Part 12

Those butchered with Fannin’s men were—Matthew Byrne, Daniel Buckley, Matthew Eddy, John Fagan, John Gleason, John James, John Kelly, John McGloin, Dennis McGowen, Dennis Mahoney, Patrick Nevin, Thomas Quirk, Edward Ryan and Capt. Ira Westover.

Signers of the regular Declaration of Independence—Edward Conrad, James Power, David Thomas and John Turner.

Others of the Irish colonies of Refugio and San Patricio who had distinguished themselves otherwise in the cause of Texan independence were—Lewis Ayers, Elkanah Brush, John Bowan, Michael Cahill, John Coughlan, Robert Lawrence, John Carlisle, Festus Doyle, William Donahue, Benjamin Dale, Patrick Downey and his sons Francis, Thomas, Patrick, Jr., John and James Downey; Patrick Fitzsimmons, Nicholas Fagan, William Gamble, John Hefferman, Robert Hern, William Hewes, Dr. James Hewitson, James Hewitson, Jr., John Hynes, John Hart and his sons Patrick, John and Luke Hart; Thomas Hennessy, Timothy Hoyt, Charles Kelly, John Keating, John Malone, Thomas Mullen, Patrick, Edward and James McGloin, Malcolm McAuley, John McMullen, Martin O’Toole, Daniel Driscoll, James O’Connor, Daniel and John O’Doyle, Edward Parry, James and Martin Power, Patrick and John Quinn, Michael Kelly, William Redmond, William St. John, Peter, John and Thomas Scott and John Toole. The entire number of names given is one hundred and two.

The historian adds: “Yet in a time of political frenzy in 1855, it was charged that these colonists were not true to Texas in the Revolution of 1835–’36. It was the privilege of the author of this work to crush the infamous slander by presenting the preceding facts, and many others attesting their fidelity in suffering, heroism, and in death, till the republic became the state of Texas in 1846.” The malignant slanders were repeated a few years ago when the patriotism and loyalty of the Irish in the Union army were assailed by the legitimate successors of the Know Nothings of 1855—the A. P. A.’s of 1895.

The entire number of signers of the Goliad Declaration of Independence, which was adopted more than two months before the signing of the general Declaration of Independence, was ninety-one. Of this number, twenty-seven, whose names have been given, were of the Irish colonies of Refugio and San Patricio. In addition to these, the following names, Irish in appearance, from the other colonies, were also appended to the Declaration: George W. Welsh, John Shelly, Robert McClure, Andrew Devereau, George W. Cash,—making thirty-two in all, or over a fraction of one third of the whole number of signers.

Among those who went into Texas with DeWitt’s colony in 1828 were Maj. James Kerr, Arthur and Squire Burns, George Blair, Matthew Caldwell, John Daly, John Duncan, John Fennell, Michael Gillan, Daniel, John, Joseph, Jesse, John, Jr. and Samuel McBay, Stephen Morrison, George Monoghan, B. D. McClure, John A. Neill and James B. Patrick.

“Among the early most worthy settlers at the extreme northwestern corner of Texas, on the Red river, was Collin McKinney.” He was the oldest man who signed the Texan Declaration of Independence, being seventy when he affixed his name to it. Capt. Thomas William Ward went to Texas, in 1835. He was a native of Ireland and at the outbreak of hostilities in Texas was a member of the “New Orleans Grays.” He commanded an artillery company at the capture of San Antonio, where he lost a leg.

He lived in Texas until his death in 1872, honored and respected by his fellow-citizens. He had held honorable positions in the gift of both state and nation. Elijah Rourk went from North Carolina to Texas in 1821. He was one of the pioneers of the state. While in company with David McCormick and two others, on his way to San Antonio to market a drove of hogs, he was killed by Indians, Dec. 25, 1829. Rourk’s son, who was with him, and McCormick made their escape. The former died as late as 1892. He had served in the War for Independence, and in himself was a living reminder of the sufferings of the early colonists of Texas.

William M. Logan went to Texas in 1826, one of a family which has given eminent men to the nation for over a century. With him were several of the Moore family. In an Indian fight reported by the celebrated James Bowie, Dec. 10, 1831, he mentions for bravery the names of ten persons; three of them were Matthew Doyle, Daniel Buchanan, wounded, and Thomas McCaslin, who was killed.

In an encounter with the enemy at Anahuac in 1832, the following were mentioned: Thomas H. Brennan, James S. McGahey and Edward Miles.

