Henderson in Rusk County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Thomas Jefferson Rusk
Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, April 23, 2023
1. Thomas Jefferson Rusk Marker
Fifth 1803
July Twenty
Ninth 1857
Soldier Patriot
Jurist Statesman
Declaration of
Independence.
Helped draft the
Constitution to
a large degree.
He devised the court
system and served as
the Chief Justice
of the Republic
of Texas.
daring on the
field of battle.
He is yet more
honored for wise
forbearance and
sound judgment.
His able counsel as
secretary of war
materilly assisted
in the winning
of freedom for
Texas.
for annexation.
He presided over
the Convention of
1845 which framed
the first state
constitution and
as United States
Senator. He was
foremost in the
settlement of
the Rio Grande
as the boundary
of Texas.
Erected 1936 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 11056.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Patriots & Patriotism • Settlements & Settlers • War, Texas Independence
this page online
Location. 32° 9.264′ N, 94° 47.987′ W. Marker is in Henderson, Texas, in Rusk County. It is at the intersection of North Main Street and West Fordall Street, on the right when traveling south on North Main Street. The marker is in front of the Rusk County Courthouse. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: N Main Street, Henderson TX 75652, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the American South, specifically in the Deep South, and in the Piney Woods. 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, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Masonic Lodge Building (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The 1860 Henderson Fire (about 400 feet away); Henderson (about 400 feet away); The Rev. William Craig (about 500 feet away); Henderson City Cemetery (about 500 feet away); Merritt Building (about 500 feet away); First Baptist Church of Henderson (about 600 feet away); Judge William Wright Morris (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Henderson.
Also see . . . Rusk, Thomas Jefferson (18031857). Texas State Historical Association (TSHA)
Thomas Jefferson Rusk, soldier and statesman, the oldest of seven children of John and Mary (Sterritt) Rusk, was born in Pendleton District, South Carolina, on December(Submitted on May 1, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)5, 1803. His father was an Irish stonemason immigrant. The family rented land from John C. Calhoun, who helped Rusk secure a position in the office of the Pendleton County district clerk, where he could earn a living while studying law. After admission to the bar in 1825, Rusk began his law practice in Clarksville, Georgia. In 1827 he married Mary F. (Polly) Cleveland, the daughter of Gen. Benjamin Cleveland. Rusk became a business partner of his father-in-law after he and Polly married. He lived in the gold region of Georgia and made sizable mining investments. In 1834, however, the managers of the company in which he had invested embezzled all the funds and fled to Texas. Rusk pursued them to Nacogdoches but never recovered the money. He did, however, decide to stay in Texas.Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, April 23, 20232. Thomas Jefferson Rusk MarkerLeft side
Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, April 23, 2023
3. Thomas Jefferson Rusk Marker Reverse
Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, April 23, 2023
4. Thomas Jefferson Rusk Marker
Right side
Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, April 23, 2023
5. Thomas Jefferson Rusk Marker
Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, April 23, 2023
6. Thomas Jefferson Rusk Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on May 5, 2024. It was originally submitted on April 27, 2023, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. This page has been viewed 502 times since then and 43 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on April 27, 2023, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.
