HistoricSiteMarkers
Early Republic

Site of William Millican's Gin House

Edna, Jackson County, Texas

Marker Inscription

First cotton gin in Jackson County. Here was held the memorable "Lavaca-Navidad Meeting" on July 17, 1835. At this meeting resolutions were adopted protesting against the treatment of the Texas colonists by the Mexican government. James Kerr was chairman of the meeting and S.C.A. Rogers, secretary. The first formal public protest was a forerunner of the Declaration of Independence, March 2, 1836. Erected by the State of Texas 1936

Erected by Texas Historical Commission

The Story

Here stood the first cotton gin in Jackson County, and here, on July 17, 1835, colonists gathered for the "Lavaca-Navidad Meeting." Chaired by James Kerr, the assembly adopted resolutions protesting the Mexican government's treatment of Texas settlers. The gathering was among the first formal public protests that foreshadowed the Texas Declaration of Independence the following March.

Why it matters

This modest gin house witnessed one of the early sparks of the Texas Revolution, when frontier grievances hardened into open calls for independence.

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Related people

  • · William Millican
  • · James Kerr
  • · S. C. A. Rogers

Related events

  • · Lavaca-Navidad Meeting (1835)
  • · Texas Declaration of Independence

Themes & tags

Westward ExpansionIndustry & InventionFrontier HistoryLandmark

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