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.
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]
- Stephen Samuel Perry (Born June 24, 1825 in Potosi, Missouri; died September 5, 1874 in Brazoria, Texas).[2]
- Emily Rosanna Perry (Born September 24, 1826 in Potosi, Missouri; died December 6, 1827 in Potosi, Missouri).[3]
- Eliza Margaret Perry (Born January 3, 1828 in Potosi, Missouri; died January 3, 1862 in Austin, Texas.[4]
- James Elijah Brown Perry (Born May 17, 1830 in Potosi, Missouri; died February 14, 1831 in Chocolate Bayou, Texas.[5]
- Henry Austin Perry (Born November 17, 1831 at Chocolate Bayou, Texas; died September 10, 1853 in Biloxi, Mississippi).[6]
- Cecilia Perry (Born December 10, 1835 at Peach Point Plantation; died June 8, 1836 at Peach Point Plantation[7]
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
- ^ a b c "James Franklin Perry". Brazoria County Historical Museum. http://www.bchm.org/gene/d0001/g0009985.html. Retrieved 28 Feb 2010.
- ^ "Stephen Samuel Perry". Brazoria County Historical Museum. http://www.bchm.org/gene/d0002/g0010030.html#I547. Retrieved 28 Feb 2010.
- ^ "Emily Rossana Perry". Brazoria County Historical Museum. http://www.bchm.org/gene/d0001/g0009970.html#I548. Retrieved 28 Feb 2010.
- ^ "Eliza Margaret Perry". Brazoria County Historical Museum. http://www.bchm.org/gene/d0001/g0009965.html#I549. Retrieved 28 Feb 2010.
- ^ "James Elijah Brown Perry". Brazoria County Historical Museum. http://www.bchm.org/gene/d0001/g0009984.html#I550. Retrieved 28 Feb 2010.
- ^ "Henry Austin Perry". Brazoria County Historical Museum. http://www.bchm.org/gene/d0001/g0009976.html#I551. Retrieved 28 Feb 2010.
- ^ "Cecilia Perry". Brazoria County Historical Museum. http://www.bchm.org/gene/d0001/g0009955.html#I552. Retrieved 28 Feb 2010.
- ^ Letter of H.N. Cleveland, San Filipe de Austin, to James F. Perry, Executor of S.F. Austin, November 14, 1838
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Sam Houston, Apellant, vs. James F. Perry, Executor" (digital image). 1837. http://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth31317/.
- ^ http://www.lib.utexas.edu/taro
- ^ http://listsearches.rootsweb.com/th/read/PERRY/2001-01/0978754454
- ^ "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.
- ^ Cummins, Light Townsend (2009). Emily Austin Of Texas (1795-1851). TCU Press. pp. 277-FN5. ISBN 0-87565-351-8.
- ^ Allen, Winnie. "Perry's Landing, Texas". Handbook of Texas Online. http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/PP/hvpcw.html. Retrieved 28 Feb 2010.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Perry, James Franklin". Texas Settlement Region. http://tsr.4101.org/markers/brazoria/79.html. Retrieved 28 Feb 2010.
- ^ Bryan v. Kennett, 113 U.S. 179 (1885) Justia.com
Additional References
- Sallie Glasscock, "Peach Point Plantation," Texas Parade, April 1951.
- Jones, Marie Beth (1982), Peach Point Plantation: The First 150 Years, Texian Press, ISBN 0963004204