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JUAN
NEPOMUCENA SEGUIN |
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| Juan
Nepomucena Seguin was born on October 27, 1806. He was
14 years old in 1821, when his father, the Alcalde of San Antonio,
welcomed Stephen F. Austin to Texas. The Seguin family, and
others of the upper class in Mexican Texas, supported Mexico's colonization
policy of allowing foreigners to settle the area in the early 1820's.
A liberal like his father, Juan Seguin entered politics, and in 1834
was appointed as the chief administrator of the San Antonio district.
He was an outspoken champion of the Texans' demand for more selfgovernment,
and was very critical of the dictatorial policies of President Santa
Anna.
In September 1835, with the advance of the Mexican General Cos against the rebellious Texans, Seguin recruited a company of Mexican ranchers and joined the Texan forces at the Battle of Bexar. His conduct in the resulting victory was so distinguished that he was granted a commission as a captain of cavalry in the regular Texas Army. On February 3, 1836, he was among the twenty-five men who accompanied Colonel William Travis into the Alamo. Then on the night of February 25, after the Alamo was surrounded, he was chosen to carry an urgent plea for reinforcements to the Texan commander at Gonzales. He served bravely at the Battle of San Jacinto, was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel, and returned to San Antonio, where he was able to give an honorable burial to the ashes of the Alamo dead. He later served three terms in the Texas Senate. But with independance came many American newcomers to San Antonio who mistreated the native families. While serving as Mayor of Bexar, he was branded a Mexican sympathizer and was forced to flee for his life. He died at Nuevo Laredo in 1889, unappreciated for his service to Texas. He is listed on the roll of members of Holland Lodge No. 1.
* Portions From The Texas Mason
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| * The Texas Masons The Fraternity of Ancient Free & Accepted Masons in the History of Texas by Pete Normand, © 1986 Book may be ordered from Brazos Valley Masonic Library and Museum Assn. P.O. Box 1300 College Station, TX 77841 Price: $10.00 Postpaid |
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© The Grand Lodge of Texas, A.F. & A.M. 2003-2008 |
