HistoricSiteMarkers
Early Republic

Hezekiah Faris

Walker County, Walker County, Texas

Marker Inscription

A soldier who participated in Texans' victory at San Jacinto. Born in Virginia, brought up in Tennessee, Faris came to Texas to fight for colony's freedom, 1835. Locating bounty land for army service and his headright in this vicinity, he became a local leader and named Faris Chapel for his home church in Tennessee. He married Mrs. Matilda Stevens Roberts; children were Susan (Mrs. James Gillespie) and James Morgan. Family name later became Farris.

Erected by Texas Historical Commission

The Story

Born in Virginia and raised in Tennessee, Hezekiah Faris came to Texas in 1835 to fight for the colony's freedom and took part in the decisive victory at San Jacinto. He located bounty and headright land in this vicinity, became a local leader, and named Faris Chapel for his home church back in Tennessee. He married Matilda Stevens Roberts, and over time the family name shifted to Farris.

Why it matters

Faris was one of the soldier-settlers whose service in the Texas Revolution earned them land grants that turned battlefield veterans into the founders of frontier communities.

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Related people

  • ยท Hezekiah Faris
  • ยท Matilda Stevens Roberts

Related events

  • ยท Battle of San Jacinto

Themes & tags

Military & WartimeWestward ExpansionFrontier HistoryMemorial

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