history – Page 2 – Texas History Notebook

Elizabeth Patton Crockett

Elizabeth Patton Crocket was born in Buncombe County, North Carolina on May 22, 1788 to Robert Patton and Rebecca Cathey Patton. Robert is believed to have been born in Northern Ireland or was the child of someone born there while Rebecca was a North Carolina native. Elizabeth was the fourth of seven children born to the couple. One of her brothers was named George Patton, but from all accounts, she is no relation to the later World War II general of that name.

James Gaines, Namesake of Gaines County

James Gaines was born in Culpepper County in Virginia in November of 1776. His parents were Thomas and Susana Strother Gaines. James was born Robert Thomas Gaines but later changed his name to James Gaines around 1810. He was a double cousin to Edmund Pendleton Gaines (two brothers married two sisters). Edmund’s parents were James and Elizabeth Strother Gaines. Edmund and James were born one year apart. They are both descended from James Henry Gaines and Mary Lillie Pendleton, whose ancestors had come from England to Colonial Virginia around 1650.

Future Texans in the War of 1812

The War of 1812 is not customarily considered to directly be part of Texas history although some historians view the various filibuster events involving expeditions into Texas and clashes with Spain during those years to be associated with the War of 1812. Regardless, these years predated both the rise of Mexico to control the area and the Texas Revolution. However, a number of individuals who served in the northern and southern theaters of the War of 1812 later came to Texas.

“Lonesome Dove” – the Miniseries

The miniseries filmed in 1988 was the first release of a series of video projects of the four “Lonesome Dove” related books written by author Larry McMurtry. In February of that year, press releases announced that filming would soon begin on the screenplay based on McMurtry’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel that came out in 1985.

The Del Rio News-Herald in its issue of February 2, 1988 noted that locations would include the Moody family’s Rancho Rio Grande outside Del Rio and the Alamo Village in Brackettville. The miniseries was set to air for an estimated eight hours over several days. The article stated that the screenplay was written by Texan Bill Wittliff.

San Jacinto Monument

The San Jacinto Monument is one of the most recognizable symbols of Texas history. It was designed to commemorate the battle of April 21, 1836 in which the Texas Army led by General Sam Houston defeated Mexican troops led by General Antonio López de Santa Anna. For years prior to the Texas Centennial, various ideas had been discussed regarding ways to celebrate the anniversary. The site of the battle was chosen for the location of a monument.