Freestone County, Texas
Reflections


Freestone Past/Present
J.R. “Sonny” Sessions
    
Philip Nolan-Filibuster

  One of the first one of the first to venture into Spanish Texas was Philip 
Nolen said to be in search of wild horses It is known he roamed through 
these parts as used Tehaucana Hills Springs west of Wortham. Also our area 
was mostly prairie grassland with spotted timber. The Spanish believed 
Nolan was an American attempt to take Texas since Nolan had been very 
involved with Aaron Burr earlier.
  Nolan made two expeditions into Texas, one in 1800 that was without 
incident. On the second in 1801 with about twenty in his party a Spanish
Military force led by Lt. Miguel Musquiz was sent to expel him. A battle 
occurred with Nolan killed and his expedition destroyed. Survivors told of 
Nolan’s two slaves Caesar and Robert being allowed to bury him. Where the 
battle and burial actually occurred no one knows exactly. Some historians 
say it occurred in the neighborhood of Tehaucana Hills, some say near old 
Springfield, Limestone Co., some say between where Mexia and Waco are 
today, others say on the upper waters of the Brazos and Colorado Rivers. 
Most agree it was within 50 miles of the Springfield-Waco area.
  In l954, one hundred fifty three years, one month and 6 days after this 
occurred the Times-Review of Cleburne, Johnson Co. reported the 
following:
  “Thursday, April 15, l954 a 2000 pound granite memorial stone was placed 
at the gravesite, four miles south of Rio Vista on Highway 174 near the spot 
where the early day adventurer was killed by the Spanish on March 21,
 l80l.”
  The Times-Review also reported the memorial stone was cut and donated 
by a Cleburne monument works. A few years earlier the same works 
received worldwide attention when they copied the Stone of Scone  (used in 
British Coronations) that had been stolen from Westminster Abbey, which 
the British refused to accept. Feel sure this didn’t hurt the memorial works
Business any either.
  The marker reads as follows: Erected in memory of Philip Nolan, born in 
Ireland, first came to Texas and established residence in l791. When killed 
he was a resident of Natchez, Miss. killed near this site March 21, l801 by 
the Spanish. Buried here by his Negro slaves Caesar and Robert. Nolen’s 
death aroused a wave of indignation that led to the Independence of Texas”.
  I believe it can easily be assumed Philip Nolan not only traveled through 
our area but possibly hunted wild horses and such here.

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                        Grandpa’s Report
  ....
   Grandma and I to the Roy Casey and Glenn White 50th Anniversary 
Celebrations on pretty Sunday aft. Appreciate friendship of both couples 
over the years.
  Freestone Co. Historical Comm. Monthly meeting  will be Tuesday 
January 6th. 2004 at the Sheriffs Office Training Center at 7pm. Guest 
speaker will be friend J.D. Hudson of Waco and Donie who will bring 
information on the Donie Chair Factory and anything else he desires. All are 
invited to attend.