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Founding of Harris County

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Proposed Harris County Marker with County Seal at Top FOUNDING OF HARRIS COUNTY In December 1835, near the beginning of the Texas Revolution, the new Provisional Government of Texas defined the boundary of the Municipality of Harrisburg, similar to the extent of Harris County today.1 Its largest town and seat of government was then Harrisburg, founded by John Richardson Harris in 1826.2 The municipalities became counties in the 1836 Texas Constitution.3 Texas won its independence from Mexico after the Battle of San Jacinto on April 21, 1836. The First Texas Congress established the structure of county government4 and designated the county seat at the new town of Houston in December 1836.5 Local residents David G. Burnet and Lorenzo de Zavala served as the first President and Vice President of the Republic of Texas until October 1836.6 While Houston was the capital of Texas from 1837 to 1839, City Council designated Houston as a port of call and Buffalo Bayou as a National Highway of the Republic.7 Much like today’s Commissioners Court, the 1837 Harrisburg County Board of Commissioners was entrusted with control and supervision of roads, ferries, and bridges, in addition to providing for support of indigent, blind, and lame citizens.8 The first chief justice (county executive), Andrew Briscoe, organized an initial board meeting in March 1837 with DeWitt Clinton Harris serving as county clerk.9 The first sheriff, John W. Moore, also handled tax collection along with his usual duties.10 Harrisburg County became Harris County by action of the Third Congress in December 1839.11 Today, the county is administered by a County Judge and four Precinct Commissioners, elected by the public. Home to over four million people, Harris County is Texas’ most populous county, boasting a thriving port, world renowned medical center, NASA, and headquarters for oil, chemical, and export/import companies. HARRIS COUNTY HISTORICAL COMMISSION – 2012 1 Ordinances and Decrees, Passed at San Felipe de Austin, Dec. 30, 1835, by General Council. “An Ordinance and Decree defining the boundary of the Municipality of Harrisburg,” and further ordaining “that the Town of Harrisburg ... is hereby made the place for transacting the judicial and municipal business of said Municipality.” The Laws of Texas, 1822-1897 Volume 1, p. 1022, http://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth5872/m1/1030/ 2 Andrew Forest Muir, "HARRISBURG, TX (HARRIS COUNTY)," Handbook of Texas Online, published by the Texas State Historical Association http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/hvh27 (accessed 19 Jan 2012).. 3 Constitution of the Republic of Texas, Article IV, Sections 10-12, dated March 17, 1836. “Sec. 10. There shall be in each county a county court, and such justices' courts as the congress may, from time to time, establish.” “Sec. 11. The Republic shall be divided into convenient counties, but no new county shall be established, unless it be done on the petition of one hundred free male inhabitants of the territory sought to be laid off and established; and unless the said territory shall contain nine hundred square miles.” “Sec. 12. There shall be appointed for each county, a convenient number of justices of the peace, one sheriff, one coroner, and a sufficient number of constables, who shall hold their offices for two years, to be elected by the qualified voters of the district or county, as congress may direct. Justices of the peace and sheriffs shall be commissioned by the president.” The Laws of Texas, 1822-1897 Volume 1, p. 1074, http://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth5872/m1/1082/. 4 Laws of the Republic of Texas, Approved Dec. 20, 1836. “An Act Organizing Justices' Courts, ... and also creating and defining the office and powers of commissioners of roads and revenue.” The Laws of Texas, 1822-1897 Volume 1, p. 1205, http://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth5872/m1/1213/ 5 Laws of the Republic of Texas, Approved Dec. 22, 1836. “An Act ... Be it enacted, by ... congress assembled, That the seat of justice for the County of Harrisburg, be, and the same is hereby established at the town of Houston. And be it further enacted that the Island of Galveston shall for the future be included within the limits of the County of Harrisburg, and be, and compose a part of said county. The Laws of Texas, 1822-1897 Volume 1, p. 1284, http://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth5872/m1/1292/ 6 Presidents and Vice Presidents of the Republic of Texas, 1836-1846, https://www.tsl.state.tx.us/ref/abouttx/prestx.html (accessed 19 Jan 2012). Also, 3rd Texian Consultation, San Felipe de Austin, 1 November 1835, http://www.tamu.edu/faculty/ccbn/dewitt/consultations4.htm (accessed 19 Jan 2012). 7 Janet Wagner’s citation of the Water Law of 1840. 8 Laws of the Republic of Texas, Approved Dec. 20, 1836. “An Act Organizing Justices' Courts, ... and also creating and defining the office and powers of commissioners of roads and revenue.” “Sec. 25. County commissioners, the justices of the peace, and the chief justice of the county court, shall constitute a board of commissioners for their respective counties; which board shall have the entire superintendence and control of roads, highways, ferries, and bridges, and of the poor within said counties.” “Sec. 29. It shall be the duty of said board of commissioners to provide, at the expense of the county, for the support of indigent, lame, and blind persons, who are unable to support themselves.” The Laws of Texas, 1822-1897 Volume 1, p. 1205, http://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth5872/m1/1213/ 9 Adele B. Looscan, “Harris County, 1822-1845, part III” The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, April 1915, Volume 18, pp. 400- 403 http://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101064/m1/405/ 10 Ibid. 11 Laws of the Republic of Texas, Approved December 28, 1839 “Joint Resolution Altering the name of the County of Harrisburg to the county of Harris.” The Laws of Texas, 1822-1897 Volume 2, p. 396, http://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth6726/m1/400/ .
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