Missouri City in Fort Bend County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
The Freedom Tree
Photographed by Doug Green, October 8, 2024
1. The Freedom Tree Marker
Documented in The National of Historic Trees
In January of 1860, Edward Palmer purchased 640 acres from David Bright, one of Stephen F. Austin's Old Three Hundred, for $6,000 to create the Palmer plantation. In October of that year, he was also elected Judge of the 7th Judicial District of Texas.
Two years later, in January of 1862, Judge Palmer died, followed three years later by his wife, leaving the Palmer Plantation to their 14-year-old daughter, Betty Palmer.
As the Civil War came to its conclusion, General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston on June 19, 1865 and officially put an end to slavery in Texas. General Graingers proclamation formed the basis for what are the annual Juneteenth festivities, which celebrate the abolition of slavery in the Lone Star State.
On an early summer day, the white overseer and Ed Gibbs, who had been the personal driver for Judge Palmer as well as leader of the slaves on the Palmer plantation, gathered all of the workers together under the branches of this tree announcing their freedom as individuals. He further announced that planting and cultivation
this page online
It was in this light that slavery ended on the Palmer land beneath the spreading boughs of "The Freedom Tree," and may it stand ever proudly as a symbol of our freedoms as Americans.
Erected by Missouri City.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Horticulture & Forestry • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Historic Trees series list. A significant historical date for this entry is June 19, 1865.
Location. 29° 33.478′ N, 95° 31.679′ W. Marker is in Missouri City, Texas, in Fort Bend County. It is on Misty Hollow Drive 0.2 miles north of Lake Olympia Parkway, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Missouri City TX 77459, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Houston Metropolitan Area. It is also on the American Gulf Coast. Globally, it is in North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere,
Photographed by Doug Green, October 8, 2024
2. The Freedom Tree, Facing West
The late afternoon sun is shining through the branches of The Freedom Tree in Missouri City, Texas.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: DeWalt Cemetery (approx. 0.4 miles away); St. John Missionary Baptist Church (approx. 2.2 miles away); Stafford Municipal School District (approx. 3.1 miles away); Holy Family Catholic Church (approx. 4.2 miles away); Buffalo Bayou, Brazos & Colorado (approx. 4.2 miles away); Court Hardware Company (approx. 4.4 miles away); Duke Community (approx. 4.7 miles away); Daniel Perry (approx. 4.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Missouri City.
More about this marker. The Freedom Tree is part of a larger Freedom Tree Park that is currently under development by the City of Missouri City, Texas.
Regarding The Freedom Tree.
The myth is, is that The Freedom Tree was the location where slaves on the Palmer plantation heard that their lives had changed as a result of the Emancipation Proclamation, in other wordsthey were free at the time. Don Smith, Founder/Chairman, Missouri City Juneteenth Celebration Foundation, video interview on Fox 26, Houston, Texas, posted June 19, 2020 9:39am CDT.Photographed by Doug Green, October 8, 20243. The Freedom Tree, Facing EastThe Freedom Tree in Missouri City, Texas is well lit by the late afternoon sun.
This researcher (Doug Green) has not been able to find on the Internet the existence of a National Register of Historic Trees.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 26, 2024. It was originally submitted on October 25, 2024, by Doug Green of Sugar Land, Texas. This page has been viewed 1,301 times since then and 342 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 25, 2024, by Doug Green of Sugar Land, Texas. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
