John Pettit Borden

Borden ran the General Land Office with almost nothing. Sam Houston named him the first commissioner in August 1837, and he began with no money, supplies or staff, at times keeping the records in friends' houses while he gathered Mexican and Spanish land titles from across Texas. In 1839 he hauled almost 5,000 pounds of documents by wagon from Houston to Austin, for which he was paid $1,200. Pressed to speed patents for 216 million acres without enough funds or men, he resigned in December 1840. Before all that he had fought at Goliad and Bexar in 1835.

What the plaque says

John Pettit Borden (December 30, 1812 - November 12, 1890) Born in New York. Moved to Texas 1829. Settled in Stephen F. Austin's second colony in 1832. In Texas Revolution, fought at Battle of San Jacinto in 1836. Helped lay out town of Houston same year. At 24 became first Commissioner of Texas General Land Office. Later practiced law and served as county judge. He was a surveyor before moving, in 1866, to Harvey's Creek (4 mi. E). Married twice. Had 9 children by second wife Mary (Hatch). (1969)

Where it stands

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