Norwood Community
San Augustine, San Augustine County, Texas
Marker Inscription
This rural community was settled in the 1840s by William Coleson (W. C.) Norwood (1794-1885) and Eliza LeGrand Norwood (1808-1869). They migrated from North Carolina, where W. C. was a merchant and postmaster in the town of Norwood. The Norwoods were accompanied to Texas by their nine children and extended family members. Eliza Norwood's brother, E. O. LeGrand, a veteran of the Battle of San Jacinto and signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence, became a member of their household in the Norwood community. W. C. Norwood served as San Augustine County commissioner and was instrumental in building early county roads. James L. Norwood, son of W. C. and Eliza Norwood, also served as San Augustine County commissioner. The Norwood community included a cotton gin, grist mill, syrup mill, and a sawmill built by Hampton L. Norwood. E. O. Norwood, another of W. C. and Eliza's sons, became the town's doctor. In 1892 a school was established on one acre of land deeded by James Norwood. His daughter Cora donated land for a church in 1926. The community also included a grocery store, houses, and a cemetery. Norwood family members remain in the area, and continue to own land that once belonged to their ancestors. (1997)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
In the 1840s, W. C. and Eliza Norwood left North Carolina for the East Texas piney woods, bringing nine children and extended kin to found this rural community in San Augustine County. Eliza's brother, a San Jacinto veteran and signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence, joined the household, while W. C. helped build the county's early roads as commissioner. The community grew into a self-sufficient cluster of cotton gin, grist mill, syrup mill, sawmill, store, church, school, and cemetery, and Norwood descendants still hold ancestral land here.
Why it matters
The Norwood settlement shows how a single migrating family could plant a functioning frontier community, weaving milling, farming, faith, and civic life into the fabric of early Texas.
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Related people
- · W. C. Norwood
- · Eliza LeGrand Norwood
- · E. O. LeGrand
Themes & tags
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