A look back at artifacts gathered tells the history of Texas

I sit at my desk looking at various historical artifacts that I have gathered through the years and my mind wanders down some of those trails, causing me to live again those yesteryears when our ancestors were instrumental in developing the situations that today have become part of the history of our nation. Artifacts that include ancient arrowheads, a buffalo skull, lariat ropes and branding irons, and pictures of early settlers in an area that would eventually become known as the Falls on the Brazos. An area that was as important in the early pre-1800s as a prime hunting and fishing ground and natural river crossing to inhabitants on both sides of the Brazos River as it would be in post-1800s for the same reasons. The Indian population dates back some 10,000 years, with France and then Spain attempting colonization in the 1600s.

The empresarial grant from Spain given to Moses Austin was the only one given under Spanish law. Moses Austin’s empresarial grant from Spain was passed on, at his death, to his son, Stephen F. Austin. Mexico won their independence from Spain and encouraged colonization by immigrants from the United States by 1822. Mexico renegotiated the Spanish grant given to Austin and allowed him to bring 300 settlers to a point on the Brazos River in 1822. These hardy settlers were beset with hardships from weather, wild animals, marauding Indians, and the Mexican government. The Marlin and Menefee families were among the first settlers to an area on the east side of the Brazos River. John Marlin’s home lay to the south and Dr. Allensworth Adams home lay to the north, while Menefee was in between with a small supply station near the falls on the Brazos.

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