“The good Father Muldoon” has mention in an account of the battle of Velasco, June 26, 1832. He “was an Irish priest, resident of Mexico, and held in high esteem by the colonists.” He is also spoken of in the prison journal of Stephen Austin. Santa Anna gave him permission to visit Austin while the latter was in prison. He is also mentioned in the Quarterly of the Texas Historical Society of January, 1899, and a toast given by him at a banquet held in Anahuac is printed therein. It showed his sympathies for the colonies, although not one of the colonists, and was as follows:

“May plow and harrow, spade and tack, Remain the arms of Anahuac, So that her rich and boundless plains May yearly yield all sorts of grains. May all religious discords fall And friendship be the creed of all. With tolerance your pastor views All sects of Christians, Turks, and Jews. I now demand three rousing cheers, Great Austin’s health, and pioneers.”

Previous to the battle of Velasco, Father Muldoon was allowed to visit the Mexican commander, and authorized to adjust the affairs in conflict. His mission was a failure, the enemy deeming itself strong enough to secure its end, a mistaken idea; after a contest in which two thirds of the Mexicans were killed or wounded, the survivors surrendered to the Americans.

Among those who are named as participating in the engagement were John G. Stirling, Pinkney McNeal, George B. McKinistry and Andrew Scott. Among the delegates to the first convention held in Texas, in October, 1832, were William D. Lacy, George W. McKinistry, James Kerr, Hugh McGuffin, Joseph, Samuel and James Looney, John Connell, Jacob Garrett, George Butler, John M. Bradley and James Morgan.

A second convention, held on April 1, 1833, had among its members George Butler, John M. Bradley, Jesse Grimes, Jacob Garrett, Sam Houston, James Kerr, John H. Moore, James Morgan, William McFarland and B. D. McClure.

Mention is made of William Donoho in connection with the massacre of the survivors of the Grant colony by the Indians. He was a merchant in Santa Fé.—“One of those great hearted, sympathetic men who honor humanity.” His children are credited with being “the first American natives of the ancient town of Santa Fé.” He was from Missouri. He is credited with being the medium through whom three English ladies were released after being captured by the Indians, survivors of an English colony in Texas, and whose sufferings while in possession of the Indians were terrible. He was born in Kentucky. He died in Clarksville, Texas, in 1845, “lamented as a true son of Kentucky.” He is spoken of in the highest terms in Brown’s History of Texas and the Texas Scrap Book.

Daniel McCoy has mention in an account of a fight with the Indians at San Marcos in the spring of 1835, and with him were Matthew Caldwell and B. D. McClure. In another fight with the Indians near the Brazos, at Washington, in July, 1835, a detachment of three companies was commanded by Col. John H. Moore. The adjutant was Joseph C. Neill, and others in command were Capt. Robert M. Coleman and Capt. Coheen.

Among those in attendance at the “Navidad and Lavaca meeting on July 17, 1835,” were William Millican and Major James Kerr, “the veteran John McHenry who had fought for liberty in South America,” and was with Long and suffered imprisonment with Millan and Austin; Patrick Usher, Coleman, Loony, McNutt, and Scott. Among those who made a reputation in Texas in those early days were three brothers, Patrick C., William H. and Spencer H. Jack. They were the sons of Capt. Patrick Jack of North Carolina.

Captain Jack was the messenger selected by the Mecklenburg Convention, held in May, 1775, to convey the Declaration of Independence adopted by it to the Continental Congress in session at Philadelphia.

In a movement to prevent the taking away by the Mexicans of a four-pounder left with the people of Gonzales for protection against the Indians, the following participated: John H. Moore, Matthew Caldwell, James Kerr, John J. Linn, and representatives of the McClure and McCoy families. Mrs. Margaret Linn took an important part in the affair, and this tribute is paid her by the writer quoted: “Pause a moment, reader, to reflect that this note was written to a young bride, not yet a mother, educated, refined and accomplished, as many were whose graces gave tone to society in that period of danger and excitement.”

Mrs. Linn’s duty was to forward an important despatch to a point where aid could be procured. These were exciting times in Texas. The storm which was to end at San Jacinto was brewing, and the settlers were constantly on the alert, in order to be prepared for it. A party of forty men captured the Mexican fort, Lipantitlan, twelve miles from San Patricio. Major James Kerr, John J. Linn and James Power distinguished themselves in this affair. No doubt there were many of their kindred with them whose names were not given. It was a gallant and daring enterprise, and occurred on the 5th of November, 1835.

It prevented the three men named from attending the consultation which took place at San Felipe on the third of the same month, but “it caused the release of several Irish prisoners held by the Mexicans.”

