General James Smith
Henderson, Rusk County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Park named for General James Smith (Sept. 10, 1792-Dec. 25, 1855) On this hill, as he wished for burial in sight of courthouse is grave of General James Smith, co-founder of Henderson. A south Carolina native, he fought for the U.S. in War of 1812. Moved to Texas 1835. Returned to U.S. to raise troops for Texas War of Independence. Later he fought in Republic's Indian Wars; regulator-moderator uprising in 1840s in East Texas; and in Mexican War. He was first Judge, East Texas District; a legislator; honored in naming of nearby Smith County. His wife, Hannah Parker Smith, is buried beside him in this park. They had ten children.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
General James Smith (1792–1855), a South Carolina native who fought for the United States in the War of 1812, came to Texas in 1835 and returned east to raise troops for the war of independence before settling as a co-founder of Henderson. His long career of arms carried him through the Republic's Indian wars, the Regulator-Moderator feud of the 1840s, and the Mexican War, and in peace he served as the first judge of the East Texas District and as a legislator, with nearby Smith County named in his honor. He rests on this hill, as he wished, in sight of the courthouse, beside his wife Hannah.
Why it matters
Smith's life spans nearly every conflict and institution of frontier Texas, from the War of 1812 to statehood, embodying the soldier-founders who built the early Republic and its counties.
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Related people
- · General James Smith
- · Hannah Parker Smith
Related events
- · War of 1812
- · Mexican War
- · Regulator-Moderator War
Themes & tags
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