History of the Lake Creek Settlement

in Texas

and

The Founding of the Town of Montgomery

in July, 1837

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

 by: Kameron Searle 

   On July 8, 1837, the advertisement below appeared in the Telegraph and Texas Register newspaper in Houston, Texas.¹  This advertisement was the first time the names, Montgomery or town of Montgomery, had ever appeared in print to refer to a place in Texas.  It is important to remember the names W. W. Shepperd and J. W. Moody located at the bottom of this advertisement as we discover the actual history of the Lake Creek Settlement and the Town of Montgomery.

   Prior to the founding of the Town of Montgomery, Texas in July, 1837; the lands between the West Fork of the San Jacinto River and the stream called Lake Creek were known as the Lake Creek Settlement, District of Lake Creek, Precinct of Lake Creek or simply Lake Creek. 

   [Note: The Lake Creek Settlement was located in what is commonly referred to as Austin's Second Colony. On June 4, 1825, Austin signed an empresario contract with the state of Coahuila and Texas that called for him to introduce 500 families in Texas. Order No. 24, March 7, 1827 defined the boundaries for purposes of this contract as follows: Beginning on the west bank of the river San Jacinto, at the ten border leagues of the coast of the Gulf of Mexico; thence following its course with the right bank of said river to its source; thence on a straight line north to the road leading from Bexar to Nacogdoches; thence with the said road westward to a point due north from the headwaters of Lavaca Creek; thence on a a line due south towards the sources of the aforesaid creek; thence down said creek, on the eastern bank of the same, to the boundary line of the ten littoral leagues of the Gulf of Mexico; thence eastward, leaving clear the ten littoral leagues, parallel with the coast, to the place of beginning. Miguel Arciniega was appointed commissioner for this colony in November, 1830.]²

   Below is a scan of an 1861 map of Montgomery County which has been highlighted to show the lands previously known as the Lake Creek Settlement.³  Use this map to locate the land grants of persons named in the records included on this site.  To see this map enlarged, click on the map.

Map of Lake Creek Settlement

The Montgomery Myth

   Definition of myth (noun) - a fictitious narrative presented as historical but without any basis of fact.

   Over the last 60 years or so, numerous theories have been postulated regarding the early history of the Town and County of Montgomery, Texas.  Speculation as to the origin of the name of the Town and County of Montgomery, Texas has often been included in these theories.  These theories have evolved and culminated into what this author denominates the "Montgomery Myth."

   According to the "Montgomery Myth" a trading post known as Montgomery Trading Post was owned originally by Andrew Montgomery and later by Owen Shannon on the Owen Shannon League.  The "Montgomery Myth" further alleges that the lands around the Montgomery Trading Post were known as Montgomery Prairie or Montgomery Settlement and that the Town of Montgomery derived its name from this place and subsequently the County of Montgomery derived its name from the town.

   This article will prove the "Montgomery Myth" is not true.  All the recent histories of Montgomery County, Texas are wrong. The Town of Montgomery and Montgomery County, Texas were NOT named after Andrew Montgomery!  For that matter, the town and the county of Montgomery were not named after Margaret Montgomery Shannon, Owen Shannon, Jacob Shannon or William Montgomery.  Furthermore, the town and county of Montgomery were not named after a place known as Montgomery Trading Post, Montgomery Settlement or Montgomery Prairie.  The evidence will also show that no one named Montgomery or Shannon had anything to do with the founding of the Town of Montgomery, Texas.  

   The overwhelming evidence will show the place where the Town of Montgomery would be founded on July 8, 1837 was in fact known as the Lake Creek Settlement.  Harry G. Daves, Jr., a descendant of Owen Shannon and Margaret Montgomery Shannon, wrote the following in The Herald, Volume 24, Issue Number 4, Winter 2001, "Owen Shannon’s Grave," pp.161-169: 

"For some reason our Shannon and Montgomery family have tried to contend that the home site of Owen and Margaret Shannon was located within the settlement called Montgomery, which is also false. The settlement was known as the Lake Creek Settlement..."

   In Stephen F. Austin's "Register of Families", the professions of Andrew Montgomery, Owen Shannon, Jacob Shannon and William Montgomery are all listed as "farmer."⁴  None of them are listed as "trader" which was the term Austin used to describe the operators of stores or trading posts.  As an example, C. B. Stewart's profession is listed as "trader."⁵  As Austin' s Register of Families and the evidence below will show, The Montgomery Trading Post is a total fabrication.

   In all the histories of Montgomery County, Texas, the history of the place known as the Lake Creek Settlement has been neglected or intentionally omitted.  These lands, where the Town of Montgomery was founded in 1837, had not been known as Montgomery, Montgomery Settlement, Montgomery Trading Post or Montgomery Prairie, prior to 1837, as many of these histories have mistakenly reported in recent years.  

   It is quiet amazing that the Lake Creek Settlement has been almost completely omitted from these histories given the great quantity of primary historical evidence available which clearly refers to it.  This article currently lists more than 30 different primary documents (with digital scans) proving the existence of the place known as Lake Creek Settlement, Lake Creek District, Precinct of Lake Creek and Lake Creek; AND disproving the existence of a place known as Montgomery Trading Post, Montgomery Settlement or Montgomery Prairie. 

   Note that when the name, Lake Creek, has appeared in the published Montgomery County histories, it is almost always used to describe the stream called Lake Creek and almost never used to describe the place called Lake Creek or Lake Creek Settlement.  

  The reader is encouraged to compare the hard evidence in this article to any of the recent histories of Montgomery County, Texas and you will be amazed at how inaccurate and lacking they are with regard to the early history of the Montgomery County, the founding of the Town of Montgomery and the origin of the name of Montgomery County. 

 The population of Montgomery County has been growing rapidly in recent years, and it is now more important than ever that Montgomery County's early history be correctly told.  Many of the primary sources supporting the conclusions in this article have been scanned to provide future Montgomery County historians with the information needed to correct future published histories of Montgomery County.  This article will also assist school students writing histories of Montgomery County. 

July 8, 1837 

   It is important to remember the date July 8, 1837.  July 8, 1837 is the date the names Montgomery and town of Montgomery appeared in print for the first time in the Telegraph and Texas Register.  See "Montgomery" advertisement above.  Before July 8, 1837, deeds and other land records, newspapers, business records, marriage records, election records, etc. refer to Lake Creek Settlement, Lake Creek District, Precinct of Lake Creek or simply Lake Creek.  After July 8, 1837, these names pass out of common usage rapidly and are replaced with Town of Montgomery or simply Montgomery.

Time Line

First Settlers Received Mexican Land Grants - 1831 

John Corner, Mary Corner, Owen Shannon, Zachariah Landrum, Jacob Shannon, James J. Foster, William Landrum, Benjamin Rigby, Raleigh Rogers, etc. receive Leagues of land from Empresario Stephen F. Austin.

Lake Creek Settlement

The lands between the West Fork of the San Jacinto River and the stream called Lake Creek become known as the Lake Creek Settlement, District of Lake Creek, Precinct of Lake Creek or simply Lake Creek. 

W. W. Shepperd Purchased 200 Acres

William W. Shepperd purchases 200 acres of land from John Corner in the northwest corner of the John Corner League

Town of Montgomery Founded - July 8, 1837

"Montgomery" and the "Town of Montgomery" appear in print for the first time in the Telegraph and Texas Register newspaper.  The Town of Montgomery is founded in Washington County by W. W. Shepperd in partnership with J. W. Moody, the First Auditor of the Republic of Texas, with the assistance of Texas founding father, C. B. Stewart. 

W. W. Shepperd and J. W. Moody named the town Montgomery after Montgomery, Alabama where J. W. Moody had been the Clerk of the County Court of Montgomery County, Alabama, for many years before coming to Texas.  Montgomery, Alabama was named for General Richard Montgomery of the American Revolution.

County of Montgomery Created - December 14, 1837

Originally part of Washington County, the Congress of the Republic of Texas creates Montgomery County five months after the Town of Montgomery was founded.  The county is named after the town.

