DUANE
Duane's take
The official marker tells it this way, and I'm just here to do it justice. Robert Henry — born March 7, 1801, died October 29, 1865 — and if you want a life that spans continents and carries the weight of a revolution, well, pull up closer to the fire. This man started in Ireland, crossed the Atlantic to America in 1820, and kept right on moving until he landed in Robertson's Colony in 1832.
Texas had a way of pulling people like that — restless, certain, not quite done yet. He was a staunch Presbyterian, and the marker makes a point of saying he kept true to that faith at risk of life. Not inconvenience.
Not social discomfort. Risk of life. That tells you something about the ground he was walking on.
Then 1836 arrives, and with it the War for Texas Independence. Robert Henry stepped into it — served in the 2nd Regiment, Infantry, Texas Volunteers — and he was among the victors at the Battle of San Jacinto. That's not a small thing to put on a man's ledger.
After the smoke cleared, he built a life in public service. Held justice of the peace court beneath the shade of trees — not in some courthouse, mind you, under actual trees. There's something very Texas about dispensing justice in the open air, with nothing but leaves overhead and the word of the law between neighbors.
He had married Elizabeth Downing back in Londonderry, Ireland, and together they raised thirteen children. Thirteen. Their heirs, the marker tells us, include noted Texans.
From Ireland to America, from America to Robertson's Colony, from a battlefield at San Jacinto to a court held under the open sky — Robert Henry covered a lot of ground in one lifetime, and left a trail of descendants still woven into this state. That's the kind of story a Texas marker was made to hold.
What the marker says
(March 7, 1801 - October 29, 1865) One of victors in Battle of San Jacinto. Born in Ireland; came to America, 1820, and here to Robertson's Colony, 1832. A staunch Presbyterian, kept true to faith at risk of life. In 1836 War for Texas Independence, he served in 2nd Regt., Infantry, Texas Volunteers. Prominent in public life, he held justice of peace court beneath shade trees. He married Elizabeth Downing, Londonderry, Ire.; had 13 children. Their heirs include noted Texans. Recorded - 1970