Matthew Burnett Homesite
Houston, Harris County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Texas army camp - April 16, 1836. Matthew Burnett (1795-1842) and his wife, Sarah (Simmons) (1797-1852), came to Texas from Arkansas in 1831 and settled south of here on Cypress Creek. Their home was near the "Harrisburg Road" which stretched 15 miles northwest to a crossroads at the home of their closest neighbor, Abram Roberts, and, in the other direction, 25 miles southeast to Harrisburg. The interim government of the Republic of Texas stayed here briefly on March 22, 1836, while enroute to establish the Republic's new capital at Harrisburg. The Texas army, 1100 men under the command of Sam Houston, stopped here about dusk on April 16, 1836, after turning southeast at the Robert's crossroads earlier in the day. During their overnight stay they consumed most of Burnett's livestock and grains, and burned fence rails for fuel. The next morning the Texas army departed for Harrisburg. Four days later, on April 21, they routed the Mexican army at the Battle of San Jacinto, winning Texas independence from Mexico. Having fled the area in the episode known as the "Runaway Scrape," the Burnetts returned after learning of the victory at San Jacinto. In the late 1830s and 1840s their home became a prominent landmark and well-known tavern on the road to the city of Houston.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Matthew Burnett and his wife Sarah came from Arkansas in 1831 and settled on Cypress Creek near the Harrisburg Road. Their homesite became a waypoint of the Texas Revolution: the Republic's interim government paused here in March 1836, and on the evening of April 16 Sam Houston's army of some 1,100 men camped here, consuming the family's livestock and grain before marching on. Four days later that army won independence at San Jacinto, and the Burnetts—refugees of the Runaway Scrape—returned to make their home a well-known tavern on the road to Houston.
Why it matters
This modest homesite marks a footstep on the path to San Jacinto, tying an ordinary settler family to the decisive campaign for Texas independence.
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Related people
- · Matthew Burnett
- · Sarah Burnett
- · Sam Houston
Related events
- · Battle of San Jacinto
- · Runaway Scrape
Themes & tags
Nearby & related markers
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