Issue 9 Volume 3 Grimes County Historical Commission September 2017

Meetings of the Grimes County Historical Commission are held on the Second Monday of the Month at 6:30 pm in the Courthouse Annex in Anderson,

Contact Information Joe King Fultz [email protected]

Visit us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ GrimesCountyHistoricalCo mmission

Grimes County Historical Commission Photo of the Month Executive Board

Chairman Joe King Fultz

Vice Chairman Susan Boudreaux

Secretary Vanessa Burzynski

Treasurer Bob Goldstein

COMMITTEES

Historical Markers Denise Upchurch

Historic Preservation Sarah Nash

Newsletter & Publicity Vanessa Burzynski

Volunteer Committee Photo of Tapley Holland at the Alamo Susan Boudreaux

GRIMES COUNTY HISTORICAL COMMISSION NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 2017 PAGE 2 The Eagle (Bryan, Texas) April 17, 1898 News from the Past Constable Killed Brenham Weekly Banner (Brenham, Texas) March 14, 1879 News was received here yesterday afternoon from Grimes County by telephone to the effect Bas Wilkerson was killed on the 6th inst. near that Constable Joe Hall of the Bedias precinct Bedias, Grimes County, by Tom Williamson. was shot Friday night and died yesterday The latter accused the former of starting a morning at 7 o’clock. It appears from the report prairie fire that burned some fence. Wilkerson that a public meeting had been held and after it armed himself with an axe and went to was over there was some disorderly conduct and Williamson’s home. As Wilkerson stepped on shooting in the vicinity and Hall was shot while the gallery Williamson fired upon and killed trying to quell the disorder. His slayer is him. Williamson surrendered to the authorities. unknown. Hall left a wife and two children.

The Eagle (Bryan, Texas) February 7, The Eagle (Bryan, Texas) May 14, 1905 1895 Col. R. H. Harrison Dead - Was a The Moderators and Regulators of the Bedias Pioneer Texan and Mexican War country in North Grimes county have had Veteran another battle with Winchesters which occurred Sunday. Wm. Shannon’s house was fired on by Yesterday morning at 4 o’clock, at his home at unknown parties. Shannon was shot in the back Bedias, Texas, Col. R. H. Harrison breathed his and his son through the body. They returned last. Col. Harrison was in his 82nd year, and has the fire and shot Leonard Hall and Andrew been in failing health for nearly a year. Previous Jackson, both white. Fifteen men are said to to that time during his long life he was active, have been implicated in the firing on Shannon’s healthy and strong, and hardly knew what it was house and all will be arrested. An account in the to be sick. Col. Harrison was a native of Houston Post says the Moderator crowd got one Tennessee and came to Texas in 1850, settling of the Regulator boys off by himself and cursed at the home where he died. Full of spirit, vitality him and invited him to come and bring his and energy, he was a strong character and a crowd if he wanted to fight. He did so with the successful man. He was engaged in farming and results given. He came to Shannon’s house and stock raising and accumulated a competence. the firing began. The details are rather meager. His wife and five of the nine children born to Joe Shannon of the Moderators is not expected them survive him. They are Mrs. N. M. to live. It is not known here which side began the McDougald, Mrs. Emma Spell and Dr. R. H. shooting first. Trouble is expected as both Harrison of Bryan, Mrs. B. M. Maret and Dr. Bev crowds are considered game and fear nothing. Harrison of Pankey. All were with him at the The feud between the two factions has existed time of his death except Mrs. Spell who lately for many years. returned from his bedside. Col. Harrison was a Mexican war veteran, and Odd Fellow and a pioneer Texan 0 one of those sturdy characters who have helped to build the state and shape its destiny – a good man who will be sadly missed by family and friends. Dr. N. M. McDougald, Mr. D. McDougald, Mrs. Emma Spell and Mrs. Jim Martin left yesterday to attend the funeral at Pankey this afternoon at 3:30 o’clock.

