Robert B. Longbotham
Wortham, Freestone County, Texas
Marker Inscription
(Dec. 29, 1797 - Aug. 6, 1883) Born in Sunderland, England. Came to America as carpenter's apprentice on a ship. Married Lucy Haggard, 1820, in Alabama. Came to Texas, 1832. Obtained land grant from Mexico, 1835. In 1836 fought in Texas Revolution and in 1839 in Indian wars. In 1848 located here. Township was named for him until post office was renamed Wortham in 1874. Descendants prominent in texas. Longbotham Lodge No. 428, A.F. & A.M. named in his honor.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Robert B. Longbotham (1797–1883) was born in Sunderland, England, and crossed the Atlantic as a carpenter's apprentice aboard ship. After marrying in Alabama, he came to Texas in 1832, secured a land grant from Mexico, and fought in the 1836 Texas Revolution and in Indian conflicts of 1839. He settled at this place in 1848, and the town bore his name until its post office was renamed Wortham in 1874.
Why it matters
Longbotham's path from English apprentice to Mexican land grantee to Texas revolutionary traces the whole arc of Anglo settlement that pulled Texas out of Mexico and toward statehood.
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Related people
- · Robert B. Longbotham
- · Lucy Haggard
Related events
- · Texas Revolution
Themes & tags
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