Freestone County, Texas
Reflections



Freestone Past/Present
J. R. “Sonny” Sessions

Joseph Lindley (1793-l874)

  Learned recently of a veteran of the Battle of San Jacinto who lived
and was buried south of Wortham across Big Tehaucana Creek in Limestone 
Co. in New Home Cemetery.
  Born in North Carolina, moved to Kentucky, and later Illinois. When l8 
years old conflicts with Indians motivated settlers to build a fort. During the 
War of l812 they lived in the fort. During the War of l812 Lindley fought as 
a United States Ranger. He married Nancy Ann Hicks in l817, moved to 
Tennessee. Ten years later in l827 they moved to Texas with 4 children, 
involved in the Fredonian Rebellion at Nacogdoches he was unable to get 
clear title to his 2,592 acres of land. Later he received title to 4,428 acres in 
Montgomery Co.
  Lindley participated the siege of Bexar in 1835. Lindley signed the letter of 
endorsement required by the Mexicans for entry into Texas of Alamo 
defender Jonathan Lindley. Joseph Lindley fought in the Battle of San 
Jacinto. Republic of Texas President Mirabeau B. Lamar appointed Lindley 
an Indian Agent with a charge to keep the peace. .
  Lindley was elected Civil Officer for Montgomery Co. in l839. He laid out 
the first road from Austin to the “springs at the headwaters of the San 
Marcos River” so that a military post could be established there in l840. He 
was appointed by the Congress of the Republic of Texas to survey a road to 
the Sabine in l844.
  About 1846 Lindley moved to Limestone Co. and settled four miles north 
of present day Mexia near Big Tehaucana Creek. Lindley was elected 
County Commissioner in 1854 serving one term. Lindley died Jan. 20, l874 
and buried in nearby New Home Cemetery. His wife Ann lived until l801 
and was buried here also. In about the middle l950’s the bodies were moved 
to the Texas State Cemetery in Austin. In l986 during the Texas 
Sesquicentennial was formally honored on Memorial Day by a Proclamation 
of Governor Mark White of April 17, l986 recognizing Col. Lindley’s 
service in the Battle of San Jacinto and The War of l812.
  Little else is known personally about Col Lindley as never heard of him 
until recently. It is my belief Tom and Ross Lindley of Wortham were 
related to Joseph Lindley but have little to base it on as no known heirs live 
here. Anyone with more information please advise.  

***********************************************************
                       Whisky Days
  Until the late l920’s there were no improved, hard surfaced or even 
graveled roads in Freestone Co. most were just trails that became virtually 
Impassable in wet weather. Feel sure a times at times it necessary to move
the whisky products out of the area by wagon, on mules and horseback. 
Some was transported by boat on the Trinity River  
  I know of at least one instance where it was flown in a homemade airplane              
To far West Texas and even the cities. Kirven subject finally wrapped his 
homemade airplane around a mesquite tree while landing, he escaped 
without serious injury. Been told some shipped in railroad cars up East 
for the big whisky market there
  Freestone built a national reputation for good whisky. not only in Dallas 
and Houston but elsewhere. This existed thru and after WWII nearly 
anywhere you went.
      **************************************************