GRIMES COUNTY HISTORICAL COMMISSION NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 2017 PAGE 3 a tailor, a blacksmith, a pistol factory that COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT provided handguns for the Confederacy and a ANDERSON, TEXAS. Anderson is on State population of 3,000. At least six different Highway 90 and Farm roads 149 and 1774 ten Anderson newspapers were published between miles northeast of Navasota in central Grimes 1854 and 1900. County. Bidai, Coushatta, and Kickapoo Indians roamed this area before the arrival of Stephen F. For all of its promise in the stagecoach days, no Austin's first settlers. Francis Holland, one of major development in road or rail line the first settlers in the area, received his deed to construction passed through Anderson. Local a league of land from Austin on August 10, 1824. landowners refused to give right-of-way to the In 1833 Henry Fanthorp purchased the east Houston and Texas Central in 1857. In 1903 quarter of Holland's league for twenty-five cents they agreed to construction of the Madisonville an acre and built a corn-storage building that Branch of the Missouri Pacific, from Navasota to served also as a dwelling and grain market. In Madisonville. This line was discontinued in 1834 he built a larger, dog-run house to live in. 1944, leaving Anderson without a public carrier. In order to take advantage of the stage lines, he The first highway to pass through Anderson was enlarged this dwelling into a tavern known as not begun until 1930. Growth was also retarded the Fanthorp Inn. Mail was delivered here by the lack of city government. Although the weekly, starting in 1835; the inn was thus the town was incorporated, records show elected first post office in what was to be Grimes officials only for the years 1867 and 1875. In County. 1983 a movement to revive city government was defeated at the polls. In 1846 Grimes County was organized, and Fanthorp offered land for the county seat. In the Although Anderson is the county seat and was following election a site between Alto Mira and once the fourth largest town in Texas, its Randolph was chosen. It was named Anderson, population in 1990 was only 370, composed of in honor of Kenneth L. Anderson, last vice the residents within a half-mile radius of the president of the Republic of Texas, who had historic county courthouse. The town has a recently died at the Fanthorp Inn. In time the number of historic homes. Special events that community encompassed Alto Mira, Randolph, attracted tourists are Texas Trek in April, a and the inn. County Fair and Juneteenth celebration in June, and Texan Days in September, as well as Good soil, good crops, good water supply, and church festivals and activities of fraternal numerous stagecoach routes across Grimes organizations. By 1990 a dozen or more County contributed to Anderson's growth. commercial business and offices, a post office, Lawyers, teachers, preachers, physicians, and the bank, the school, law enforcement offices, political leaders from the southern United and the county jail were within a three-block States, along with skilled farmers of German radius of the courthouse. Livestock, dairy and Polish descent, came together in Anderson. farming, hay, and honeybees were the means of The Masons opened Masonic Collegiate livelihood for the surrounding community. Institute, also known as Patrick Academy, in Many residents worked out of town. By 2000 1846; other schools followed: St. Paul's the population dropped to 257 with fifty-eight Episcopal College (1852), a Lutheran school businesses. (1882), a Catholic school (1890), and the school BIBLIOGRAPHY: Irene Taylor Allen, Saga of Anderson-The of Anderson Independent Free District (1893). Proud Story of a Historic Texas Community (New York: Numerous churches provided worship services. Greenwich, 1957). E. L. Blair, Early History of Grimes County The town boomed from 1846 to 1885; it had two (Austin, 1930). Grimes County Historical Commission, History of Grimes County, Land of Heritage and Progress (Dallas: steam sawmills, six cotton gins, five hotels, a Taylor, 1982). Vertical Files, Dolph Briscoe Center for drugstore, a mercantile house, a hardware store, American History, University of Texas at Austin.

GRIMES COUNTY HISTORICAL COMMISSION NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 2017 PAGE 4 Also buried here are the following: Cemetery Spotlight William Burney died Jan 1, 1845 (husband of Susannah Holland) HOLLAND CEMETERY William Berryman 1797 - 1863 The Hollands and other family members listed (husband of Nancy Holland) here were among the early settlers of what is today Grimes County. They arrived from Ohio in William Holland died 1833 1822 and settled on Ten Mile Creek, known (brother of Francis Holland) today as Holland Creek west of present day Anderson on Highway 90. To get to the Susannah Buck Holland died 1833 cemetery you will travel East on HWY 90 (wife of William Holland and sister of Margaret towards Anderson, cross Holland Creek to Buck Holland wife of Francis Holland. County Road 447. Turn right, go up that road about 1/4 mile and the cemetery is on the right. William Holland Jr. (son of William and There are no stones depicting the burials of Susannah Holland) Hollands. The names have been added from the County records. The Hollands actual burial sites John Holland (son of William and Susannah are unknown. Some researchers believe they are Holland) buried here This cemetery is also known as the Berryman cemetery and was used as a Black Mary Holland Fisher Peterson cemetery. There are some stones that may be (sister of Francis and William Holland) black families and/or possibly slaves. John Peterson b. 1806 Francis Holland 1770 – 1834 (son of Mary Holland Fisher Peterson) Margaret Buck Holland 1785 – 1834 Married October 29, 1804 in Ohio John Peterson and his brother William fought at the Battle of San Jacinto and are on the Honor Children: Roll of the battle. They returned to Grimes 1. James Holland 1808 – 1836 County after the battle. His league of land was 2. Susanna Holland Burney 1809 – 1848 just south of the Francis Holland league near 3. Tapley Holland 1810 – 1836 Anderson. 4. Francis Frank Holland Jr. 1812 – 1838 5. Nancy Holland Berryman 1819 – 1880 John Fisher 6. William Holland 1820 – 1834 (son of Mary Holland Fisher Peterson)

Tapley Holland was an Alamo Defender. He was Wesley Fisher died 1848 a resident of Grimes County, Texas and took (son of Mary Holland Fisher Peterson) part in the siege of Bexar. Later he served in the Alamo garrison as a member of Captain William Wesley Fisher is said to have moved away from R. Carey's artillery company and died in the the other family members who settled around battle of the Alamo. Holland Creek. In probate records of Grimes County there is a Wesley Fisher who died about James Holland died in the Fall of 1836 from 1848 in the Bedias area. He owned land on measles. Bedias Creek which had belonged to his father Job Fisher. He and his wife Mary had no Francis Holland Jr. died in the Spring of 1838 children. At the time of the probate in January on a surveying expedition 1849 her name was Mary Kinklmann.

GRIMES COUNTY HISTORICAL COMMISSION NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 2017 PAGE 5 EAST TEXAS HISTORICAL JOURNAL

