John Henry Moore (1800–1880)
Early Life and Family Background
Birth: John Henry Moore was born on August 13, 1800, in Rome, Tennessee (Moore, Col. John Henry - The Siege of Béxar Descendants). He grew up in a frontier farming family.
Education and Youth: As a young man in 1818, Moore ran away from college in Tennessee and ventured to Spanish Texas (then part of Mexico) to avoid studying Latin (Moore, Col. John Henry - The Siege of Béxar Descendants). His father pursued him to Texas and brought him back home, but Moore’s fascination with Texas persisted (Moore, Col. John Henry - The Siege of Béxar Descendants).
Return to Texas: In 1821, at age 21, Moore returned to Texas as one of Stephen F. Austin’s original Anglo-American colonists. He became one of the famed “Old Three Hundred” settlers granted land in Mexican Texas (Moore, Col. John Henry - The Siege of Béxar Descendants), marking the beginning of his life as a Texian pioneer.
Migration to Texas and Settlement Activities
Land Grants and Farming: Moore initially settled along the Colorado River in Austin’s colony (Moore, Col. John Henry - The Siege of Béxar Descendants). In partnership with another settler, Thomas Gray, he received title in 1824 to a league and a labor of land (about 4,605 acres) in what are now Brazoria and Colorado Counties (Moore, Col. John Henry - The Siege of Béxar Descendants). By the mid-1820s he was establishing himself as a farmer and stock raiser, and the 1826 colonial census listed him as a single man with two servants (indicating he already had enslaved labor) (Moore, Col. John Henry - The Siege of Béxar Descendants).
Conflict with Indigenous Tribes: As an early settler, Moore frequently clashed with local Indigenous groups. He fought against the Karankawa and other Native tribes along the Colorado River in 1823–1824 to protect the nascent settlements (Moore, Col. John Henry - The Siege of Béxar Descendants). These skirmishes were part of the ongoing struggle between colonists and native peoples in Mexican Texas.
Marriage and Family: Moore married Eliza Cummins on June 14, 1827, in Columbus, Texas (Moore, Col. John Henry - The Siege of Béxar Descendants). Eliza was the daughter of James Cummins, a prominent figure who had served as alcalde (magistrate) of San Felipe de Austin (Moore, Col. John Henry - The Siege of Béxar Descendants). This marriage allied Moore with an influential family in the colony.
Founding of La Grange (Moore’s Fort): Around 1827–1828, Moore constructed a twin-blockhouse fortress known as Moore’s Fort on the Colorado River (Moore, Col. John Henry - The Siege of Béxar Descendants). This fort was built as a shelter for settlers against Comanche raids at the site that later became La Grange, Texas, officially founded in 1831 (Moore, Col. John Henry - The Siege of Béxar Descendants). Moore’s Fort, built in 1828, is recognized today as the oldest building in Fayette County (later moved to Round Top, Texas, with a historical marker at its original location) (Moore's Fort - Wikipedia). Moore lived in the growing La Grange settlement and helped it develop in these early years.
Later Settlement: In 1838, after a decade in La Grange, Moore established a plantation homestead about nine miles north of town (Moore, Col. John Henry - The Siege of Béxar Descendants). There he expanded his farming operations (which included slave labor) and became one of the leading planters in the area. This move also marked his transition from the frontier town setting to a more permanent rural residence.
Role in the Texas Revolution
Early Pro-Independence Stance (1835): By 1835, as tensions with the Mexican government rose, Moore became an outspoken advocate of Texian independence. In September 1835 he publicly warned fellow settlers of an impending Mexican military crackdown (Moore, Col. John Henry - The Siege of Béxar Descendants). His bold statements in favor of rebellion drew the ire of Mexican authorities – General Martín Perfecto de Cos issued orders for Moore’s arrest due to his revolutionary activities (Moore, Col. John Henry - The Siege of Béxar Descendants).