Town of Montgomery Selected as County Seat - March 1, 1838

At the first meeting of the Montgomery County Commissioners Court on March 1, 1838 through his agent, C. B. Stewart, W. W. Shepperd induces the Commissioners to select the Town of Montgomery as the first county seat of Montgomery County.  He did this by donating an equal half undivided interest in the Town of Montgomery and sixty acres of pine land adjoining the town to the county.  "[I]t being put to question whether said donation should be accepted it was unanimously received - and the question being also whether the place of the Town presented by C. B. Stewart as agent for W. W. Shepperd should be received the same was also unanimously received and adopted."⁶

Lake Creek Settlement - The Proof 

1833 Shannon Family Articles of Agreement

   Below are "Articles of Agreement" made between Jacob Shannon and his sister, Rutha (Ruth or Ruthy) Shannon Miller.  Jacob Shannon and Rutha Shannon were children of Owen Shannon and Margaret Montgomery Shannon.  It is very important to note in reading this deed that both Jacob Shannon and his sister Rutha believed they lived in a place known as the Lake Creek Settlement and not a place known as Montgomery, Montgomery Settlement, Montgomery Prairie or Montgomery Trading Post.   Some histories report Jacob Shannon's name as "Jacob Montgomery Shannon."  The author has never actually seen his name written this way in a primary document.  Here he signs his name Jacob Shannon.

Jacob Shannon

-To-

Rutha Miller

Texas Austins Colony

Lake Creek Settlement

August 8^th 1833

Articles of agreement made and entered into between Jacob Shannon of the one part and Rutha Miller of the other part both of the Colony and Settlement aforesaid, Showeth that the said Jacob for and in consideration of an agreement entered into heretofore the said Jacob is to let the said Rutha have the one half of his said League of land lying in said neighborhood, the said Rutha having paid the one half of the expense, said League which League being known by the name of Beadye on which the parties now settled so as to be divided as to the equal to both of the parties in soyal, water and timber, all of which League is held by the said Jacob by grant from the Government of which said Jacob has disposed to Mathew Hubert three hundred and fifty acres of English measure of which each of the parties is to deduct from the agreement from their said half, or to divide the residue after deducting the three hundred and fifty acres then to be divided as above, in witness whereof we hereunto set our hands and affix our seals.

   Montgomery County Deeds, Vol. N, page 254.  Witnesses to the signing of this document in the Lake Creek Settlement were Mathew Hubert and John Shannon.

1834 Stephen F. Austin's Register of Families

   Stephen F. Austin, the founder of Anglo-American Texas, is recognized as the "Father of Texas."  Below is another early reference to the Lake Creek settlement found in Stephen F. Austin's Register of Families.⁸   On January 13, 1834, at San Felipe, these details of a land transaction in the Lake Creek settlement between Thomas Chatham and J. M. Springer were recorded as follows:

Austin's Register of Families, Book 2, Page 7

"Jan 13.    Thomas Chatham from the State of Alabama.  33 years old.  Ditha his wife 23 years old.  1 Male child 3 female do.  Occupation farming.  Applies for 4 quarters of league in Lake Creek settlement, marked J. M. Springer who relinquishes in favor of Chatham. 

   Stephen F. Austin's Register of Families, Book 2, Page 7, Texas General Land Office, Austin, Texas. 

   Thomas Chatham's land grant is located close to the center of the Lake Creek Settlement directly below John Corner's League on the map.

1834 Will of Owen Shannon

...with all our house hole and kitchen furnature  The Real or Landed property as follows - One Quarter League of land being in the neighborhood of Lake Creek a part of which tract I have...

   Owen Shannon was the husband of Margaret Montgomery Shannon.  Owen Shannon was the father of Jacob Shannon.  Margaret Montgomery Shannon was the aunt of Andrew Montgomery. 

   According to the "Montgomery Myth" a trading post known as Montgomery Trading Post was owned originally by Andrew Montgomery and later by Owen Shannon on the Owen Shannon League.  The "Montgomery Myth" further alleges that the lands around the Montgomery Trading Post were known as Montgomery Prairie or Montgomery Settlement.  Here, Owen Shannon refers to his "Real or Landed property as follows - One Quarter League of land being in the neighborhood of Lake Creek." 

   Nowhere in Owen Shannon's will does he mention a place called Montgomery, Montgomery Trading Post, Montgomery Settlement, or Montgomery Prairie.  He only mentions "the neighborhood of Lake Creek."  In fact, no where in the 9 pages of probate records of the Estate of Owen Shannon does anyone mention a place called Montgomery, Montgomery Trading Post, Montgomery Settlement, or Montgomery Prairie.  Click here to see the Owen Shannon's will and probate records.   

   The inventory of Owen Shannon's estate does not mention a trading post. The inventory only mentions 6 slaves, various livestock, household and kitchen furniture, farming utensils and one fourth of a league of land including the late residence and improvement of the deceased.  The inventory is signed by Marget Shannon, widow of the Deceased; Jacob Shannon, Administrator; Jesse Grimes, Mathew Hubert and W. W. Shepperd, Appraisers; and Joseph Lindley and J. H. Shepperd, Assisting Witnesses.

   Jacob Shannon was appointed the Administrator of his father's estate.  Jacob Shannon believed he lived in the Lake Creek Settlement.  See the 1833 Articles of Agreement between Jacob Shannon and Rutha Miller above and the Affidavit of Jacob Shannon in the 1870 Mathew Cartwright Pension Application below.   

   Witnesses to the signing of Owen Shannon's will were Henry Goff, Mary Corner, Matthew Hubert, James J. Foster, William C. Clark, Benjamin Rigby and George Allen.  On the map above, notice the location of the Mary Corner, James J. Foster , William C. Clark and Benjamin Rigby Leagues in relation to the Owen Shannon League.

   This Will is dated April 12, 1835, but the year has to be incorrect.  The probate of Owen Shannon's Will began on June 9, 1834.  Jacob Shannon sought the administration of his father's estate on February 24, 1835.  Owen Shannon almost certainly executed his Will on April 12, 1834 and died between that date and June 9, 1834. 

   Owin (Owen) Shannon's will and probate papers are located in Austin County Clerk's office in a file referred to as the "Old Probate Files."  Special thanks to Austin County Clerk, Carrie Gregor, for locating these documents which date from the time of Austin's Colony.  Special thanks to Harry G. Daves who originally discovered this document.  Also see The Herald, Volume 24, Issue Number 4, Winter 2001, "Owen Shannon’s Grave," by Harry G. Daves, Jr., pp.161-169 which contains a complete transcription of Owen Shannon's Will.

1835 Deed Margaret Shannon to Charles Garrett

Montgomery County Clerk, Deed, Vol. F, pp. 65 and 66

   At the house of Charles Garrett in the Precinct of Lake Creek upon San Jacinto, Before the witnesses C. B. Stewart and Henry Goff, I Margaret Shannon do declare that Owen Shannon deceased my late husband did in his life time donate and give in fee simple and perpetual right to the citizen above named Charles Garrett one quarter of a League of Land , granted to him the said Owen Shannon as a colonist by the State of Coahuila and Texas.

   This is another deed that proves that the "Montgomery Myth" cannot be true.  Charles Garrett, a member of Austin's "Old Three Hundred," was Margaret Shannon's son-in-law.  Garrett was married to Nancy Shannon.  Margaret Shannon was the wife of Owen Shannon and the aunt of Andrew Montgomery yet she is executing a deed regarding Owen Shannon's real property in the "Precinct of Lake Creek."  Again, there is no mention anywhere in this deed of a place called Montgomery, Montgomery Prairie, Montgomery Settlement or Montgomery Trading Post.  This deed was executed by Margaret Shannon on September 17th, 1835.  Witnesses to the signing of this document were C. B. Stewart and Henry Goff.

1835 Letter R. R. Royal to General Stephen F. Austin and General Sam Houston

    Between October 11, 1835 and October 31, 1835, the Permanent Council was effectively the government of Texas.  R. R. Royal, the President of the Permanent Council of Texas in San Felipe, wrote a letter to General Stephen F. Austin and General Sam Houston at the headquarters of the Texas army in Bexar (San Antonio) on October 31, 1835.  In his letter he strongly encouraged the army to hold its ground.  In this letter, Royal promised more supplies and advised of reinforcements:

"...Reinforcements are coming from every Quarter and If you but Just hold on a little San Antonio must fall Just at the sight as If it were of your superior numbers.  If you or a portion of you leave it will discourage and prevent the Reinforcements now getting up in all parts of the Country  75 men from N. Orleans, in complete uniform have Just left Brazoria and will soon Join you  an Express from Lake Creek says in a few days 50 men from that Quarter will leave for head Quarters  men from Nacogdoches came in today and from all accounts we expect a great many more from there in a few days."

