Submitted by Claude Hunter

One hundred and sixty nine years ago, on March 2, 1836, The Texas Declaration of Independence was signed by members of the Convention of 1836 at Washington-on-the-Brazos. 

On Saturday March 5, 2005, approximately sixteen descendants (and/or friends of the family) of Dr. Johnson C. Hunter & wife Mary Martha Harbert plan to visit the Hunter Cemetery in Fort Bend County, TX and celebrate our history. After visiting the cemetery, we plan to continue our "step back in time" by enjoying a "1830s Stock Farm Meal" of heath-cooked stew, hominy, cornbread & sweet potato pone at the historic George Ranch, just south of the cemetery. We will then have the opportunity to tour two different historical areas in George Ranch - an 1830's stock farm area and ranch home and an early 1900's farm area and ranch home.  For those that may still be considering this opportunity, there may still be time.  If you have not already confirmed, and wish to partake of the 1830's meal, you need to let me know by about noon today, as I need to guarantee attendance, by agreeing to pay for tomorrow's meal.  Call me at 936-273-6604 and leave a message or reply to this e-mail if you have not already let me know definitely by noon today! 

There is a possibility of a rain shower tomorrow, but surely we will not let that stand in our way.  The cemetery can be visited even in the rain and the meal and visit to George Ranch is clearly "rain or shine".  Our ancestors put up with far more than just a little rain in helping contribute to the Texas that we know today. 

If you have not already made plans to come, it may not be too late.  I hope to see many of you at the cemetery at 10:00 tomorrow (map & directions can be obtained from cemetery website, below. 

Sincerely, Claude Hunter 

p.s. Think for a few moments about the events of 1835-1836 that the Hunter family and 296 other families in Steven F. Austin's settlers called the "Old 300".  You can find details on the Johnson Hunter Cemetery website timeline at: http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~thehuntercemetery/  

In 1835, the settlers that had accepted citizenship in Mexico and built their homes in Mexican Texas, suddenly found they had far fewer rights than they had been promised.  General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna Perez de Lebron declared himself dictator of Mexico, overthrew Mexico's constitutional government, crushed the opposition in Zacatecas and elsewhere and repealed the Mexican Constitution of 1824.  Stephen F. Austin was jailed for 28 months in Mexico City and was charged with sedition. 

To continue from the timeline for 1835-1836: 

Jun 1835         Texan rebels defeated Mexican troops at Fort Anahuac. 

02 Oct 1835    The first shots of the Texas Revolution were at Gonzales, TX. When Texans repulsed a detachment of Mexican cavalry at the Battle of Gonzales, the Texas Revolution started! 

09 Oct 1835    The Goliad Campaign of 1835 ended when George Collingsworth, Ben Milam and forty-nine other Texians stormed the Presidio at Goliad and a small detachment of Mexican defenders. 

16 Oct 1835    San Felipe delegates resolved against Santa Anna and voted for a provisional Mexican State Government and ordered Sam Houston to raise an army. 

8 Oct 1835    Jim Bowie,  James Fannin and 90 Texians defeated 450 Mexicans at the Battle of Concepción near San Antonio. 

Late 1835        General rebellion - Texans take the Presidio La Bahía at Goliad and lay siege to San Antonio. 

03 Nov 1835   Texas delegates at The Consultation voted to defend the 1824 Mexican Constitution and take up arms against the dictator, Santa Anna.  A document known as the Organic Law outlined the organization and functions of a new Provisional Government.  Volunteers, including two of Johnson Hunter's sons began arriving for the Texas fight. 

08 Nov 1835  The Grass Fight near San Antonio was won by Texans under Jim Bowie and Ed Burleson.  Texans expected to capture a load of silver or other treasure.  However, they gained only a worthless bounty of grass.  Robert Hancock Hunter and possibly John Calhoun Hunter participated in the Grass Fight. 

11Dec 1835    Mexicans under Gen. Cos surrendered San Antonio to the Texas Army following the 1835 Siege of Bexar.  Ben Milam was killed during the siege.  Robert Hancock Hunter and possibly John Calhoun Hunter were in the battles. 23 Feb 1836   The 1836 Siege and Battle of the Alamo begins as 145 Texans took refuge in the grounds of the old Alamo mission. 

02 Mar 1836   The Texas Declaration of Independence was signed by members of the Convention of 1836 at Washington-on-the-Brazos.  An ad interim government was formed for the newly created Republic of Texas.  David Burnet was named Provisional President & Sam Houston was named as Commander of the Texas Army. 

06 Mar 1836   Forces under Col. William B. Travis were overwhelmed by the Mexican Army after a two-week Siege at the Battle of the Alamo.  After the Alamo fell, the Runaway Scrape continued.  Texas population was about 35,000 then. 

10 Mar 1836   Sam Houston abandoned Gonzales in a general retreat eastward to avoid the invading Mexican Army. 

19 Mar 1336   The Mexican Army surrounded Col. James Fannin's troops at the Battle of Coleto.                                      

27 Mar 1836   James Fanin & nearly 400 surrendered Texans were executed by the Mexicans at the Goliad Massacre, under a direct order of Gen. Santa Anna.

 21 Apr 1836   Texas independence began when Texans under Sam Houston routed the Mexican forces of Santa Anna at the Battle of San Jacinto.  Robert Hancock Hunter guarded baggage during the battle and Santa Anna, after his capture.  Thomas Jefferson Hunter served as a scout.  The Hunter family that was not part of the militia (Martha & younger children) stayed in the Claiborne West home in present Orange Co., TX, during the Runaway Scrape and Battle of San Jacinto.  Just prior to the battle, ca. 600 head of Hunter cattle became scattered at Lynch's Ferry and were reportedly used for food by TX & Mexican armies.  Perhaps the grande barbecoa (big barbeque) contributed to the outcome, as the Mexican troops were reportedly unprepared when the battle began. 

 21 Sep 1836   Walter Crockett Hunter, a son, was born to Johnson & Martha Hunter in Fort Bend Co. Oct 1836-40   Johnson Hunter and Claiborne West were named Post Masters. Johnson was responsible for the Republic of Texas Post Office at Rocky Well, and for postal service along the road from San Felipe to Liberty, TX.