Some time after this event, for reasons which he deemed sufficient, Stephen F. Austin removed the commander of a company, many of which had aided in the capture of this fort. The company adopted a resolution against a change, every man but the captain, Dimmitt, signing it, sixty-seven in all. Among them were: James O’Connor, George McKnight, James Duncan, Edward Quirk, Spirse Dooly, Robert McClure, Thomas O’Connor, Thomas Brien, Michael Riley, Andrew Devereau, J. B. Dale, Michael O’Donnell, Chas. Malone, Thomas M. Blake, J. L. McKenzie, Morgan Brien, Martin Lawlor, William Cumming, Patrick O’Beary, William Quinn, John Bowan, Jeremiah Day, Patrick Quinn, John Dunn, Thomas Todd and James Fagan.

A company, known as the New Orleans Grays, arrived at Brazoria to aid the Texan cause. They numbered sixty-two. Among the members were Chas. W. Connor, John Connell, Michael Cronican, Geo. H. Gill, William Harper, “of Ireland;” Nicholas Herron, Francis Leonard, Dennis Mahoney, M. B. McIver, John D. McLeod, John D. McNeill, James Nowland, Christopher O’Brien, Richard Ross, Thomas William Ward, Allen O’Kenney,—sixteen in all. Of these, Gill, Harper, Kenney and Mahoney were butchered with Fannin.

Among the signers of resolutions declaring for independence at Columbia, Dec. 25, 1835, were John Sweeney and P. R. Splane. Among those massacred with Fannin, and not mentioned thus far, were George McKnight, James Fagan, John Donoho, James McDonald, Robert Owens, R. R. Rainey, Lieut. John Grace (brother of subsequent Bishop Grace of Minnesota), James Logan, John O’Moore, John S. Scully, James McCoy, Moses Butler, J. M. Powers, Michael Carroll, Dominick Gallagher, Martin Moran, Patrick Osborne, J. B. Murphy, J. H. Moore, John McGowan, Cornelius Rooney, Edward Fitzsimmons, John O’Donnell, —— Glennan, George W. Coghlan, Lieut. J. B. Manomey, James Kelley, William McMurray, Z. O’Neill, Arthur G. Foley, D. Moore, Alfred Dorsey, J. W. Duncan, John Kelly, W. E. and James Vaughn and William Quinn.

S. Tucker Foley and James Foley, brothers of Frank G. Foley, were killed by the Indians. Among the few who escaped the Fannin butchery were Capt. James H. Callahan, Peter Griffin, J. McSherry, Nicholas Waters, W. Welsh, A. M. Boyle, Capt. Wm. Sherlock, William Brennan, J. H. Neely, N. J. Devenny, Bennett Butler and William Murphy.

During General Houston’s march he encamped at the ranch of a Mrs. McCurley. The historian writes that the condition of affairs just before the battle of Jacinto was such that the hopes and fears of the whole American population west of the Trinity gathered around General Houston.

Many of those who inhabited the western portion were without means of escape. Among the number were many of the Irish families of Refugio and San Patricio, still weeping and wailing for their sons and brothers who had been massacred with Fannin. The wife, sister and first-born child of John J. Linn were of the number.

The battle of San Jacinto occurred on April 21, 1836. Among those who participated of known Irish origin, or bearing Irish names, were the following,—Gen. Sam Houston, Col. Robert M. Coleman, Surgeon J. P. T. Fitzhugh, Lieut.-Col. J. C. Neill, John M. Wade, Willis Collins, J. Neil, E. Nixon, Jacob Duncan, W. B. Sweeney, Lieut. Robert McClusky, Daniel O’Driscoll, and Cassidy, Flynn, Farley, Montgomery, O’Niel, Sullivan, Moore, Hogan, Callahan, Capt. Richard Roman, McStea, McAllister, Morgan, McNeill, Donan, Gill, Adjutant Nicholas Lynch, Griffin, Hayes, Welsh, Magill, Cunningham, Herron, Conley, Dempsey, Blahey, Connell, McClelland, Bryan, Duncan, Maher, O’Conner, Connor, McNeill, Malone, McLaughlin, Hagan, McCrabb, Sennatt, O’Connor, Ryan, John, Lewis and Stephen T. Foley; Waters, Rainey, Cannon, Gentry, Dunn, Adjutant B. McNelly, Kincannon, Mitchell, McCoy, McLinn, Logan; Patrick Carnell, McManus, McFadden, Orr, Cornelius Devoy, Duffy, Cole, Lieut. David Murphy, Bradley, Boyd, Barr, Sweeney, Gallaher, McGay, McCormick, Hayes, Kenyon, Brennan, Corry, Capt. Thomas McIntire, Gill, Boyle, Campbell, McCorley, Madden, Montgomery, John and Andrew Ferrall, McMillan, O’Bamion, Capt. Bryan, Irvine, Clarke, McGary, Maxwell, McGowan, Hughes and Hannan.

