McGloin, James, Homestead
a.k.a. See Also:McGloin, James, Homestead (Boundary Increase)
1 mi. NW of San Patricio on FM 666, San Patricio, TXJames McGloin, a native of County Sligo, Ireland, was>^ born about 1801. According to family tradition, he missed the boat on which he had taken passage to Australia, met John McMullen at an English port, and was induced by McMullen to go with him to Matamoros, Mexico. After arriving at Matamoros in 1827, McMullen and McGloin petitioned the legislature of the state of Coahuila and Texas in August, 1828, for the territory which had in October, 1825, been granted to John Purnell and Benjamin Drake Lovell. Purnell had been drowned just as he was boarding a vessel to go to Texas. Consequently, Lovell asked the government to release him from the contract in order that McMullen and McGloin might obtain the territory.
A contract was made with McMullen and McGloin on August 16, 1828, for the introduction of two hundred Irish families. When nothing was done after two years, the contract was considered suspended by the Law of April 6, 1830. In January, 1834, the empresarios obtained an extension of their contract for four years. Colonization began anew, but in this colony settlers were not introduced as fast as in the other Irish colony, located at Coleto Creek and the mouth of the Nueces River, that of Power and Hewebson. McMullen and McGloin fulfilled their con-tract so far as time permitted; circumstances, however, did not allow them to continue their work. In November, 1835, when the Texans established a Provisional Government, the work of the empresarios was brought to a close.
The issuing of titles by the empresarios McMullen and McGloin was stopped in November, 1835, and in June, 1837, the Republic of Texas declared that all empresario contracts had ceased on the day of the Texas Declaration of Independence and that all vacant lands were the property of the state. Before the government of Texas suspended the work of the commissioners and empresarios, titles in the McMullen and McGloin Colony had been issued for eighty-four grants of land.
During the Texas Revolution, most of the colonists were I captured and held in Matamoros until after the Battle of San Jacinto, when they were allowed to return to their homes. McGloih never became prominent in the political affairs of Texas; however he was always influential among the Irish colonists on the coast. His wise leadership kept the colony intact during the Texas Revolution and all the lands granted by him were acknowledged under the Republic.
McGloin married Elizabeth McMullen, the only child of his partner, in 1831. He established his home on his 315.77-acre farm adjacent to Round Lake and died on or about July 19, 1856, at his homestead. He was buried in the original cemetery at San Patricio. The McGloin Homestead has descended in the McGloin family to the present day.
A contract was made with McMullen and McGloin on August 16, 1828, for the introduction of two hundred Irish families. When nothing was done after two years, the contract was considered suspended by the Law of April 6, 1830. In January, 1834, the empresarios obtained an extension of their contract for four years. Colonization began anew, but in this colony settlers were not introduced as fast as in the other Irish colony, located at Coleto Creek and the mouth of the Nueces River, that of Power and Hewebson. McMullen and McGloin fulfilled their con-tract so far as time permitted; circumstances, however, did not allow them to continue their work. In November, 1835, when the Texans established a Provisional Government, the work of the empresarios was brought to a close.
The issuing of titles by the empresarios McMullen and McGloin was stopped in November, 1835, and in June, 1837, the Republic of Texas declared that all empresario contracts had ceased on the day of the Texas Declaration of Independence and that all vacant lands were the property of the state. Before the government of Texas suspended the work of the commissioners and empresarios, titles in the McMullen and McGloin Colony had been issued for eighty-four grants of land.
During the Texas Revolution, most of the colonists were I captured and held in Matamoros until after the Battle of San Jacinto, when they were allowed to return to their homes. McGloih never became prominent in the political affairs of Texas; however he was always influential among the Irish colonists on the coast. His wise leadership kept the colony intact during the Texas Revolution and all the lands granted by him were acknowledged under the Republic.
McGloin married Elizabeth McMullen, the only child of his partner, in 1831. He established his home on his 315.77-acre farm adjacent to Round Lake and died on or about July 19, 1856, at his homestead. He was buried in the original cemetery at San Patricio. The McGloin Homestead has descended in the McGloin family to the present day.
