Major James Peckham Caldwell
Jones Creek, Brazoria County, Texas
Marker Inscription
(January 6, 1793 - November 16, 1856) Adjutant of the Texas army in Battle of Velasco, June 26, 1832. Wounded there, he was guarding civilians at time Texas won independence in Battle of San Jacinto, April 21, 1836. A bosom friend of Stephen F. Austin, Caldwell received land grant from Mexico in 1824. In 1830s he had a sugar mill, said to be the first on the Brazos. He married Ann Munson, widow of his friend H. W. Munson. They had a son and a daughter. Recorded - 1970
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
A close friend of Stephen F. Austin, James Peckham Caldwell received a Mexican land grant in 1824 and became an early industrialist, running what was said to be the first sugar mill on the Brazos. As adjutant of the Texas army he was wounded at the 1832 Battle of Velasco, and he was guarding civilians when Texas won its independence at San Jacinto in 1836. He married Ann Munson, widow of his friend Henry W. Munson.
Why it matters
Caldwell embodies the colonist generation that fought for Texas independence and simultaneously built its first plantation industries along the Brazos.
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Related people
- Β· James Peckham Caldwell
- Β· Stephen F. Austin
- Β· Ann Munson
Related events
- Β· Battle of Velasco, 1832
- Β· Battle of San Jacinto, 1836
Themes & tags
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