Site of Home (1850 to 1870) of Samuel Augustus Maverick
San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas
Marker Inscription
A native of South Carolina; came to San Antonio in 1835; was guide for Ben Milam and other leaders in first attack on San Antonio by Texas Army, Dec. 1835. As Bexar delegate, Maverick signed Texas Declaration of Independence at Washington-on-Brazos, 1836. With Capt. Jack Hays' "Minute Men," he helped make San Antonio safe from Comanche Indian attacks; also joined Hays' expedition which opened California road and claimed Rio Grande as Texas' western boundary. Twice Mayor of San Antonio; he was prisoner-of-war in Perote, Mex., for 7 months after Gen. Adrian Woll's capture of San Antonio in 1842. Was elected as Bexar representative to 7th Congress of Republic (1842) while still a prisoner at Perote. Member of committee which accepted surrender of U.S. troops and forts in Texas without bloodshed in Civil War, 1861. Was Chief Justice of Bexar County during War; served in Texas House, Senate afterwards. He married Mary Ann Adams of Tuscaloosa, Ala. They became parents of 9 children. His famous practice of letting his cattle run about unbranded gave English language the word "maverick," meaning an independent person, as well as unbranded animal. Texas' Maverick County and town were named in his honor. (1967)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
A South Carolinian who reached San Antonio in 1835, Samuel Maverick guided Ben Milam and the Texian force in the first assault on the town, signed the Texas Declaration of Independence in 1836, and endured seven months as a prisoner in Mexico's Perote castle. Twice mayor of San Antonio, he rode with Jack Hays' Minute Men against Comanche raids and later helped negotiate the bloodless surrender of federal forts in 1861. His habit of leaving cattle unbranded gave English the word 'maverick.'
Why it matters
Maverick stood at the center of Texas's fight for independence and statehood, and his name entered the language as a byword for the independent spirit Americans still prize.
Plan your visit
NearbyMake a day of it — museums, food, and places to stay near this marker.
Museums & culture
- Alamo Vistor Center and Museum (coming 2027)nearby
- Ripley's Believe It or Not! Odditoriumnearby
- Louis Tussaud’s Waxworks0.1 mi away
- Buckhorn Saloon and Museum0.1 mi away
- Ralston Family Collections Center0.1 mi away
- San Antonio Fire Museum0.2 mi away · 801 East Houston Street
Attractions
- Sea Life Aquarium0.2 mi away · 849 East Commerce Street, San Antonio, TX
- River boat boarding0.3 mi away
- River boat boarding0.3 mi away
- River boat boarding0.3 mi away
- La Villita0.4 mi away
- boat ride boarding0.5 mi away
Food & drink
- Maddy McMurphy's Irish Sports Barnearby · 420 East Houston Street, San Antonio, TX
- La Vida Coffee & Drinksnearby · 106 Jefferson Street
- Voodoo Donut0.1 mi away
- Playland Pizza0.1 mi away
- The Local Bar0.1 mi away
- On The Bend Oyster Bar & Lounge0.1 mi away · 123 Losoya Street, San Antonio, TX
Places to stay
- Hotel Gibbs Downtown San Antonio Riverwalknearby
- The Emily Morgan Hotel - a DoubleTree by Hiltonnearby · 705 East Houston Street, San Antonio, TX
- Hilton Garden Inn San Antonio Downtown Riverwalknearby · 408 East Houston Street, San Antonio, TX
- Best Western Premier Historic Travelers Hotel Alamo/Riverwalknearby
- Hyatt Regency San Antonio Riverwalk0.1 mi away · 123 Losoya Street, San Antonio, TX
- The St. Anthony, a Luxury Collection Hotel, San Antonio0.1 mi away · 300 E Travis St, San Antonio, TX
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Related people
- · Samuel Augustus Maverick
- · Ben Milam
- · Jack Hays
- · Adrian Woll
- · Mary Ann Adams
Related events
- · Texas Declaration of Independence
- · Siege of Béxar
Themes & tags
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