Town Named for Gen. Jose Antonio Mexia
Mexia, Limestone County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Military officer and promoter of Texas colonization. Served as secretary of Mexican legation to United States, 1829-1831. Led victorious Mexia Expedition to expel centralists in Matamoros, 1832. Mexican senator, 1833-1834; he first supported president Santa Anna, but fought him when he became a dictator. Fled to Texas, 1834. Attacked Tampico in 1835. Took Tampico, Jan. 1839, but was shot on order of Santa Anna after defeat near Puebla May 3. Son and daughter settled on family land, Limestone County, about 1870. They donated site for town of Mexia in 1871. 1967
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Gen. José Antonio Mexía was a Mexican military officer and promoter of Texas colonization who served in his country's legation to the United States and its senate in the early 1830s. Though he first backed Santa Anna, he turned against the general when he seized dictatorial power, fleeing to Texas in 1834 and leading expeditions against him until he was captured and executed by Santa Anna's order in 1839. His son and daughter later settled the family's Limestone County land and donated the site for the town that bears his name in 1871.
Why it matters
Mexía's story ties the town to the turbulent Mexican politics and colonization schemes out of which Texas itself emerged, a reminder that the region's founding was shaped as much from the south as from the east.
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Related people
- · José Antonio Mexía
- · Santa Anna
Related events
- · Mexican Texas colonization
Themes & tags
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