   From The Papers of the Texas Revolution 1835-1836, Presidial Press, Austin, 1973, Vol. 2, pp. 279-281.  Also see Barker, The Austin Papers, Vol. III, pp. 223-224. 

   Some of the men who served as reinforcements "from Lake Creek" appear in many of the documents that follow below.  It is interesting to note that C. B. Stewart was appointed the Secretary of the Permanent Council.  See "Journal of the Permanent Council (October 11-27, 1835)", Edited by Eugene C. Barker, The Quarterly of the Texas State Historical Association, Vol. VII, April , 1904, No.4.

1836 W. W. Shepperd Notice in Telegraph and Texas Register

   Telegraph and Texas Register, Thursday, March 17, 1836, Vol. I, No. 20, published at San Felipe de Austin by Joseph Baker & Bordens. This notice ran at least one other time in the Telegraph and Texas Register on March 24, 1836, Vol. I, No. 21, published at San Felipe de Austin by Joseph Baker & Bordens. W. W. Shepperd and Col. Jared Groce were cousins and had extensive business dealings with one another. Here on February 12, 1836, Shepperd is residing in the place known as Lake Creek.

   William W. Shepperd had been operating a store and living on two hundred acres of land in the John Corner League which he purchased from William C. Clark in 1835.  These two hundred acres of land would be developed into the town of Montgomery in July of 1837.  W. W. Shepperd and his family were the first residents of what would become the town of Montgomery.

1836 Marriage of C. B. Stewart

   On March 1, 1836, at Washington (Washington-on-the Brazos), the Texian Independence Convention began.  The convention lasted from March 1 to March 17, 1836.  The delegates to the convention declared Texas independent from Mexico on March 2, 1836.  One of these delegates was Charles B. Stewart.  Stewart, who had already served as the first Secretary of State of Texas, was an active member of the convention where he signed the Texas Declaration of Independence and was a member of the committee that drafted the Constitution of the Republic of Texas.    Later, historians would credit him with designing the Lone Star flag and Seal of Texas in the Town of Montgomery, Texas in 1839. 

   On March 6, 1836, the Alamo fell.  As the Texas Revolution raged on, an interesting and little known fact about C. B. Stewart occurred.  C. B. Stewart, one of the most active members of the convention at Washington left the convention for several days and got married.  On March 8, 1836, James Hall, Judge of the Municipality of Washington, authorized "W. W. Shepperd of Lake Creek" to celebrate a contract of marriage between C. B. Stewart and Julia Shepperd.⁸   Stewart left Washington and traveled to the house of W. W. Shepperd on Lake Creek where he married Julia Shepperd (W. W. Shepperd's daughter) on March 11, 1836.⁹ 

Washington County Clerk, Deed Book A-1, p. 240

Republic of Texas

County of Washington

   Be it remembered that on the Eighth day of March 1836 Eighteen Hundred and thirty six that I James Hall Judge of the Municipality of Washington authorised W W Shepperd of Lake Creek to celebrate a contract of marriage between C B Stewart & Julia Shepperd of which I herein make due record this 23 day of Jany 1837

Copying the same to Wit

   To W W Shepperd Esqr.

Sir- You are hereby authorised to celebrate a contract of marriage between Chas B Stewart and Julia Shepperd and give to it the said contract the necessary formality before assisting witnesses

Washington March 8. 1836

signed

James Hall

Primary Judge

   By virtue of the foregoing authority to me directed I William W Shepperd on Lake Creek on the 11^th day of March 1836 caused the contract of Marriage between the parties referred to be executed...

   Washington County Clerk, Deed Book A-1, p. 243

...not being present. Appeared John Wade  W. C. Clark and Chas Garrett whom [water damage] know and certify to be citizens of the county who declare that they were  present on the 11th day of March 1836 at the house of W W Shepperd as aforesaid on Lake Creek and saw the within parties C B Stewart and Julia Shepperd united in marriage they signing the within bond, to which they signed their names severally in testimony...

   As seen above, W. W. Shepperd's house and store were located on the two hundred acres of land in the John Corner League which Shepperd had purchased in 1835 from William C. Clark.  So C. B. Stewart and Julia T. Shepperd were married in the Lake Creek Settlement on the lands that would later become the Town of Montgomery in July of 1837. As will be seen later, it is important to note that three of the witnesses to the marriage were John Marshall Wade, Charles Garrett and William C. Clark. 

   Stewart then returned to the convention at Washington by March 16 where he signed the Constitution of the Republic of Texas on March 17, 1836.

1836 J. H. Kuykendall

   J. H. Kuykendall, a soldier in the army of the Republic of Texas was with Sam Houston during his tactical retreat from Gonzales in 1836.  J. H. Kuykendall provided the following quote from Sam Houston:

He then said, "My friends, I am told that evil disposed persons have reported that I am going to march you to the Redlands.  This is false.  I am going to march you into the Brazos bottom near Groce's, to a position where you can whip the enemy ten to one, and where we can get an abundant supply of corn from Lake creek."

   J. H. Kuykendall, "Recollections of the Campaign," quoted in Eugene C. Barker's "The San Jacinto Campaign,"  Quarterly of the Texas State Historical Association, Volume IV, p. 300.  "An abundant supply of corn" does not come from a creek.  Houston is referring to the settlement known as Lake Creek.

1836 Justice of the Peace Lake Creek Precinct

   From the Compiled Index to Elected and Appointed Officials of the Republic of Texas: 1835-1846 published by the State Archives Division Texas State Library, 1981, pp. 21, 23 and 42; three different men held the office of Justice of the Peace in the Lake Creek Precinct from 1836-1839.  The Lake Creek Precinct was located in Washington County in 1836 and most of 1837.  [Note: Montgomery County would not be created by the Congress of the Republic of Texas until December 1837.]

Peter Cartwright - Justice of the Peace - Lake Creek Precinct

Martin P. Clark - Justice of the Peace - Lake Creek Precinct

George Galbraith - Justice of the Peace - Lake Creek Precinct

      Two of these men, Martin P. Clark and George Galbraith, would serve as Commissioners on the first Commissioners Court of Montgomery County held on March 1, 1838. Click to see the minutes of the first Montgomery County Commissioners Court meeting. 

   See the 1837 Affidavit of George Galbraith below to see J. Worsham also listed as a Justice of the Peace in the Lake Creek District.

1836 Deed Charles B. Stewart to Benjamine Rigby

   Montgomery County Clerk, Deed, Vol. B., pp. 268-270.  Deed executed "At the store of William W. Shepperd on Lake Creek on the 24th day of June 1836. Before us the undersigned, Witnesses, who authenticated this title at the request of the parties interested there being no Judge or notary present, Appeared Benjamine Rigby a Citizen of Austin's Colony who declared that in fullfillment of a contract made and entered into on the 25th day of April 1835 with Chas B. Stewart also a ..." 

   The witnesses to this deed were W. W. Shepperd, John Wade and William Rankin.

   It is interesting to note here that W. W. Shepperd's store appears to have all the qualities that the mythical "Montgomery Trading Post" was supposed to have had.  Much business was transacted at W. W. Shepperd's store. Deeds and other legal documents were executed there by the early settlers regularly.  [Note: In 1838, W. W. Shepperd would become the first Post Master of Montgomery, Texas and Montgomery County and his store  would become the first post office of the town and county of Montgomery.] 

   And yet, this has all escaped recent Montgomery County historians.  They continue to cling to the Montgomery Myth.  No similar legal documents can seem to found in the Montgomery County Courthouse that were executed in like manner at "the store or trading post of Andrew Montgomery" or "the store or trading post of Owen Shannon."  If the Montgomery Trading Post ever existed and it was the center of the so called "Montgomery Prairie" or "Montgomery Settlement" as the Montgomery Myth alleges, where are all the documents similar to the one above that would confirm its existence?  Logic would dictate that they should exist, but they don't.

