Andrew Jackson Montgomery LbNA #74515

MONTGOMERY, ANDREW JACKSON (1801–1863). Andrew Jackson Montgomery, adventurer, businessman, soldier, and surveyor, was born near Maryville, Tennessee, on April 4, 1801, to William and Mary (James) Montgomery. By 1816 the family was living in Alabama. In 1819, at the age of eighteen, Montgomery took part in the filibustering expedition of James Long into Texas. His duties included scouting the territory between the camps that Long established in East Texas. Montgomery's connections among the Bidai Indians enabled him to remain in hiding in Texas after the Spanish drove out most of the rest of the expedition. Subsequently, the Mexicans successfully rebelled against their Spanish masters, making it possible for Montgomery to establish, in 1823, a trading post on the Coushatta Trace, an Indian trail stretching between the Brazos and Trinity rivers. Intersecting this trace from north to south at Montgomery's post was the Indian trail known as the Loma del Toro. Montgomery advertised for and welcomed settlers to the trading post and to the budding community surrounding it, which was known at first as Montgomery Prairie. By 1827 much of his family had joined him, including his father, his uncle James, and his aunt Margaret and her husband, Owen Shannon. These Montgomerys were all cousins of Gen. Richard Montgomery of Revolutionary War fame. Before the construction of Fort Parker in 1835, Montgomery did surveying in the area as well as near the Brazos Falls for the Nashville Colony. During the Texas Revolution he served as a private and fought in the Battle of San Jacinto. On April 21, 1860, he served as vice president of the convention that nominated his friend and former commander, Sam Houston, for president of the United States. Montgomery eventually moved a few miles west to the community now known as Stoneham. The settlement that he had established near his trading post continued to use the name Montgomery, and in 1837 Montgomery County was named after the town. In his later years he bought land near the community of Stoneham. In 1846, Grimes County was formed from part of Montgomery County, taking Stoneham with it. He died in 1863 and was buried in Stoneham. I could not find a photograph of A. J. Montgomery. Montgomery county is called "The Birthplace of the Texas Flag". The stamp is in the shape of the county.

Directions: Stoneham is a small community located on Hwy. 105 about 4 miles west of Plantersville. There is a Chevron service station, convenience store and liquor store near the intersection of Hwy. 105 and FM 309. From there, go about 3/4 mile west and look for a sign on the right for Stoneham Cemetery. Drive through the gate to the next fence line and turn left down the dirt lane. You will see two Texas historical markers to the left. Get out and walk to the marker for Andrew Jackson Montgomery.

To the box: Look to the right for a forked tree next to the chain link fence. Near the top of the fence, the box is wedged between it and the tree. Please be sure to return it to that spot securely and well-hidden.

Hike length: 0.1 miles