Sons of the American Revolution

Texas Society

Announcements

Check out the following new pages:

New fee calculation page (members side)
Internet talk show with President General Ed Butler
Committee Minutes for Nov BOM (members side)
Photo gallery-Richardson BOM
Logo page for webmasters (members side)
Online dues payment Speakers Bureau page
Speakers Bureau map of locations

Online Registration and Payment are now available for TXSSAR Meetings.  Click here to pay/register for the March Convention in Houston. 
Online  dues payment can now be accomplished also

Committee Reports for Oct BOM 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.

"The very atmosphere of firearms anywhere and everywhere restrains evil interference - they deserve a place of honor  with all that is good."
George Washington

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 2500 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.

Tom Lawrence

TXSSAR Has a Successful Congress

Compatriots I am pleased to inform you that the Texas Society had a very successful Congress in Atlanta, Georgia.  In addition to Judge Ed Butler being elected as President General, Judge Tom Lawrence was elected as Vice President General of the International District and Bill Marrs was appointed to the Executive Committee.  Although the list of committees is not yet on the web a number of Texas compatriots were appointed to committees and some as committee chairmen.

We also won several major awards such 1st Place in the Oration Contest, 2nd Place in the Poster Contest, and 2nd Place in the Enhanced JROTC Contest.  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.