John Prince Coles
Independence, Washington County, Texas
Marker Inscription
A native of North Carolina, John Prince Coles brought his family to Texas in 1821 with Stephen F. Austin's "Old Three Hundred" colonists. Arriving in present Washington County on New Year's Day in 1822, Coles received a Mexican land grant in 1824. He founded Coles Settlement, which was later renamed Independence. He was appointed alcalde of the municipality of Washington by the Mexican government in 1828. After service in the Republic of Texas Army in 1836, he held a number of public offices, including senator in the First Republic Congress, 1840-41.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
John Prince Coles, a North Carolinian, joined Stephen F. Austin's "Old Three Hundred" and reached present Washington County on New Year's Day 1822, receiving a Mexican land grant in 1824. He founded Coles Settlement—later renamed Independence—and was appointed alcalde of the Washington municipality in 1828. After serving in the Republic of Texas Army in 1836, he sat as a senator in the First Congress.
Why it matters
Coles was among the earliest Anglo-American colonists whose settlements and offices laid the civic groundwork for Texas's passage from Mexican province to independent republic.
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Related people
- · John Prince Coles
- · Stephen F. Austin
Themes & tags
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