Anson Jones. (original) (raw)

Anson Tx - Anson Jones Statue

  1. Born in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, on January 20, 1798.
  2. He wanted to be a printer but became a physician. In 1820 he was licensed to practice in New York State.
  3. In 1824 he spent two years in Venezuela.
  4. In October 1832 he became a merchant in New Orleans where he had a series of disastrous business ventures.
  5. In October 1833 he came to Texas where John Wharton and other citizens of Brazoria encouraged him to practice medicine. He soon prospered.
  6. In 1835, Jones (with four others) established the first Masonic lodge in Texas (in Brazoria).
  7. When war came he enlisted in Robert J. Calder's company where he served as Surgeon (with the rank of Private).
  8. On the field of battle at San Jacinto, he found the journal of Juan N. Almonteal and had it published in 1836.
  9. In 1853 he helped found the Medical Association of Texas which later became the Texas Medical Association.
  10. He committed suicide at Houston on January 9, 1858, and is buried in Glenwood Cemetery at Houston.

Various Offices held by Anson Jones

and Some highlights of his Public Life

He served briefly as "Apothecary General of the Texas Army"

President Sam Houston appointed him minister to the United States in June 1838

He was recalled by President Mirabeau B. Lamar in May 1839

Houston appointed Jones his secretary of state in December 1841

Jones was elected president of The Republic of Texas in September 1844 and took office on December 9th.

He helped formulate legislation to regulate medical practice and advocated a uniform system of education. He also left an endowment for a university.

He was the last president of the Republic of Texas. On February 19, 1846, at the ceremony setting up the government of Texas as a state in the Union, Jones declared, "The Republic of Texas is no more." Then he retired to Barrington, his plantation near Washington-on-the-Brazos.

Anson, Texas and Jones County are both named after him.

Anson Jones Anson Jones TSLAC

Barrington, his plantation home (named after his birthplace) is preserved at Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site. Known today as Barrington Farm - it is a hands-on educational facility demonstrating early 19th Century Texas life/ agriculture and animal husbandry.

Barrington Farm - Anson Jones Home

Barrington Living History Farm -
Anson Jones Home
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, September 2010