HistoricSiteMarkers
Early Republic

Andrew Jackson Montgomery

Stoneham, Grimes County, Texas

Marker Inscription

(Apr. 4, 1801 - Dec. 3, 1863) Born in Blount County, Tennessee, Andrew Jackson Montgomery came to Texas in 1819 with the James Long Expedition. In 1823, as the first known settler in Montgomery County, he opened a trading post at the crossing of two Indian trails. From his post emerged the town of Montgomery from which Montgomery County took its name. A veteran of the Battle of San Jacinto, Montgomery married Mary Mahulda Farris at age 43, and they had nine children. Recorded - 1986

Erected by Texas Historical Commission

The Story

Andrew Jackson Montgomery came to Texas in 1819 with the ill-fated James Long Expedition and, by 1823, opened a trading post where two Indian trails crossed — becoming the first known settler in what is now Montgomery County. The town and county both grew from that post and took his family name. He later fought at the Battle of San Jacinto, married Mary Mahulda Farris, and raised nine children.

Why it matters

Montgomery embodies the earliest wave of Anglo settlement in Texas, when a lone trading post at a trail crossing could seed a town, a county, and a name.

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Related people

  • · Andrew Jackson Montgomery
  • · Mary Mahulda Farris

Related events

  • · Battle of San Jacinto
  • · James Long Expedition

Themes & tags

Nearby & related markers

Andrew Jackson Montgomery

Stoneham, TX

Andrew Jackson Montgomery came to Texas around 1830 and took his place in the fight for its independence, serving in Captain James Gillaspie's company at the Battle of San Jacinto in 1836, the decisive victory that won the Republic of Texas its freedom. The marker, erected by the state in 1957, carries a supplemental plate offering differing dates for his birth and arrival, a reminder of how uncertain early frontier records could be.

John Montgomery

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A native of Alabama, John Montgomery came to Texas about 1830 with his brother Andrew and joined the struggle for independence. Like his brother he served in Captain James Gillaspie's company at the Battle of San Jacinto in 1836, the battle that secured the Republic of Texas. The state placed this marker in 1957 to honor his part in that founding moment.

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