1836 Day Book Entry of Charles B. Stewart

Cover of Charles B. Stewart's Day Book from 1836 to 1852

 June 25, 1836,     Left on Sale with W W Shepperd Lake Creek 6 papers Vermillion e  4/ - - - - - 3.00

  C. B. Stewart made this entry on June 25, 1836 in his Day Book from 1836 to 1852.  Charles Bellinger Stewart Papers, Texas State Library and Archives, Austin Texas.  Note C. B. Stewart makes no mention of any place called Montgomery in his "Day Book" prior to July 8, 1837.

1836 Advertisement for the City of Houston

The Allen brothers founded the City of Houston, Texas.  On August 30, 1836, the advertisement above was placed by the Allen brothers with the Telegraph and Texas Register newspaper published in Houston, Texas..

The City of Houston

The city of Houston is distant 15 miles from the Brazos river, 30 miles, a little north of East, from San Felippe, 60 miles from Washington, 40 miles from Lake Creek, 30 miles South West from New Kentucky, and 15 miles by water and 8 or 10 by land above Harrisburg.

 

August 30, 1836.- 6m

A. C. ALLEN, for

A. C. & J. K. ALLEN

Here the new City of Houston is described as being located 40 miles from Lake Creek.  It is clear from the context here that the Allen brothers are referring to a place known as Lake Creek and not the creek known as Lake Creek.  The Lake Creek Settlement was known well enought that the Allen brothers used it as a reference point to describe to people where the new City of Houston was located.

1836 Allen Brothers Letter to Congress of Republic of Texas

         This is an excerpt from the letter written by the Allen brothers to the Congress promoting Houston as the capital of the Republic of Texas in 1836. Houston became the capital of the Republic of Texas from 1837 to 1839. The Spring and Lake creek settlements are specifically referred to in the letter.

ARGUMENT FOR HOUSTON

  Houston, A History and Guide, Compiled by Workers of the Writers’ Program of the Work Projects Administration in the State of Texas, Sponsored by the Harris County Historical Society, Inc., The Anson Jones Press, Houston, Texas, 1942, pp. xi and xii.

1836 Deed John M. Springer to Jeremiah Worsham

   Montgomery County Deeds, Vol. A, pp. 3 and 4.  "Done in Lake Creek before the witnesses at the end. This 10th day of December 1836. John M. Springer"

   John M. Springer was married to  Elizabeth Landrum the daughter of Zachariah Landrum.  Jeremiah Worsham was married to Catherine Landrum also the daughter of Zachariah Landrum.  Zachariah Landrum's League is just west of the John Corner League where the Town of Montgomery would be founded in July 1837.  Six months before the town of Montgomery was founded, John M. Springer and Jeremiah Worsham believe they are conducting business in Lake Creek, not Montgomery, Montgomery Settlement, Montgomery Trading Post or Montgomery Prairie. 

   It is also important to take note of the witnesses to this deed who also believed they were witnessing a deed in Lake Creek: B. B. Goodrich, Mathew Hubert, William Keys, Wm. C. Clark and Wm. Cartwright.  Note on the map the location of the William C. Clark and William Cartwright land grants and their close proximity to the John Corner League. Also, see the reference to Mathew Hubert in the Jacob Shannon to Rutha Miller Articles of Agreement, above, which was executed in Lake Creek Settlement in 1833.

1836 Obituary of Ann Rebecca Mock

   The following obituary recording the death of Ann Rebecca Mock on Lake Creek settlement on November 29 appeared in the December 17, 1836 edition of the Telegraph and Texas Register.¹⁰

1837 Day Book Entry of Charles B. Stewart  

Lake Creek     January 5, 1837    Capt. Crane paid me in full - - - -2.00

   C. B. Stewart made this entry on January 5, 1837 in his business journal titled Day Book from 1836 to 1852.  Charles Bellinger Stewart Papers, Texas State Library and Archives, Austin Texas.  Note C. B. Stewart makes no mention of any place called Montgomery in his "Day Book" prior to July 8, 1837. 

   Captain John Crane was a soldier in the Texas Revolutionary army who fought in the Siege of Bexar and later served in John Marshall Wade's cavalry company.  John Crane was killed in the Cherokee War in 1839.  Click here to see a note executed by John Crane in 1838 in Montgomery which was probated by C. B. Stewart as attorney for W. W. Shepperd in 1840.

1837 Deed William Busby to W. W. Shepperd

Page 50

William  Busby                 Republic of Texas

To   Deed                           County of Washington

Wm. W. Shepperd                                     At the Store

of William W. Shepperd on Lake Creek on

the 14th day of January 1837. Eighteen

Hundred and thirty Seven, before us the citizens

R M Cravans, William Keys, Thomas Adams, and

C. B. Stewart, who witness this act, there being no 

Notary  present.  appeared William Busby, whom

we know and certify to be citizen in the full...

   Montgomery County Deeds, Vol. A, pp. 50-53.  Witnesses to this deed include R. M. Cravens, William Keys, Thomas Adams and C. B. Stewart.

1837 Deed A. U. Springer to John Pyle

Top of Page

Bottom of Page

   Montgomery County Deeds, Vol. H, p. 133.  "Done in the settlement of Lake Creek  before the witnesses in the Year of our Lord Eighteen Hundred and thirty seven and on the 18th of the month of January.  -A. U. Springer-"  Again, take note of the witnesses: Zaheus (Zacheus) Wilson, John M. Springer, William Landrum, James P. McFarlan (McFarland), Thomas Chatham.  A. U. Springer acknowledged his signature on this deed on November 25, 1843 before the Montgomery County clerk and the Deed was filed of record on November 28, 1843.  See Montgomery County Deeds, Vol. H, p. 134.

1837 Washington County Election Returns

Close-up 1837 Election Returns Justices of the Peace of Washington County Texas

Republic of Texas

County of Washington

   I do hereby certify that on collating the returns from the several precincts composing the county of Washington for the election of County officers for said County the following persons were found to be duly elected -- to wit-

R. Stevenson - Sheriff

J. P. Shepperd - Clerk of District Court

Robt. Merritt - County Clerk

W. P. Smith - Coroner

G. Walker & J. Beauchamp, J. P. for prc. of Hazard

J. G. Swisher}

Shub Marsh}                   Justices for Precinct of Hidalgo

E. Roddy}

S. R. Roberts}                                   "                 Washington

Jer. Washam}

Geo Galbraith}                                  "                  Lake Creek

Wm. Roberts}

Wm. Robinson}                                 "                  San Jacinto

A. McGuffin}

J. L. Bennett}                                     "                  Viesca 

Washington 13th Feby 1837

Jno. P. Coles

Chief Justice  

   Texas State Library and Archives, Republic of Texas Election Returns 1835-1845, Box 2-9/44, 1837 - Washington Co.  This is a wonderful record from the Texas State Archives.  It shows the precincts in Washington County in 1837 before Montgomery County was created.  Six precincts are listed: Hazard, Hidalgo, Washington, Lake Creek, San Jacinto and Viesca.  As we will see below, three of these precincts will be in the new County of Montgomery when it is created later in 1837.  Jer. Washam (Jeremiah Worsham) and Geo. (George) Galbraith were elected as Justices of Peace in the Precinct of Lake Creek.  Both of these gentlemen appear in numerous documents associated witht he Lake Creek Settlement.

1837 Day Book Entry of Charles B. Stewart

Wm Landrum self    Lake Creek   Feby 28, 1837

To advice and prescription for wife this date $2.00

To advice and directions   day after ----        $1.00

   Another entry from C. B. Stewart's Day Book from 1836 to 1852.  Charles Bellinger Stewart Papers, Texas State Library and Archives, Austin Texas.  This entry dated February 28, 1837 refers to medical advice and treatment provided by C. B. Stewart in Lake Creek.  The William Landrum League is located next to the Benjamin Rigby League due west of the Owen Shannon League.  See the map above.

1837 Affidavit of James Lee

Frame 26

On Lake Creek on 6th March 1837,  Personally came before me Geo Galbraith a duly qualified justice of the peace for Lake Creek Dist Washington county James Lee who says that he does not for himself or any other person owe any thing to the Government- that he has not embezzled or taken any arms ammunitions of war or any other thing belonging to the Government or caused the same to be done- that the annexed discharge is the same that was given him for his services in the army that it is original just and true and that he has not received or retained any thing belonging to the Government

James his X mark Lee

Sworn to and subscribed to before

me a Justice of the Peace aforesaid

Geo. Galbraith J. P.