Battle of Gonzales (October 1835): When the Gonzales Committee of Safety appealed for help in late September 1835, Moore answered the call. He led a band of volunteers to Gonzales, where Mexican troops were demanding the return of a small cannon from the settlers (Moore, Col. John Henry - The Siege of Béxar Descendants). The Texians elected Moore as their commander, and on October 2, 1835, he led the militia in the Battle of Gonzales, the first armed engagement of the Texas Revolution (Moore, Col. John Henry - The Siege of Béxar Descendants). Under Moore’s leadership, the Texians fired on the Mexican detachment, forcing them to withdraw – a confrontation famously punctuated by the “Come and Take It” flag. (According to tradition, Moore himself had a hand in designing that iconic banner emblazoned with a cannon and star (Moore, Col. John Henry - The Siege of Béxar Descendants).)
Rise in Rebel Ranks: Following Gonzales, Moore’s standing as a military leader grew. In early October 1835 he was elected colonel of the Texian volunteer army, second only to Stephen F. Austin (who was chosen general) (Moore, Col. John Henry - The Siege of Béxar Descendants). He participated in the Texian Council of War, helping plan strategy to confront the Mexican forces (Moore, Col. John Henry - The Siege of Béxar Descendants). Austin tasked Colonel Moore with organizing a cavalry company from volunteers equipped with pistols and shotguns, to add mobile firepower to the rebel army (Moore, Col. John Henry - The Siege of Béxar Descendants).
Resignation and Siege of Béxar: Moore served during the opening phase of the revolution. On October 11, 1835, he was even designated Colonel-Commandant of the Army of Texas (with Austin as commander-in-chief and Edward Burleson as lieutenant colonel). However, Moore’s tenure at the army’s helm was brief – he resigned his command on November 6, 1835, during the Siege of Béxar, and Edward Burleson assumed command the next day (Moore, Col. John Henry - The Siege of Béxar Descendants). Moore’s resignation may have been due to illness or political reorganization, but despite stepping down from top command, he had already played a crucial role in igniting and leading the revolution’s first battles.
Post-Revolution Military Campaigns
After Texas won independence in 1836, Moore continued to serve in a military capacity during the Republic of Texas era, focusing on frontier defense and facing threats from both Native American tribes and Mexico. Some of his notable campaigns and actions include:
Campaign Against Comanches (1839): In January 1839, Colonel Moore commanded three companies of volunteers in a campaign against the Comanche Indians on the western frontier (Moore, Col. John Henry - The Siege of Béxar Descendants). This expedition was part of President Mirabeau B. Lamar’s aggressive policy toward hostile tribes. Moore’s force sought to protect frontier settlements and retaliate against raids.
Expedition up the Colorado (October 1840): In October 1840, Moore led an expedition against the Penateka Comanche deep into their homeland. He engaged Comanche forces between the Concho and Colorado Rivers, inflicting casualties and dispersing their camps (Moore, Col. John Henry - The Siege of Béxar Descendants). During this campaign, Moore famously carved his name into the ruins of the old Presidio San Sabá, literally leaving his mark on the frontier (Moore, Col. John Henry - The Siege of Béxar Descendants). This punitive expedition was seen as revenge for earlier Comanche raids (such as the Great Raid of 1840) and demonstrated Texian resolve to strike into Indian territory.
Mexican Raids and Defense of San Antonio (1842): In March 1842, when Mexican forces under General Rafael Vázquez staged a surprise raid on San Antonio, Moore raised two companies of volunteers from the Fayette County area to help drive the invaders out (Moore, Col. John Henry - The Siege of Béxar Descendants). His quick action contributed to the withdrawal of Vázquez’s troops from Texas soil. Later that year, in July 1842, the Republic authorized Moore to recruit 200 volunteers to fortify the western frontier as threats from both Mexican incursions and Indian attacks continued (Moore, Col. John Henry - The Siege of Béxar Descendants).
