Dr. John Turner Tinsley
Gonzales, Gonzales County, Texas
Marker Inscription
John Turner Tinsley was born circa 1809 in Sumner County, Tennessee to Moses and Elizabeth (Turner) Tinsley. He later became a physician and married Nancy Willis of Kentucky, with whom he had five children. The family came to Gonzales in 1834 and settled east of Water Street. Tinsley served the community as a physician, alderman, mayor and justice of the peace. He also took part in the Battle of Gonzales at the beginning of the Texas Revolution, and aided Gen. Sam Houston's troops during the Runaway Scrape. The Texas patriot was buried here in 1878. Recorded - 2004
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Dr. John Turner Tinsley left Tennessee for Gonzales in 1834, settling in the town on the eve of revolution. A physician who also served as alderman, mayor, and justice of the peace, he took part in the 1835 Battle of Gonzales—the 'Come and Take It' clash that opened the Texas Revolution—and helped Sam Houston's army during the panicked civilian flight known as the Runaway Scrape.
Why it matters
Tinsley embodies the citizen-settlers of Gonzales, where the first shot of the Texas Revolution was fired and ordinary frontier doctors and officeholders became patriots of a new republic.
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Related people
- · John Turner Tinsley
- · Sam Houston
Related events
- · Battle of Gonzales
- · Runaway Scrape
Themes & tags
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