John Wheeler Bunton papers

Collection

Identifier: urn:taro:utexas.cah.02019

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The John Wheeler Bunton Papers, 1751, 1837-1880, document the political, agricultural, and family business of Bunton and his relations through correspondence, business records, and a broadside. The collection includes a letter regarding James Pinckney Henderson’s trip to England to secure recognition of the Republic of Texas as wewll as cattle marks, brands, an uncashed check, and other information concerning Bunton’s cattle business in Hays County, Texas. Additionally, the collection contains correspondence, a clipping, and a map from Bunton’s in-laws, the Manlove family of Bastrop and Mountain City, Texas, including an apothecary’s commission to Dr. Christopher Manlove.

Dates

Creation: 1751
Creation: 1837 - 1880

Creator

Bunton, John Wheeler, 1807-1879 (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

There are no use restrictions on this collection. Publisher is responsible for complying with copyright law.

Biographical Note

Texas pioneer and politician John Wheeler Bunton (1807-1879) was born in Sumner County, Tennessee. Educated at Princeton College, Kentucky, and a student of law in Gallatin, Tennessee, Bunton also served in the Tennessee State Militia. In 1833, at the age of 25, Bunton settled in Mina, Texas, later renamed Bastrop. A man of commanding personality and build, Bunton was chosen to represent Bastrop at the Convention of 1836, where he signed the Texas Declaration of Independence. As a member of the First Texas Volunteer Regiment, he also fought at the battle of San Jacinto, the siege of Bexar and the battle of the Alamo. As a representative in the First Congress of the Republic of Texas, convened in 1836, Bunton made the Republic’s first congressional motion, engaged in and won its first debate, and led action on laws creating a postal service, the Texas Rangers, and a judiciary system. Bunton was also a member of the Republic’s Third Congress (1838-1839).

In 1836, Bunton married Mary Howell, to whom he was introduced by Sam Houston. The Buntons first settled in Bastrop, before moving to Mountain City in 1857. Follwing Mary’s death in 1862, and John married Hermine C. Duval in 1865.

Sources:

“Memorabilia of famous Texan now in archives.” The Daily Texan. March 18, 1931.

Strom, Ann Miller. "Bunton, John Wheeler." Handbook of Texas Online. Accessed October 27, 2010.

Extent

12 items

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

The John Wheeler Bunton Papers, 1751, 1837-1880, document the political, agricultural, and family business of Bunton and his relations through correspondence, business records, and a broadside.