Cummins Creek Incident (August 1842): While leading volunteers in pursuit of an Indian raiding party that attacked settlers on Cummins Creek in August 1842, Moore fell gravely ill with inflammatory rheumatism (Moore, Col. John Henry - The Siege of Béxar Descendants). His condition was so severe that the Telegraph and Texas Register mistakenly published news of his death on August 17, 1842 (Moore, Col. John Henry - The Siege of Béxar Descendants). This report proved premature – Moore recovered, though the episode sidelined him temporarily.
Battle of Salado Creek (September 1842): The threat from Mexico resurfaced in September 1842 when General Adrián Woll invaded Texas and seized San Antonio. Although still recuperating, Moore organized a volunteer company and joined Colonel Mathew Caldwell’s ranger force to confront Woll. Moore participated in the Battle of Salado Creek (September 18, 1842), where the Texans successfully repelled the Mexican invasion, forcing Woll’s retreat to the Rio Grande (Moore, Col. John Henry - The Siege of Béxar Descendants). Moore’s presence in this campaign, despite his recent illness, underscored his commitment to Texas’s defense.
American Civil War (1861–1865): Decades later, when the American Civil War broke out, the 61-year-old Moore volunteered again. In September 1861, he enrolled in Company F of Terry’s Texas Rangers (8th Texas Cavalry) (Moore, Col. John Henry - The Siege of Béxar Descendants). Given his age and veteran status, Moore did not see front-line combat; instead, he was appointed to a local committee tasked with securing bonds to finance the Confederate war effort (Moore, Col. John Henry - The Siege of Béxar Descendants). The war years were hard on Moore – he lost a large portion of his property, including enslaved people who were emancipated, during the conflict (Moore, Col. John Henry - The Siege of Béxar Descendants). Nonetheless, he survived the war and managed to regain some of his financial stability in the ensuing years.
Political and Civic Involvement After Independence
Although best known as a soldier and frontiersman, John Henry Moore also contributed to his community in the years after Texas gained independence:
Community Leadership: Moore did not pursue high political office in the Republic of Texas or the State of Texas, but he was a respected local leader in Fayette County. Having been instrumental in establishing La Grange, he remained one of the area’s prominent citizens. He used his influence and experience to organize local militias for defense and to maintain order on the frontier (Moore, Col. John Henry - The Siege of Béxar Descendants). Neighbors and fellow settlers looked to Colonel Moore as a figure of authority and practical wisdom in community affairs.
Founding of Fayette County: Moore’s early settlement at La Grange helped lay the foundation for Fayette County (established in 1837). His fort had provided a nucleus around which the town of La Grange grew (Moore, Col. John Henry - The Siege of Béxar Descendants). While Moore himself did not serve as an elected official, his contributions – building a fort, defending settlers, and encouraging settlement – were crucial civic acts that aided in the county’s formation and security.
Family Connections: Through his marriage into the Cummins family, Moore was connected to local political circles. His father-in-law, Judge James Cummins, had been an important civic leader in Mexican Texas (Moore, Col. John Henry - The Siege of Béxar Descendants). This connection likely involved Moore in community decision-making informally. Moore’s home north of La Grange became a social and economic hub where he hosted neighbors and coordinated mutual assistance among settlers.
Planter and Local Economy: After independence, Moore focused on his plantation and agricultural enterprises. As a cotton planter (and slave owner) in the Republic and early statehood period, he contributed to the local economy. He employed numerous people (free and enslaved) on his lands, and by rebuilding his fortunes after the Civil War, he helped stabilize the post-war community economically (Moore, Col. John Henry - The Siege of Béxar Descendants). His role as a successful farmer and rancher gave him status in local society and civic influence, even without holding formal office.
(Overall, Moore’s civic involvement was characterized by leadership through action rather than politics. He stood as a pillar of the frontier community — organizing defense, fostering settlement, and lending his expertise to the public good whenever possible.)