When Santa Anna was captured and brought before General Houston a youth named Bryan, nineteen years old, acted as interpreter. Among those butchered by the Indians pending the siege of the Alamo, was the Dougherty family, but two members escaping. Of another party attacked about the same time, five of the males were killed. Five persons more, three of whom were females, were taken away by the Indians. One of the latter was rescued in 1860, after being a captive nearly twenty-five years.

Her recovery was made by Capt. Lawrence Sullivan Ross, commanding a company of Texas Rangers, later a general in the Confederate army, and still later governor of Texas. The counties of Refugio and San Patricio had been almost depopulated by the ravages of Mexicans and Indians. In consequence, the scattered exiles from these localities wherever they might have been, were allowed to vote for representatives and senators to represent their county in the first congress of the Texan republic.

This congress met on the third of October, 1836. Sam Houston had been chosen president, receiving 5,119 votes of a total of 6,640. The two Irish colonies were represented in congress as follows: Refugio, Elkanah Brush; San Patricio, John Geraghty. The colony of Victoria had quite a sprinkling of Irish settlers, among them the family of the McLinns. It was represented by Richard Roman. It is not at all unlikely that this may originally have been the name Ronan, a common Irish name. Sabine sent John Boyd. Collin McKinney represented Red River, and Jesse Grimes, Washington. Among the judges appointed by this congress were W. H. McIntire, Massillion Farley, Patrick Usher, Bartlett McClure, Geo. B. McKinstry, John Dunn, John Turner (the two latter were for Refugio and San Patricio), William McFarland and John McHenry.

Stephen F. Austin died in December, 1836. “Among the touching episodes connected with the death of General Austin was the presence with him in the hour of death of perhaps his oldest friend, Major James Kerr, of Lavaca, who had served with him in the territorial legislature of Missouri, twenty years before, and who had ever been his warm and confidential friend in Texas.” What this friendship meant to Austin none but the readers of Texan history, or those who took part in the stirring events of the period, can determine.

Among the commanders in the new Texan navy was Capt. J. D. Boyland, and among the members of the second congress were Patrick J. Jack, James Power, John Boyd, John J. Linn, Collin McKinney, Thomas H. Brennan and John Dunn. In the third congress were Holland Coffee, James Kerr, Richard Roman, Benjamin Odlum, John J. Linn and Anthony Butler, the latter afterwards United States minister to Mexico.

Austin, the capital of Texas, was laid out and building begun in 1839. Before November of that year, it was said to contain fifteen hundred souls, and this was written of it: “Certainly in no settlement where defence against savages depended upon the members of every household, was there ever more enlightenment and refinement.”

Among the prominent residents at this period were Martin Carroll Wing, Col. Hugh McLoud, A. C. McFarland, William H. Murrah, James Burke, H. Mulholland, John D. McLoud and Richard F. Brennan. Among the killed and wounded in an affair with the Indians at San Antonio in March, 1840, were a Mr. Casey and Private Kelley. In an engagement brought about by an Indian raid on Victoria and Linnville, in August, 1840, the following took part: John H. Moore, Capt. Matthew Caldwell, Capt. Thomas William Ward, Capt. Andrew Neill and W. H. Magill.

One of the three commissioners accompanying the expedition to New Mexico, under command of Gen. Hugh McLoud, in June, 1841, was Dr. Richard F. Brannan, “as gallant a gentleman as was ever born on the soil of Kentucky,” and accompanying him was a Mr. Fitzgerald. This expedition, partly owing to the treachery of one of its officers, was obliged to surrender to the Mexicans. Many were taken captives to the City of Mexico, and were treated in the most inhuman manner by those having them in charge. One of them, John McAllister, being unable to march, was shot dead by the brutal commander, who cut off his ears as trophies.

Among other officers in the Texan navy, were Captains Brennan and McKinney, Lieutenant Gallaher and Doctor Quinn. James Morgan and William Bryan were appointed commissioners by President Houston to take possession of vessels of the Texan navy on the Mississippi, in 1843. During Houston’s second term, James Reilly was minister to the United States, and Captain Thomas William Ward was commissioner of the land office.

William Bryan represented Texas as a local agent in New Orleans in 1835. It was through his influence largely that the services of the New Orleans Grays were secured. M. A. Bryan was secretary of legation at Washington under the presidency of Lamar, 1838 to 1841. James Reilly was one of four commissioners to effect a foreign loan under the same administration, and two of the United States ministers to Texas during the same period were William H. Murphy and George H. Flood, both of whom died in Galveston.