Bibliography
Bracken,and Redway. Early Texas Homes. Southern Methodist University Press. Dallas, Texas. 1956.
Webb, Walter P., ed. Handbook of Texas. Austin, 1952.
Webb, Walter P., ed. Handbook of Texas. Austin, 1952.
Exploration/settlement; Architecture
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1971.
About National Register Listings
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.
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About San Patricio County
San Patricio County Timeline
San Patricio County, located in southeastern Texas, has a rich and diverse history that spans many centuries. The area was initially home to various indigenous peoples, including the Karankawa, who inhabited the region for thousands of years. In the 16th century, Spanish explorers began to arrive, claiming the land for Spain and establishing missions in the area. These missions played a significant role in the region's early development.
By the early 19th century, Mexican settlers began to populate the area, leading to the establishment of San Patricio de Hibernia, a small community near the Nueces River. This settlement grew, becoming the county seat and a major center of commerce. However, as tensions grew between Mexico and the United States, San Patricio County became a focal point of conflict during the Texas Revolution. In 1836, local residents joined forces with Texan rebels to fight against Mexican forces in the Battle of Nueces.
After Texas gained independence from Mexico, San Patricio County continued to grow and develop. The discovery of oil and natural gas in the early 20th century brought prosperity to the area and attracted new industries. Agriculture, particularly cotton farming, also played a significant role in the county's economy. Over time, the county's population diversified, with immigrants from Ireland, Germany, and other parts of Europe contributing to its cultural heritage.
In recent decades, San Patricio County has continued to thrive, with the expansion of industrial and manufacturing sectors. The county is home to major refineries, chemical plants, and a naval air station. It has also become a popular tourist destination, with its coastal location offering beautiful beaches, recreational opportunities, and attractions such as the Copano Bay State Fishing Pier and the historic town of Sinton. Today, San Patricio County remains a vibrant community, embracing its rich history while looking toward a bright future.
By the early 19th century, Mexican settlers began to populate the area, leading to the establishment of San Patricio de Hibernia, a small community near the Nueces River. This settlement grew, becoming the county seat and a major center of commerce. However, as tensions grew between Mexico and the United States, San Patricio County became a focal point of conflict during the Texas Revolution. In 1836, local residents joined forces with Texan rebels to fight against Mexican forces in the Battle of Nueces.
After Texas gained independence from Mexico, San Patricio County continued to grow and develop. The discovery of oil and natural gas in the early 20th century brought prosperity to the area and attracted new industries. Agriculture, particularly cotton farming, also played a significant role in the county's economy. Over time, the county's population diversified, with immigrants from Ireland, Germany, and other parts of Europe contributing to its cultural heritage.
In recent decades, San Patricio County has continued to thrive, with the expansion of industrial and manufacturing sectors. The county is home to major refineries, chemical plants, and a naval air station. It has also become a popular tourist destination, with its coastal location offering beautiful beaches, recreational opportunities, and attractions such as the Copano Bay State Fishing Pier and the historic town of Sinton. Today, San Patricio County remains a vibrant community, embracing its rich history while looking toward a bright future.
San Patricio County Timeline
This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of San Patricio County, Texas.
- 1828 - The Mexican government grants land to Irish empresarios James Power and James Hewetson, leading to the settlement of Irish immigrants in the area that would become San Patricio County.
- 1836 - Texas gains independence from Mexico, and San Patricio County is officially established as a county of the Republic of Texas.
- 1870 - Railroads, including the Texas-Mexican Railway, begin operating in San Patricio County, boosting trade and transportation in the region.
- 1886 - The discovery of oil in neighboring Nueces County leads to the development of the petroleum industry in San Patricio County.
- 1927 - The town of Taft is incorporated, becoming an important center for the oil and gas industry in the county.
- 1941 - The Naval Air Station Corpus Christi is established southwest of Portland, becoming a major training base during World War II.
- 1961 - The construction of the Port of Corpus Christi's Ingleside Marine Terminal begins, further boosting the county's economic growth.
- 1970 - The completion of the Interstate Highway 37 connects San Patricio County to major transportation routes.
- 2017 - Hurricane Harvey makes landfall in San Patricio County, causing significant damage to the area.