Texas Patriotism (Houston, Austin, Alamo: home, tenant, camp)

[Delta Planter]

Been a while since I've been here. I found a little ditty about subj over at Facebook, today, thought you might enjoy it. I sure did!

TEXAS PATRIOTISM

It starts in Kindergarten and concludes after about 5 years of consecutive Texas History. I knew about Goliad, the Alamo, and San Jacinto before I ever heard of Lexington and Concord. I knew the State mother, father, bird, flower, pledge of allegiance, & varmint before I could ride a bike. Texans take great pride in the fact that they had to fight a foreign power for their sovereignty. From the beginning, Texans, or Texicans as they were once called, were a very diverse group of people. Unlike most New Englanders, and even other Southerners, Texans were Anglo-Saxon, Indian, German, French, Black, and Hispanic.

We had pro-slavery folks and abolitionists. We had Catholics, Protestants, and Naturalists. But for all our differences we all wanted to live in the Hill Country, the Gulf Coast, or the right side of the Red River. And worked together to make it happen. During the Civil War, Texans were split 50 / 50 on Secession. Sam Houston resigned as Governor in protest. The Town of Round Top (a German settlement) even continued to celebrate the 4th of July, and remains to this day the single oldest continuing 4th of July Parade West of the Mississippi.

The "Texas Mystique" is part of Americana. You can't hate Texas without hating America. We didn't invent the cowboy, but we refined him. We didn't invent football, but we mastered it. We didn't invent patriotism, but we are the poster children for Red, White, and Blue. We didn't invent the Armed Forces, but we stock the ranks. Texas is not the South, or West, and sure as hell isn't Mexico. Texas is the intersection of the South, the West, and South America. Texas is the "melting pot" we heard about in American history class.

Texas is a cross section of America. It's what America was meant to be. We're a little arrogant and cocky, but it's because we know what everyone else is missing out on. The food, the people, the land, the community.

So next time someone asks you "what's so great, how come you're always going on about your Lone Star State?"

You just tell 'em

"That's right, you're not from Texas...
but Texas wants you anyway."
~Lyle Lovett

[TexasReb]

Originally Posted by Delta Planter

Been a while since I've been here. I found a little ditty about subj over at Facebook, today, thought you might enjoy it. I sure did!

TEXAS PATRIOTISM

It starts in Kindergarten and concludes after about 5 years of consecutive Texas History. I knew about Goliad, the Alamo, and San Jacinto before I ever heard of Lexington and Concord. I knew the State mother, father, bird, flower, pledge of allegiance, & varmint before I could ride a bike. Texans take great pride in the fact that they had to fight a foreign power for their sovereignty. From the beginning, Texans, or Texicans as they were once called, were a very diverse group of people. Unlike most New Englanders, and even other Southerners, Texans were Anglo-Saxon, Indian, German, French, Black, and Hispanic.

We had pro-slavery folks and abolitionists. We had Catholics, Protestants, and Naturalists. But for all our differences we all wanted to live in the Hill Country, the Gulf Coast, or the right side of the Red River. And worked together to make it happen. During the Civil War, Texans were split 50 / 50 on Secession. Sam Houston resigned as Governor in protest. The Town of Round Top (a German settlement) even continued to celebrate the 4th of July, and remains to this day the single oldest continuing 4th of July Parade West of the Mississippi.

The "Texas Mystique" is part of Americana. You can't hate Texas without hating America. We didn't invent the cowboy, but we refined him. We didn't invent football, but we mastered it. We didn't invent patriotism, but we are the poster children for Red, White, and Blue. We didn't invent the Armed Forces, but we stock the ranks. Texas is not the South, or West, and sure as hell isn't Mexico. Texas is the intersection of the South, the West, and South America. Texas is the "melting pot" we heard about in American history class.

Texas is a cross section of America. It's what America was meant to be. We're a little arrogant and cocky, but it's because we know what everyone else is missing out on. The food, the people, the land, the community.

So next time someone asks you "what's so great, how come you're always going on about your Lone Star State?"

You just tell 'em

"That's right, you're not from Texas...
but Texas wants you anyway."
~Lyle Lovett

Great post, DP, my good friend!

So much that I almost hate to ruin what this sorta poetic theme involves, but truth is, some of it is historically inaccurate.

