Between 1829 and 1834, a number of Irish immigrants settled in the wooded section west of the present site of Benchley, The woods were plentiful in bear, deer, wild turkey and other wildlife. The settlement became known as Staggers Point.

Immediately after settlement the men of the colony planted corn, peas, and potatoes. They built rail fences for their cattle and scouted for Indians. The women were trained to take care of themselves and most of them were experts with flintlock rifles.

In 1836, the colony was abandoned during the Run-away-scrape. The families were attacked by Indians and several of their people were killed. Most of the women and children took refuge at Dunn's fort.

Among the strong women at Staggers Point was Mary Fullerton Henry, who went to Dunn's fort for protection rather than flee to Louisiana. The area in which Mrs. Henry and other Irish immigrants settled was a part of William Henry's land that was divided among his children.

The land fell to Sarah Henry Peyton, who was the daughter of Mary and William Henry, later was sold to George Dixon. The first two merchants were Harve Mitchell and a man named Wallace. They sold dry goods, groceries, whiskey and wines. There was a race track and a gun club at the Point in the 1840's. Fine horses ran on the track and gambling and drinking attracted pioneers of the rougher element.

The first cotton gin at Staggers Point was built by Robert Henry in 1850. Henry was born in Londonderry, Ireland in 1801. He was married to Elizabeth Downing in 1820 before leaving for America. With his wife and three brothers, he came to Texas in 1829, and received his headright of land in 1834. Robert Henry served under Captain James Gillespie at the Battle of San Jacinto. In 1838 he was elected Probate Judge of Robertson County and remained active in politics until 1863. Henry died in 1864, and his wife lived until 1881. They are buried in the family cemetery four miles east of Benchley.

The Henrys' of Staggers Point were slave owners. The brothers William, James and Hugh, sons of Patriarch Robert, were hard working farmers and directed their slaves in the building of homes and farms. Old rail fences built by them still stand.

The first church at Staggers Point was a log structure near the Haygood place. It was called the "Old Irish Church" because its minister and most of its members were from Ireland. The Presbyterian Church attracted families from Dunn's Fort and Wheelock residents were regular in attendance.

The pastor of the church was Reverend Fullenwider, who preached the Gospel only on Sundays and used the other six days of the week to fight Indians, work in the fields, nurse the sick, marry the living and bury the dead. There is a story that a ruffian once promised to attend church if the minister could "whip him" and parson Fullenwider "gave him the licking of his life and then saved his soul."

Old Staggers Point lay in the woodlands for almost forty years before the outside world reached it "by improved road or rail." It was famous for its church and its country school. The Point was the first complete settlement in Robertson County.

Probably the first white child born at Staggers Point was William (Bud) Henry, who according to Mrs. Jimmie Rice, "was born when the stars fell" in October 1835.

The names of some of the early settlers in the "Old Irish" area were Robert Henry, Henry Fullerton Sr. and wife Sarah, William Fullerton and wife Margaret Henry Fullerton, Hugh Henry and wife Elizabeth McMillan Henry, Ann McMillan, George McMillan, the Wright Coley family, the families of Wilson Reed, Squire Hanover, the Peytons, the Hearns, Nashs, and Seales.

Happy events of early days in Robertson County were few. Among sad experiences of men from the southwest corner of the county was the battle known to people at Staggers Point, as the battle of Horn Hill, referred to elsewhere as Bryants' defeat.

The battle occurred in 1839, on January 10, seventy Indians attacked John Morgan's home near Bucksnort. The Indians were repulsed with seven of their number slain. On New Years day the savages plundered George Morgan's home and killed members of the family.

When word of the Morgan Massacre reached the southwestern part of the county the people decided they must pursue the Indians and defeat them or retreat to safety in Austin's colony. They chose to fight and 48 men under Benjamin Bryant rode to meet the savages.

The little army of robertson County men found the Indians on January 16, led by Chief Jose Maria, and the Texas charged them. The withering fire of the Indians drove them backward and the men were ordered to form a line on the open prairie. The order was misunderstood and taken as one of a full retreat. As the Texans withdrew from the field the Indians charged from the woods firing their guns and screaming battle cry. The Texans became disorganized and scattered through the area. Still, the savages advanced, and Bryant's men were reduced to panic and forced to run for their lives.

Three Texans died in the first charge, Plummer, Ward and Armstrong Barton, and A.J. Powers was killed shortly thereafter. Wilson Reed fell from his horse and was instantly clubbed to death. Hugh Henry and William Fullerton stood back-to-back, fighting with guns and knives, until they were shot and killed. Washington McGrew, Alfred Eaton, and A.J. Webb died amid twice their the number, and John Henry, Captain Bryant, Enoch Jones, Charles Solls, Lewis Powers, and William Powers were wounded. When darkness came the remaining Texans escaped to safety.

When the fierce battle was over, Francis Slauter, the Chief Justice of Robertson County sent men from Old Franklin, to gather the dead and they were buried in the little cemetery at Old Franklin on a cold winter day. The ten men who died were from Staggers Point, Old Franklin and Wheelock.

We are gathered here today to honor the early Irish of Robertson County, and I cannot help but feel we are between footprints. Many years have passed away since our forebears of long ago walked on this very ground, leaving their footprints in the sands of time. We are here today, where our forefathers once stood, to honor them, the children of yesterday and the heirs of tomorrow. The story of Staggers Point is the story of her people. A story that does not deserve to be forgotten, but to be remembered.

Our story, the Staggers Point story, concerns eight families in Ireland during the early 1800's. These families had heard stories of the New World. Their situation in Ireland was not a happy one as they were of the Protestant Irish faith and there was constant conflict with the Irish Catholics who were in power at this time. We are reminded of the similar problems in Ireland today on our daily newscasts. Surrounded by the clouds of uncertainty the future did not project a picture of hope, happiness or prosperity. The decision to leave their native land and embark on a long journey to an unknown shore must have taken tremendous courage on the part of the family leaders. They sold all of their possessions that could not be taken with them. The land was sold, which for the most part had been inherited from their parents, thus began the adventure that was to lengthen into many years before their dream of a new life, in a new land, would be realized. But perhaps this new and uncertain future promised a glimpse of peace and freedom. Were they fully aware of the hardships the future would bring? They must have known there would be dark periods that would test their courage and resolve, for God moved in their lives and they focused their lives upon God.

