Miller-Browning Colony

Miller became justice of the peace in 1876, the year Texas adopted the constitution that still shapes the office. Under the Republic and the constitutions of 1845 and 1861, each militia captain's precinct elected two justices every two years; the Constitution of 1866 lengthened the term to four years, and that of 1869 provided five, elected from precincts. The 1876 charter divided every county into four to eight justice precincts, each electing a justice every two years, a term a 1954 amendment extended to four. The justice runs the justice court, serves as coroner and may perform marriages.

What the plaque says

Miller-Browning Colony Located about one mile north in late 19th century. Composed of two families prominent in early Kimble County affairs. Started in 1874 by John and Martha Miller. Known as "Honest John," Miller joined frontier militia to fight Indians and served on first jury and second jury commission, county district court. Was elected justice of the peace, Precinct 4, in 1876. Colony also included families of A.P. Browning and William Miller. James A. Browning served longer as county official than any previous person. Descendants still reside in Kimble County. (1970)

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Kimble County Historical Museum — 4.9 mi
  A free county museum in Junction, the town at the meeting of the North and South Llano, with the papers, photographs and tools of a ranching county.
• Eckert James River Bat Cave Preserve — 22 mi
  A limestone cave on the James River where about four million Mexican free-tailed bats raise their young each summer, kept open to visitors by a family's gift.
• Fort McKavett State Historic Site — 34 mi
  The post Sherman called the prettiest in Texas, home to soldiers of all four Buffalo Soldier regiments and then to a town that lived in its buildings until 1973.

More markers nearby

• Cloud Point — steps away
• The Oliver Pecan — 2.2 mi
• Little Mexico (Northeast Junction) — 3.1 mi
• Teacup Mountain — 3.6 mi