Liberty in Liberty County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Col. Edward Bradford Pickett
Photographed by Mansfieldphoto.com, December 19, 2025
1. Col. Edward Bradford Pickett Marker
Inscription.
Col. Edward Bradford Pickett. . Edward Bradford Pickett was a war veteran, lawyer and State Senator who resided in Liberty County. He was born in 1823 or 1824 in Statesville (Wilson Co.), Tennessee. In 1848, he enlisted as a private, serving in the U.S.-Mexico War. By 1851, Pickett had settled in Liberty County with his wife Virginia. He farmed his property and worked as a lawyer. Pickett also served on the town of Liberty Board of Trustees and was active in the Democratic Party.
After the Civil War began, Pickett formed a military company, which became known as Company I, 25th Regiment, Texas Cavalry, Dismounted. In 1863, Pickett and his men were captured defending Fort Hindman (Arkansas) and sent as prisoners of war to Camp Chase in Columbus, Ohio. They were exchanged several months later. By the end of the war, Picketts rank was Lieutenant Colonel.
Pickett was elected to the Texas State Senate in 1869, and reelected in 1871. In 1873, he was elected as President Pro Tempore of the Senate. Since the seat of Lieutenant Governor was vacant at the time, as President of the Senate, Pickett performed the constitutional duties of that office as well. In 1875, he presided over the Texas Constitutional Convention. During his terms, Pickett was known to oppose the imposition of the poll tax, which was used to disenfranchise African Americans.
In 1876, Edward Pickett was appointed to the Board of Directors for A&M College of Texas (now Texas A&M University). He was serving as President of the Board when he died on January 20, 1882. Today, Col. Edward B. Pickett is remembered for his decades of leadership in public service as a board member, soldier and State Senator.
Edward Bradford Pickett was a war veteran, lawyer and State Senator who resided in Liberty County. He was born in 1823 or 1824 in Statesville (Wilson Co.), Tennessee. In 1848, he enlisted as a private, serving in the U.S.-Mexico War. By 1851, Pickett had settled in Liberty County with his wife Virginia. He farmed his property and worked as a lawyer. Pickett also served on the town of Liberty Board of Trustees and was active in the Democratic Party.
After the Civil War began, Pickett formed a military company, which became known as Company I, 25th Regiment, Texas Cavalry, Dismounted. In 1863, Pickett and his men were captured defending Fort Hindman (Arkansas) and sent as prisoners of war to Camp Chase in Columbus, Ohio. They were exchanged several months later. By the end of the war, Picketts rank was Lieutenant Colonel.
Pickett was elected to the Texas State Senate in 1869, and reelected in 1871. In 1873, he was elected as President Pro Tempore of the Senate. Since the seat of Lieutenant Governor was vacant at the time, as President of the Senate, Pickett performed the constitutional duties of that office as well. In 1875, he presided over the Texas Constitutional Convention. During his terms, Pickett was known to oppose the imposition of the poll tax, which was used to disenfranchise African Americans.
In 1876, Edward Pickett was appointed to the Board of Directors for A&M College of Texas (now Texas A&M University). He was serving as President of the Board when he died on January 20, 1882. Today, Col. Edward B. Pickett is remembered for his decades of leadership in public service as a board member, soldier and State Senator.
Erected 2008 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 14366.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics •
Location. 30° 3.54′ N, 94° 47.793′ W. Marker is in Liberty, Texas, in Liberty County. It is on Sam Houston Street, on the right when traveling west. Marker is located on the courthouse grounds. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1923 Sam Houston Street, Liberty TX 77575, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Houston Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American South and on the Gulf Coast. Globally, it is in North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the Republic of Texas, and one of the Confederate States of America.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 24, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 3, 2018, by Brian Anderson of New Albany, Ohio. This page has been viewed 571 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos:1. submitted on January 24, 2026, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. 2, 3. submitted on May 4, 2018, by Brian Anderson of New Albany, Ohio. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
