VOL. 40: NO. 1
2015
Enduring Spirit: African
Americans in 19th Century Texas
Though the struggle for freedom was over, other challenges took hold
T
he first African Americans in Texas were
free men and women, seeking opportunity
and advancement, along with many others.
However, the laws of the newly formed Republic
of Texas forced them out and opened the door
to thousands of enslaved people who served as
the backbone of the labor force for almost thirty
years. Finally gaining their freedom after the Civil
War, they discovered that their struggle was far
from over.
The first known person of African descent in Texas
was Estevanico, a Spanish Moor. In 1528 he
traveled across Texas with explorer Álvar Núñez
Cabeza de Vaca. Other Spanish explorers also
brought Africans, both free and enslaved. By 1792
about 15% of the 2,992 people living in Texas were
African American or mixed race.
land ownership. William Goyens (1794-1856)
was a free black man who worked as a blacksmith
and a wagonmaker, and in later life ran a sawmill
and gristmill. He was an interpreter between
General Sam Houston and the Cherokee Indians
during the Texas Revolution.
Twenty-five year-old Samuel McCulloch, Jr.
(1810-1893), a free black man, fought at the
Battle of Goliad on October 9, 1835, and received
the first injury of the Texas Revolution. Two years
later he married a white woman, Mary Lorena
Vessa, despite a law prohibiting interracial
marriage. McCulloch worked as a farmer and
stockraiser until his death in 1894.
In the years before the Texas Revolution, Southern
planters and farmers began moving westward
Pearl Gray Dedmon (1888-1975)
from the United States looking for cheap land.
-from the Museum Collection
America’s first 13 colonies allowed slavery. By 1808
Although slavery was not legal in Mexico, the
it was illegal to import slaves into the United States. Instead of
Anglos brought their slaves anyway. This disregard for Mexico’s
reducing the volume of slave trading, this just increased trading
laws created a market for slave trading.
between states. By 1860, nearly 70% of slaves had been traded
The Underground Railroad, led by Harriet Tubman and others,
into Texas. At that time, 15% of African Americans in Texas
helped enslaved people escape to freedom. A popular myth
were free.
states that quilts were hung on clotheslines along the road
When Mexico gained its independence from Spain in 1821, it
granted black settlers the same rights as white settlers, including
— Continued on next page —
NOTES - Published Quarterly by the Star of the Republic Museum
www.starmuseum.org
The Historical Museum of the Texas Republic
— Continued from page 1 —
and contained hidden messages in their
blocks or patterns that directed slaves to
safe houses.
the rights of free blacks. In 1840 they were
given two years to leave the country – or
become enslaved.
From 1835-1865, discontented slaves
often tried to run away. Fleeing northward
was not practical, so Texas slaves often
went south to Mexico. It is estimated
that in 1851, there were 3,000 escaped
slaves living in Mexico. Even two of Sam
Houston’s slaves made it to Mexico where
they established comfortable lives.
The Emancipation Proclamation was
issued by Abraham Lincoln on January 1,
1863, resulting in the immediate freedom
of some slaves. Three amendments to
the United States Constitution followed
between 1865 and 1870, and were
meant to aid in the reconstruction of the
American South:
The 1836 Constitution of the Republic of
Texas allowed slavery in Texas, reversing
Mexico’s policy against it. It also limited
• The Thirteenth Amendment was
approved in 1865, ending slavery
completely in the United States.
For Texan African Americans,
the end came on June 19, 1865,
today celebrated as “Juneteenth.”
STAR OF THE REPUBLIC MUSEUM
Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site
Open Daily
10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
936-878-2461 (fax) 936-878-2462
www.starmuseum.org
www.txindependence.org
www.facebook.com/staroftherepublic
Director....................................Houston McGaugh
Curator of Collections & Exhibits ... Shawn Carlson
Curator of Education & Editor ........Anne McGaugh
Visitor Services Coordinator ................ Elaine Platt
Visitor Services Assistant .................Donna Barker
Office Manager ............................. Effie Wellmann
The newsletter is also available to download from
our website at www.starmuseum.org.