For one thing, Texas was not a reluctant Confederate state. There was not in the least a 50/50 split. Not even close. Only in South Carolina did a greater percentage was there a greater percentage of delegates to the secession conventions favoring such. It went 166-8. And alone among the "Lower South" states (as defined in the day) it was it put to a popular vote. And it carried by a margin of over 3 to 1.

http://www.texasalmanac.com/politics/secession.html

And the vast majority of those who initially opposed it, later supported the Confederacy. Even Sam Houston (who did not resign, but was deposed from office) later said "There comes a time a man's section is his country. I stand with mine. I was a conservative citizen of the Old Union, I am now a conservative citizen of the Southern Confederacy". His oldest son and namesake distinguished himself in the War in Confederate service (he rose to the rank of lieutenant).

But all in all, a great post and thanks for sharing, buddy!

[case44]

Wonderful post, Delta Planter. It's so true. Nothing I say in this space can top that.

[blueskies49]

Great post, DP, and wonderful further clarification TR!! I was born here and lived here all my adult life, too bad I wasn't raised here, my dad being military and we lived mostly overseas. At least I CAN claim Texas!

[nmnita]

Absolutely love it..I may not be in love with Texas, but have always loved the patrioutism. Both our granddaughters think the entire world should be like Texas. One was born there, the other moved there when she wasn't even 3 years old. It is all they know. BTW, neither live there now, but they still love their STATE!!!

Nita

[theloneranger]

Originally Posted by Delta Planter

Been a while since I've been here. I found a little ditty about subj over at Facebook, today, thought you might enjoy it. I sure did!

TEXAS PATRIOTISM

It starts in Kindergarten and concludes after about 5 years of consecutive Texas History. I knew about Goliad, the Alamo, and San Jacinto before I ever heard of Lexington and Concord. I knew the State mother, father, bird, flower, pledge of allegiance, & varmint before I could ride a bike. Texans take great pride in the fact that they had to fight a foreign power for their sovereignty. From the beginning, Texans, or Texicans as they were once called, were a very diverse group of people. Unlike most New Englanders, and even other Southerners, Texans were Anglo-Saxon, Indian, German, French, Black, and Hispanic.

We had pro-slavery folks and abolitionists. We had Catholics, Protestants, and Naturalists. But for all our differences we all wanted to live in the Hill Country, the Gulf Coast, or the right side of the Red River. And worked together to make it happen. During the Civil War, Texans were split 50 / 50 on Secession. Sam Houston resigned as Governor in protest. The Town of Round Top (a German settlement) even continued to celebrate the 4th of July, and remains to this day the single oldest continuing 4th of July Parade West of the Mississippi.

The "Texas Mystique" is part of Americana. You can't hate Texas without hating America. We didn't invent the cowboy, but we refined him. We didn't invent football, but we mastered it. We didn't invent patriotism, but we are the poster children for Red, White, and Blue. We didn't invent the Armed Forces, but we stock the ranks. Texas is not the South, or West, and sure as hell isn't Mexico. Texas is the intersection of the South, the West, and South America. Texas is the "melting pot" we heard about in American history class.

Texas is a cross section of America. It's what America was meant to be. We're a little arrogant and cocky, but it's because we know what everyone else is missing out on. The food, the people, the land, the community.

So next time someone asks you "what's so great, how come you're always going on about your Lone Star State?"

You just tell 'em

"That's right, you're not from Texas...
but Texas wants you anyway."
~Lyle Lovett

This is the only one I'm not sure of. Is this supposed to refer to Jane Long?

[Dopo]

Don't mean to be a party pooper
but patriotism is "love for a country" not a state.

And Mexico is not in South America, is in North America
South America starts in Colombia

[gy2020]

Originally Posted by Delta Planter

The Town of Round Top (a German settlement) even continued to celebrate the 4th of July, and remains to this day the single oldest continuing 4th of July Parade West of the Mississippi.

I agree with everything except this quote. True, it was a German community but only after it changed its name from "Townsend" to "Round Top". My ancestors, several Townsend brothers, and the Robison family came to the community in 1832 and created the first Masonic Lodge, known as the Florida Chapter, because they all came from Florida. Joel Robison and his brother-in-laws (the Townsends) fought at San Jacinto and it was Joel Robison who captured Santa Anna the day after the Battle of San Jacinto. And he was only 20 years old. He had help from Sion Bostick and James Sylvestor, but both of those guys wanted to kill the Mexican prisoner. So Robison was responsible for keeping the prisoner alive until they returned to camp only to find out that they had captured Santa Anna himself.

