S.C.R. No. 13
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The Texas Black Reconstruction Legislators
Recognition Act seeks to erect historical markers in honor of
African American legislators who served the state during the 12th
through 14th Texas Legislatures; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 88th Legislature of the State of Texas
hereby adopt, for the purpose of the Reconstruction Texas
Legislator Historical Marker Program, the following standardized
spellings, capitalizations, dates of birth, and counties of service
to create the historical markers detailed in the Texas Black
Reconstruction Legislators Recognition Act:
● Senator George Thompson Ruby, born July 1, 1841, died
October 31, 1882, represented Galveston, Brazoria, and Matagorda
Counties in the 12th and 13th Texas Legislatures
● Senator Matthew Gaines, born August 4, 1840, died June 11,
1900, represented Washington County in the 12th and 13th Texas
Legislatures
● Senator Walter Moses Burton, born August 9, 1840, died
June 4, 1913, represented Austin, Fort Bend, and Wharton Counties
in the 14th Texas Legislature
● Representative Mitchell Kendall, born circa 1822, died
June 20, 1885, represented Harrison County in the 12th Texas
Legislature
● Representative Henry Moore, born circa 1810, date of death
currently unknown, represented Harrison County in the 12th and 13th
Texas Legislatures
● Representative Richard Allen, born June 10, 1830, died
May 16, 1909, represented Harris County in the 12th and 13th Texas
Legislatures
● Representative J. Goldstein DuPree, date of birth unknown,
died April 1872, represented Montgomery and Harris Counties in the
12th Texas Legislature
● Representative John Mitchell, born April 1837, died
April 10, 1921, represented Burleson, Brazos, and Milam Counties in
the 12th and 14th Texas Legislatures
● Representative Giles Cotton, born circa 1814, died circa
1884, represented Robertson, Leon, and Freestone Counties in the
12th Texas Legislature
● Representative Sheppard "Shep" Mullens, born circa 1829,
died August 7, 1871, represented McLennan, Limestone, and Falls
Counties in the 12th Texas Legislature
● Representative Benjamin Franklin Williams, born 1819, died
February 27, 1886, represented Lavaca and Colorado Counties in the
12th Texas Legislature
● Representative Meshack "Shack" Roberts, dates of birth and
death unknown, represented Harrison County in the 13th and 14th
Texas Legislatures
● Representative Henry Phelps, born circa 1829, died 1878,
represented Galveston County in the 13th Texas Legislature
● Representative James H. Washington, born May 1850, died
December 23, 1916, represented Galveston County in the 13th Texas
Legislature
● Representative Richard Williams, born circa 1822, date of
death unknown, served in the 12th and 13th Texas Legislatures
● Representative Jeremiah J. Hamilton, born July 1838, died
circa 1904, represented Fayette and Bastrop Counties in the 12th
Texas Legislature
● Representative Allen W. Wilder, born circa 1845, date of
death unknown, elected to represent Washington County in the 13th
Texas Legislature, but never seated
● Representative David Abner Sr., born 1826, died 1902,
represented Rusk and Harrison Counties in the 14th Texas
Legislature
● Representative Edward "Ed" Brown, born circa 1840, date of
death unknown, represented Harrison and Rusk Counties in the 14th
Texas Legislature
● Representative Thomas Beck, born circa 1819, date of death
unknown, represented Walker, Madison, and Grimes Counties in the
14th Texas Legislature
● Representative Jacob Esan Freeman, born circa 1841, died
circa 1900, represented Waller, Fort Bend, and Wharton Counties in
the 14th Texas Legislature; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the Texas Historical Commission be directed to
use these standardized spellings, capitalizations, dates of birth,
and counties of service for this historical marker program; and, be
it further
RESOLVED, That the Texas secretary of state forward an
official copy of this resolution to the executive director of the
Texas Historical Commission.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I hereby certify that S.C.R. No. 13 was adopted by the Senate
on April 12, 2023, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
I hereby certify that S.C.R. No. 13 was adopted by the House
on May 19, 2023, by the following vote: Yeas 143, Nays 0,
two present not voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
Approved:
______________________________
Date
______________________________
Governor