CITIZEN SPOTLIGHT HOME OF HEROES

HOLLAND, FRANCIS (1770 – 1834). Francis The Story of the Holland House Holland, one of Stephen F. Austin's Old Three Hundred colonists, traveled down the by CECIL E. BURNEY Coushatta Trace from Louisiana into Texas in 1822 with his own family, his brother William About three and one-half miles out of Anderson Holland and his family, and his sister Mrs. Mary on the Anderson-Navasota Highway is what is (Holland) Peterson and her two sons. They believed to be one of the oldest Anglo houses in settled on Ten Mile Creek (later Holland Creek) Texas-the Francis Holland House. Dating from in what is now Grimes County on property the earliest days of Stephen F. Austin's Old bought from Andrew Millican. Holland received Three Hundred, the house has been the scene of title to his Grimes County league on August 10, more tragedy than triumph. Strategically 1824. The census of March 1826 listed him as a located on the early immigrant trails, the farmer and stock raiser aged between forty and dwelling was a place of hospitality for early fifty. His household included two servants, his colonists as they headed toward the La Bahia wife (a sister of Mrs. William Holland), three crossing of the and down to San sons, and two daughters. Francis Holland was Felipe de Austin. It was a gathering place for defeated by John P. Coles in the alcalde election colonists as they came to cast their votes for in 1826 but was comisario in 1830 and officers in the Austin Colony. During the spring represented Montgomery County (later Grimes of 1834, as dreaded cholera crept up the Brazos, County) in the Convention of 1833. Holland disease almost wiped out all of the residents of died in 1834. He is mistakenly listed on a the house. monument at the Grimes County Courthouse as a soldier in the revolutionary army, but the Most significantly, however, this sturdy double mistake arises from the fact that two of his sons, log cabin was the boyhood home of heroes in the Francis and Tapley, were killed in engagements Texas cause. From its door went forth three in 1836. young men to answer the call to arms in the autumn of 1835. Within days they were fighting HOLLAND, WILLIAM (? –1833). William Mexicans at the old Mission Concepcion near Holland, early settler, traveled to Texas from Bexar. One brother, Tapley Holland, stayed on Louisiana in 1822 with William Burney and for the storming of San Antonio and to give his Francis Holland and settled with his brother on life for Texas at the Alamo. Holland Creek in what is now Grimes County. Holland voted in the election of April 1824, This is the Holland House. But there are no when the Baron de Bastrop was chosen Texas Hollands anymore. The father, Francis, and his elector for the state convention of Coahuila and wife and the four Holland sons all died in the Texas. As one of Stephen F. Austin's Old Three brief historic decade of the 1830's. Disease, Hundred colonists, Holland received title to his Indians, and war took their relentless toll, and Grimes County league on August 10, 1824. The only the house itself remains today as. a physical census of March 1826 classified him as a farmer reminder of their sacrifice. and stock raiser aged between forty and fifty. His household included his wife (a former Miss Buck and sister of Mrs. Francis Holland) and three sons. According to William P. Zuber, Holland died in 1833.

GRIMES COUNTY HISTORICAL COMMISSION NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 2017 PAGE 6 The house was built by a colonist named One was Andrew Millican, a ranchman from Millican in 1821, who sold it to Holland in 1822. Millican Bend, Arkansas. Millican remained According to W. P. Zuber, Andrew Millican only one winter within the limits of the present settled on the Coshattee Trace in 1821 on the Grimes County. He sold out to the Hollands in "southwest side of Ten Mile Creek," where he 1822 and moved into what is now Brazos erected a set of substantial log houses, and County. enclosed and cultivated a farm, on which he raised one crop of corn.' In reporting upon the arrival of Francis Holland to Grimes County in 1822 Francis Holland The Coshattee Trace was a section of the old conducted a large group of relatives from "Contraband Road" which ran through Grimes Louisiana into what is now Grimes County. County and which was used by smugglers of Following the old Coshattee Trace, they came contraband goods in their illicit traffic between upon the log houses belonging to Andrew Alexandria, Louisiana, and the Rio Grande. This Millican on the southwest side of Ten Mile section of the road got its name from the Creek. Francis Holland bought all the Coshattee Indians who used it in their hunting improvements from Millican and located his expeditions. league along both banks of the creek.

Francis Holland migrated from Canada to the Irene Taylor Allen, Anderson historian, reports Scotia River region of Ohio where he and his that Andrew Millican the first arrival in Grimes brother married the Buck sisters. From this County. She describes his activity: point he journeyed to Kentucky, Tennessee, and Louisiana. In 1821, he moved from Cheneyville, “The first settler in the Anderson vicinity was Louisiana, to what is now Sabine County, Texas. Andrew Millican who settled on the old He arrived in Grimes County in 1822 with a Coshattee Trace on the southwest side of Ten- large group of relatives and camped near the Mile Creek, now Holland's Creek. He erected log Millican place. Holland found this area to his cabins about three and one-half miles southwest liking, while Millican wanted to move westward; of the present site of Anderson on the hill to the Holland bought Millican's improvements. He right of the road and near the present bridge located his headright league on the "Ten-Mile" crossing Holland's Creek on the Anderson and Creek so as to include the improvements erected Navasota Road, Highway 90. Andrew Millican by Millican. The creek flowed lengthwise enclosed and cultivated a farm on which he through his land-his land extended up the creek raised one crop of corn. In 1822 a large company on both side for two leagues and extended of immigrants from Louisiana, all related to laterally half a league. Since he was the first each other, came and camped near Andrew permanent settler on this creek, the name Millican's cabins. No one was home but the became "Holland's Creek”. newcomers realized that white men lived in the cabin, so they remained for a few days until the During the next eight years, Francis Holland's return of Millicans.” was the nearest residence to the site on which Anderson stands. A road, branching from the Mrs. Allen lists among ''the interesting old Old La Bahia Road a few miles north of his houses in Anderson," the Francis Holland home residence, ran close by Holland's house toward "located on Holland's Creek." She reports that it the Gulf Coast. was "built prior to 1834." In 1957, the home was owned by Ray Haley, who has since moved to E. L. Blair, Grimes County historian, reports Houston. Mrs. Allen says that the "stranger's that in the fall of 1821 Stephen F. Austin's first room" was a point of special interest to visitors.' colony of three hundred families began to arrive in Texas. He relates that Andrew Millican came to Texas that year:

