Daniel McLean_John Sheridan
Weches, Houston County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Daniel McLean (1784 - May 10, 1837)_John Sheridan (April 5, 1796 - May 10, 1837) This area's earliest settlers; from North Carolina. McLean came to Texas in 1813 with Guttierez-Magee expedition, seeking to free Mexico from Spain. Returning when Austin opened Texas to Anglo-American colonization, he took up land in 1824 on San Pedro Creek (east of here); His brother-in-law John Sheridan settled on Silver Creek (300 yds. N). Near site of present Slocum (12 mi. NW) they were both killed by Indians while pursuing stolen horses. Mrs. Sheridan, with help of a boy, brought back the bodies. Each man was buried on his own land. (1971)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Daniel McLean and his brother-in-law John Sheridan were among the earliest Anglo settlers of this part of East Texas. McLean first came in 1813 with the Gutiérrez-Magee expedition seeking to free Mexico from Spain, then returned to claim land when Stephen F. Austin opened Texas to colonists in the 1820s. Both men were killed by Indians in 1837 while chasing stolen horses, and Mrs. Sheridan recovered their bodies with a boy's help so each could be buried on his own land.
Why it matters
Their story marks the dangerous frontier of early Anglo-American Texas, where filibustering expeditions, colonization, and violent conflict with Native peoples shaped the land's first settlements.
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Related people
- · Daniel McLean
- · John Sheridan
Related events
- · Gutiérrez-Magee expedition
Themes & tags
Nearby & related markers
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