It was only later, in the 1840's that the Germans moved in and the Anglos felt uncomfortable, and they moved away from the settlement that bore their name. The town was now German and they decided to change the name from "Townsend" to "Round Top", named after a geographical feature of the area.

From our family book, by Tula Townsend Wyatt.

"Round Top in Northwest Fayette County located on Cummins Creek, is one of the oldest communities, the home of many heroes whose names are written on the history books of the Republic of Texas. Not far to the south in the rich bottom lands is the historical area that Stephen F. Austin settled with his first colony of the original Three Hundred Pioneers.

"To this section came Thomas Roderick Townsend and his brother, Spencer Burton Townsend in 1826. The two brothers rode on horseback from Florida. They, too, were seeking land in the West. They returned to Florida for their families. Thomas R. Townswend received his Spanish grant (headright) in Houston County in 1834, but his brothers, Stephen, Moses, William T. and two cousins, William P. and John Townsend (Windale) of South Carolina all received land grants in Fayatte County. Other relatives in the area were Sion Bostick, Joel
Robison, the Cummins, Gouchers and Gaither families.

"The community was called "Townsend" but with the many names of early settler it sounds like a roll call of the heroes of the republic. Seven members of the Townsend family for which "Townsend" was named were early Texas Rangers and soldiers of the Army of Texas."

source: p. 272, The Seven Townsend Brothers of Texas 1826-1838, by Tula Townsend Wyatt. 1974.

[gy2020]

Originally Posted by Dopo

Don't mean to be a party pooper
but patriotism is "love for a country" not a state.

Don't forget, we were a country. We were the Republic of Texas, 1836-1845.

[KonaKat]

Originally Posted by gy2020

I agree with everything except this quote. True, it was a German community but only after it changed its name from "Townsend" to "Round Top". My ancestors, several Townsend brothers, and the Robison family came to the community in 1832 and created the first Masonic Lodge, known as the Florida Chapter, because they all came from Florida. Joel Robison and his brother-in-laws (the Townsends) fought at San Jacinto and it was Joel Robison who captured Santa Anna the day after the Battle of San Jacinto. And he was only 20 years old. He had help from Sion Bostick and James Sylvestor, but both of those guys wanted to kill the Mexican prisoner. So Robison was responsible for keeping the prisoner alive until they returned to camp only to find out that they had captured Santa Anna himself.

It was only later, in the 1840's that the Germans moved in and the Anglos felt uncomfortable, and they moved away from the settlement that bore their name. The town was now German and they decided to change the name from "Townsend" to "Round Top", named after a geographical feature of the area.

From our family book, by Tula Townsend Wyatt.

"Round Top in Northwest Fayette County located on Cummins Creek, is one of the oldest communities, the home of many heroes whose names are written on the history books of the Republic of Texas. Not far to the south in the rich bottom lands is the historical area that Stephen F. Austin settled with his first colony of the original Three Hundred Pioneers.

"To this section came Thomas Roderick Townsend and his brother, Spencer Burton Townsend in 1826. The two brothers rode on horseback from Florida. They, too, were seeking land in the West. They returned to Florida for their families. Thomas R. Townswend received his Spanish grant (headright) in Houston County in 1834, but his brothers, Stephen, Moses, William T. and two cousins, William P. and John Townsend (Windale) of South Carolina all received land grants in Fayatte County. Other relatives in the area were Sion Bostick, Joel
Robison, the Cummins, Gouchers and Gaither families.

"The community was called "Townsend" but with the many names of early settler it sounds like a roll call of the heroes of the republic. Seven members of the Townsend family for which "Townsend" was named were early Texas Rangers and soldiers of the Army of Texas."

source: p. 272, The Seven Townsend Brothers of Texas 1826-1838, by Tula Townsend Wyatt. 1974.

I was just reading this. My family is the Bennetts. When my sister and some cousins researched our family, we found that the Bennetts, the Townsends, and the Campbells left the South and first settled in SW Missouri for a few years. Then, the Bennetts and some of the others went to Texas and first settled around Balinger when my grandfather was about 6 years old. Ironically, many years later in 1960 my father and our family left one of the Bennett family farms in Portales, New Mexico, and moved to SW Missouri right where they had been. We found that 2 of our grandparents were born a stone's throw from where we lived!

The family next door to me here is also named Bennett, and they are from Florida.

Fascinating. We're probably old friends and don't even know it.

I will be visiting Austin in July for a Memorial for 2 family members who passed away this year. Haven't been back to Texas in way too long, and I'm looking forward to the trip.