GRIMES COUNTY HISTORICAL COMMISSION NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 2017 PAGE 7 Francis Holland, a native of Canada, had been having removed to the said point with the born in about 1770, He was a rough man, very intention of locating in the colonial limited in education, improvident, but establishment conceded by the Supreme contented. He had moved from place to place Government of the Mexican Nation, to over a lifetime, seeking a locality in which he Empresario Estevan F. Austin, I hope that could willingly reside during the rest of his life. admitting me with my family, as one of the He found it in Austin's Colony. W. P. Zuber, a settlers of said County, you will kindly apportion historian of Holland's day, says that Holland to me and place me in possession of the quantity was of "good sense, well informed on some of land which the law gives to the colonists in the subjects, strictly honest, generous, hospitable class which I am; that I may soon cultivate that and charitable." which is assigned to me, subjecting myself in all cases to the laws which govern and to defend the Holland's dwelling was a substantial hewn-log rights of independence and liberty of the building, with two rooms, each twenty feet country, wherefore I pray your honor to please square. There was a good chimney in each room. do as I say wherein I may receive favor and One of the rooms had one door while the other justice. had two. Each had one small window with wooden shutters and no glass. There was a Town of San Felipe de Austin, August 7, 1824. twelve-foot hall between them. The rooms were built on the ground, and "Mother Earth" served FRANCIS HOLLAND as a floor to each apartment. There Was little furniture. Holland's own description of the The next step was taken by the Baron de house in February. 1831, is quoted by W. P. Bastrop, who represented the Mexican Zuber as: Government. He wrote Austin:

“My house contains two large rooms, each with Town of San Felipe de Austin, August 7, 1824. a good chimney. My sons have cut and hauled abundance of wood for our winter's supply. We The Empresario ESTEVAN F. AUSTIN will state have but little furniture. Some Indian neighbors if the circumstances and requirements exist in house their corn in one of my cribs.” the petition to merit the favor which he solicits. Austin then recommended that Francis Holland As one of the "Old Three Hundred," Holland be granted a league of land: obtained the grant to the land on which his house is located from the Mexican government. “By virtue of the foregoing decree of Your Procedurally, Holland was first interviewed by Honor, I have to say that the settler represented Stephen F. Austin, who reviewed his character in the person of Francis Holland is worthy of the certificate and examined his recommendations. favor which he solicits and may be properly Austin then issued a permit for Holland to select admitted as a colonist in this new colony by his land, and after Holland had selected it, reason of his good qualities and circumstances Austin checked his records to ensure that he had and noteworthy application to agriculture, he not granted the land to someone else. At this being a worker for wages and industrious, and stage, Holland made his formal application for with these considerations he may well be the land: granted a league of land.

To the Honorable Commissioner Baron de S. Felipe de Austin Bastrop ESTEVAN F. AUSTIN" I, FRANCIS HOLLAND, originally of the United States of America, am an actual resident of this Province of Texas before Your Honor say, that

GRIMES COUNTY HISTORICAL COMMISSION NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 2017 PAGE 8 Austin and the Baron then granted Holland a When recording of the deed was sought, an deed to the land. signed the deed to evidence affidavit was required to prove its authenticity. Holland's good character while the Baron to affect the passage of title from Mexico. The deed REPUBLIC OF TEXAS MONTGOMERY is translated: COUNTY

“We, the said Commissioner Baron de Bastrop, Before me, Gwyn Morrison, clerk and recorder Empresario Don Estevan F. Austin, the of the County aforesaid personally came Charles witnesses Wm. Munison, David Mauser, Bowlin B. Stewart and Charles Garrett, and being duly Whiteside, the neighbors, and surveyor Bartlett sworn made oath to say they are acquainted Sims, and the petitioner, FRANCIS HOLLAND, with the handwriting of Estevan F. Austin, from repaired to the aforesaid league situated upon a having frequently seen him write and they verily branch of the Navasota River called in English believe the signature to the foregoing deed from 'Ten Mile Creek,' three leagues more or less the Government to Francis Holland to be the from Navasota. We placed the said Francis true and genuine signature of said Austin as he Holland in possession of the said land walking usually Wrote it. about with him, saying in a loud and distinct voice, that in virtue of the command and CHARLES B. STEWART CHARLES GARRETT authority found in us and in the name of the government of the Mexican nation, we put 'him Sworn and subscribed before, the 11th day of in possession of said land, with all its uses, May, 1839. customs, rights, and involvements unto him, his heirs and successors. And the said Francis Filed for record and recorded the 11th day of Holland in acknowledgement of finding himself May, A.D. 1839. in real and personal possession of the said land, without opposition whatever, cried aloud, FRED KESSLER, Deputy Recorder uprooted herbs, drove stakes, and performed the necessary ceremonies, he being warned of It is interesting to note that the representative of the obligation that he must cultivate the same the Government of Mexico in this transaction, within the period of two years prescribed by law the Baron de Bastrop, was a genial international and that it may thus appear, we the said con-man who crossed into Texas from Commissioner Baron de Bastrop and Louisiana in 1805, accompanied by a small but Empresario Esteven F. Austin and witnesses richly liveried retinue of servants, He signed for want of a notary according to law, to introduced himself as a loyal Spanish subject, Which we attest. unwilling to live under the rule of the United States which had bought Louisiana, now seeking In the town of SAN FELIPE DE AUSTIN, on the a new home in Spanish Texas. It would be nearly tenth day of the month of August in the year a century and a half before this 46~year-old eighteen-hundred twenty-four. immigrant would be correctly identified as Phillip Hendrick Hering Bagel, a Dutch colonial EL BARON DE BASTROP EST. F. AUSTIN officer's son who had absconded with the proceeds of his work as a tax collector in Of Assistance: JOHN AUSTIN Holland. Bogel had left a wife and several children when he fled to the new world.'" SAM M. WILLIAMS" Curiously enough, it was Bastrop who helped Austin signed Moses Austin obtain permission for the settling of the "300 like-minded former subjects of the King, all good Catholics."

