HistoricSiteMarkers
Early Republic

Major Isaac Watts Burton

Crockett, Houston County, Texas

Marker Inscription

Veteran of San Jacinto Commander of the "Horse Marines" in June, 1836 A Senator in the Congress of the Republic 1836-1839 Born in Georgia in 1805 Died in January, 1843 Erected by the State of Texas 1936

Erected by Texas Historical Commission

The Story

Isaac Watts Burton was a soldier of the Texas Revolution who fought at San Jacinto in 1836 and then led a cavalry company nicknamed the "Horse Marines" for its daring seizure of Mexican supply vessels along the Gulf coast. He went on to serve in the Congress of the young Republic of Texas from 1836 to 1839, one of the founding generation who tried to build a functioning nation out of a hard-won independence. The State of Texas raised this marker in 1936, the centennial of the revolution he helped win.

Why it matters

Burton embodies the improvised, citizen-soldier character of Texas's fight for independence and the fragile republic that followed before U.S. annexation.

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Related people

  • · Isaac Watts Burton

Related events

  • · Battle of San Jacinto

Themes & tags

Military & WartimeWestward ExpansionFrontier HistoryMemorial

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Andrew Edwards Gossett

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