   Texas State Library and Archives, Republic Claims, Name: Stewart, Charles B., Claim #: 965, Type: AU, Reel #: 101, Frames: 25-30.  You can look these records up online at:  http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/arc/repclaims/index.php  James Lee served as a Sergeant in Captain William Ware's Company.  His army discharge papers were signed by John Marshall Wade.  James Lee sold his claim for three months service in the army of the Republic of Texas to Charles B. Stewart on March 6, 1837.  Stewart purchased army discharge papers from several veterans of the Texas Revolution.  Here we find an example of George Galbraith as Justice of the Peace of the Lake Creek District.

1837 James A. Wilson Assignment to Charles B. Stewart and Affidavit

Frame 706

For the sum of Eight dollars to me in hand paid by Charles B Stewart, I sell and convey to him all my claim and right to one month and seventeen days service in the volunteer army of Texas at  San Antonio upon which there is a pay of Twenty dollars per month and as such I sell it to him for the above Eight dollars.

Lake Creek  April 9 - 1837  the said certificate attached to this sale of it.

James A his X mark Wilson

Witness

Geo. Galbraith

Lake Creek       1837   April 9

This day came James Wilson and said that he does not for himself or any other person owe the Government any thing-  that he has not taken embezzled or retained any munitions or any other thing belong to the Gov't or caused the same to have been done and that the annexed discharge is original Just and true, the same given him by J. L. Bennett and S. F. Austin

James his X mark A Wilson

Sworn and Subscribed to

before me on the above date

Geo. Galbraith

J P Lake Creek dist

   Texas State Library and Archives, Republic Claims, Name: Stewart, Charles B., Claim #: 960, Type: AU, Reel #: 126, Frames: 705-708.  You can look these records up online at:  http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/arc/repclaims/index.php  James Wilson participated in the Siege of Bexar.  His army discharge was signed November 24, 1835 by Captain Joseph L. Bennett.  Wilson's discharge was counter-signed by then Commander in Chief and General, Stephen F. Austin.

   C. B. Stewart, always the business man, made an excellent bargain.  He paid James Wilson $8.00 for his army discharge on April 9, 1837.  On April 27, 1837, J. W. Moody, the First Auditor of the Republic of Texas, paid C. B. Stewart $31.33.  Stewart as assignee of James Wilson, almost quadrupled his money in just two and a half weeks.

April 21, 1837 was a very busy day in the Lake Creek District as will be seen in the following documents.

1837 Affidavit of A. U. Springer

Frame 581

Lake Creek Dist   April 21, 1837

   Before me came A. U. Springer and said that the annexed discharges are original just and true- that he does not for himself or any other person owe anything to the Government he has not taken embezzled or retained any army ammunitions or horses mules or any other thing belonging to the Government nor has he caused the same to have been done by any other person excepting one 3 point Blanket at San Antonio.

A U Springer

Sworn to and Subscribed

to before me Geo. Galbraith

Justice of the peace

Lake creek Dist.

I hereby authorise C B Stewart to have my accounts on Government audited for my use  Lake Creek dist April 21, 1837

A U Springer

Witness                                                                Witness

W M Rankin                                               Geo. Galbraith

   Texas State Library and Archives, Republic Claims, Name: Springer, A. U., Claim #: 953, Type: AU, Reel #: 99, Frames: 579-583. See the A. U. Springer League on the map above.  The map has his middle initial wrong and shows A. W. Springer.  The A. U. Springer League is located to the south of the location where Lake Creek emptys into the West Fork of the San Jacinto River. 

1837 Affidavit of John M. Springer

   Lake Creek Dist   April 21, 1837

Before me, came John M. Springer and said that he does not for himself or any other person owe any thing  to the Government that the annexed discharge is original just and true, that he has not taken embezzled nor retained any army ammunition horse, mules or any other thing belonging to the Government, nor has he caused the same to have been done

John M. Springer

Sworn to and subscribed

to before me on the above

date Geo. Galbraith

Justice of the for Dist. aforesaid

I hereby appoint and authorise Charles B Stewart to have my Government claims audited and settled for my a/c Lake Creek Dist   April 21, 1837

John M. Springer

Witness                        Witness

W M Rankin                  Geo Galbraith

   Texas State Library and Archives, Republic Claims, Name: Springer, John, Claim #: 952, Type: AU, Reel #: 99, Frames: 585-588.  Also see J. M. Springer above in 1834 Stephen F. Austin's Register of Families and in 1836 Deed John M. Springer to Jeremiah Worsham.

1837 Affidavit of Raleigh Rogers

Frame 544

Lake Creek Dist  April 21, 1837

Before me came Raleigh Rogers and said that the annexed discharge and receipt are original just and true that he does not for himself or any other person owe any thing to...

   Texas State Library and Archives, Republic Claims, Name: Rogers, Raleigh, Claim #: 954, Type: AU, Reel #: 89, Frames: 542-547.  See the Raleigh Rogers League on the map above.  The Rogers League is located directly to the south of the Thomas Chatham land grant and John Corner League.

Frame 543

I authorise C B Stewart to have my a/c audited for me for my a/c Lake Creek Dist  April 21, 1837

Raleigh Rogers

Witness                                  Witness

Geo. Galbraith          [James] X Wilson

   Texas State Library and Archives, Republic Claims, Name: Rogers, Raleigh, Claim #: 954, Type: AU, Reel #: 89, Frames: 542-547.  You can look these records up online at: http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/arc/repclaims/index.php 

1837 Affidavit of George Galbraith

Top of Frame 113

Lake Creek District Washington County on the 21st day of April Eighteen Hundred and thirty seven comes George Galbraith and says the annexed discharge is original, Just and true  And he owes...

Bottom of Frame 113

...of War, or any kind of property whatever belonging to the Republic of Texas; or caused the same to have been done.                

George Galbraith

Sworn and Subscribed before me    J Worsham J.P.

A Justice of the Peace for Lake Creek

District County of Washington Republic

of Texas

 

Frame 114

I hereby authorise C B Stewart to have my claims - audited for my account

Lake Creek   April 21, 1837

Geo. Galbraith

Witness                                              Witness

W M Rankin                                    J Worsham

   Texas State Library and Archives, Republic Claims, Name: Galbraith, George, Claim #: 955, Type: AU, Reel #: 34, Frames: 110-113.  You can look these records up online at:  http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/arc/repclaims/index.php  See the land grants to George Galbraith on the map above.

1837 Affidavit of Thomas Chatham

Frame 337

The Republic of Texas

Washington County

Lake Creek District          On the 8th day of May

Eighteen hundred and thirty seven came Thomas

Chatham and says that the annexed discharge is

original, just and true, and he owes the ...

   Texas State Library and Archives, Republic Claims, Name: Chatham, Thomas, Claim #: 2610, Type: AU, Reel #: 17, Frames: 335-341.  Thomas Chatham swore to this affidavit before Lake Creek district Justice of the Peace, George Galbraith.  Like many of the Lake Creek Settlement veterans of the Texas Revolution, Thomas Chatham  served in Captain William Ware's Company in the Texas Army.  See Frame 338.  You can look these records up online at:  http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/arc/repclaims/index.php 

Frame 341

   We the undersigned do hereby

authorise Chas B Stewart to have our

discharges audited in our respective names

for our uses.

Lake Creek      June 2, 1837

Thomas Chatham

Ben Jami[son?]