GRIMES COUNTY HISTORICAL COMMISSION NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 2017 PAGE 9 According to a memorandum left by Stephen F, It is pleasing to note that an order for ten Austin, Moses Austin had been turned down by pounds of powder and twenty-four pounds of the Spanish officials in San Antonio and was lead was accompanied by a sentimental ordered to leave Texas immediately. Bastrop purchase of a pair of earrings for his lady. saw Austin there and recognized him as the man with whom he had spent an evening in an inn in Francis Hollands had six children. Susan Kentucky some twenty years earlier. He took Holland was born in Ohio around 1802. She Austin to his room, arranged for a delay in his married William Burney, a native of Louisiana, ordered departure, rewrote Austin's application in about 1825. Burney had come to Texas with to establish the colony, then helped get it the Hollands in 1822 and settled on an adjoining approved. In 1823, the Baron was named league of land. The Burneys had 11 children. Commissioner of Colonization in Austin's Susan married one Vandine after Burney's Colony with authority to issue titles to the death in 1845. She died sometime after 1850. land.]" Nancy Holland was about three years old when Holland's companions located their land so as to her family came to Texas. She was born about form one contiguous block of land. Among 1819 in Ohio, and lived in Grimes County until those accompanying Holland were William her death in about 1880. She married William Holland, a brother; Mrs. Mary Peterson, Berryman in 1835. They had three children. She widowed sister of the Hollands; her two sons, inherited the "Holland House" upon the death John and William Peterson; and William of her parents and her four brothers. Burney, Holland's future son-in-law." For many years after the Civil War, Grimes According to Zuber, Holland's library in the County and area officials often visited the house consisted of "precisely five books," which Holland House as a result of Mrs. Berryman's he studied constantly: generosity. Due to the economic conditions, bonds were hard to obtain, and Mrs. Berryman Webster's Spelling Book, Aesop's Fables, served as surety on many of the bonds that were Goldsmith's History of Greece, A poem of about required of public officials. She made no 50 pages, and a translation of some of the laws distinction between political parties, and when of Coahuila and Texas. a newly elected official found that he could not obtain a bond elsewhere, he made the trek to On July 14, 1829, Francis Holland brought Mrs. Berryman's. home an order of supplies which he purchased from Moore and McKinstry's store at San Felipe James Holland, like his brothers, never married. de Austin. An examination of the list of items He was born in Ohio about 1808. and began reveals a great deal about Holland's life in early fighting Indians when he was 17. Texas days: At one time at San Felipe, James Holland helped 10 lbs. powder; 24 lbs. lead; 50 lbs. salt; 16 balls guard Hiram Friley, who had been accused of thread; 1 paper needles; 6 butcher knives; 4 doz. horse stealing and murder. In September of Flints; 1 box blacking; 9 drinks; 20 lbs. coffee; 1830, the Ayuntamiento authorized the Rum and whiskey; 25 lbs. salt and 1 pair payment of nine dollars to Holland for this earrings service. He secured a quarter league of land in Austin's Colony on April 7, 1831. In his It would appear from the record of the application he gave his age as 21 and said that he transaction that credit was extended to him as it had come from Ohio. He related that he was was on several other occasions. In March, 1830, single. he owed McKinstry two notes and an account payable.

GRIMES COUNTY HISTORICAL COMMISSION NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 2017 PAGE 10 James and two of his brothers joined the Texas In 1838, Francis Holland was employed by an Revolution as members of Captain Joseph L. association of land-locaters and surveyors Bennett's Regiment as soon as they received headed by William F. Sparks to accompany news of the battle near Gonzales. They fought at them beyond the frontier as their huntsman. the Battle of Concepcion in San Antonio under Near the source of Richland Creek, about 12 Captains Fannin and Bowie. James became sick miles from the present city of Corsicana in with measles and pneumonia complications, Navarro County, a band of Indians killed and returned to Grimes County under the care Holland. It is an ironic turn of fate that this of Francis, who escorted him home. expert Indian fighter, well trained by his old Indian fighter father to protect himself, should James and Francis Holland proposed to return be killed by an Indian. His companions realized to the service as soon as James was well enough the extreme danger that faced them and to do so, but he never recovered and Francis was returned home. A year or two after the required to stay with him to care for his needs occurrence, a friend found Holland's bones and until his death in the fall of 1836. James wanted buried them. to serve his country, and deplored his sickness mainly because it kept him out of the service. William Holland was an invalid from his birth in Zuber concludes that but for the sickness of about 1820. His place of birth is unknown. He James, doubtless he and Francis would have had curvature of the spine and died in the died with Tapley at the Alamo. All three boys Holland House in 1834 shortly after his parents' distinguished themselves at the Battle of death. Concepcion by their cool courage. A contemporary reports that they "were all brave, Tapley Holland, hero of the Alamo, was born in patriotic and self-sacrificing young men." about 1810. While the records in the Alamo do not reveal his place of birth, it is believed that he When his administrator brother-in-law, was born in Ohio. Zuber relates that the William Burney, filed the inventory of James' Hollands had "four sons and two daughters, all estate, his total estate was valued at $588. It born in Ohio probably excepting the youngest included twenty head of cattle, one gray mare, two," In another work, however, Zuber stated one bay mare and a colt, and pay due him from that James and Francis Jr. were born on the the military. Scotia River in Ohio.'" In his application for land, James Holland reported that he was Francis Holland, Jr. was born in Ohio about "from" Ohio. The two youngest children were 1812. He joined his two brothers in the Battle of Nancy and William. In the censuses of 1850 and Concepcion. After returning home to attend his of 1860 Nancy's birthplace is given as Ohio," sick brother, James, he was enrolled on "Capt. leaving only William's nativity uncertain. If Eli Seal's list of Rangers," on November 17, Nancy, who was younger than Tapley, was born 1835, and helped to provide "home front" in Ohio, then it is reasonable to assume that he protection until he was discharged on January too was born there. 25, 1836. Later in 1836, as shown by the June 30, 1836 list of volunteers, he provided further In June, 1831, Tapley served as a chain bearer protection for the area as he joined his two on a survey team headed by Captain Horacio brothers-in-law, William Berryman and Chriesman. The only known signature of Tapley William Burney, in volunteering for duty in the appears on a receipt for payment for this service. "Texas Army, East of the Brazos, Washington Apparently, he was due sixteen dollars and he County," under Captain J. G. W. Pierson. He directed that it be paid to Arciniega, the Mexican was discharged on September 30, 1836. land commissioner in Austin's Colony. Of the sixteen dollars Tapley directed that four dollars be paid for the account of James Holland, who had purchased a quarter league of land from the

