HistoricSiteMarkers
Early Republic

Bennet Valentine

Gonzales, Gonzales County, Texas

Marker Inscription

From 1835 to his death in 1843 he fought to gain and maintain Texas Independence.

Erected by Texas Historical Commission

The Story

This marker honors Bennet Valentine, who from 1835 until his death in 1843 fought to win and defend the independence of Texas. His years of service spanned the Texas Revolution and the early struggles of the young Republic. Little else is recorded on the stone, but it commemorates one of the many who gave their lives to the cause.

Why it matters

Markers to figures like Valentine keep alive the memory of the ordinary fighters whose sacrifice secured and sustained the Republic of Texas.

Own a business near here? Add it to the map.

Related people

  • · Bennet Valentine

Themes & tags

Westward ExpansionFrontier HistoryMemorial

Nearby & related markers

Dr. George Washington Barnett

Gonzales, TX

Born in South Carolina in 1793, Dr. George Washington Barnett served in the army of Texas during the 1835–36 revolution and signed the Texas Declaration of Independence in 1836. He then represented his district through six congresses of the Republic of Texas as a senator. His life ended violently in 1848 when he was killed by Indians on the Texas frontier.

Masonic Cemetery

Gonzales, TX

The Gonzales Masonic Lodge No. 30 bought eleven acres here in 1849 for a cemetery, though two graves already predated the lodge's ownership. Buried among the grounds are veterans of the Texas Revolution—men like Andrew Ponton and Amasa Turner—along with three Texas Masonic grand masters and prominent local citizens. The lodge expanded the site in 1903.

Eli Mitchell

Gonzales, TX

Eli Mitchell was among the Anglo-American colonists drawn into the Texas independence movement in the 1830s, serving as a delegate to the 1833 Convention that pressed Mexico for reform. When fighting erupted at Gonzales in 1835 — the "come and take it" opening clash of the Texas Revolution — he took up arms and supplied the fledgling Texian army.

Dr. Thomas Polk

Gonzales, TX

This grave marker honors Dr. Thomas Polk, born in 1792, who served the Texan cause during the fight for independence from Mexico. He aided the men who fought at the Siege of Bexar in late 1835 and through the decisive San Jacinto Campaign of 1836. The bronze Star and Wreath denotes a citizen recognized by the State of Texas for service during the revolution.