   Texas State Library and Archives, Republic Claims, Name: Chatham, Thomas, Claim #: 2610, Type: AU, Reel #: 17, Frames: 335-341.  You can look these records up online at:  http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/arc/repclaims/index.php

1837 Affidavit of Alexander Whitaker

Before me Jeremiah Worsham one of the Justice of the Peace for the Republic of Texas, the County of Washington District of Lake Creek personally appeared Alexander Whitaker who says that the annexed discharge is just and true and that he owes the Government nothing on this or the annexed discharge but one pair of shoes of fine quality either for himself or any other person.  Nor has he retained any arms or munitions of war, or embezzled any kind of property belonging to the Republic of Texas or caused the same to have been done

May 13th 1837                                                              

Alexander his X mark Whitaker

Sworn and subscribed

before me J. Worsham JP

for the said Dist and County

aforesaid

   Texas State Library and Archives, Republic Claims, Name: Whitaker, Alexander, Claim #: 1300, Type: AU, Reel #: 113, Frames: 334-336.  You can look these records up online at:  http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/arc/repclaims/index.php    

   Special thanks to native Texan Rita Kern who discovered this reference to the District of Lake Creek in the affidavit of her ancestor Alexander Whitaker.  This is another example of Jeremiah Worsham as the Justice of the Peace of the District of Lake Creek.

Documents Above Are All Dated Before July 8, 1837

July 8, 1837

Town of Montgomery, Texas Founded

   As stated at the beginning of this article, this date is significant.  The names Montgomery and town of Montgomery appear in print for the first time in July 8, 1837 edition of the Telegraph and Texas Register.  And we can date the founding of the Town of Montgomery to this date.

   After this date, for a while, the terms Lake Creek Settlement, District of Lake Creek, Precinct of Lake Creek and Lake Creek will be used synonymously with the terms Montgomery and Town of Montgomery.  The next two documents are examples of the "Lake Creek" and "Montgomery" terms being used interchangeably.

   Shortly thereafter, the terms Montgomery and Town of Montgomery will become the more popular names and Lake Creek Settlement, District of Lake Creek, Precinct of Lake Creek and Lake Creek will quickly fall out of common usage. 

Documents Below Are All Dated After July 8, 1837

1837 Republic of Texas, Washington County, District of Lake Creek, Store of W. W. Shepperd on Lake Creek in the Town of Montgomery

Page 241

Deed W. Buchannon, Guardian to C. B. Stewart

Republic of Texas

County of Washington

District of Lake Creek

   Page 243

"...affect the goodness of this act.  And I sign this act at the store of W W Shepperd on Lake Creek in the town of Montgomery on the 2nd day of August Eighteen hundred Thirty seven - and there..."

  Washington County Clerk, Deed, Volume A, pp. 241-243.  This wonderful deed is something of a Rosetta Stone.  The District of Lake Creek and the store of W. W. Shepperd on Lake Creek and the Town of Montgomery are all the same place.  This deed was signed on August 2, 1837 less than a month after the town of Montgomery was founded on July 8, 1837.  This may be the earliest known deed referring to the town of Montgomery.

   All the names for Lake Creek Settlement will soon fade away being replaced with Montgomery, Town of Montgomery and County of Montgomery.

1837 W. W. Shepperd Agent for the Telegraph and Texas Register

Enlarged

   August 12, 1837, edition of the Telegraph and Texas Register, Vol. II, No. 30, Whole No. 82, page 1, published by Cruger & Moore in Houston, Texas.  Just over a month after the July 8, 1837 advertisement for the sale of lots in the town of Montgomery was first run, W. W. Shepard [Shepperd] is listed in the masthead of the Telegraph and Texas Register as the agent of the newspaper in "Montgomery, Lake creek."  

   This was the first edition in which W. W. Shepperd appears as an agent of the Telegraph and Texas Register. He is the agent at Montgomery, Lake creek.  Before the July 8, 1836 edition, the Telegraph and Texas Register used only the names Lake Creek or Lake Creek Settlement to designate the place. The name Montgomery had only been in use to designate the place since July 8, 1837 (a little over a month).

    The "Buchannon to Stewart" deed signed on August 2, 1837 (see above) uses the terms "on Lake Creek", "District of Lake Creek" and "Town of Montgomery" synonymously.  Now, just a few days later, we see the Telegraph and Texas Register using the names Montgomery and Lake Creek synonymously.  The Telegraph and Texas Register begins to use both names interchangeably right on the cover of the newspaper in its masthead.

   The Lake Creek name will be dropped from the Telegraph masthead altogether many months later. As an example, the January 8, 1840 edition of the Telegraph and Texas Register lists W. W. Shepard as agent in "Montgomery" only.  "Lake creek" is gone.

1837 Affidavit of James P. McFarland

On the 18th day of August 1837 Before me George Galbraith a Justice of the Peace for the District of Lake Creek Washington County in the Republic of Texas personally appeared James P McFarland who says the annexed discharge is original just and true, and that he owes the Government nothing for himself or any other person nor has he retained, sold or embezzled any arms, munitions of war, or any kind of property whatever belonging to the Republic of Texas or caused the same to have been done.

Sworn to and Subscribed

before me Geo. Galbraith

a Justice of the Peace for said

County & District

   Texas State Library and Archives, Republic Claims, Name: McFarland, James P., Claim #: 3330, Type: AU, Reel #: 67, Frame: 556.   You can look these records up at:  http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/arc/repclaims/index.php

1837 Montgomery County, Texas Created

   On December 14, 1837, Montgomery County was created by an act of the Congress of the Republic of Texas.  See The Laws of Texas, 1822-1897, Gammel, Volume I, Austin, The Gammel Book Company, 1898, pp. 1375-1376:

AN ACT

Creating the county of Montgomery.

Sec. 1. Be it enacted, by the senate and house of representatives of the republic of Texas in congress assembled, that all that part of the county of Washington, lying east of the Brazos, and southeast Navisota rivers, shall constitute and form a new county to be known and designated by the name Montgomery county...

...JOSEPH ROWE,

Speaker of the house of representatives.

MIRABEAU B. LAMAR,

President of the senate.

Approved, Dec. 14, 1837

SAM. HOUSTON

1838 Town of Montgomery Becomes County Seat of Montgomery County

   On March 1, 1838 at the very first Montgomery County Commissioners Court meeting, the minutes provide the following:

Page 1

"The president placed before the board the written act of donation of W. W. Shepperd to the County of Montgomery of an equal half undivided interest in the Town of Montgomery and Sixty acres of pine land adjoining - donated for County purposes and being put to question whether said donation should be accepted it was unanimously received - and the question being also whether the place of the Town presented by C. B. Stewart as agent for W. W. Shepperd should be received the same was also unanimously received and adopted."

   These are the original hand written minutes of the Montgomery County Commissioners Court found on page 1 located in the Montgomery County Clerk's Office in Conroe, Texas.  Also see Montgomery County Clerk, Deed, Vol. E, p. 285.

1838 Election Returns for Montgomery County and Precinct of Lake Creek

   Some time between the first Montgomery County Commissioners Court meeting on March 1, 1838 and April 30, 1838 elections were held in Montgomoery County.  On April 30, 1838, Jesse Grimes provides Robert A. Irion, the Secretary of State of the Republic of Texas, the election returns below.

April 30, 1838

Montgomery April 30th 1838

Hon. Robert A. Irion

Sir

                                      In the organization of the County of montgomery the following named persons were duly elected   To Wit:  Abram Zuber Clerk of district Court, Gwyn Morrison Clerk of County and Probate Courts, Joshua Robbins  Sheriff, Daniel Quinby  Coroner, Daniel T. Dunham, Zoraster Robinson, Hillory M. Crabb, Luther M. T. Plummer, Martin P. Clark and George Galbraith Justices of the Peace for said County, all of whom have been duly qualified and are acting in their official capacities respectively.

Jesse Grimes  Chief Justice

County Court, Montgomery County

      Texas State Library and Archives, Republic of Texas Election Returns 1835-1845, Box 2-9/44, Election Returns 1838- Montgomery Co.  There was some miscommunication and Jesse Grimes re-submitted the returns to the Secretary of State on May 30, 1838.  These returns are more detailed.

May 30, 1838

Montgomery County,   May the 30th 1838

Hon. R. A. Irion

Dear Sir

                                  Your communication of the 5th from some cause did not reach me until yesterday 

   The County of Montgomery was organised as early as practicable after recieving the proclamation of the President on that subject.  One of the Justices elect having been a while absent from the County the returns of his qualifications was not received until the April term of the Probate Court, when I immediately made return of all the County Officers, with the exception of Constables to the Department of State which I hope you have received but for fear it has not reached you I have sent you another which I have to do from memory being at home sixteen miles from the County Clerks office.