Personal Life, Family, and Relationships
Marriage: John Henry Moore’s wife, Eliza Cummins Moore, was born in 1809 and was the daughter of James and Elinor Waller Cummins (Moore, Col. John Henry - The Siege of Béxar Descendants). Eliza’s father James Cummins had been a well-known alcalde (mayor/magistrate) in Stephen F. Austin’s colony, which indicates the Moore family’s prominent social connections. John and Eliza were married on June 14, 1827 (Moore, Col. John Henry - The Siege of Béxar Descendants), when Moore was 26 and Eliza was 18. Their union lasted for 50 years until Eliza’s death in 1877.
Children: The couple had a large family, though not all the children survived to old age. They had seven children together (Moore, Col. John Henry - The Siege of Béxar Descendants):
William Bowen Moore (b. 1828 – d. 1893) (Moore, Col. John Henry - The Siege of Béxar Descendants) – Survived to adulthood and outlived his father.
Armstead Adam Moore (b. 1831 – d. 1831) (Moore, Col. John Henry - The Siege of Béxar Descendants) – Died in infancy.
Tabitha Bowen Moore (b. 1832 – d. 1895) (Moore, Col. John Henry - The Siege of Béxar Descendants).
Eliza Francis Moore (b. 1837 – d. 1896) (Moore, Col. John Henry - The Siege of Béxar Descendants).
John Henry Moore, Jr. (b. 1838 – d. 1884) (Moore, Col. John Henry - The Siege of Béxar Descendants).
Robert James Moore (b. 1842 – d. 1879) (Moore, Col. John Henry - The Siege of Béxar Descendants).
Mary Ereline Moore (b. 1844 – d. 1907) (Moore, Col. John Henry - The Siege of Béxar Descendants).
Home Life: Moore’s family resided first at Moore’s Fort in La Grange and later at his plantation estate north of La Grange. Contemporary accounts describe Moore as a devoted family man. He ensured his children were educated and provided for on the frontier. The Moores were known for their hospitality; their home became a gathering place in Fayette County, reflecting their status as early settlers.
Slave Ownership: It is noteworthy that Moore was a slave owner, as were many affluent Texas planters of his era. Early records from 1826 already show him with two servants (very likely enslaved persons) (Moore, Col. John Henry - The Siege of Béxar Descendants). Over the years, he owned several slaves who worked his farm and plantation. The loss of these forced laborers (through death or emancipation after the Civil War) significantly affected his wealth (Moore, Col. John Henry - The Siege of Béxar Descendants), though he managed to recover financially to some extent before his death.
Relationships: Outside of his immediate family, Moore maintained close relationships with fellow Texas pioneers. He was a contemporary of leaders like Stephen F. Austin and Sam Houston, though Moore mostly operated at the local level rather than the halls of government. His friendship and partnership with Thomas Gray in the 1820s (Moore, Col. John Henry - The Siege of Béxar Descendants), and his leadership alongside figures like Edward Burleson and Mathew Caldwell in the 1840s, show that Moore was well-integrated in the network of Texian frontiersmen. These bonds of friendship and cooperation were vital on the dangerous Texas frontier.
Later Years and Death
Later Years: After the Civil War (1865), Moore lived out his final years at his plantation in Fayette County. Despite the upheavals of war, he remained a revered elder statesman of the community – one of the last surviving heroes of the Texas Revolution era living in the area. He continued light farming and managed to rebuild some of his lost fortune in the 1870s (Moore, Col. John Henry - The Siege of Béxar Descendants). By this time, Moore was in his late seventies, often beset by the infirmities of age (such as his chronic rheumatism from 1842). He largely withdrew from public life, but locals still sought him out for his vivid firsthand stories of Texas’s revolutionary days.
Death: John Henry Moore died on December 2, 1880, at the age of 80 (Moore, Col. John Henry - The Siege of Béxar Descendants). He passed away at his home near La Grange. Moore was buried in the Moore family cemetery, located about eight miles north of La Grange, alongside his wife Eliza and other family members (Moore, Col. John Henry - The Siege of Béxar Descendants). His grave was modest at first, but in 1936, during the Texas Centennial celebrations, the state placed a historical marker at his burial site honoring him as a Texas pioneer. (This marker erroneously inscribed his date of death as February 25, 1877, likely confusing it with his wife’s death date (Moore, Col. John Henry - The Siege of Béxar Descendants).) Despite the error, the monument signifies the respect afforded to Moore’s memory by later generations. At the time of his death, newspapers eulogized Moore as one of the last of the “Old Three Hundred” and a gallant soldier who had lived to see Texas grow from a sparsely settled colony into a thriving state.
