Robert Potter
Austin, Travis County, Texas
Marker Inscription
A Signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence First Secretary of the Navy of the Republic of Texas. Born in Granville N. C. in 1800. Died at what is now known as Potter's Point, Marion Co, Texas. March 3, 1842 Erected by the State of Texas [Back of headstone] A Representative in the Legislature of the State of North Carolina Member of the House from North Carolina in the United States Congress Senator in the Congress of the Republic of Texas
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Robert Potter arrived in Texas after a turbulent political career in North Carolina, where he had served in both the state legislature and the U.S. Congress. In 1836 he signed the Texas Declaration of Independence and became the first Secretary of the Navy of the Republic of Texas. He died violently in 1842 at the place now known as Potter's Point.
Why it matters
Potter helped launch the naval arm of the young Republic, one of the founders who gave Texas the institutions of an independent nation.
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Related people
- · Robert Potter
Related events
- · Texas Declaration of Independence
Themes & tags
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