DUANE
Duane's take
Here's how the official marker tells it — and it's worth every word. Dr. Benjamin Briggs Goodrich came into this world on February 24, 1799, in Brunswick County, Virginia.
Now that's a long way, in miles and in time, from what he'd eventually help bring into being. His wife, Serena Crothers, was born on May 11, 1807, in Barren County, Kentucky. Two people, two different corners of the young republic, and both of them would end their days right here in Texas soil — Benjamin on November 16, 1860, at Anderson, Texas, and Serena on April 27, 1884.
But let's not get ahead of ourselves. Because before any of that, this man had a date with history — two of them, actually. The first came in 1835, when Dr.
Goodrich took his seat as a member of the Consultation at San Felipe. Now that gathering wasn't a polite social call. Texas was trembling on the edge of something enormous, and the men who showed up to San Felipe knew it.
Dr. Goodrich was among them. And then came March 2, 1836.
Washington, Texas. The day the Texas Declaration of Independence was signed. His name is on it.
Benjamin Briggs Goodrich, born in Brunswick County, Virginia, raised his hand — or his pen, rather — and put himself on the right side of that particular moment forever. The State of Texas thought that was worth remembering. And they were right.
What the marker says
[front] Born in Brunswick Co, Va. February 24, 1799, Died at Anderson, Texas, November 16, 1860. His wife Serena Crothers Born in Barren County, Ky. May 11, 1807, Died April 27, 1884. Erected by the State of Texas [back] Dr. Goodrich was a member of the Consultation at San Felipe in 1835 and a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence at Washington March 2, 1836.