GRIMES COUNTY HISTORICAL COMMISSION NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 2017 PAGE 11 government, and twelve dollars be paid for the In one respect the plaque inscription is in error, account of Francis Holland, who had received a for only Tapley Holland participated in the league of land on which payments needed to be storming of San Antonio in December, 1835. made. Zuber has already stated, says that Francis and James returned home, and this evidence is Tapley joined his brothers in enlisting in borne out by the fact that Francis enrolled in Captain Joseph L. Bennett's regiment, and Captain Sears ranging company on November fought his way through the Battle of Concepcion 17, 1835. and the Siege of Bexar to the Alamo." In San Felipe de Austin, the Telegraph and Texas On May 4, 1846, Tapley's heirs received a Register printed the tragic news from Bexar as Bounty Land Warrant for 1,920 acres of land in the reports spread throughout the Colony. In which it was recited that he served in the army the issue of March 24, 1836, the name of Tapley "from 13 December 1835 until 6 March 1836 and Holland is printed in a casualty list. According having been killed at the Alamo with Lieutenant to the Moses Rose story, Tapley was the first to Colonel W. B. Travis' command." Since Tapley volunteer his life when Colonel Travis drew the was at the Battle of Concepcion on October 13, line at the Alamo.51 He died on March 6, 1836, 1835, the dates on the certificate are obviously the day the Alamo fell. His heroism is recorded wrong. on a monument on the Courthouse grounds in Anderson,"~ and his portrait hangs in the In 1834, Francis Holland and his wife both died Alamo with this plaque: in their home on Holland's Creek." By the time administration was had on Holland's estate by TAPLEY HOLLAND his son-in-law, William Burney, and the inventory of his estate was filed in the Probate Tapley Holland was the second son of Francis Court of Robertson County, Texas, on May 28, Holland, who came with his wife and six 1838, only one-half of his original league and an children from Louisiana to settle in what is now unlocated labor of land remained. The half Grimes County, Texas. league was valued at $2,214, while the labor was listed at $150. From the first the father, Francis, took part in public affairs in his district, which was Although Holland apparently died in 1834, his considerably larger than the present Grimes name appeared on the first tax roll of County. Washington County, Texas, in 1837. This part of Washington County later became Grimes In 1836, his three sons volunteered for service in County." the first Texas Army. They saw action in the fighting at Concepcion and in the storming of Nancy Holland inherited the portion of the San Antonio in December of 1835. Afterwards, Holland league which contained the house and two brothers returned home, but Tapley other improvements. In 1835, she married remained in the garrison of the Alamo. William Berryman, a farmer, who lived on the Holland land until his death on January 10, Travis addressed the men, saying there was no 1863, Mrs. Berryman died on the same place in longer hope for reinforcement and gave them 1880. their choice of attempted escape or staying to fight to the end. For an instant, there was A Grimes County abstractor reports on his silence, then, with a bound young Tapley went search of the County records as follows: across the line, saying: “Let me give a life for Texas.”

GRIMES COUNTY HISTORICAL COMMISSION NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 2017 PAGE 12 I can't find any recorded evidence of the In 1857, the Commissioner of Claims issued partition of Francis Holland's half league among several commissions to take interrogatories his heirs. Mrs. Nancy Berryman's maiden name concerning the death of Tapley Holland at the was Nancy Holland, and she was the daughter of Alamo. One of those requested to answer the Francis Holland, deceased. She inherited one interrogatories was William Berryman, son-in- fourth of the Francis Holland league. law of Francis Holland, who then resided in the Holland House. Berryman testified that he first She married William Berryman in 1835 in knew Tapley Holland in 1834, and that in 1835 Montgomery County, Texas. William Berryman both "he and his brother started from my house died in Grimes County on January 10. 1863. when they went in the expedition or campaign Mrs. Nancy Berryman, his widow, never against the Mexicans under Travis." He swore married again. that "his brother returned to my house" after the expiration of three months. By deed dated November 21, 1879, recorded in Book R. Page 500, Deed Records of Grimes As to Tapley Holland, Berryman recalled that County, Texas, she conveyed the property to her "he had brothers and sisters then living in the son, William Berryman, Jr., and her grandson, vicinity and a number of acquaintances and W. T. Schumacher. Nancy Berryman died in made my house his home part of his times 1880. before he went into the army ..."0'

