Historical Marker
William Demetris Lacey
Columbus, Colorado County · Texas
Erected 2001
Lacey's sons-in-law became famous cattlemen: after his death his wife brought the children back to Texas, where his daughter Nannie married Jonathan Edwards Pierce and Fanny married Abel Head "Shanghai" Pierce. Lacey had taken title to 1,107 acres in the Colorado District on March 28, 1831, and represented the Alfred District at the Convention of 1832. The General Council made him second judge of Colorado Municipality in January 1836. After signing the Declaration he took his family and other refugees to Galveston Island and served there under James Morgan.
What the plaque says
William Demetris Lacey Virginia native William Demetris Lacey (1808-1848) grew up in Kentucky and in 1831 settled in what is now Columbus. He established a tanyard and saddle shop on this site and married Sarah Ann "Sally" Bright in 1832. Elected to several public offices while Texas was still a part of Mexico, Lacey was selected to attend the convention of 1836 at Washington-on-the-Brazos, where he signed the Texas declaration of independence. After serving in the Texas army, he returned to Columbus with his family, only to discover their home in ruins. The family settled along the Tres Palacios River in Matagorda County on land Lacey received for his war service. They returned to Kentucky in 1848, where he died and is buried. (2001)
Where it stands
29.70197, -96.54254 · Directions
More markers nearby
- Ben Marshall Baker — steps away
- William B. DeWees — steps away
- Dilue Rose Harris — steps away
- William Shelby Delaney — steps away