Thomas H. Mays
Bastrop, Bastrop County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Thomas H. Mays was born in 1802 in Virginia and emigrated to Texas from Tennessee in 1830. In 1834, he became Bastrop's first municipal surveyor and platted the city's new streets. Two years later, he was wounded in the leg at the Battle of San Jacinto while serving in the Texian Army with the "Mina Volunteers" led by Col. Edward Burleson. Upon his return to Bastrop, he became deputy surveyor for Bastrop County. He also held political office in Bastrop as city alderman (1838) and associate justice (1839). He wed Arie C. Ellis, and the couple reared their children in Bastrop, establishing a large homestead, including this site, in the mid-1800s. Mays died on April 18, 1862, but his burial location is unknown. (2005)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Born in Virginia in 1802 and arriving in Texas from Tennessee in 1830, Thomas H. Mays became Bastrop's first municipal surveyor in 1834 and laid out the young town's streets. He was wounded in the leg at the Battle of San Jacinto in 1836 while serving with Edward Burleson's "Mina Volunteers," then returned to a life of public service as county deputy surveyor, city alderman, and associate justice. He and his wife raised their family on a large Bastrop homestead that included this site.
Why it matters
Mays embodies the citizen-soldier and town-builder of the Texas Revolution generation, men who fought at San Jacinto and then quite literally drew the lines of the communities that followed.
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Related people
- · Thomas H. Mays
- · Edward Burleson
- · Arie C. Ellis
Related events
- · Battle of San Jacinto
Themes & tags
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