In the movement to repel the attack of Vasquez on San Antonio, in 1842, the following took a prominent part: Capt. John C. Hayes, Cols. Matthew Caldwell and John H. Moore, Capt. James H. Callahan, John R. Cunningham, John Twohig, James Dunn, Capt. Andrew Neill, James P. Kincannon, Stewart Foley, Maj. James Kerr, Matthew Talbott, John J. Linn, David Murphy, John Sweeney and M. A. Bryan. The name of Capt. William M. Ryan appears as the commander of a company for the invasion of Mexico about the same period. Among others were Capt. S. McNeill, Capt. John C. Hayes, Maj. David Murphree, John Sweeney, Edward Linn, Lieut. M. A. Bryan, Jr., and Adjutant Thomas A. Murray.

Among the “doomed seventeen” Texans shot by the Mexicans after their surrender at the Battle of Mier were P. Mahoney, Henry Whaling, J. L. Cash, W. N. Cowan and Martin Farrell Wing. Among those shot in the City of Mexico was Capt. Ewen Cameron, a “Highlander” native of Scotland. He had been the loved and trusted leader of his band of Rangers for seven years. Among the others killed or butchered, connected with this expedition, were James Urie, W. J. McIllrea, Dr. Richard F. Brennan, A. Fitzgerald, Patrick Lyons, L. L. Cash, Patrick Mahan, William Rowen and James Neely. Among those who died in prison were W. B. C. Bryan, John Irvin, Mr. McDade, John Owen and Patrick Usher. Among the prisoners who survived were Nathan Mullin, Jerry Lehan, Thomas A. Murray, Patrick Doherty, John Fitzgerald, John Morgan, Major McQueen, John Canty, —— Donnell, John Brennan, Thomas Burke, Frank Hughes, Edward and Richard Queen, John Lacy, Patrick and S. G. Lyon, P. M. Maxwell, William Moore, G. McFall, John McGinley. Charles McLaughlin, —— McMath, James McMicken, John McMullin, James B. and H. Neely, Francis Kelly, A. J. Rourk, William M. Ryan, Daniel C. Sullivan, John Twohig, Andrew Neill and Francis McCoy.

In January, 1842, Henri De Castro received authority from President Houston to settle a colony west of the Medina, and before his labors were completed, he had introduced over five thousand emigrants from the Rhenish provinces of France. Castro and his colony are spoken of in the highest terms by all Texan writers. They received a cordial welcome from the Texans, many of whom visited them in person. These new immigrants, added to the others preceding them, furnished the new republic with a most composite population. In the convention of 1845, which voted for annexation to the United States, among others were: Philip M. Cuney, John Caldwell, A. S. Cunningham, Spearman Holland, H. L. Kinney, Andrew McGowan, John T. McNeill, Francis Moore, James Scott and James Power.

Sam Houston was chosen one of the two first United States senators to represent the new state. Among those whom the historian of Texas writes should be held in grateful remembrance for what they have done for Texas are: Sam Houston, David Crockett, Patrick C. Jack, Thomas William Ward, Robert C. Wallace, Henry W. Karnes, John Forbes, James Power, John McMullen, Patrick McGloin, Francis Moore, Thomas McKinney, Holland McKinney, Jesse Grimes and John H. Moore.

The outbreak of the Mexican War, which followed annexation, furnished opportunity to settle old scores, and here Irish names galore appear, battling in a contest which was to extend still farther the boundaries of the United States. Their history, however, more properly belongs to the nation than the state. Many of those mentioned heretofore, surviving the contests with the Indians and the Mexicans, participated in the Mexican War, and with them many of their kindred of Irish origin,—men like General William S. Harney, the immortal Phil Kearney, who fell at Chantilly; Commodore Kearney, Maj. Andrew McReynolds, a native of historic Dungannon, and a schoolmate of Gen. James Shields, and who, like Shields, lived to take part in the Civil War, being a major-general in the Union army; and many others.

Among the signers of the Texan secession ordinance were: Lewis F. Casey, Lewis W., Thomas and Burns C. Moore, Thomas McCraw, T. C. Neal, Thomas J. Devine, Edward Dougherty, John N. Fall, John H. Feeney, John Ireland, W. C. Kelly, J. R. Hayes, W. N. Neyland, D. M. Pendergast, John H. Reagan, W. T. Scott and J. S. Lester. John H. Reagan became postmaster-general of the Southern Confederacy, and T. J. Devine took a prominent part in public affairs during the Civil War.