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La Villita in San Antonio in Bexar County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
 

John W. Smith

(November 4, 1792 - January 12, 1845)

 
 
John W. Smith Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Bernard Fisher, May 2, 2015
1. John W. Smith Marker
Inscription. Great early San Antonio leader, a native of North Carolina. Moved to Illinois, then to Missouri, where he was sheriff of Rawls County in 1824. Came to Texas with Green DeWitt in 1826 and settled at Gonzales.

Smith moved to San Antonio in 1828 and was soon in banking-mercantile, brokerage-contracting business.

Loyal to democracy and opposed to dictatorship, he was active in defending Texas against Mexico, 1835-42. He participated in "Affair at Gonzales" (Oct. 2, 1835), "Storming of Bexar" (Dec. 1835), siege of the Alamo (March 1836), and the Battle of the Salado (Oct. 1842).

Divorced on Jan. 15, 1831, in Missouri from Harriet Stone, he married Maria Curbelo, a descendant of the Canary Islanders who came to San Antonio in 1731.

Attorney for many pioneer Texans, he was dominant political figure in Bexar County during 1836-45 era. Elected first county clerk on May 1, 1837, and first Mayor of San Antonio Sept. 18, 1837, by Jan. 1838 he had been appointed postmaster as well. From 1842 to 1845 he served the Republic as senator from Bexar. During regular session of the 9th Congress, he died at Washington-on-the-Brazos. His grave is located in a State Park there. This marker stands at the site of his early home in La Villita De San Fernando.
 
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Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 4962.)
 
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & PoliticsSettlements & SettlersWar, Texas Independence. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1898.
 
Location. 29° 25.269′ N, 98° 29.327′ W. Marker is in San Antonio, Texas, in Bexar County. It is in La Villita. Marker is at the intersection of King Philip Alley and East Nueva Street, on the right when traveling north on King Philip Alley. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: San Antonio TX 78205, United States of America. Touch for directions.
 
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. 101 King Philip V Street (a few steps from this marker); Esquida-Downs-Dietrich House (within shouting distance of this marker); Dolores Alderete House (within shouting distance of this marker); The Caile House (within shouting distance of this marker); St. Philip's College (within shouting distance of this marker); Simon Bolivar (within shouting distance of this marker); Shafer House (within shouting distance of this marker); New York Star Cleaning and Dye Works (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Antonio.
 
John W. Smith Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Bernard Fisher, May 2, 2015
2. John W. Smith Marker
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 3, 2015, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 618 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos:   1, 2. submitted on May 3, 2015, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.

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Mar. 19, 2024