Articles may be reprinted with permission
Blinn College
www.blinn.edu
Established in 1883, Blinn College offers a variety of college
academic transfer, workforce training, and continuing education
classes for more than 18,000 students who attend
one of our four campuses or our comprehensive
distance education programs.
The premier two-year college in Texas, Blinn’s transfer rate
consistently ranks among the top 10 in the nation.
• The Fourteenth Amendment,
passed in 1868, dealt with equal
protection under the law.
• The Fifteenth Amendment was
passed in 1870 and guaranteed
African American males the
right to vote.
The Freedmen’s Bureau was created
in 1865 by the federal government to
help former slaves live independently. It
provided rations, clothing, and medicine
to the struggling freedmen. The Bureau
also helped establish schools, legalize
marriages, and provide transportation to
freedmen trying to reunite with family
members.
following the Civil War. Its purpose was to
define U.S. citizenship and to declare that
all citizens, including African Americans,
were equally protected under the law.
From 1877 to 1900, white Democrats
regained control of the state legislature.
They reversed many of the laws that had
benefited freedmen following the Civil
War. The new laws focused on racial
segregation and were known as the “Jim
Crow Laws.” Though the struggle for
freedom was over, other challenges took
hold as a new century unfolded.
Star of the Republic Museum opened the
exhibit Enduring Spirit: African Americans
in 19th Century Texas on February 1.
Artifacts on display include typical
documents of the period such as slave
records, freedmen contracts and an oath
of allegiance. Stoneware pottery made
at the Wilson Pottery near Seguin, the
first African American business in Texas
is included, as well as an example of the
intricate and difficult Pine Burr pattern
quilt. The exhibit will remain open through
February 15, 2016.
African-American votes had an impact
on laws that were passed. In 1868, ten
African-American delegates were sent
to the Constitutional Convention. They
helped to write a new state constitution
that protected civil rights and established
the state’s first public education system.
The Civil Rights Act of 1866 was passed
as a reaction to extreme racial tensions
NOTES - Published Quarterly by the Star of the Republic Museum
Pine Burr quilt -from the Museum Collection
www.starmuseum.org
The Historical Museum of the Texas Republic
Exhibit Opening
Reception
During the opening reception for Enduring
Spirit: African Americans in 19th Century
Texas on January 31, guests were treated
to a concert by the Marian Anderson String
Quartet. Introduced by Marcelo Bussiki,
Music Director and Conductor of the
Brazos Valley Symphony Orchestra and
Dean of Visual and Performing Arts at Blinn
College, the quartet played “Follow the
Drinking Gourd” by Jonathan B. McNair.
Traditional folklore interprets “Follow
the Drinking Gourd” as a song filled with
code words directing slaves from Mobile,
Alabama, northward to freedom at the Ohio
River crossing at Paducah, Kentucky. It
was collected by amateur folklorist, H.B.
Parks in the early 20th century and later
published by the Texas Folklore Society
in 1928. In 1947, Lee Hays rearranged the
song and published the lyrics that most
people recognize today.
Texas Independence Day Celebration
Washington-on-the-Brazos • February 28 – March 1, 2015
Schedule of Events
Ongoing activities, throughout the weekend, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Craft vendors, demonstrators, and musicians located along trail between Visitors Center
and Museum, and inside the Star of the Republic Museum
• Star of Texas Dulcimers at Museum throughout the weekend
• New Museum exhibit “Enduring Spirit: African Americans in 19th Century Texas”
• Descendants of Signers Reunion & Luncheon–reservations required
Saturday, February 28
TIME*
10:15 a.m.
10:45 a.m.
Hourly 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
except Noon
11 a.m.
11 a.m.
Noon
1 p.m.
1:30 p.m.
2 p.m.
3 p.m.
3:30 p.m.
3:45 p.m.
