selection of Montgomery as county seat - Early 1838 - Before March 1, 1838 Commissioners Court meeting.

Location of Town moved on March 1, 1838.