There are as many individual stories concerning these Irish families as the many varied and beautiful colors in their handmade quilts that they brought with them. Their stories will reveal the finished fabric of labor, hope and courage on the Texas frontier.

Robert Henry married Elizabeth Downing in 1820, in Ireland, and very soon after the wedding set sail for America, as had been their plan before their wedding, for they were both pioneers and had heard stories of the new world. After three months on a ship and facing a fierce storm they finally reached South Carolina. Coming to Texas right away was out of the question for covered wagons drawn by ox teams traveled slowly over rough roads and travelers were in constant danger of attacks from marauding savages. So they stayed with a community of immigrants in South Carolina for a year. While time was spent in South Carolina, they learned much about the new country but their thoughts were always on Texas, "the promised land." During their stay in South Carolina Robert Henry was busily making a crop of cotton and corn. After a year they were on to Alabama where they would stay for a few years. Finally they sold their belongings in Alabama and along with several other families headed for Texas. They were determined to come to "the prairie" near the Brazos in what is now Brazos County. They finally reached Texas in 1829, nine years after leaving Ireland. They were the first of the colony to reach Texas.

The story of the other families that left Ireland with Robert Henry follow much the same road to Texas. The story of Henry Fullerton Sr. and his wife Sarah Caufield Fullerton cannot be told as individuals; because the stories and lives of all the original immigrants were woven together.

Henry Fullerton Sr. and his wife Sarah lived on their farm in Ireland with their daughter Mary and their sons, Henry Jr. and John. Ireland did not have enough land for couples to buy and so the young people had to wait until they inherited their parents land. This was the case in the life of Henry and Sarah. William, the younger brother, of Henry, decided he would not wait for his inheritance and would try the new country, America. Leaving Ireland in 1818, he came to South Carolina, and then into Tennessee, later to Robertson's colony in Texas. It was through William's letters to his brother Henry and other relatives in Ireland that Henry and Sarah along with the others decided to come to America. In 1821, seven families left Belfast by sail boat and landed in South Carolina. They remained in Charleston until 1825. A cousin George Hays, had moved on from Charleston to Boligee, Alabama. He wrote of the rich bottom land there and of the opportunities in Alabama. Some of the families came and bought land adjoining each other, land which was hilly and lush with greenery reminding them of Ireland. The families always lived on adjoining plots of land, always staying together.

Most of the families were Presbyterian. After coming from South Carolina to Boligee, Alabama, these families erected a Presbyterian Church in Boligee about the year 1831. Thomas Caufield, uncle of Sarah was the first of the group to die and be buried in the churchyard. This old church is still in use today. These families were referred to as Blue Stocking Presbyterians.

William Fullerton, who had gone on to Texas, was anxious for the impending arrival of his relatives to his chosen Texas. While on a visit to Boligee, Alabama, William, as you will remember was the first to arrive in America, married the widow Margaret Henry Wilson. Margaret had three small children, having been widowed in Charleston, when her husband W. H. Wilson had died. The families began to sell their Alabama land, and dispose of all personal property that they could not take with them. In December 1833, Henry and Sarah Fullerton, William and Mary Fullerton Henry, Ann McMillan, Hugh Henry and his wife Elizabeth McMillan Henry, Ed and Mary McMillan, Henry Caufield, the Watsons, and the Dunn families all moved to Texas.

These families came by private conveyance, generally using carryalls and ox wagons. They brought their slaves with them. They made it their rule to go into camp at noon on Saturday to prepare for a Sunday of rest. They reached their journeys end sooner than those who refused the day of rest.

What was the overland trip to Texas like for these families? Their family possessions were loaded on a covered wagon drawn by two well-broke oxen. Cooking could be done with a teakettle, skillet and lid as easily over an outdoor camp fire as over the fireplace in their cabin home. Sometime with good weather the wagons could make twenty or thirty miles a day, but this was unusual due to poor roads. The greatest problem was crossing deep rivers, always on "pontoon ferries."

What did these early pioneers find when they reached the fertile land along the Brazos river? The soil was fertile, mesquite grass and wild rye grass grew two and three feet high. Truly a cattleman's paradise. There were great numbers of deer and cattle. There were droves of wild hogs and flocks of wild turkeys which had to be shot low because they were so fat that when they fell to the ground from any height their breasts would burst open. There was an abundance of wild plums and wild berries. Truly a bountiful land.

It is known that anyone having a drop of Irish blood has a love for the land. For the land is the only thing that really lasts. Here on the Texas frontier, on the outskirts of civilization, these Irish immigrants realized the fulfillment of their dreams and expectations.

The Mexican government at this time gave to each family of the colonists under Stephen F. Austin and Sterling C. Robertson contracts, a headright league containing about 4428 acres of land and also a labor of land of about 177 acres. Henry Fullerton Sr., his son Henry Fullerton Jr., and William Fullerton his brother, took their leagues of land about seven miles northwest of the present town of Franklin, Texas, and their labors of land of 177 acres each at Staggers Point. William Henry and Mary Fullerton Henry lived in what is now Robertson County. William and Margaret Fullerton adjoined the others; but their land lay in what was to become Brazos County. Henry Fullerton Sr. and Sarah lived on their 177 acres in Robertson County. These three tracts of land adjoined; also adjoining them were the Hugh Henry family, brother of Robert, the Robert Henry family and the Wright Coley family, James Dunn Sr., and wife Isabella Caufield Dunn, and some of the Caufields lived on Wheelock Prairie. All lived within several miles of each other.