   Abram Zuber Clerk of the district Court;    Joshua Robbins Sheriff   Daniel Quimby Coroner.  For the precinct of Viesca  D T Dunham and Zoraster Robinson Justices of the peace and Peter Tumbleston Constable.  Precinct of Lake Creek Martin P Clarke and George Galbraith Justices of the Peace and William S. Taylor Constable.  Precinct of San Jacinto Hillory M Crabb and Luther M Plummer Justices of the Peace and                     Constable.

   Texas State Library and Archives, Republic of Texas Election Returns 1835-1845, Box 2-9/44, Election Returns 1838 - Montgomery Co.  Jesse Grimes provided some additional election returns on October 30, 1838.

October 30, 1838

Republic of Texas

Montgomery County

       I do hereby certify that Ephraim H. Grey has been duly elected and qualified a Justice of the Peace in the precicnt of San Jacinto to fill the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of Hillory M. Crabb.  Peter Cartwright has been duly elected and qualified a Justice of the Peace in the Precinct of Lake Creek to fill the vacancy occasioned by the death of Martin P. Clark - and Samuel McAdams has been duly elected and qualified Coroner to fill the vacancy occasioned by the death of Daniel Quimby

Given under my hand and private seal

having no seal of office, the 30th day

of October A.D. 1838

Jesse Grimes     Chief Justice

County Court

Montgomery County

   Texas State Library and Archives, Republic of Texas Election Returns 1835-1845, Box 2-9/44, Election Returns 1838 - Montgomery Co.  The three precincts in Montogomery County in 1838 identified in these election returns are the Precinct of Viesca, the Precinct of Lake Creek and the Precinct of San Jacinto. In 1839, these three very large precincts were replaced with a number of political subdivisons called beats.  For some reason, William S. Taylor ceased to be the Constable of the Precinct of Lake Creek as evidenced by the election of Nathan Drake in November of 1838. 

1838 Nathan Drake Elected Constable of the Precinct of Lake Creek

   The earliest elections records in Montgomery County were recorded in a small book in the County Clerk's Office called Records of Official Bonds 1838-1848.  This book is great primary source for the names and offices held by the earliest officials in Montgomery County.  On page 12, we find the election of Nathan Drake as the Constable of the Precinct of Lake Creek.

Records of Official Bonds 1838 - 1848;  Page 12

12     Nathan Drake Bond as Constable

Republic of Texas

Montgomery County         

Know all men by these presents that we Nathan Drake, W. W. Shepperd and Charles Garrett are held and firmly bound unto Sam Houston, President of the Republic of Texas and his successors in office in the just and full sum of One Thousand Dollars good and lawful money for the payment whereof we bind ourselves, our heirs executors and administrators, jointly and severally, firmly by these presents.  Sealed with our seals and dated the 25th day of November A. D.  1838 and third year of the Independence of the Republic of Texas.

The condition of the above obligation is such that whereas the above bound Nathan Drake has been duly elected Constable of the Precinct of Lake Creek

Now if the said Drake shall faithfully perform all the duties that are or shall be required of him by law as Constable of said Precinct then the above obligation to be void.  Otherwise to be and remain in full force and effect.

Nathan Drake {Seale}

W. W. Shepperd {Seale}

Charles Garrett {Seale}

Approved the 26th November 1838.

Jesse Grimes Chief Justice

Montgomery County

Close-up of Page 12 

The condition of the above obligation is such that whereas the above bound Nathan Drake has been duly elected Constable of the Precinct of Lake Creek...

   The sureties on Constable Drake's bond were W. W. Shepperd and Charles Garrett; and Montgomery County Chief Justice Jesse Grimes approved the bond. 

   Special thanks to Vera Meek Wimberly for abstracting Records of Official Bonds 1838-1848 which included the information about Constable Nathan Drake.  See page 110 , Vol. 13, #3, Fall 1990 edition of The Herald, article entitled Montgomery County Texas Official Bonds 1838 - 1848.  Special thanks to Sharon Wilson and the rest the Montgomery County Clerk's Office for the great job in locating this wonderful primary document from the first year of the county's existence.

   1845 Alexander McCown Advertisement in the Montgomery Patriot  

  Even after July 8, 1837, the area around the Town of Montgomery was still known as the Lake Creek Settlement for some time. 

Masthead of July 2, 1845 Montgomery Patriot Newspaper

Page 4

   July 2, 1845 edition of the Montgomery Patriot, Vol. 1, No. 10, page 4, published by John Marshall Wade in Montgomery, Texas. 

    The fact that the area around Montgomery was known as Lake Creek or the Lake Creek Settlement cannot be disputed.  Above is an advertisement published in the July 2, 1845 edition of the Montgomery Patriot newspaper published by John Marshall Wade.  The advertisement placed by A. M'Cown (Alexander McCown) is for the sale of lots in the Town of Montgomery.  In describing Montgomery, the advertisement describes, "The lands surrounding Montgomery known as the Lake Creek Settlement, being of such a rich and fertile character..."  Alexander McCown was the brother and agent for James McCown who purchased W. W. Shepperd's one half undivided interest in the Town of Montgomery in 1839.

   It is interesting to take note of John Marshall Wade's motto in the newspaper masthead, "Let all the ends thou aim'st at be thy Country's, thy God's, and Truth's" 

    John Marshall Wade attained the rank of Colonel during the Texas Revolution and manned the "Twin Sisters" at the Battle of San Jacinto on April 21, 1836 when Texas won its independence from Mexico.

1870 John M.Wade Pension Application 

   On October 4, 1870, Thomas Chatham swore out an affidavit in Montgomery County in support of John Marshall Wade's Pension Claim Application.  To see another reference to Thomas Chatham and the Lake Creek Settlement, see the 1834 entry in Stephen F. Austin's Register of Families above. You can look this pension record up at:  http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/arc/repclaims/index.php

Bottom of Frame 524

And Thomas Chatham says on his oath that he personally knew the said John M Wade now here present before him in the...

Top of Frame 525

...year 1835 in the month of October at the place then called Lake Creek Settlement now the town of Montgomery in the State and County aforesaid, that the said Wade and himself joined Capt W Wares...

   Texas State Library and Archives, Republic Claims, Name: Wade, John M., Type: PE, Reel #: 243, Frames: 524-526. 

   Thomas Chatham lived in the Lake Creek Settlement from 1834. Here in his own sworn statement he leaves no room for doubt when he says he knew John M. Wade in 1835 at, "the place then called Lake Creek Settlement now the town of Montgomery." This document is devastating for proponents of the "Montgomery Myth."  The place where the town of Montgomery was founded was called Lake Creek Settlement prior to July 8, 1837 and not Montgomery, Montgomery Settlement, Montgomery Prairie or Montgomery Trading Post. 

   Also, see advertisement placed by A. McCown in the July 2, 1845 edition of the Montgomery Patriot published by John Marshall Wade above. 

1870 Mathew Cartwright Pension Application

   On October 8, 1870, Mathew Cartwright, John M. Wade and Jacob Shannon signed affidavits regarding Mathew Cartwright military service during the Texas Revolution in support of his Pension Claim Application.  You can look these pension records up at:  http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/arc/repclaims/index.php

Mathew Cartwright Affidavit

  Texas State Library and Archives, Republic Claims, Name: Cartwright, Mathew, Type: PE, Reel #: 207, Frame: 596.  After describing his extensive military activities in 1835 and 1836, Mathew Cartwright swore "that he then returned to his place of residence in Montgomery County then called Lake Creek Settlement in the Municipality of Washington now the County of Montgomery..."  Clearly the area was called Lake Creek Settlement not Montgomery Prairie, Montgomery Settlement, Montgomery Trading Post or Montgomery as several recent historians have maintained in their recently published histories.

   Mathew Cartwright fought in the Battle of San Jacinto.

John M. Wade Affidavit  

And the said John M. Wade says that he knew the said Mathew Cartwright now present before him in the years 1835 & 1836 at Lake Creek Settlement in the Municipality of Washington now County of Montgomery that he saw said Mathew Cartwright in the army of the Republic of Texas...

