Sons of the American Revolution

Texas Society

Announcements

Check out the following new pages:

Link for "Printable copy" added to Youth contest information pages
Flag Protocol Manual (custom Flag Protocol Manual is available on the Private Side)
Mike Everheart's "Necessity of Recruiting" notes (private side)
Veterans Worksheet (private side)
Patriot Medal Nomination Form added (private side)
Poster Contest updated
Programs for BOM and Banquet
Officer and Committee Reports for August BOM (private side)
Web Page Responsibilities and Communications (private side)

Online Registration and Payment are now available for TXSSAR Meetings. 
Online  dues payment can now be accomplished.

Officer Reports and Minutes for Mar Conference added to Private site

If there is an item that you can't find on the public site, check the private/business site as it was probably moved there.  Click here for more information about what is on the private/business site.

Check with your Chapter President or District VP for the URL to the private site so you can stay up with the business of TXSSAR.

"To compel a man to subsidize with his taxes the propagation of ideas which he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical. "
Thomas Jefferson

Welcome

Welcome to the website of the Texas Society.  I invite you to browse our site to learn about our youth contests and programs, and to read some of our recent newsletters.  With over 2600 members, Texas is the largest of the state societies in the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR).  For information about the SAR and how to join check the menu topics under the About TXSSAR heading.  For the text of my recent address to the Texas Society Annual Convention please click on this link.

James T. Jones, Jr.

Gov. Rick Perry Inducted into the SAR

On 11 February 2010, a contingent of Texas Society, SAR Compatriots waited on the second floor of the Texas State Capitol.  Compatriots had traveled from across the great state of Texas to witness two significant events - the awarding of the NSSAR Gold Good Citizenship Medal  to Texas Gov. Rick Perry, and his induction into the SAR.   more...

The Texas Connection -

Many are content to write Texas off as a non-involved area with respect to the American Revolution.  This is not the case!  The following excerpts from President General Edward F. Butler's (TX) articles titled "Spains's Involvement in the American Revolutionary War" outline The Texas Connection.

It is well known that an army travels on its stomach.  A well fed army is a good army.  During the period 1779-1782, somewhere between 9,000 and 15,000 head of cattle were provided to Galvez' army by ranchers living along the San Antonio River between San Antonio and Goliad.  In addition, this area sent several hundred head of horses and many bulls to perpetuate the herds.  These herds of cattle and horses were driven from Texas to Louisiana by soldiers, militiamen, Indians, and vaqueros from San Antonio de Bexar, La Bahia (Goliad) and El Fuerte del Cibolo (a fort no longer standing, in what is now Karnes County).  Some of these men stayed and fought with Galvez' army.

The prime cattle raising areas of Texas in those days were in a rough diamond shaped area with San Antonio in the north; Brownsville in the south; Laredo on the west; and Old Indianola in the east.  The nucleus of the best land was between San Antonio and Goliad, along the San Antonio, Cibolo and Guadalupe Rivers.

The ranchers who sold beef to Galvez and the drovers were all patriots.  Additionally, all the men who were members of the Spanish army and the local militia during the time in question, qualify as patriots within the definition of the Sons of the American Revolution.  In addition to their service in the army and/or the militia, each Texan male over 18 most likely made a financial contribution to the war, as requested by Carlos III in August 1781.  Each Spanish male over 18 was expected to donate 2 pesos, while Indians and those of mixed blood were asked to donate 1 peso.  Collections continued until 1784, when news of the peace treaty finally arrived.  No contributor lists survive, but there are census records.

The king's declaration of war included a request for public prayer directed to all priests and church officials.  The priests complied, praying both in Spanish and in the local Indian dialects on a regular basis.  Thus, each of the mission priests and the church hierarchy in New Spain were also patriots.

Because of hostile Indians, the cattle were driven to New Orleans by way of Nacogdoches.  The militia leader there was on Antonio Gil Ybarbo, who held the title of Lt. Governor.  Cattle from his ranch were added to the herd driven to Galvez.  From there the herds went through Nachitoches and Opelousas to New Orleans.