Mr. and Mrs. William Holland died a few years At the time of the settling of the "Old Three after their settlement in Austin's Colony, and Hundred," Texas Was divided into districts. In their three daughters moved into the Francis 1822, the Holland House was located in the Holland house, where they lived with their aunt Brazos District which in 1825 was renamed as and unc1e.62 the Bravo District in honor of a Mexican general who was then the Vice President of the Mexican According to Zuber, Holland owned no Negroes Republic. The government of each district was and his sons performed the labor on the farm, headed by an alcalde. An alcalde has been but the Handbook of Texas and the Census of compared to a mayor with judicial functions. In March, 1826 show him as having two servants. the early days the judicial duties of the alcaldes were not heavy, but the officers were important Francis Holland taught his sons to trail Indians- agents in Austin's system of government. They he was an expert in Indian lore. A band of "served as his local correspondents, receiving, friendly Delaware Indians, under a chief named promulgating, and executing his orders, and Sullivan, lived on Francis Holland's league. keeping him informed of local conditions, They did some farming and housed their com in supervising militia elections; keeping their Holland's crib. districts free of prowling Indians and vagabonds; settling quarrels; attesting Zuber relates a story of how, in February of 1831, contracts; and performing what passed in effect, his family was traveling across country and until the arrival of a priest, as a civil marriage camped near the Hollands. The weather was ceremony." bitter cold and there was rain, sleet and snow. They had no tents for camping. Holland, Francis Holland sought election as alcalde for noticing this, moved the furniture out of one the Bravo District in 1826. He was defeated room of his house and moved the Zuber family when Coles received 22 votes, while Holland into the vacated room. received 17 votes. However, various accounts of Holland’s life show that he served several terms as alcalde.

GRIMES COUNTY HISTORICAL COMMISSION NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 2017 PAGE 13 Recorded history of the Ayuntamientos is scarce The Holland House was the site fixed for the and the names of many of the persons who holding of various elections during the times served as alcalde have been lost. Zuber reported Texas was a part of Mexico. After determining that Holland's alcalde district covered much of from a census that the municipality had "more Grimes, Montgomery, and Walker Counties, as than 2,800 souls," and that under Mexican law they are now constituted. An account of the way they were entitled to "one alcalde, four rigidores Holland conducted court is given by Zuber: and one sindico procurator," the Ayuntamiento, on November 27, 1829, voted that a He presided in Court, neither aided nor proclamation should be issued calling an confused by lawyers quite unconscious of need election on the second Sunday of the "coming of them. Some complex cases, with conflicting month." Among the points fixed for the election evidence, were presented, but he was skillful in was "Francis Holland's House, where Jesse comparing and weighing evidence, and decided Grimes will preside.'' not according to law and evidence but in accord with evidence and justice and his decisions were On November 7, 1831, the Ayuntamiento found generally approved by disinterested observers. that the municipality had grown to over 5,000 inhabitants and that they were entitled to a In 1828, the Ayuntamiento, or "governing greater number of officers under the Mexican body," became the real unit of local government. law. They then called an election to be held on There was one Ayuntamiento in each December 11 and 12. 1831, among other places, municipality. A municipality in early-day Texas in "the Precinct of Viesea” at the house of had jurisdiction over a wide area. The Frances Holland, to be presided over by the said Ayuntamiento was composed of alcaldes, Holland," rigidores, and a sindieo. If an alcalde compares to our modern mayor, then rigidores compare On April 20, 1824, Francis Holland signed a favorably to an alderman while a sindieo seems document appointing Baron de Bastrop as to have been sort of a combination notary and elector to vote for the colony at the election for a city attorney. Deputy to the Convention of the Eastern Internal State. From January, 1824, until his In those towns where Ayuntamientos could not death in 1827, Bastrop was a member of the be established, local administrative affairs were Legislature of Coahuila-Texas. There he served administered by a eomisario and a sindieo well in the interests of Texas' Anglo-American (constable). Comisarios were to take the census settlers. His salary, made up of contributions of their precincts, keep a record of families from his constituents, was meager. Despite the moving into them and of the places from which fact that he had made several fortunes, when he they came, assist in the collection of taxes, died, he had no cash and the members of the execute the orders of the Ayuntamiento, arrest Legislature took up a collection to bury him.s, disturbers of the peace and preserve public tranquility, and report "idle and vicious Late in the year 1830, the Ayuntamiento invited persons" to the alcalde. In addition, the the various precincts of the Austin Colony to comisario had minor judicial authority similar nominate citizen representatives to meet with to that of a justice of the peace. the body and prepare grievances for presentation to the State Legislature. Among On December 13, 1830, an election was held for the persons who appeared and presented the eomisarios of the Precinct of Viesca, and certificates of their nomination at the Frances Holland was elected." He ran again in Ayuntamiento meeting November IS, 1830, was 1831, and when the votes were counted, John Francis Holland. Holland thus represented his Bowman received twenty-one votes for district as the Ayuntamiento, discussing such comisario while Holland received only six. wide-ranging subjects as judges, trial by jury, land-grant schools, appointment of translators,

