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79S31511 JNC-D
By: Hunter H.C.R. No. 35
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Frances Cox Henderson earned a special place in
history as the original First Lady of Texas, but the measure of her
life is much larger than her status as wife of the first governor of
the Lone Star State; and
WHEREAS, Born July 21, 1820, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,
Mrs. Henderson was educated in Europe, where this exceptionally
talented young woman learned 18 languages, wrote and translated
stories, was proficient in mathematics, and became an accomplished
musician; and
WHEREAS, She met her husband-to-be, James Pinckney
Henderson, in Paris at the age of 19; he was serving as the envoy
from the Republic of Texas to England and France; the couple were
married in London in 1839, and arrived in their new home of San
Augustine, Texas, the following year; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Henderson studied law so that she could handle
the affairs of her husband's law practice while he was away; when he
was elected first governor of the State of Texas in 1845, she
remained in San Augustine, rearing their children and helping to
establish Episcopal churches throughout the region; and
WHEREAS, Her husband, who was serving in the United States
Senate, passed away in 1858, and Mrs. Henderson took her family to
Europe so that her daughters could receive the best available
education and so that she could avoid questions of allegiance
during the Civil War; and
WHEREAS, A woman of vision and determination, she supported
women's suffrage, wrote a book about the life of a post-slavery
plantation worker, and established the House of Good Shepherd for
elderly and disabled women; late in life, she became a community
leader in her home of East Orange, New Jersey, where she was active
in the work of the local library and St. Mark's Episcopal Church;
and
WHEREAS, Frances Cox Henderson will be remembered for her
place in Texas history and for the grace and dignity of a life that
was lived to the fullest, as evidenced by extraordinary
scholarship, strength of faith and devotion to church, and selfless
charity; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 79th Legislature of the State of Texas,
3rd Called Session, hereby pay tribute to the life and work of
Frances Cox Henderson and designate July 21, 2006, as Frances Cox
Henderson Remembrance Day.