Legacy and Historical Significance
John Henry Moore’s legacy in Texas history is significant, though sometimes overlooked in favor of more famous contemporaries. His life spanned the colonial, revolutionary, republic, and early statehood periods of Texas, and his contributions were multi-faceted:
Old Three Hundred Colonist: Moore is remembered as one of the original Old Three Hundred settlers who laid the groundwork for Anglo-American Texas (Moore, Col. John Henry - The Siege of Béxar Descendants). His early relocation to Texas in 1821 and successful establishment of a farm and fort helped open up the Colorado River valley to further settlement.
Founder of La Grange: By building Moore’s Fort in 1828, he effectively founded a safe haven for settlers that grew into the town of La Grange (Moore, Col. John Henry - The Siege of Béxar Descendants). This fort, the oldest standing structure in the area, became central to the defense and development of Fayette County (Moore's Fort - Wikipedia). Moore’s role in creating this outpost earned him a reputation as a community builder on the frontier.
Texas Revolution Patriot: Moore played a pivotal part in the Texas Revolution’s opening chapter. As the militia commander at Gonzales, he led the very first armed resistance to Mexican authority in Texas (Moore, Col. John Henry - The Siege of Béxar Descendants). The victory at Gonzales, with its defiant “Come and Take It” symbol, inspired Texians and is often called the “Lexington of Texas.” Moore’s leadership and courage in that encounter set the tone for the revolution. Additionally, his brief service as a high-ranking officer (Colonel-Commandant) in the rebel army and his involvement in strategic planning underscore his importance in 1835 (Moore, Col. John Henry - The Siege of Béxar Descendants).
Defender of the Republic’s Frontier: In the Republic of Texas years (1836–1845), Moore was one of the foremost Indian fighters and frontier defenders. He led multiple campaigns to secure settlements from hostile raids – ranging from battles against Comanche bands to repelling Mexican incursions (Moore, Col. John Henry - The Siege of Béxar Descendants) (Moore, Col. John Henry - The Siege of Béxar Descendants). His name is associated with daring expeditions like the 1840 Colorado River campaign, demonstrating the relentless effort required to keep the young Republic safe. These actions helped protect countless settler families and gradually made more Texas territory safe for colonization.
Local Leadership and Example: Though not a politician, Moore’s long presence and actions in Texas made him a folk hero of sorts in his region. By surviving and thriving through Texas’s turbulent early era, he became a living link to the revolution. Younger generations in Fayette County and beyond looked up to him as a model of the hardy Texian pioneer – someone who embodied bravery, self-reliance, and public service. His life story was cited in early Texas histories and he was honored during the Texas Centennial, ensuring that his name did not fade into obscurity (Moore, Col. John Henry - The Siege of Béxar Descendants).
Historical Remembrances: Today, John Henry Moore’s contributions are recognized in historical records and local lore. The Handbook of Texas and other scholarly sources document his achievements and sacrifices (Moore, Col. John Henry - The Siege of Béxar Descendants) (Moore, Col. John Henry - The Siege of Béxar Descendants). Moore’s Fort still stands (relocated to Round Top, Texas) as a tangible reminder of his impact on Texas history (Moore's Fort - Wikipedia). In La Grange and Fayette County, historical markers and cemeteries preserve the memory of Moore and his family. His role in the Battle of Gonzales is frequently recounted in museum exhibits and textbooks about the Texas Revolution. In sum, Moore’s legacy is that of an early Texas trailblazer and military leader who helped shape the destiny of Texas from its colonial infancy through its fight for nationhood and beyond.