Camp Wood in Real County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Protecting the Faith
As an unauthorized mission, San Lorenzo lacked support and as a result was poorly supplied. The few soldiers living at the mission were ill-equipped to defend against frequent Comanche raids. Their families struggled as well. Often, the mission's inhabitants found themselves underfed and lacking vital supplies.
Mission artifacts show both military and domestic sides of mission life. Pottery fragments, copper pots, gun parts, lead shot, and decorative buttons are among the items found near the bastion. Many of San Lorenzo's inhabitants brought their belongings with them. Any new items had to be shipped via mule trains from Mexico. These deliveries were frequent targets for raiding.
A typical household in the 18th century was stocked with Mexican majolica plates, cups, and bowls, copper pots, and coarse earthenware ollas and jars for cooking and storage. Occasionally, foreign manufactured pottery also made its way to San Lorenzo from France, England, and even China.
Captions
Lower Left: Copper bowl found near bastion
Still life painting of a colonial cupboard, by Mexican Artist, Antonio Pérez de Aguilar, ca. 1769
Upper Right: Map of bastion foundations (Tunnell and Newcomb 1969)
Lower Right: Majolica pottery pieces from San Lorenzo excavations
Gunflints and lead shot
Top and side view of a flintlock trigger guard
A child's toy like this whizzer or noise maker above on the right, and copper alloy buttons, to the left, show the more domestic side of mission life
Erected by Mission San Lorenzo.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Churches & Religion • Native Americans. A significant historical year for this entry is 1769.
Location. 29° 40.602′ N, 100° 0.938′ W. Marker is in Camp Wood, Texas, in Real County. Marker is on Nueces Street (State Highway 55) 0.3 miles north of West 7th Street, on the left when traveling north. The marker is located at the southwest section of the Mission San Lorenzo. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Camp Wood TX 78833, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Spreading the Faith (a few steps from this marker); Resisting the Faith (within shouting distance of this marker); Mission San Lorenzo (within shouting distance of this marker); Provisioning the Faith (within shouting distance of this marker); Site of the Mission San Lorenzo De La Santa Cruz (within shouting distance of this marker); Site of Camp Wood (within shouting distance of this marker); Private Frank Marshall, C.S.A. (approx. 0.2 miles away); Charles A. Lindbergh in Texas (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Camp Wood.
Also see . . . Mission San Lorenzo. (Submitted on December 4, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)
Credits. This page was last revised on December 4, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 4, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 47 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 4, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.