Harrison Barrett
Crosby, Harris County, Texas
Marker Inscription
(ca. 1845-1917) Born into slavery, Harrison Barrett was the son of Simon and Eliza Barrett, who had come to Texas from Louisiana. In addition to Harrison, the couple had two other sons and two daughters. Following the emancipation of texas slaves in 1865, Harrison Barrett spent several years gathering his family together. He eventually found all except one sister, and they settled on land east of the San Jacinto River. He purchased this land in 1889 and began a community which would later be known as Barrett's settlement. Beginning with seven houses, the community grew to include additional homes, farms, and businesses. Considered the leader of the community, Barrett established a school, church, and cemetery. After a post office substation was opened here in 1947, the area became known as Barrett station. Married to the former Annie Jones soon after his emancipation, barrett was the father of twelve children. His homestead, twice rebuilt by descendants, still stands on its original location. Harrison and Annie Barrett, along with four other family members, are interred in the nearby family cemetery, named Journey's End by descendants in 1985.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Born into slavery around 1845, Harrison Barrett spent years after the 1865 emancipation of Texas slaves gathering his scattered family, reuniting nearly all of them east of the San Jacinto River. He bought this land in 1889 and founded what became Barrett Settlement, establishing a school, church, and cemetery and leading the growing community of homes and farms. His twice-rebuilt homestead still stands, and he lies with family in the cemetery descendants named Journey's End.
Why it matters
Barrett Settlement is a rare surviving Freedmen's community founded by a formerly enslaved man, embodying the self-determination and institution-building of Black Texans after emancipation.
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Related people
- · Harrison Barrett
- · Annie Jones Barrett
Related events
- · Emancipation of Texas slaves
Themes & tags
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