Hamilton in Hamilton County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Col. George R. Freeman

(1830-1910)

Photographed By James Hulse, July 16, 2021

1. Col. George R. Freeman Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Kentucky native George Freeman came to Texas in the 1840s. He fought for the Confederacy during the Civil War, then came to Austin as Captain of the Treasury Guards. That group of about thirty former Confederate soldiers defended the State Treasury from an 1865 robbery. Though the robbers escaped with $17,000, Freeman's group was recognized for saving the remainder of the treasury, preventing possible impairment to the Texas economy. In the mid-1870s, Freeman moved to Hamilton and practiced law; his most famous case was the Greer County dispute, in which he represented Texas before the U.S. Supreme Court. Freeman was also active in community and church affairs until his death.

Erected 2008 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 14175.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Law Enforcement • War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1865.

Location. 31° 42.241′ N, 98° 7.522′ W. Marker is in Hamilton, Texas, in Hamilton County. Marker is at the intersection of West Main Street (State Highway

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36) and South College Street, on the right when traveling east on West Main Street. The marker is located in front of the house by the street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 212 West Main Street, Hamilton TX 76531, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. St. Mary’s Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Knights of Pythias Lodge Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); United Methodist Church (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Methodist Church Bell (about 300 feet away); Hamilton Bank and Trust Company (about 400 feet away); James Drugstore (about 400 feet away); Rice-Eidson Building (about 400 feet away); Historic Leon River Bridge (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hamilton.

Also see . . . Treasury Robbery.

The robbery of the state treasury, one of the boldest crimes in Texas history, occurred on June 11, 1865, during the chaotic period immediately after the downfall of the Confederacy in the spring of 1865. As news of the surrender of Confederate forces reached Texas in the late spring of 1865, civil government and law enforcement quickly began disappearing. After failing to convene the Texas legislature to repeal the secession ordinance, Governor Pendleton Murrah and many Confederate officials fled to Mexico. Most other Confederate state government officials had been removed from
Photographed By James Hulse, July 16, 2021

2. Col. George R. Freeman Marker
office, and Union occupation forces had not yet arrived. As a result, citizens in the Austin area organized to protect the populace and property from the increasing threat of violence, coupled with the breakdown of civil justice. Captain George R. Freeman, a Confederate veteran from Hamilton, organized a small company of thirty volunteers to protect the state capital until Union occupation forces arrived. Source: The Handbook of Texas

(Submitted on July 19, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

The view of the Col. George R. Freeman Marker from the sidewalk image. Click for full size.

Photographed By James Hulse, July 16, 2021

3. The view of the Col. George R. Freeman Marker from the sidewalk

Credits. This page was last revised on July 19, 2021. It was originally submitted on July 19, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 150 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 19, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.