When these settlers first reached Texas the Indians in the Country generally were not hostile. Later, many of the Mexican officials became suspicious and antagonistic and incited the Indians to hostilities against the colonists. Several people in the area were shot and scalped and left for dead. These depredations by the Indians caused the people of the settlement in this area to build a fort at the James Dunn home known as Dunn Fort. Most of these families remained in the Fort during the Run-away-scrape of 1836. Hugh Henry and William Fullerton were killed in January of 1839 by Indians near Viesca where the present town of Marlin is located. Many men from Staggers Point and surrounding areas became "Minute men" or Rangers as they were later called to protect settlers from the Indians who had been incited by the Mexicans to prevent the arrival of any more colonists to the area.

For by this time the Mexican government had realized these Scotch-Irish immigrants had taken definite control of their northern province. It was to be realized that people of Scotch-Irish ancestry would possess positive traits of loyalty to their chosen cause.

The Henry and Houston families were friends in Ireland, although Sam Houston and Robert Henry had not met. Robert Henry was a soldier in the Texas Army before General Sam Houston became its commander-in-chief. He was with General Houston when the army arrived at San Jacinto. The day before the battle General Houston told Robert confidentially to start off with his horse as if he were taking it to water, but to ride to Dunn's Fort just above Robert Henry's home.

"I am going to fight Santa Anna tomorrow" he said, "You tell the folks up there I am going to whip him, or I won't let him whip me. If they hear the cannon they will know the battle is on." Soon after this occurred, the battle of San Jacinto was over, and Texas was free. Many of the men from Staggers Point served in the Texas Army and fought at the Battle of San Jacinto.

Dunn's Fort had been built for protection from the Indians or Mexican or whatever came. Behind each of these courageous men stood strong and determined pioneer women. They were hardy people with the Irish instinct of surviving hardships, their women as well as the men were marksmen with "long guns" and Indians learned to fear the women as well as the men. Elizabeth Downing Henry, Robert's wife was a woman of tremendous ability and loved adventure. Sarah Caufield Fullerton had the courage and foresight to bring her children to the Texas frontier, Isabella Caufield Dunn had the faith to build the first Presbyterian Church in this area on Red Top Prairie close to the fort built by James Dunn. The widow Ann McMillan continued with the colony on the course she and her husband had set before his death and finally Mary Fullerton, the strong and dauntless daughter, of Henry and Sarah Fullerton who left Ireland as a small girl of five years old. During the years in South Carolina and Boligee, Alabama she was growing into a young woman. She married William Henry, younger brother of Robert Henry in Boligee, Alabama and then on to Texas. Mary Fullerton Henry has the distinction of being the mother of the first white child born in Robertson county. His name was William Henry Jr., always called Bud. Henry and Mary and their family shared all the thrills of living in the Republic of Texas, through the fear of the Indians only to have William die of a poisoned Indian arrow in 1849. Later Mary Fullerton Henry met and married James M. Dixon who had come to Texas from Alabama and Ireland. Her home is not far from this point. She too, having walked on this very land, leaving her foot prints in the sands of time.

And so the events of the lives of these early pioneers is recorded on the pages of Texas history. Not all of the colonists stories could be remembered today as there would not be enough time to name them all. Their desire was to have freedom of worship and the land to work and rear their families, a place to call home.

Staggers Point was famous for its church and country school. The Point was the first complete settlement in Robertson County. When the railroad reached the area in 1868 the people of the Point moved to the station, renaming the settlement after their favorite conductor named Benchley. Later, a new school and church were erected and Stagger's Point was soon forgotten. Many of her young men returned to serve the South in the army of the confederate States. Far too many young men never returned to their chosen Texas homeland. As has been the case of all wars or conflicts to protect their chosen home, America, the heirs and descendants of these sturdy pioneers have always answered the call to arms.

Today, as we pause to cast a brief backward glance down the path of time we honor the faith that guided our forefathers. For they are the dead who short days ago lived, the accounts of their lives retold today. In our present modern world pressure is brought against the family, but these Scotch-Irish who left Ireland to wind their covered wagons ever onward to the Texas frontier stayed together as a family with their friends. Yesterday is not ours to recover, but tomorrow will be ours to win or lose. For we are here, in Texas a land that was provided for us through the vision and faith of those who have gone before us. It is to these noble men and women of Staggers Point, the forbearers of most of us gathered here today, that we dedicate this moment.

About four o'clock on the afternoon of April 2, 1836, seven hundred and eighty three wretchedly clothed men, half starved, ill equipped, charged up the plain of San Jacinto to conquer an army twice its size, an army which was handsomely clad, very well fed indeed, and meticulously trained by one of the great military men of the time. Why and how did this army win? How and why did they rout completely an army which out numbered them in every way? Their commander was General Sam Houston, who knew what he was doing and why he was doing it. He was not only wise and astute but he believed in his men and he gave them the courage and the reason why they were doing what they did. These 783 men knew too what they were doing and why. They knew that they were fighting for their homes, for their families, and for liberties and justices for which they had been deprived bitterly for years. Old Sam Houston knew so well what the outcome of this battle would be that on the day before San Jacinto he said, "Tomorrow I will conquer, slaughter, and put into absolute retreat the entire Mexican Army", and he was about 100% right.

These men who fought numbered among them one named Robert Henry. Robert Henry was born in Ireland in 1801. He decided in 1820 to come to the new world to seek a land which would give him more opportunity, and he decided at the same time and that same year to marry a woman who turned out to be as dauntless, serious, and adventurous as he was, so they set sail in 1820. They settled in South Carolina and stayed for a while. But the spirit of moving on lay upon them as did many people in that time and they moved to Alabama. There they stayed long enough to accumulate $900.00 worth of property which they sold before they moved to Texas.

In Texas, Robert Henry was granted land in Robertson County. In 1836, he knew the people of Texas were being called to fight for the freedom of Texas and so he took one of three horses which he owned and joined Sam Houston's army. He was a member of that army and gave service to the Republic of Texas from March until June 1836, when he was discharged with honor having as the records say, "faithfully and courageously discharged" in giving service to his country. He was awarded land over 600 acres of it in Hill county and over 300 acres in Brazos County.

