James Franklin Perry

James Franklin Perry (1790–1853) was an early settler and prominent citizen of Texas. James married Emily Austin Perry, operated Peach Point Plantation, and was involved in Texas land distribution.

Contents

Life

James was born in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, on September 19, 1790.[1] He married Emily Austin Perry on September 23, 1824.[1] He was her second husband, and the two had six children together:[1]

By marrying Emily Austin, James became owner of Peach Point Plantation and was one of the first plantation owners to shift from cotton to sugar production. He also was involved in the earliest plans for a railroad in Texas. He was offered the position of Secretary of the Treasury of the Republic of Texas in 1839, but declined. James was also the executor of the will of Stephen F. Austin[8] (Emily Austin's brother), a distinction that directly involved him in land distribution, maps, and early Texas colonial affairs.[9] A court case related to titles of land was at one time filed and even appealed by Sam Houston against James Franklin Perry in his capacity as executor for Stephen F. Austin.[10]

James Franklin Perry and his son Henry each died from yellow fever[11] on September 13, 1853.

There are obituary references to James in various newspapers.[12]

Legacy

Letters between James, his wife, and his son Stephen Samuel Perry, serve as significant records, frequently referenced as foundational in Texas history.[13] They were archived in the 1930s and housed at the Center for American History at the University of Texas at Austin.[14]

Perry's Landing, located in Brazoria, Texas, is named for James Franklin Perry.[15] There is an historical marker[16][17] for James Franklin Perry at the Gulf Prairie Cemetery. He is referenced as "James F. Perry" in the Supreme Court decision Bryan v. Kennett.[18]

References

  1. ^ a b c "James Franklin Perry". Brazoria County Historical Museum. http://www.bchm.org/gene/d0001/g0009985.html. Retrieved 28 Feb 2010. 
  2. ^ "Stephen Samuel Perry". Brazoria County Historical Museum. http://www.bchm.org/gene/d0002/g0010030.html#I547. Retrieved 28 Feb 2010. 
  3. ^ "Emily Rossana Perry". Brazoria County Historical Museum. http://www.bchm.org/gene/d0001/g0009970.html#I548. Retrieved 28 Feb 2010. 
  4. ^ "Eliza Margaret Perry". Brazoria County Historical Museum. http://www.bchm.org/gene/d0001/g0009965.html#I549. Retrieved 28 Feb 2010. 
  5. ^ "James Elijah Brown Perry". Brazoria County Historical Museum. http://www.bchm.org/gene/d0001/g0009984.html#I550. Retrieved 28 Feb 2010. 
  6. ^ "Henry Austin Perry". Brazoria County Historical Museum. http://www.bchm.org/gene/d0001/g0009976.html#I551. Retrieved 28 Feb 2010. 
  7. ^ "Cecilia Perry". Brazoria County Historical Museum. http://www.bchm.org/gene/d0001/g0009955.html#I552. Retrieved 28 Feb 2010. 
  8. ^ Letter of H.N. Cleveland, San Filipe de Austin, to James F. Perry, Executor of S.F. Austin, November 14, 1838
  9. ^ Allen, Winnie. "Perry, James Franklin". Handbook of Texas Online. http://0-www.tshaonline.org.sapl.sat.lib.tx.us/handbook/online/articles/PP/fpe44.html. Retrieved 28 Feb 2010. 
  10. ^ "Sam Houston, Apellant, vs. James F. Perry, Executor" (digital image). 1837. http://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth31317/. 
  11. ^ http://www.lib.utexas.edu/taro
  12. ^ http://listsearches.rootsweb.com/th/read/PERRY/2001-01/0978754454
  13. ^ "A Guide to the James F. and Stephen S. Perry papers, 1785-1942". University of Texas at Austin. http://www.lib.utexas.edu/taro/utcah/00543/cah-00543.html. 
  14. ^ Cummins, Light Townsend (2009). Emily Austin Of Texas (1795-1851). TCU Press. pp. 277-FN5. ISBN 0-87565-351-8. 
  15. ^ Allen, Winnie. "Perry's Landing, Texas". Handbook of Texas Online. http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/PP/hvpcw.html. Retrieved 28 Feb 2010. 
  16. ^ Nienke, William; Morrow, Sam (2005). "James Franklin Perry". Texas Historical Markers. http://www.9key.com/markers/marker_detail.asp?atlas_number=5039009585. Retrieved 28 Feb 2010. 
  17. ^ "Perry, James Franklin". Texas Settlement Region. http://tsr.4101.org/markers/brazoria/79.html. Retrieved 28 Feb 2010. 
  18. ^ Bryan v. Kennett, 113 U.S. 179 (1885) Justia.com

Additional References