Historical Marker

William E. Summers

Historical marker location:
Ezell, Texas
( 1 /2 mile south of Ezzell School on County Road 1)
Marker installed: 2012
Marker size: 27" x 42" with post

WILLIAM E. SUMMERS

(March 29, 1811 – March 6, 1836)

WILLIAM E. SUMMERS IS INEXTRICABLY TIED TO TEXAS HISTORY THROUGH HIS INVOLVEMENT WITH THE ELECTION TO NAME DELEGATES TO THE TEXAS INDEPENDENCE CONVENTION AND IN THE FALL OF THE ALAMO AS ONE OF THE IMMORTAL 32. SUMMERS FAMILY HISTORY CAN BE TRACED TO 17TH CENTURY MARYLAND AND SUBSEQUENT MIGRATIONS INTO OTHER STATES. WILLIAM E. SUMMERS WAS BORN IN EDGEFIELD COUNTY, SOUTH CAROLINA TO JESSE SUMMERS (c.1777-1837) AND SARAH “SALLY” COATE(S) SUMMERS (c.1779-1841). AROUND 1820, THE FAMILY MOVED TO CLARKE COUNTY, ALABAMA.

IT IS BELIEVED THAT WILLIAM CAME TO TEXAS AROUND 1832. ON FEBRUARY 12, 1835, WILLIAM SUMMERS PETITIONED THE MEXICAN GOVERNMENT FOR A LAND GRANT AND, ON MAY 1, 1835, HE RECEIVED TITLE TO A QUARTER LEAGUE SITUATED ON THE LAVACA RIVER IN THE DEWITT COLONY. SIMILARLY, HENRY C.G. SUMMERS (1804-1853), WILLIAM’S BROTHER, WAS GRANTED A FULL LEAGUE OF LAND THE SAME DAY.

BOTH MEN PARTICIPATED IN THE REVOLUTION FOR TEXAS INDEPENDENCE. WILLIAM AND HENRY VOTED IN THE ELECTION HELD ON FEBRUARY 1, 1836 TO NAME DELEGATES TO THE TEXAS INDEPENDENCE CONVENTION THAT BEGAN ON MARCH 1, 1836 AT WASHINGTON-ON-THE-BRAZOS. WILLIAM MUSTERED INTO SERVICE AS A TEXAS RANGER IN THE GONZALES RANGING COMPANY OF MOUNTED VOLUNTEERS ON FEBRUARY 23, 1836. THE VOLUNTEERS DEPARTED GONZALES ON FEBRUARY 25, 1836 TO AID THE ALAMO DEFENDERS. THEY ARRIVED AT THE ALAMO ON MARCH 1, 1836. WILLIAM E. SUMMERS PERISHED AT THE ALAMO ON MARCH 6, 1836 ALONG WITH THE OTHER MEN WHO DIED FOR TEXAS INDEPENDENCE

As one of the most visible programs of the Texas Historical Commission (THC), historical markers commemorate diverse topics in Texas history, including: the history and architecture of houses, commercial and public buildings, religious congregations, and military sites; events that changed the course of local and state history; and individuals who have made lasting contributions to the state, community organizations, and businesses.

In Texas, poetry is all around you.
Naomi Shihab Nye in Poetry Foundation
Lavaca County, located in southeast Texas, has a rich and diverse history dating back to its settlement in the early 19th century. The area was originally inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Karankawa and Tonkawa people, who thrived off the land's natural resources. European settlement began in the 1820s, following the arrival of Stephen F. Austin's Old Three Hundred colonists.

In 1846, Lavaca County was officially established by the Texas state legislature and was named after the Lavaca River, which runs through the area. The county quickly developed as a center for agriculture, with cotton becoming the primary cash crop. Many plantations were established, and slavery played a significant role in the local economy, impacting the social and cultural dynamics of the region.

During the Civil War, Lavaca County supported the Confederacy, with many of its residents volunteering for military service. The county experienced the effects of the war firsthand, including economic hardships and infrastructure damage. In the post-war years, the cotton industry faced several challenges, including the boll weevil infestation and the Great Depression, which led to a decline in agricultural dominance.

In the 20th century, Lavaca County transitioned into a more diversified economy, with the growth of oil and gas exploration. The discovery of oil in the early 1900s brought prosperity to the region, attracting new residents and businesses. Today, Lavaca County continues to be primarily rural with a strong agricultural heritage, while also benefiting from the contributions of the energy industry. The county's deep-rooted history and ongoing development make it a unique and historically significant part of Texas.

This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Lavaca County, Texas.

  • 1846 - Lavaca County is established by the Texas legislature, carved out of parts of neighboring counties.
  • 1849 - The first county seat is established in Hallettsville.
  • 1852 - The oldest known courthouse in Lavaca County is built in Hallettsville.
  • 1856 - The county's first newspaper, the Lavaca Democrat, is founded.
  • 1861-1865 - Lavaca County residents support the Confederacy during the Civil War.
  • 1867 - St. Peter's Lutheran Church, the oldest continuously active Lutheran congregation in Texas, is established in Hallettsville.
  • 1873 - The Galveston, Harrisburg and San Antonio Railway extends its tracks into Lavaca County.
  • 1881 - A new courthouse is constructed in Hallettsville to replace the original courthouse.
  • 1922 - The area around Lavaca County experiences a significant oil boom, leading to increased economic activity.
  • 1936 - The current Lavaca County Courthouse, a Classical Revival-style building, is completed in Hallettsville.
  • 1942-1945 - Many Lavaca County residents serve in World War II.
  • 1997 - The Lavaca County Courthouse is added to the National Register of Historic Places.
  • 2010 - Lavaca County celebrates its 150th anniversary since its establishment.
  • 2018 - Lavaca County continues to be a predominantly rural area with a strong agricultural industry.