Behind, I should say in front of, this era of women's lib, every patriot, every successful pioneer there is a woman, and in the case of Robert Henry, Elizabeth Henry was that woman. Her courage was dauntless. At one time during the absence of her husband while he was in service to the Republic of Texas she was sitting in an open hallway of her home spinning. She suddenly saw that she was surrounded by Indians, they crept softly up on the porch, they were enchanted at the music of her spinning wheel and began dancing. Tiring of this they moved toward the barn.

At the barn Elizabeth with her great courage stood in front of the crib with the keys in her hand, she pointed to the crib filled with corn and to her children, indicating to the Indians that this was the food for her children and all that they had. There was whispers among them and then the chief reached over and patted her on the shoulder and said "Great brave squaw". The Indians bowed and departed. I think it is fitting on this day as we honor Robert Henry to honor his wife too, who did so much during her long life to help the poor, the sick, the old, and the underprivileged.

It is indeed for the Brazos County Historical Survey Committee a solemn honor and privilege today to mark with an official State marker the grave of this great patriot who had with other gallant men such a part in the making of this country. A part in a battle which is one of the decisive and most telling battles of all history. A battle which made possible the extension of the boundaries of this country to the Rio Grande on the southeast, to the Pacific Ocean on the west. A battle which made possible a land of our very own, a place we can call our home, and more important security for us and those other men who made it a country which we can deserve, if we try and keep and enjoy those great liberties, civil, and religious. (Hazel Richardson at the dedication of Robert Henry Marker, 1971)

Robert and Elizabeth Henry had seven children Hugh Reed, Catherine, James, Margaret (Peggy), Stafford, Elizabeth, and Mary Ann.

CATHERINE married Alexander Nesbit. Their children were John Wilson, Robert Joseph, Hugh R., and Aaron Nesbit. Aaron Nesbit died August 16, 1867.

JAMES had two children; Thomas J. and Elizabeth E.

MARGARET married James McMillan. Their children were George R. 1850-1885, William H., Mary C., Margaret J, and Susan.

Mary A. Henry, the second daughter of Robert and Elizabeth Henry married Bradford T. Seale, brother of Columbus C. Seale. Their children were Bradford, Elizabeth, George Washington (twin) who married Maide Haltson; Sam Houston Seale (twin) who married Mary Leathers, Susie who married J. W. Haygood, Horace married Linnie Browning, Hugh, Robert and Katie.

Mary Henry Seale and Bradford Seale lived at Staggers Point where they built their log cabin. An old well remains at the homesite which dates back to the 1840's. Also a rose bush remains on the homesite that is said to have been planted by Mary Henry Seale. This property is still owned by the Haygood children. Elizabeth Henry, the mother made her home with Mary and Bradford Seale in her later life.

This is the story of Henry Fullerton Sr. and his wife Sarah Caufield Fullerton. But their story cannot be told as individuals; so many of the original Irish immigrants are connected with their lives.

Henry was born in Belfast Ireland in 1785, his wife Sarah was born in Belfast in 1790. They were of average means. When they were married in 1810, they owned their home and about 27 acres of land. In the early 1800's Henry used the 27 acres to raise potatoes for which there was a market, and other vegetables for his families use. He rented land from the British Government to raise cattle and sheep for money to buy other supplies.

Henry was twenty five years of age at the time of his marriage to Sarah. Sarah was twenty.

In following the history of the Irish families we find that many of the men and women remained single and lived with their parents until they were past the age of thirty years. This is partly true because Ireland did not have enough land for the couples to buy, and the young people must wait until they inherited their parents land. This was the case in the life of Henry and Sarah.

William Fullerton a brother two years younger than Henry decided he would not wait for his inheritance and would try the new country, America. Leaving Ireland in 1818 he came on to South Carolina, and then into Tennessee where he acquired land. Having accumulated land and then considered a bachelor of means he decided to gain still more land in Robertson's colony and came to Texas.

It was through William's letters to his brother Henry and other relatives in Ireland that Henry and Sarah decided to come to America. In 1821 seven families left Belfast by sail boat. It took them six weeks to make the trip to Charleston, South Carolina. They remained in Charleston until 1825. A cousin, George Hays, moved on from Charleston to Boligee Alabama. He wrote of the rich bottom land there and of the opportunities in Alabama, where they could buy more slaves and work more land. Some of the families came and bought land adjoining each other, land which was hilly and lush with greenery, reminding them of Ireland. They built their homes, bought more slaves and livestock.

All families were Presbyterians, and after coming from South Carolina to Boligee, Alabama, these families erected a Presbyterian Church in Boligee about the year 1831. Thomas Caufield, uncle of Sarah was the first of the group to die and be buried in the Church yard. Today this old church is still used as a Presbyterian Church, and in this church yard you will find the graves of Caufields, Watsons, Blakelys, and their descendants. Some of the descendants remained in Boligee, and their descendants are buried in this churchyard. As described years ago, it is situated on a beautiful high hill and near where the families lived.

Brother William meanwhile was still interested in his relatives in Alabama and in the spring of 1833, made a trip back to Alabama, he thought for a visit, but while there he married the widow Margaret Henry Wilson, who had three small children. Margaret's husband had died in Charleston. William had already acquired land under Sterling C. Robertson and his story of Texas was convincing. The families began to sell their Alabama land and dispose of all personal property that they could not bring with them, and in December 1833, Henry and Sarah Fullerton, William and Margaret and the three children, William and Mary Fullerton Henry, Ann McMillan, a widow, with three small children (her husband James having died in South Carolina), Hugh Henry and wife Elizabeth McMillan Henry, Ed and Mary McMillan, the James Dunn family, Henry Caufield his wife and four children all moved to Texas.

