Sons of the Republic of Texas

The objectives of the Sons of the Republic of Texas are to perpetuate the memory and spirit of the men and women who founded Texas, to encourage research, to promote the observance of Texas holidays, to preserve and mark historical sites, and to foster comprehensive knowledge of the state. The Kathryn Stoner O'Conner Mexican Manuscript Collection is named in honor of Kathryn Carlisle Stoner O'Connor. Kathryn (Kate) Carlisle Stoner O'Connor, preservationist, philanthropist, and historian, was born on February 11, 1883, on her family's ranch in Victoria County. She is remembered primarily for her role in the restoration and preservation of Nuestra Señora de Loreto Presidio (Presidio La Bahía) in Goliad. Mrs. O'Connor received many honors for her work with historical preservation and religious charities.

F. M. O. Fenn organized the first lodge of the society now known as the Sons of the Republic of Texas, on April 11, 1893, in Richmond, Texas. Ten days later, a state society was formed in Houston. The society met in conjunction with the Texas Veterans Association for several years before becoming inactive. In 1922, the organization was reactivated in Houston by Odin M. Kendall and several members of the original group. The society now maintains more than 55 chapters in various cities throughout Texas. Its objectives were then, as now, to perpetuate the memory and spirit of the men and women who founded Texas, to encourage research, to promote the observance of Texas holidays, to preserve and mark historical sites, and to foster comprehensive knowledge of the state.

With the help of Jesse H. Jones, the society was influential in securing funds for construction of the San Jacinto Monument. It helped found the San Jacinto Museum of History and promoted the observance of San Jacinto Day. Since 1970, the society has presented the Presidio La Bahía Award to book authors for research into the Spanish colonial period of Texas. In 1993, the SRT established a separate award category for a published paper, periodical article or non-literary project. Also in 1970, the SRT began supporting the Spanish Texas Microfilm Center, located then at Presidio La Bahía in Goliad, under the direction of Miss Carmen Perry.

The Kathryn Stoner O'Conner Mexican Manuscript Collection is named in honor of Kathryn Carlisle Stoner O'Connor. Kathryn (Kate) Carlisle Stoner O'Connor, preservationist, philanthropist, and historian, was born on February 11, 1883, on her family's ranch in Victoria County. She is remembered primarily for her role in the restoration and preservation of Nuestra Señora de Loreto Presidio (Presidio La Bahía) in Goliad. Mrs. O'Connor received many honors for her work with historical preservation and religious charities. She died in Victoria on February 8, 1979, and was buried at River Ranch in Refugio. In 1980 a collection of rare documents about Texas-Mexico history, owned by the Sons of the Republic of Texas and housed at the University of Texas at San Antonio, was named in her honor.

Excerpted from A Brief History of the Sons of the Republic of Texas by the Sons of the Republic of Texas, and Kathryn Carlisle Stoner O'Connor by Louise S. O'Connor in The Handbook of Texas Online .

Patriotic organization whose members are direct descendants of early Texas settlers.

Originally formed in 1893, the SRT were reorganized in 1922 after several years of inactivity.