DUANE
Duane's take
Here's my telling of what the official marker has to say about Charles Bellinger Stewart. Now, if you want to talk about being in the right place at the right time — and doing something with it — you'd be hard pressed to find a better example than Charles Bellinger Stewart. Born in 1806, died in 1885, and in between those two years, he managed to put his name on some of the most consequential paperwork in Texas history.
Stewart came to Texas in 1830. Which means, if you're keeping track, he showed up early. Real early.
Before the revolution, before the Republic, before any of it. And when things started moving fast — the way they tend to do in Texas — Stewart was already there, sleeves rolled up. In November of 1835, Charles Bellinger Stewart became Secretary of State of Texas.
He held that post through February of 1836. Now, those few months might sound modest on paper. But consider what happened in those months.
Stewart signed the Declaration of Independence. He helped write the Constitution of the Republic — in 1836. And then, nearly a decade later, when Texas was becoming a state, he was there again in 1845, helping write the State Constitution too.
Some men leave a mark on history. Stewart left his signature on history. Literally.
Back home in Montgomery County, he served as District Attorney and then — not once, not twice — three terms as State Representative. The man was not exactly known for sitting still. Now, the marker takes a moment here to explain just what the Secretary of State actually does, and it's worth listening to.
This is the highest appointed official in Texas. The keeper of the state seal. Named by the Governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate.
And the duties? They stretch about as far as Texas itself. The Secretary grants charters, attests the Governor's commissions and proclamations, assists in extradition proceedings, registers the Governor's appointments to state boards, administers the uniform commercial code, appoints notaries, publishes the laws of Texas, administers election laws, issues ballots, canvasses returns, and files reports of state agencies.
That's not a job description, that's a small novel. The office has drawn some notable figures. Stephen F.
Austin — the man the marker calls the Father of Texas — held the post in 1836. And Secretary Ebenezer Allen, in 1845, represented the Republic during annexation and managed to reserve for Texas her public lands. The marker is careful to note that that was a prerogative allowed to no other state.
No other state. That detail didn't happen by accident, and it didn't stay small. Since Stewart first held the office, eighty-three other men and two women have served Texas as Secretary of State.
Eighty-three men and two women — and they're all following in the footsteps of a man who came to Texas in 1830 with, as best we can tell, no idea that within a handful of years he'd be signing a declaration and writing a constitution. Charles Bellinger Stewart didn't just witness the founding of Texas. He helped write it down — and then he signed his name to it.
What the marker says
First Secretary of State in Texas (1806-1885). Came to Texas 1830. Secretary of State, Nov. 1835-Feb. 1836. Signed Declaration of Independence; helped to write Constitution of the Republic in 1836 and the State in 1845; served Montgomery County as District Attorney and three terms as State Representative. Highest appointed official in Texas, keeper of the state seal, the Secretary of State is named by the Governor with advice and consent of the Senate. This office has attracted leaders. Stephen F. Austin, "Father of Texas," held the post in 1836. Secretary Ebenezer Allen in 1845 represented the Republic in annexation, reserving for Texas her public lands-- a prerogative allowed to no other state. The Secretary of State grants charters; attests the commissions and proclamations of the Governor; assists the Governor in extradition proceedings; registers appointments of the Governor to the many state boards; administers the uniform commercial code of Texas; appoints notaries; publishes the laws of Texas; administers election laws; issues ballots; canvasses returns; files reports of state agencies. Since Stewart, 83 other men and two women have served Texas as Secretary of State. (1966)