These families came by private conveyance, generally using carryalls and ox wagons. They brought their slaves with them. They traveled the old San Antonio road, often crossing the Navasota River. They camped near the home of Jeremiah Tinnan at the place afterwards called Tinnanville. Their supply of salt being exhausted they tried to buy some from Mr. Tinnan. He gave them a fat-gourd, a half gallon container of salt, to be divided among the eight families, advising them to use it sparingly as salt was hard to procure at that time, stating that he had given them his entire supply as he and his family were accustom to doing without salt, but new comers had that to learn. As they followed the Old San Antonio road across Wheelock Prairie many of the wagons mired. While these were being pulled out and on to firmer ground, the people investigated the surrounding land and decided to locate there. The Mexican Government at that time gave to each family of the colonists, under Stephen F. Austin and Sterling C. Robertson contracts, a headright league containing about 4428 acres of land, and also a labor of land of 177 acres. Henry Fullerton Sr., and son Henry Fullerton Jr., William Fullerton his brother, took their leagues of land about seven miles northwest of Franklin, Texas and their labors of land of 177 acres each at Benchley (then Staggers Point). William and Margaret adjoined the others but their land lay in Brazos County. Our Henry Fullerton Sr. and Sarah lived on their 177 acres in Robertson County. These three tracts of land adjoining; also adjoining them were the Hugh Henry family, the Robert Henry family, and the Wright Coley family, whose children later married into the William Fullerton family, James Dunn Sr. and wife Isabella Caufield Dunn, sister of Sarah Fullerton, and some of the Caufields lived on Wheelock Prairie in Robertson County. All lived within several miles of each other.

When these settlers first reached Texas the Indians in the country generally were not hostile, later many of the Mexican officials became suspicious and antagonistic and incited the Indians to hostilities against the colonists. Hugh Henry and William Fullerton were killed in January 1839 by Indians at Viesca where the present town of Marlin is located. Several people near the Wheelock Prairie settlement were shot and scalped and left for dead. These depredations by the Indians caused the people of the settlement in this area to build the Fort at the James Dunn home, known as the Dunn Fort, for the protection of the women and children. These families remained in the fort during the run-away-scrape of 1836.

These families, like many other of the Protestant Irish, emigrated to America to be free from persecution by the Catholic Church which was in power at the time in Ireland. They formed the "Old Ireland Church" afterwards known as "Concord" on Red Top Prairie, near Staggers Point.

Henry and Sarah had three children born in Ireland, one child born in South Carolina, and three born in Boligee, Alabama:

MARY their oldest child was born in Belfast Ireland in 1815, and on November 10, 1831, she married William Henry, who was also born in Ireland. William and Mary had six children at the time of the death of William Henry in 1848. After the death of William, Mary married James M. Dixon, and they had one child born in 1851.

HENRY JR. was their second child born in Ireland in 1817. He married Nancy Walker. Henry Jr. took his land as a colonist under Sterling C. Robertson in Robertson County but later moved to Navarro County. Henry Fullerton Jr's name appears on the Roster of Rangers who went to Ft. Milam, January 17, 1836.

JOHN was the third child born in Ireland in 1820. He married his step cousin Isabella Wilson, the daughter of Margaret Henry Wilson Fullerton and the stepdaughter of William Fullerton. Isabella died at the birth of her child Susan. The 1850 census show John and his child Susan living with Margaret Fullerton, Isabella's mother.

ISABELLA was their fourth child born in South Carolina in 1823. She married John Walker (older brother of Nancy Walker who married Henry Jr.) in Robertson County. Isabella died in the year 1850 and left two small children.

WILLIAM the fifth child born in 1825 in Alabama did not marry. He lived at Benchley with his mother Sarah until her death in 1856, he later joined the Army of the confederacy.

THOMAS J. the sixth child born in Alabama and married Ann Jane Henry in 1855. They had three children, Mollie, Bettie, and William H. Fullerton.

GEORGE HAYS the seventh child was born in Alabama on the 20th day of August 1833, and was only about four months old when his family came to Texas. He married Lucy Catherine McNair in 1857. This family and relatives continued to live in Texas within several miles of each other as they had lived in Ireland. They all lived on small farms. Mary the eldest and William Henry, built their home on the 177 acres of land at Staggers Point, now Benchley, Texas. Henry Jr. and Nancy lived on land inherited from her father William Walker, and Isabella and John Walker lived on land adjoining Henry and Nancy Fullerton. John Fullerton and Isabella Wilson Fullerton owned land adjoining Mary and William Henry. William, the son who did not marry, lived with his parents at Staggers Point. Thomas married Ann Jane Henry and located about a mile from the Walkers in 1857. George and Lucy also located in this little community in Brazos county.

The various children of Sarah and Henry Fullerton living in this community built a Methodist church and the Historical marker reads:

"Alexander Methodist Church was organized in an old log school house in 1854, under Rev. Robert Alexander a circuit rider. The first church was constructed of hand hewn logs by George H. Fullerton, Hugh Henry, James and John Walker, E. W. Thompson and others. A second church was erected in 1939 and the educational building added in 1957."

Henry Fullerton Sr., his son Henry Fullerton Jr, and William Fullerton served in the Army of the Republic of Texas in 1835-1836. They received land from the Republic for services, and also as colonists in Robertson's Colony.

John Fullerton, William Fullerton, Thomas J, and George Hays served in the confederate army from 1861-1865.

To recap, Henry Fullerton Sr. was born in 1785 died 1843, and Sarah Fullerton born 1790 died 1856, both died at the original home at Staggers Point and are buried in the Dunn family cemetery near Wheelock, Texas.

The descendants of the Fullerton family and other families buried in the Dunn Cemetery deserve much credit for their work in restoring this old cemetery. A State Historical marker commending these families has been placed at this family burying place and reads:

"Remove not the ancient landmark which thy father has set" is an ancient proverb, But it might be a proverb of the descendants of early settlers of Robertson County who still live on Texas soil.

Mary Fullerton was born in Ireland about 1815. She was the daughter of Henry Fullerton Sr. and Sarah Caufield Fullerton. Mary's parents had heard stories of the opportunities in America, especially in Texas, so about 1820, Mary, her younger brothers Henry and John, her grandparents, Henry and Mary Castles Caufield, her parents and several other relatives and friends boarded a ship bound for South Carolina, from whence they expected to eventually arrive in Texas. This itself was a test of their courage. For the ships in those days were not the floating palaces that fly rapidly back and forth across the Atlantic today. They were slower going and poorly equipped to combat the terrible storms. With a song on their lips and hope in their hearts they set sail. They were driven back by a terrific storm. They started again and after three months of alternate smooth seas and riding storm-crested waves they reached South Carolina. Would they have reversed their decision to go to the New World if they could have foreseen the toils, hardships and fighting? I do not believe this would have been their choice. Because, heads lifted high they played their part fearlessly on the stage of early Texas.

