John S. Roberts
Nacogdoches, Nacogdoches County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Sheriff in Natchitoches Louisiana in 1826 One of the leaders in Battle of Nacogdoches. Member of Consultation, 1835. Commanded the Nacogdoches Company in storming of Bexar, 1835. Signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence. Born in Virginia, July 13, 1796 Died August 9, 1871 His wife HARRIET ROBERTS Born April 7, 1796 Died April 5, 1874 Erected by the State of Texas 1936
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Once a sheriff in Natchitoches, Louisiana, John S. Roberts threw himself into the Texas cause, helping lead the 1832 Battle of Nacogdoches and commanding the Nacogdoches company in the 1835 storming of Bexar. He served in the 1835 Consultation and signed the Texas Declaration of Independence in 1836. A Virginia native, he lived out his years in the town he had fought for, dying in 1871.
Why it matters
Roberts was both a soldier and a founder of the Republic, embodying the fusion of frontier militia leadership and statesmanship that made Texas independence possible.
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Related people
- ยท John S. Roberts
- ยท Harriet Roberts
Related events
- ยท Storming of Bexar
- ยท Texas Declaration of Independence
Themes & tags
Nearby & related markers
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