Historical Marker
Site of the Home of James Dill
Nacogdoches, Nacogdoches County · Texas
Erected 1936
James Dill was born around 1766 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and orphaned at two. He hunted at Arkansas Post, moved to Natchitoches in 1797 and was in Nacogdoches by 1799, farming and trading with Indians and Spanish settlers. In 1821 he was elected alcalde, described by the Handbook of Texas as the first Anglo-American so honored, though he could not read or write. A group led by Joseph Durst ousted him in 1823. In May 1825 he shot and killed Charles Duboys, was acquitted and fled to Natchitoches. He died that November after a fall from a horse.
What the plaque says
Site of the Home of James Dill Born in Pennsylvania in 1770. Pioneer Indian trader. Recognized by the King of Spain as a public- spirited citizen. First alcalde of Nacogdoches under the Mexican government in 1821 Erected by the State of Texas 1936
Where it stands
31.60479, -94.65529 · Directions
More markers nearby
- First United Methodist Church of Nacogdoches — steps away
- La Calle Real del Norte — steps away
- Robert Bruce Blake — steps away
- Site of the Home of William Clark, Jr. — steps away