Arriving in South Carolina was again only a beginning. Texas was again in the far-distant future. Covered wagons drawn by ox teams traveled slowly over rough roads and deep dangerous unbridged streams. Travelers were in constant danger of attacks from marauding savages. So the little group stayed with a community of immigrants in South Carolina until 1825, when they came to Boligee Alabama.

While in Alabama, Mary's father learned much about the land and how to produce cotton and corn. During these years on the long trip to Texas, Mary was growing up and becoming a young lady. Mary Fullerton married William Henry (younger brother of Robert Henry) in Boligee Alabama on November 19th 1831. The country in Alabama was beautiful, but Texas the land of "milk and honey" beckoned to the little group from Ireland. But what would they really find in Texas?

December 1833, found Mary Fullerton on her way to Texas. Texas was under the jurisdiction of Mexico, but colonization was being encouraged. People could by preemption get a league of land. In Ireland land had been scarce. Just think of owning nearly 5,000 acres. There was an abundance of wild game, buffalo deer, cattle, fowls and birds of all kinds. The soil was rich. Yes, it was the promised land. Mary Fullerton started overland for Texas. The clothing, bedding, and necessary articles of houseware were loaded on a covered wagon drawn by two well-broke oxen. Cooking could be done with a teakettle, skillet and lid as easily over an outdoor camp fire as over the fireplace in their cabin home, and potatoes could be baked in the hot ashes at night. It is known that all of the Fullerton's were good cooks.

Travel was slow. Some days they made twenty to thirty miles a day over unkept roads, but not often. Mostly the roads were rough, sometimes covered with rocks and sometimes with great ruts cut deep in mud. The greatest and most fearsome task was in crossing the streams. There were few bridges and they crossed the deeper rivers on "pontoon ferries". These were large rafts made of logs fastened together. They were floored with rough hewn boards and held in place by a cable, and were pulled across the stream by strong ropes. The Irish families formed quite a caravan. Some of the families were Blue Stocking Presbyterians. Mary Fullerton and her family were among these. They were people who honored the Sabbath and would not travel on Sunday. They claimed to have arrived at their destination first and without any loss.

The families were very happy to view the beautiful country through which they slowly passed. They were very excited as they approached the Mississippi River. Its magnitude was beyond their wildest imagination. It took a long time for all of the caravan to cross the great river.

They traveled through swamps, river bottoms and intermittent open spaces but onward they came. From Nacogdoches they followed over "El Camina Real". While even at that time it was about 138 years old, it was a poor road. They would have to stop for days to allow the roads to dry. In February 1834 these seven families reached the Sterling C. Robertson Colony in now Robertson County.

But what was the country like? The soil was fertile. The mesquite grass and wild rye were two and three feet high. There were great numbers of deer and cattle. The cattle were wilder than the deer. There were droves of wild hogs and huge flocks of wild turkeys which had to be shot low because they were so fat that when they fell to the ground from any height their breasts would burst open. They made bread from sweet potatoes. There was an abundance of wild plums and wild berries. In later years the women raised gardens and had fruit trees.

One son, James Alexander Henry was born April 12, 1833, in Alabama. On October 17, 1834, the second tiny son of Mary Fullerton and William Henry glimpsed light for the first time in the wilderness of Robertson's colony. The first white child to be born in Robertson County was born only about a half mile from the Brazos County line and about a mile and half west of Benchley. He was born in a mud-dabbed hut with a rough table for a door and only port holes for windows. He was christened William Henry Jr., but was always called "Bud". He was born in a one-legged bed that was built in the corner of the room. There was quite a disturbance that night--it was later referred to as the "night the stars fell". It was a sight more awesome and newer than the Indians. William Henry calmed the fears of his wife Mary because the nearest neighbor was miles away and in this new land there was no telephone or modern convenience of transportation.

Later, life on Peach Creek assumed the responsibilities of the day. To this sturdy family of the soil other children were born. During the absence of the father the mother had to do the outside chores before dark. And once when William Henry Sr., was off fighting Indians, his wife started to milk just before dark one day and when she opened the door she saw an object bobbling up and down near the old rail cow pen. "My God, its Indians," she cried and barred herself and the children up in the house. There they sat all huddled up and hungry during the dark hours of that night. Morning finally came as mornings will, and she had to have milk for the family of small children. So with a pounding heart she opened the door and to her horror there was the same brown head. She stood still, then a light of understanding swept her face. That was her old milk gourd waving in the wind as the weed it was hung on moved about. She always said that was one night the wolves trying to dig under the logs of the floor never scared her as she was listening for the blood curdling yell of an Indian.

William Henry Sr. died of poisoned Indian arrows, He had been to buy groceries and managed to get home before he died. William Henry had served his Texas as a Ranger and had added much to the future and hopes of the Texas he had so longed to see. But, what of Mary Fullerton Henry, the widow. She was in her late thirties when she was widowed, a woman with five children and extensive land holdings. Her father, Henry Fullerton died in 1843, thus leaving her other land holdings, as well as his other children.

In 1849, Mary Fullerton Henry married James M. Dixon who had recently come to Texas with his father, Mr. Dixon from Alabama. James M. Dixon was said to have been tall and handsome. Dancing was enjoyed by all during this brief time and James Dixon was quite an accomplished dancer, having just arrived from Alabama and somehow reminding Mary Fullerton of life in the Alabama of her youth. In 1850, one son was born to this union, Henry George Dixon. James M. Dixon, William Henry and Henry Fullerton Sr. were members of Gillespie Masonic Lodge No.55 as were other residents of the Staggers Point community.