   Texas State Library and Archives, Republic Claims, Name: Cartwright, Mathew, Type: PE, Reel #: 207, Frame: 597.    John Marshall Wade had been the publisher of the Montgomery Patriot newspaper in the town of Montgomery during the 1840's.  See advertisement in the July 2, 1845 edition above.  John M. Wade knew exactly where the Lake Creek Settlement had been.  John M. Wade was elected the Surveyor of Montgomery County in 1840.  See page 23 of Records of Official Bonds 1838-1848 located in the Montgomery County Clerk's Office.

Jacob Shannon Affidavit

   Texas State Library and Archives, Republic Claims, Name: Cartwright, Mathew, Type: PE, Reel #: 207, Frame: 598.  "And Jacob Shannon says that he is a resident citizen of Montgomery County and has resided in what is now said County from the year 1830 to the present date, that he knew the said Mathew Cartwright now present before him, in the year 1835 at and in Lake Creek Settlement now said County of Montgomery that he also knew him  in the Army of Texas in the Campaign at San Antonio de Bexar in the year 1835 that he went from said Settlement in company with himself as members of Capt Fosters company under Capt Jos L Bennet (Foster having resigned)..."

     It is important to remember that Jacob Shannon was the son of Owen Shannon and Margaret Montgomery Shannon and that he is a close cousin of Andrew Montgomery.  Andrew Montgomery was Jacob Shannon's mother's nephew.  According to the "Montgomery Myth," this is the very family that the names Montgomery, Montgomery Settlement, Montgomery Prairie or Montgomery Trading Post supposedly spring from.   Here again, however, Jacob Shannon swears to the existence of the Lake Creek Settlement and not a place known as Montgomery, Montgomery Settlement, Montgomery Prairie or Montgomery Trading Post. This document and the Jacob Shannon to Rutha Miller Articles of Agreement above are disastrous to anyone trying to cling to the "Montgomery Myth."  There was no place called Montgomery prior to July 8, 1837.

    Jacob Shannon mentions "Capt Fosters company."  Jacob Shannon is referring to James J. Foster.  See Foster's land grant in relation to the other land grants in the Lake Creek Settlement on the map above.  It is just north and east of the Owen Shannon League.  James J. Foster was the original army recruiter in the Lake Creek Settlement for the Republic of Texas.  This same James J. Foster also witnessed the signing of Owin Shannon's will shortly before Owin Shannon's death.

1870 Evin Corner Pension Application

   On October 20, 1870, Evin Corner signed an affidavit regarding his military service during the Texas Revolution in support of his Pension Claim Application.  You can look these pension records up at: http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/arc/repclaims/index.php

...day of July AD 1836.  I, the said Evan Corner do also swear I volunteered a second time under J M Wade at Lake Creek Settlement on or about the 4th day of July AD One Thousand Eight Hundred and Thirty Six...

   Texas State Library and Archives, Republic Claims, Name: Corner, Evin, Type: PE, Reel #: 210, Frames: 265 and 266.

1936 Centennial Monument - Town of Montgomery

   Texas Centennial monument in front of the Montgomery Community Building in Montgomery, Texas located on SH 149 two blocks north of SH 105.  This marker was erected by the State of Texas in 1936 for the Texas Centennial.  Before the "Montgomery Myth" began appearing in Montgomery County histories in the 1970's, historians recognized W. W. Shepperd's role in the founding of the Town of Montgomery.  

   The monument reads as follows:

TOWN OF MONTGOMERY

FOUNDED IN JULY, 1837 BY

W. W. SHEPHERD

INCORPORATED IN 1848

MONTGOMERY COUNTY WAS CREATED

DECEMBER 14, 1837

JAMES MITCHELL, PLEASANT GRAY,

WILLIAM ROBINSON, ELIJAH COLLARD

CHARLES BARNETT, JOSEPH L. BENNET

DR. B. B. GOODRICH, D. D. DUNHAM AND

HENRY FANTHROP, COMMISSIONERS,

SELECTED MONTGOMERY AS THE COUNTY

SEAT AND IT REMAINED AS SUCH

UNTIL 1889

IMPORTANT TRADE CENTER

BEFORE THE CIVIL WAR

   In coming weeks, I will continue to add to this web page and include more information about the Lake Creek Settlement.  I will also include more information about J. W. Moody and I will explain in more detail how the Town of Montgomery and Montgomery County really got their names.   It has been my great pleasure to begin to set the record straight and correct the early history the Town of Montgomery and Montgomery County, Texas.  

Kameron K. Searle

¹ Telegraph and Texas Register, July 8, 1837, Vol. II, No. 25, p.4, Houston, Republic of Texas.

² Information on Austin's Second Colony provided by Galen Greaser of the Spanish Collection in the Archives and Records Division of the Texas General land Office in Austin, Texas.

³ 1861 Map of Montgomery County, Texas, Texas General land Office

⁴ 1830 Citizens of Texas, Gifford White, Eakin Press, Austin, Texas, 1983, pp. 34, 37, 39 and 41. 

⁵ Ibid, p. 34.

⁶ Montgomery County, Texas County Commissioners Court Minutes 1838 - 1845, Montgomery County Clerk, March 1, 1838, p.1.

⁷ Stephen F. Austin's Register of Families, ed. Villamae Williams, [From the originals in the General Land Office, Austin, Texas], Genealogy Publishing Co. Inc., 1984, p.88.

⁸ Deed Book A-1, Washington County Clerk, p. 240.

⁹ Deed Book A-1, Washington County Clerk, pp. 240-243.

¹⁰ Telegraph and Texas Register, December 17, 1836, Vol. I, No. 47, p. 4, Columbia, Republic of Texas.

   Special thanks to Narcissa Martin Boulware for her efforts to correctly report and preserve the early history of the Lake Creek Settlement, the Town of Montgomery and Montgomery County, Texas and for her continued assistance in this project.

   Special thanks to Montgomery County Clerk, Mark Turnbull, and his staff in the Montgomery County Clerk's office in Conroe, Texas for all your assistance in locating and copying almost half of the primary historical documents used in this article.

   Special thanks to Galen Greaser, Translator with the Spanish Collection in the Archives and Records Division of the Texas General Land Office, for his information on Mexican Land Grants in 1831 and Austin's Second Colony.

   Special thanks to Austin County Clerk, Carrie Gregor, for locating the Owen Shannon's will and probate records.

   Special thanks to the Washington County Clerk's Office in Brenham, Texas for your assistance in locating the records of the marriage of Charles B. Stewart and Julia Shepperd at the home of W. W. Shepperd in Lake Creek on March 11, 1836 during Stewart's service as a delegate to the Convention at Washington on the Brazos.

Your Help Would Be Appreciated in Writing the History

of the Lake Creek Settlement and the Town of Montgomery

   I am currently writing a history of the Town of Montgomery, Texas which will include the extensive details regarding the activities of W. W. Shepperd, J. W. Moody and Charles Bellinger Stewart in the founding of the town and the earliest days in the history of Montgomery County.  The book will include many facts which have been omitted from other histories including the very existence of the early community known as the Lake Creek Settlement.  The book will begin to correct the myth that there was ever a place called Montgomery, Montgomery Prairie, Montgomery Settlement or a Montgomery trading post prior to July 8, 1837. 

   If you know of other primary historical documents that refer to the Lake Creek Settlement, District of Lake Creek, Precinct of Lake Creek or Lake Creek which have not been included on this site, please let me know about them so that they can be included.  I will be glad to give you credit for your historical discovery. 

   Also see my Help Wanted - Lake Creek Settlement page for specific documents and information I am looking for.  Thanks 

Challenge

   Also, if you are aware of a single primary historical document that refers to Montgomery, Montgomery Prairie or the Montgomery Trading Post prior to July 8, 1837, I would appreciate it if you would bring them to my attention.  As it is, I have never seen a single primary document referring to Montgomery, Montgomery Prairie, Montgomery Settlement or the Montgomery Trading Post dated prior to July 8, 1837 when W. W. Shepperd ran his advertisement in the Telegraph and Texas Register newspaper offering lots for sale in the town of Montgomery.  This challenge is open to everyone including all historians, members of the Montgomery Historical Society, Montgomery County Genealogical and Historical Society, Inc., MCG&HS, and the curators of the Heritage Museum of Montgomery County.  Prove me wrong if you can! 

Also see my Help Wanted - Montgomery Prairie page.

Thank you,

Kameron Searle

602 Sawyer, Suite 460

Houston, Texas 77007

713-880-4529