Hillary Mercer Crabb

Crabb's legislative record runs longer than the marker suggests. The Handbook of Texas lists him in the Fourth Legislature in 1853, for District 31, and again in the Sixth, from November 1855 to November 1857, for District 38. His first wife died on September 20, 1856, and on December 29, 1858, he married Mary Proctor Sweeney, widow of the Rev. Benton H. Sweeney. After the war he served as sheriff of Madison County from November 1871 to November 1872. He died on September 8, 1876, and was buried in the Madisonville Cemetery.

What the plaque says

Hillary Mercer Crabb Georgia native Hillary Mercer Crabb, a veteran of the militia in his home state, moved his family to the Mexican state of Texas in 1830. While awaiting a land grant they settled in the Sabine District. From there Crabb joined the Texas militia and served in such action as the 1832 Battle of Nacogdoches. In 1835 he was granted property at this site. The rural community that developed around his homesite (400 yds. W) became known as Crabb's Prairie. Crabb was instrumental in the early development of Huntsville and Walker County. A leader in civic and social activities, he became the first probate judge when the county was created in 1846. He also served as a justice of the peace and chief justice (county judge). In 1852 he was elected to serve the unexpired term of State Representative F. L. Hatch. Among Crabb's accomplishments as a legislator was the introduction of a bill to create Madison County. Opposed to secession, Crabb moved to Lavaca County at the outbreak of the Civil War. He later moved to Madison County, where he served as sheriff. His influence as a prominent landowner, church leader, Mason and public servant had a dramatic impact on the early growth of this area.

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Fanthorp Inn State Historic Site — 28 mi
  A cedar-log dogtrot cabin of 1834 on the road through Anderson that grew into a seventeen-room inn and post office for travelers of the Republic, kept by one family until 1976.

More markers nearby

• Sam Houston Industrial and Training School — 3.3 mi
• Bishop Ward Normal and Collegiate Institute — 3.9 mi
• Huntsville Item — 4.3 mi
• Sallie E. Gibbs — 4.5 mi