Town of Harrisburg, Texas

Surveyed by Francis W. Johnson in 1826, the city of Harrisburg (Harrisburgh until 1892) in Harris County, Texas was burned by the forces of Mexican general Santa Anna in 1836 during the Texas Revolution. By the following year, the town had recovered and was incorporated. In 1839, Harrisburg and Hamilton were consolidated, bringing the population to around 1,400.

Robert Wilson (1793-1856), the recipient of the stock certificate, joined John Richardson Harris in developing Harrisburg. In 1829, he owned a gristmill and sawmill in the town, before Santa Anna destroyed them. During the Texas Revolution, Wilson served as colonel and raised money and volunteers. Following the war, Wilson promoted Houston and Hamilton before ran for president but only received twenty-five votes.

Sources:

Muir, Andrew Forest. "Harrisburg, Texas (Harris County)." Handbook of Texas Online. Accessed June 3, 2011.

Southwick, Leslie H. "Wilson, Robert Handbook of Texas Online. Accessed June 3, 2011.

From the guide to the Harrisburg (Texas) Stock Certificate 65-57., 1839, (Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, The University of Texas at Austin)

Surveyed by Francis W. Johnson in 1826, the city of Harrisburg (Harrisburgh until 1892) in Harris County, Texas was burned by the forces of Mexican general Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna in 1836 during the Texas Revolution.

By the following year, the town had recovered and was incorporated. In 1839, Harrisburg and Hamilton were consolidated, bringing the population to around 1,400.

Robert Wilson (1793-1856) joined John Richardson Harris in developing Harrisburg.

In 1829, he owned a gristmill and sawmill in the town, before Santa Anna destroyed them. During the Texas Revolution, Wilson served as colonel and raised money and volunteers. Following the war, Wilson promoted Houston and Hamilton before ran for president but only received twenty-five votes.

From the description of Harrisburg (Texas) Stock Certificate, 1839 (University of Texas Libraries). WorldCat record id: 751978436