R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The House of Representatives of the State of Texas 1-2 is pleased to honor the memory of Major Benjamin Franklin Bryant, 1-3 an able and courageous forefather possessed of great leadership 1-4 ability who helped Texas win its independence at the Battle of San 1-5 Jacinto and succeed as a nation; and 1-6 WHEREAS, A native of Wilkes County, Georgia, Major Bryant was 1-7 born March 15, 1800; he moved to Texas, along with his wife, 1-8 Roxanna, and their children, in November 1834, settling first in 1-9 Shelby County and later relocating on the banks of Little River in 1-10 western Milam County; and 1-11 WHEREAS, When the war for Texas independence broke out, and 1-12 Sam Houston called on all Texans to fight, Major Bryant took up 1-13 arms and recruited 42 Sabine volunteers; on March 31, 1836, the 1-14 group joined Sam Houston's main army at Groces Plantation on the 1-15 Brazos River; and 1-16 WHEREAS, For his service during the Battle of San Jacinto on 1-17 April 21, 1836, as commander of the Seventh Company, Second 1-18 Regiment of the Texian Volunteers under Colonel Sidney Sherman, 1-19 Major Bryant received 640 acres from the secretary of war of the 1-20 Texas Republic on June 9, 1838; he later received another 640 acres 1-21 for his service as a Texas Ranger and as an Indian agent; and 1-22 WHEREAS, After Texas gained its independence, Major Bryant 1-23 continued to help lead the new nation; at the request of Sam 1-24 Houston, he and his family moved to Milam County on the banks of 2-1 the Little River and established a private fort known as Bryant 2-2 Station; and 2-3 WHEREAS, Major Bryant became a key figure in the dealings 2-4 between Texas citizens and the Indians; while leading a company of 2-5 settlers, he was wounded in a battle with Chief Jose Maria, an 2-6 event that is now commemorated with a historical marker located on 2-7 State Highway 6 near Marlin; Major Bryant later negotiated a treaty 2-8 and smoked a peace pipe with Chief Maria; and 2-9 WHEREAS, Major Bryant's contributions to Texas have also been 2-10 honored on the Memorial for San Jacinto Veterans of Sabine County, 2-11 in Hemphill, Texas, on the San Jacinto Monument, and on Republic 2-12 Hill in the Texas State Cemetery; and 2-13 WHEREAS, This pioneer soldier and Texas Ranger passed away on 2-14 March 24, 1857, and his wife, Roxanna, died years later on November 2-15 10, 1871; buried first at Bryant Station, Benjamin Franklin and 2-16 Roxanna Bryant were reinterred in the State Cemetery at Austin in 2-17 1931, at which time Governor Pat Neff delivered a tribute speech in 2-18 honor of these two eminent Texans; and 2-19 WHEREAS, The descendants of Major Bryant have honored his 2-20 memory by continuing to work for the betterment of Texas; Denton 2-21 Bryant, the great-great-great-grandson of Major Benjamin Franklin 2-22 Bryant, resides in Houston and currently serves as president of the 2-23 San Jacinto Chapter 1 of the Sons of the Republic of Texas; and 2-24 WHEREAS, Major Bryant's service as a frontiersman, Indian 2-25 fighter, and peacemaker is well documented in Texas history, and 2-26 our state owes much to this Texas patriot and the men and women of 2-27 his era, who through their boldness, ambition, and strength, made 3-1 Texas the great state it is today; now, therefore, be it 3-2 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 77th Texas 3-3 Legislature hereby honor the memory of Major Benjamin Franklin 3-4 Bryant on the 201st anniversary of his birth and extend a warm 3-5 welcome to Denton Bryant, his family, the Sons of the Republic of 3-6 Texas, the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, and the San Jacinto 3-7 descendants on the occasion of their visit to the State Capitol; 3-8 and, be it further 3-9 RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be prepared to 3-10 celebrate the life of this true Texas hero. Hamric _______________________________ Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 510 was adopted by the House on March 15, 2001, by a non-record vote. _______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House