Mary Fullerton Henry Dixon's last child Henry George Dixon married Mary Ann Hanover, daughter of Hiram Hanover and Sarah Ann Sparks. Henry G. Dixon is buried at Ingleside, Texas where he was living at the time of his death. Mary Dixon's other three sons, Hugh, Ed and James took part in the Civil War. William Jr. stayed at home and drove cattle for beef purposes for the government. Ed returned from the Civil War due to illness. He soon died as a result of his exposure while he had the measles. Hugh later moved to Ennis, Texas. William had married Almeda Foster before the war and they had three children. But the unhealthy conditions of the Peach Creek bottom cut short the lives of his wife and her three children. Later William married Sarah Reed and they went to make their home at Edge. They had four sons, John and W. P. of Bryan, C. E. Henry of Navasota and James Henry of Palestine. "Bud" Henry died and is buried by his second wife at Edge. James, the oldest son of this Irish family died in 1894. He is buried in the Henry-Peyton cemetery.

James Alexander Henry born April 12, 1833, in Greene County Alabama, the son of William and Mary Fullerton Henry. He was married to Effie Little McNair July 29, 1857, they had only one child, Hugh Roderic Henry, born February 2 1860. Hugh married Helen Melton, December 25, 1879, and they had four children born to them. Margaret Effie born and died April 27, 1881, Mary Ann Henry born and died December 19, 1884, Jimmie Fountain Henry born September 20, 1887, married Sam Rice November 18, 1907.

Sam R. Rice and Jimmie Henry Rice had four children, Hugh, William, Henrietta Effie Rice, Melton Rice, and Sam Rice Jr.

George Hays Fullerton was born in Boligee, Green County Alabama, August 20, 1833, and was only about four months old when he left Alabama with his parents, Henry and Sarah Fullerton and older brothers and sisters, to come by wagon train with other Irish families to Staggers Point.

After the death of his parents, he lived with his older sister Mary Fullerton Henry, until he married Lucy Catherine McNair, February 12, 1857.

George had inherited land in Robertson County from his parents, but sold his interest in the land and bought about 150 acres of land across the San Antonio road, in Brazos County. He and Lucy built a log cabin on this land in 1857.

In 1861, George Fullerton joined a company of volunteers organized at Boonville. Later this company joined what was known as Carters Brigade, and served until the close of the war in 1865. Lucy was alone except for relatives who would stay with her for the duration of the war.

George and Lucy's first child, John William Fullerton born July 24, 1866, married Mattie Broach. They had three children, Jimmie Fullerton born March 9, 1889, died July 18, 1890; Norman Fullerton born September 1. 1897, died December if 1905; Pearl Fullerton born May 31, 1891, married Dr. A. L. Mondrick of Bryan, Texas. They had one son A. L. Mondrick Jr., born November 19, 1926.

The second child was Catherine Ann Fullerton (known as Kate). She was born August 6. 1868, at Tabor and married at the home of her parents February 6, 1895, to Will E. Thompson, who also lived near Tabor, Texas. Will E. Thompson was born February 4, 1872 and the following children were born to Will and Kate Thompson: Bessie Lee born March 30 1895, died November 10, 1900; Lucy Myrtle born November 6. 1898, died November 20, 1900; Ruth Thompson born at Wheelock, Texas, October 2 1900, died March 18 1918; Margaret Lucille Thompson born at Wheelock, Texas December 24, 1902, married Ellis Martin of Easterly, Texas; Mary Katherine Thompson born at Wheelock, Texas December 12 1904 married James Reid Galloway; Mattie Adelle Thompson, born at Wheelock, Texas September 11, 1907 married Hans Paul Schultz of New Baden, Texas.

The third child was Mary Isabella Fullerton, born December 20, 1871, died October 18, 1906.

The fourth child Henry H. Fullerton, born January 7. 1873, died August 7. 1898.

The fifth child, Effie Little Fullerton born December 3, 1874, married M. S. Broach. Their children were: Johnnie Selvin, born November 4, 1898, married Jessie Mae Kelly, of Bryan, Texas; Henry Howard Broach born April 2, 1900, married Grace Gilland of Franklin; Texas; Richard Raymond (Dick) born January 22, 1901, married Lois Gilstrap of Franklin, Texas; Jewell Broach born October 20, 1903, married A. G. Syptak; Lola Mae Broach born March 3, 1904, married Davis Rawls of Mississippi; Louise Broach born November 24, 1912 married I. N. Hare; George William Broach born October 13, 1903.

The sixth child of George and Lucy Fullerton was Barbara Little born at Tabor, Texas January 7, 1878. She lived with her father George Hays Fullerton and took care of him until his death May 20, 1922. She now lives in a rest home in Bryan, Texas. She is 95 years of age and the last survivor of the George and Lucy Fullerton children.

Ann and James McMillan, Sr. and their three children, Elizabeth, Andrew and James Jr. came to America from Belfast Ireland in the year 1821. They landed in Charleston, South Carolina where they joined other relatives who had already arrived in this country. Shortly after their arrival James Sr. became ill and died. Thus leaving Ann Reeves McMillan a widow with three children in a strange land. She was also expecting another child which was born six weeks after the death of his father. The new baby was a boy whom Ann named George and was in later life destined to be the child closest to her for she made her home with him and his family. George McMillan was my great grandfather.

Many women would have been overwhelmed with grief and the crushing responsibilities of rearing four children in a day and age when women were at a distinct disadvantage in business matters. However, Ann Reeves McMillan's faith never wavered for she pressed forward to Boligee, Alabama traveling by the crudest conveyances over the long miles. She had the comfort and help of other Irish families who had come over the same time. They established homes in Boligee but soon the new frontiers of Texas beckoned and the same faith that carried Ann through life told her this was the thing to do. She, being head of a household, was granted a league of land (4428) acres by the Mexican government. She traveled to Texas with seven other families and her own children and they all settled near Benchley, Texas and Wheelock Prairie. Ann never lived on the land granted to her but divided it among her children. She continued to live with her youngest son, George and his family until the time of her death.