GRIMES COUNTY HISTORICAL COMMISSION NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 2017 PAGE 14 and removal of restrictions against the sale of delivered three and one-half times a week and in land. It was the ultimate failure of the Mexican four-horse coaches, with F. P. Sawyer and B. A. government to honor such grievances as these Fisher of Austin, Texas, serving as contractors. that led to the growing dissatisfaction of the colonists and the war for independence In 1832, Francis Holland sold the east 1,107 acres of his headright land to an Englishman, Francis Holland was a delegate from the District Henry Fanthorp, for 25 cents an acre. This land of Washington to the 1833 Convention of Texas included the present site of Anderson and the which was held at San Felipe de Austin from famous "Fanthorp Inn." April 1-13." His death in 1834 prevented his participation in the Texas Revolution. That he Two orphan children were also in the household would have been ready and willing to serve in a in 1850. They were John Grissett, 11, and his military capacity may be inferred from the fact brother, William (Holland) Grissett, 9. They that he was named as second sergeant in the were the sons of Sarah Holland and W. H. first militia organized in the municipality of Grissett, both of whom died about 1844. (Sarah Austin, March 21, 1829. Holland Grissett was the second daughter of William Holland, and a niece of Francis Holland's district in the convention of 1833 had Hol1and). Some years earlier, Sarah and her two no name. He related a discussion in the sisters had also moved into the Francis Holland convention over the lack of a name. in which he home following the death of their parents. remarked: The two little Grissett boys. reared in the "I am the oldest settler in it." Holland House by the Berryman’s, grew up with the Alamo story. Mrs. F. M. Bell, of North Zulch, To which Sam Houston jocosely replied: the former Mary Ella Grissett, daughter of William Holland Grissett, assisted the Alamo "Then we will call it New Holland.” Library in 1946 during the research for a Tapley Holland picture at the time the Holland painting In later years the Holland name was used as the was done for the Alamo. first designation of Navasota. During the 1850 period the present city of Navasota was a village As previously stated, the Holland House was of tents and a few log huts and was called transferred by Nancy Berryman to her son, Hollandale. In 1857, the H. and T. Railroad William. and her grandson, W. T. Schumacher, came through this area, thence on up the Brazos on November 1, 1879. Subsequently, River to Millican, where it stopped, until after Schumacher conveyed his interest to William the Civil War. On September 15, 1859, the U. S. Berryman. Subsequent transfers shown on the Post Office established Hollandale, Grimes deed records of Grimes County, Texas, are as County, at the depot, and this name remained follows: officially until October 18, 1865, when the post office was changed to Navasota." The U. S. J W. H. Forrester to S. L. Neblett-1884 Census of 1860 also calls the village Hollandale. Sterling P. Neblett and wife to Chris Becker- Records of the United States Post Office 1885 Department indicate that the post office established as Hollandale was on Route 8517, Chris Becker to Henry E. Becker-1919 from Hempstead, by Hollandale, Booneville, Wheelock, Owensville, Eutaw, Alta Springs, Estate of Henry E. Becker to Joe P. Marek-1946 Marlin. Blue ~ Bluff, to Waco Village and back. Mail on the Hempstead, Hollandale route was Joe P. Marek to Walter B. Ellis-1946

GRIMES COUNTY HISTORICAL COMMISSION NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 2017 PAGE 15 Walter B. Ellis to R. M. Haley William P. Zuber R. M. Haley to M. R. Wicham-July 6, 1957 W. P. Zuber was born in Georgia on July 6. 1820. C. W. Becker, of Anderson, descendant of the His family migrated to Alabama, thence to Beckers who acquired the house in 1885, in 1967 Louisiana, and then to Texas in 1830. They recalled aspects of the Holland House. Mr. established their permanent home in Grimes Becker, who was born in 1886, says that in his County in 1833. It was on their journey to early childhood the house was known as "the old Harrisburg in 1831 that they camped on Francis Berryman place." He said the house was Holland's place and were the recipients of originally "an old log house but after Joe Marek hospitality that Zuber never forgot. bought it he sided it up." Zuber served in the Texas Army from March 1 to Mr. Becker recalls that the house "had a big wide June I, 1836. Later he served in the army during hall and a big room with exposed logs." There several Indian campaigns, and in the Civil War. were two cisterns, one in the front and another He served as justice of the peace in Grimes in the back and water was brought up in a bucket County. with a rope or chain. A charter member of the Texas State Historical Mr. Becker recalls that "My daddy spent money Association, he developed a great interest in trying to get water there. He went down 50 or 75 Texas history. His article in the 1873 Texas feet and got water, which was kept in stone jars." Almanac on the escape of Moses Rose from the Alamo recorded for posterity the story of Travis' Mr. Becker also recalls the old crib of cedar logs drawing the line at the Alamo. He was a prolific southwest of the house. writer and his unpublished manuscripts are in the archives of both the University of Texas and The old road went north of the Holland House, the State Library. Because of his longevity he instead of south as does Highway 90 now. was able to record much of the early day history of Texas before his death in 1913. "I have danced in that house and visited there many times," Becker recalls. It is noted that Zuber refers to the location of the Holland House as being on the "southwest side Dayton Kelley, Assistant Director of the Texas of Ten Mile Creek" and that other historians have, on the basis of Zuber's writings, used the Collection at Baylor University, writes in his same direction. It is impossible to reconcile column, "Texas and Texans": completely this direction with the location of the house long known as the "Holland House." "The house in which they lived still stands just According to early maps, the Ten Mile Creek had outside the historical little town of Anderson." many branches meandering over the area, and it appears that Zuber may have used one of these The Holland House has fallen into bad times. branches to determine his directions. Some Pigeons roost in the "Stranger's Room" and hay doubt exists about the identification of Millican fills its rooms. The porch is falling away. The as Andrew Millican. When W. P. Zuber wrote his rain and the elements are taking their toll. first account of this occurrence in Francis Surely, someone can turn the key to preserve for Holland, Immigrant of 1822, he identified him future generations this "Home of Heroes." as "a Mr. Millican." Burney, Cecil E. (1971) "Home of Heroes: The Story of the Holland House, "East Texas Historical Journal: Vol. 9: Issue. 2, Article 5.