DUANE
Duane's take
The marker tells it this way, and I'm just here to pass it along. Samuel Damon. Born in Massachusetts in 1809.
Now that right there might not sound like the beginning of a Texas story, but give it a minute. He came to Texas in 1831, and whatever he was looking for, Texas apparently had it — because he stayed. And he didn't stay quietly.
When the Texas Revolution started crackling, Damon was at the Siege of Bexar, serving as wagonmaster for Stephen F. Austin himself — the man they called the Father of Texas. That's the kind of company you want to be keeping when history's being made.
But here's where Samuel Damon goes from wagonmaster to something a little more memorable. The Texans needed bullets. And Samuel Damon had an idea.
The bells of Mission Concepción — property of Mexico, Texas' enemy at the time — well, those bells stopped ringing. Damon stole them. Melted them down.
Turned them into ammunition. That is a man who understood the assignment. He also aided General Sam Houston in the 1836 campaign.
So between Austin and Houston, Damon was apparently the sort of fellow both of them wanted nearby when things got serious. After the revolution, the Republic of Texas didn't forget him. In 1838, he received a land grant.
He put down roots in Brazoria County and stayed for the rest of his life — working as a brickmaker for fifty years. Fifty years. The man built things.
Literally. And the land remembered him back. Damon Mound — that mineral-rich rise in Brazoria County — carries his name.
So does the town of Damon. Samuel Damon died in 1883. Came from Massachusetts, stole bells for the cause, helped two of Texas' greatest commanders, and spent half a century making bricks in the county that now says his name out loud every time somebody drives through.
Not bad for a man from Massachusetts.
What the marker says
(1809 - 1883) Born in Massachusetts. Came to Texas in 1831. Served in Texas Revolution at Siege of Bexar as wagonmaster for Stephen F. Austin, "Father of Texas". Stole the bells of Mission Concepcion (property of Mexico, Texas' enemy) to melt into bullets. Also aided Gen. Sam Houston in 1836 campaign Received a land grant from Republic of Texas, 1838. In this county, gave name to mineral-rich Damon Mound and to town where he was brickmaker for 50 years. Recorded - 1970