Elizabeth McMillan was the first child born to James McMillan Sr. and Ann McMillan, born in Ireland in 1812. She came with her parents from Ireland to South Carolina in 1821, and then to Boligee Alabama. She married Hugh Henry in Alabama. Hugh and Elizabeth came with the wagon caravan to Staggers Point in January 1834. They had three children, Hugh Henry Jr., the oldest died when an infant. William (Bud) who married Sallie Killough, and Ann Jane who married Thomas Fullerton. Hugh Henry was killed with William Fullerton at Morgans Point in January 1839.

Elizabeth married a second time to James Young, to this union were born twins, Mary Ann and Elizabeth Jane. Mary Ann died about the year 1852, while small. Elizabeth Jane married first to John W. Cheatham. John W. Cheatham born December 2, 1829 died June 17, 1899. Elizabeth Jane born October 19, 1851, died April 8, 1920, both are buried in the Franklin Cemetery.

George McMillan was the youngest of the four children of James and Ann Reeves McMillan. He was born June 25, 1821 at Charleston, South Carolina, six weeks after the death of his father. Later Ann McMillan and her four children traveled to Boligee, Alabama in a covered wagon with other Irish families. Then the new frontiers of Texas were inviting and brought Ann McMillan and family by ox wagon together with seven other families to Sterling Robertson's colony in 1833, the settlement known as Staggers Point which is now Benchley, Texas.

The woods were plentiful in bear, deer, wild turkey and other wild life. Earlier settlers, who had come in 1829-1830, had planted corn, peas and potatoes, so George McMillan and brothers got busy farming to establish livelihood for the Ann McMillan family. George was twelve years old at this time. Ann McMillan had been granted a league of land by the Mexican government. She divided the land among her children. George's tract was in Robertson County between Calvert and Bremond. He never lived on his land but chose to stay in Brazos county and his mother lived with him.

Ann McMillan's older sons, Andrew age 22 years and James 18, years, were in the Texas Army from March 1836 to June 1836 but did not participate in the Battle of San Jacinto. When Texas became a Republic, James McMillan was granted land at Thompson Creek, Brazos county in 1838, issued by war Department Republic of Texas.

From all indications George McMillan took his mother and farmed in Thompson Creek community. He married Ann Jane Young April 5. 1855. This union had five children: Alice born November 15, 1856, married W.H. (Bud) Walker, April 1, 1877. She died December 17, 1915; Mary Ann born November 24, 1859 married George Wicker December 23, 1880, she died July 12, 1892; Bettie born November 9, 1862, married Charner Skains, who died December 23, 1895, and afterwards married Thomas Skains in 1899, she died January 1946; Emma born February 1, 1865, died September 11, 1870; William Andrew born December 4, 1869, married Maggie McMordie. He died January 1950 in Calvert, Texas.

Sometime later George McMillan farmed in the vicinity of Wheelock Prairie. His mother died November 9th, 1862 and is buried in Old Dunn Cemetery. His wife Ann Jane McMillan, died February 11, 1870, and is buried in Old Dunn Cemetery.

George McMillan was married the second time. He married Maggie Nichol May 4, 1871. To this union was born one daughter, Margaret Jane (Maggie) June 6. 1875. Margaret Jane's mother died January 1876, when Margaret Jane was 7 months old. Mrs. Tom Fullerton (Ann Jane) who lived in the Alexander community of Brazos County, and was a niece of George McMillan, took the baby to raise. Mrs. Fullerton then deeded 50 acres of her land to George McMillan and he brought his family there to be closer to Margaret Jane. George McMillan devoted much of his later life making trips to Galveston and even to New Orleans to purchase articles the neighbors wanted. He died May 21, 1884 and is buried in Alexander Cemetery Brazos county.

John R. Peyton Sr. was born March 8, 1823, in Alabama, and came to Staggers Point in the early 1840s. He was first married to Jennie Foley, they had only one child, Emma, who married a Lastor, and left Robertson County when young.

John R. Peyton Sr. married a second time in the year 1866 to Sarah Henry, daughter of William and Mary Fullerton Henry. Sarah was born at Staggers Point in April of 1842. Sarah and John R. had only one child, William Henry Peyton, born July 17, 1867, at Staggers Point. Sarah died in 1868 soon after the birth of her son William. Sarah is buried by her parents and other relatives in the Peyton-Henry cemetery near Benchley, on land inherited from her parents.

Sarah and John's son, William, married Sarah Ann Melton, on March 12, 1888, at Wheelock, Texas. Sarah Ann Melton was born May 29, 1867, and died March 20, 1945. They had five children. Miss Marguerite lived with her father until his death in 1957, and now lives with her sister Mrs. Ruby Helen Bowman at Benchley. Their sons, were Hugh, William, James, Henry, and Jessie C.

John R. Peyton Sr. married a third time to Barbara Williams McMillan, the widow of James McMillan. James McMillan died October 22, 1866 and left his widow, Barbara Williams McMillan and two small children. John R, Sr. and Barbara's first son was John R. Peyton Jr., born October 10, 1884 and died August 27, 1960. He married Eureka Sikes, and they had five children born to them, Elizabeth (Mrs. Gus Bade), Miss Barbara Peyton, John Peyton, Myrtle Cheek, and Luther.

John and Barbara's other children were Thomas B. Mary and Lee.

James Dunn and his wife Isabella Caufield, natives of northern Ireland, sailed from Belfast to America early in the nineteenth century. After a brief residence in South Carolina they moved in 1825 to Alabama. There they lived until 1833, when they moved to Texas.

In January 1834, they arrived at Staggers Point (now Benchley) in the Irish settlement. Shortly afterwards they moved to Wheelock Prairie, where they located their headright in 1834. There Dunn built a log house that became the nucleus of a frontier settlement later fortified by a stockade, it was called Dunn's Fort in 1837.

It was a place of refuge from Indian attacks and the seat of the Land Office during the colonial period. During the runaway-scrape it provided refuge for settlers from the south and west. During his twenty three years in Texas Dunn was engaged mainly in locating land and he became the owner of large tracts of wild lands.