EVENT
Wreath Laying at the Children’s Monument
Firing demonstrations; musket and artillery
LOCATION
Independence Hall
Texas Army Camp
Independence Hall Tours
Independence Hall
Professor Farquar’s Medicine Show
Texas Heroes Living History: Col. James Bowie
Lone Star String Band
North Harris County Dulcimers
Texas Heroes Living History: Susannah Dickinson
Professor Farquar’s Medicine Show
Lone Star String Band
Texas Heroes Living History: General Sam Houston
Firing demonstrations; musket and artillery
Amphitheater
Museum Theater
Amphitheater
Amphitheater
Museum Theater
Amphitheater
Amphitheater
Museum Theater
Texas Army Camp
Sunday, March 1
TIME*
10 a.m.
10 a.m.
10:30 a.m.
11 a.m.
Hourly 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
except Noon
11 a.m.
11:30 a.m.
Noon
12:30 p.m.
12:30 p.m.
1:30 p.m.
2:30 p.m.
2:45 p.m.
3 p.m.
3:30 p.m.
EVENT
Masonic Flag Raising Ceremony
Doors open for Descendants of Signers Reunion
Firing demonstrations; musket and artillery
Texas Heroes Living History: Col. James Bowie
LOCATION
Visitors Center
Conference Center
Texas Army Camp
Museum Theater
Independence Hall Tours
Independence Hall
Professor Farquar’s Medicine Show
Buffet opens for Descendants Luncheon
Firing demonstrations; musket and artillery
Lone Star String Band
Texas Heroes Living History: Susannah Dickinson
Washington-on-the-Brazos Park Association Program
Signers of the Declaration Roll Call
Cutting of the Texas Birthday Cake
Professor Farquar’s Medicine Show
Texas Heroes Living History: General Sam Houston
Amphitheater
Conference Center
Texas Army Camp
Amphitheater
Museum Theater
Amphitheater
Amphitheater
Amphitheater
Amphitheater
Museum Theater
* Each activity lasts approximately 30-45 minutes, unless otherwise specified.
NOTES - Published Quarterly by the Star of the Republic Museum
www.starmuseum.org
P. O. Box 317 Washington, TX 77880
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PA I D
Permit No. 6
Washington, TX
77880
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
Brazos Valley Regional History Fair
The tenth Brazos Valley Regional History Fair was held on February 13 at
Washington on the Brazos. One hundred twenty one students with 70 entries
competed to advance to Texas History Day in Austin, and eventually National
History Day. Students also competed for special cash prizes provided by our
generous sponsors. The Museum gratefully acknowledges the following sponsors:
FOUNDERS
•
•
•
•
Washington-on-the-Brazos State Park Association
Brazos County Historical Commission
Blinn College–Star of the Republic Museum
Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site
DELEGATES
• Washington County Genealogical Society
• Brazos Heritage Society
• Jared Patout, CPA
TEXIANS
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Anderson Baptist Church
Daughters of the Republic of Texas, Dr. Richard Fox Brenham Chapter
Duramast Industries Inc.
Celia & Steve Haley
Laurie & Duane Schlitter
Daughters of the American Revolution, La Villita Chapter
Deanna & Ron Alfred
John Brieden State Farm Insurance
Fultz & Fultz, PLLC
Lacina & Kenjura, PC
Henry P. Mayo
Sons of the Republic of Texas, William Mayfield Chapter #34
Sons of the Republic of Texas, William Joel Bryan Chapter #14
United Daughters of the Confederacy, Minnie B. Williams Chapter #531
Washington County Historical Commission
Blue Bell Creameries
Houston McGaugh
Monograms & More
The American Red Cross
NOTES - Published Quarterly by the Star of the Republic Museum
 Spring 2015 Interns 
The Museum is pleased to introduce our interns for the spring semester.
Both are students at Texas A&M University, and will complete
60 hours of service to the museum.
Claire Casey is a senior with a double major in Anthropology
and English. She plans to attend graduate school at Western Kentucky
University, studying Public Folk Studies. After graduation she hopes to work
at a living history museum.
Meagan Marwitz is a sophomore, and plans to further her studies
in Forensic Anthropology and Archeology. Her goal after graduation
is to travel and study in South America.
www.starmuseum.org