Matagorda in Matagorda County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
James Wilmer Dallam
Photographed by Dave W, January 31, 2026
1. James Wilmer Dallam Marker
Well-respected attorney James Wilmer Dallam contributed much to modern Texas law. He was born in Maryland in Sep. 1818. After starting a practice in Matagorda, he travelled to Washington-on-the-Brazos and compiled five years' worth of legal proceedings and legislation passed by the Republic of Texas. Titled A Digest of the Laws of Texas containing a full and complete compilation of the Land Laws, his book is still used by Texas courts and often called "The Lawyer's Bible." Dallam settled in Matagorda to publish newspapers and two novels. He took a trip to New Orleans and contracted yellow fever, dying in Aug. 1847. The Texas legislature named Dallam county in his honor in 1876.
Erected 2020 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 22751.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Law Enforcement • Science & Medicine. A significant historical month for this entry is September 1818.
Location. 28° 42.008′ N, 95° 57.318′ W. Marker is in Matagorda, Texas, in Matagorda County. It is at the intersection of S Gulf Road (County Road 259) and Matagorda Cemetery Road (County Road 260), on the left when traveling east on S Gulf Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 164 County Rd 259, Matagorda TX 77457, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is 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, one of the Confederate States of America,
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: S. Rhoads Fisher (a few steps from this marker); Albert Clinton Horton (a few steps from this marker); Ira Ingram (within shouting distance of this marker); Seth Ingram (within shouting distance of this marker); Richard Royster Royall (within shouting distance of this marker); Dr. Albert Moses Levy (within shouting distance of this marker); Sinclair David Gervais (within shouting distance of this marker); Major George Morse Collinsworth (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Matagorda.
Also see . . . Bay City Sentinel article with some additional information.
James Wilmer Dallam, legal scholar, newspaper publisher, and author, the son of Francis Johnson and Sarah (Wilmer) Dallam, was born in Baltimore, Maryland, on Sept. 24, 1818. Following his graduation in 1837 from Brown University, where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa, he studied law in Baltimore in the office of Reverdy Johnson.(Submitted on February 2, 2026, by Dave W of Co, Colorado.)
Photographed by Dave W, January 31, 2026
2. James Wilmer Dallam Marker
Marker seen here on the left.
Photographed by Dave W, January 31, 2026
3. James Wilmer Dallam Marker
James Wilmer Dallam's headstone. The pole holding the marker is seen here just behind.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2026. It was originally submitted on February 2, 2026, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. This page has been viewed 50 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 2, 2026, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.
