DUANE
Duane's take
Here's how the official marker tells it — the story of Samuel Wolfenberger, right here in Bastrop County. Now, the name Wolfenberger might not ring a bell the way some names do, but pull up a chair, because this man was there at the very beginning of something enormous. Samuel Wolfenberger was born in 1804, in Virginia, of Dutch descent.
And he didn't stay put long. By 1831, he was headed into Texas — and mind you, Texas at that point was still part of Mexico. He came as a colonist of Stephen F.
Austin, the man history would come to call the Father of Texas. That's the company Samuel was keeping right from the start. For his trouble, he received a Spanish league of land right here in this area.
Four thousand, four hundred and forty-four acres. That's not a farm, friends — that's a dominion. But Samuel Wolfenberger wasn't the type to just sit on his acreage and watch the world sort itself out.
When Texas rose up, he rose with it. In 1835, he took part in the storming of Bexar — one of the defining engagements of the Texas Revolution. And when 1836 came around, he was serving with Robert Coleman's Rangers.
The man showed up when it counted. After the smoke cleared and the Republic of Texas stood on its own two feet, Samuel settled into Bastrop, and he stayed a good while. In 1839, he was part of the effort to promote Bastrop as the capital of the Republic — a bold ambition for a young town on a young frontier.
That same year, he served as collector. Then, from 1845 to 1847, he served as alderman. Along the way, he married Caroline Fliesart, and together they raised seven children.
Samuel Wolfenberger died in 1860, before the next great storm arrived. His grave was located one mile east of here — found, and marked, in 1972. Four thousand acres, two wars, seven children, and a vote to make Bastrop the capital of a republic.
Not bad for a man from Virginia who showed up with nothing but a colonist's papers and a willingness to see what Texas was becoming.
What the marker says
(1804 - 1860) Early land grantee in this area. Of Dutch descent, he was born in Virginia. Came to Texas (then part of Mexico) in 1831 as a colonist of Stephen F. Austin, the "Father of Texas." Received a Spanish league of land (4,444 acres) here. Active in Texas Revolution, he took part in storming of Bexar in 1835; served with Robert Coleman's Rangers in 1836. Lived in Bastrop many years, joining effort to promote town as capital of the Republic in 1839. Was collector same year; alderman 1845-47. Married Caroline Fliesart; had 7 children. Grave located 1 mi. E. (1972)