Captain William Perry
Jefferson, Marion County, Texas
Marker Inscription
(April 5, 1813 - January 2, 1869) William Perry was among the first settlers of Jefferson, arriving ca. 1840. Through his shipping business and his work in dredging a turning basin for ships in the Big Cypress Bayou, he played a significant role in the early growth and development of Jefferson as an inland port. He bought and developed large tracts of land in the area, becoming quite wealthy in the process. After traveling to California during the late 1840s gold rush, Perry returned to Jefferson and built a home at the corner of Polk and Clarksville streets for his wife Sardinia (1826-1912) and their children. The home was later moved to 203 Clarksville Street and incorporated with another structure. In addition to his real estate dealings and shipping interest, Perry owned a hotel which is now a part of the historic Excelsior House. A respected community leader, he served as mayor of Jefferson from 1863 to 1864. On January 2, 1869, Perry was fatally shot while walking home after midnight. William Perry and his wife, along with other family members, are buried in Jefferson's Oakwood Cemetery.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Arriving about 1840, William Perry helped turn Jefferson into a thriving inland port, running a shipping business and dredging a turning basin so boats could work the Big Cypress Bayou. He grew wealthy in land and shipping, tried his luck in the California gold rush, and served as Jefferson's mayor in 1863–64 before being fatally shot on his way home after midnight in 1869.
Why it matters
Perry's career shows how one entrepreneur could make a bayou town into a gateway of commerce, back when Texas rivers were highways for trade.
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Related people
- · William Perry
- · Sardinia Perry
Themes & tags
Nearby & related markers
Captain William Perry
Jefferson, TX
Arriving about 1840, William Perry helped make Jefferson a busy inland port, running a shipping business and dredging a turning basin so vessels could navigate the Big Cypress Bayou. He grew wealthy in land and shipping, joined the California gold rush, served as Jefferson's mayor in 1863–64, and was fatally shot walking home after midnight in 1869.
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