Daughters of the Republic of Texas - Gonzales Chapter

11/03/2026

On October 31, members of the Gonzales Chapter attended the Daughters of the Republic of Texas District VIII meeting in Leander, Texas.

The chapter had the opportunity to share a special presentation highlighting the J.B. Wells House. Through before and after photos, District VIII members saw the remarkable transformation of the home and received a glimpse into its future, including the reimagined Republic of Texas Room. This special exhibit will highlight the Republic-era ancestors of the T.N. Matthews and J.B. Wells families, connecting their family histories to the rich story of early Texas.

We invite you to come experience history in Gonzales.

11/03/2026

NOV 2nd is Stephen F. AUSTIN’S BIRTHDAY – A DRT HONOR DAY

Today, the Daughters of the Republic of Texas honor Stephen F. Austin, the "Father of Texas, " on the anniversary of his birth in 1793.

Austin's leadership brought the Old Three Hundred families to Mexican Texas, laying the foundation for Anglo-American settlement and helping shape the future of the Republic of Texas.

As we celebrate celebrate his legacy, we remember the courage, determination and sacrifices of those who helped build Texas.

10/22/2026

Do you love archaeology and history then be sure to attend this event in Cuero on Sunday November 1st.

10/21/2026

We had such a great time at National Night Out.

The Gonzales County Historical Commission, Gonzales Chapter of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, and J.B. Wells House Museum enjoyed spending the evening visiting with our community, sharing stories about our local history, and giving families a chance to experience a lit bit of pioneer life.

A big thank you to everyone who stopped by our booth! We loved seeing so many familiar faces and meeting new ones.

Interested in history? We'd love for you to get involved and volunteer!

Be sure to follow us on social media to hear about upcoming meetings, events, and opportunities to get involved.

10/19/2026

10/02/2026

Gonzales Day - DRT Honor Day

On this day, On October 2, 1835, the Battle of Gonzales was fought, marking the first military engagement of the Texas Revolution. Each year on October 2, the Daughters of the Republic of Texas commemorate Gonzales Day as a DRT Honor Day, remembering the courage of those who stood their ground in Gonzales 191 years ago.

When Mexican soldiers were sent to retrieve the small cannon that had been provided to the settlers for protection, the citizens of Gonzales refused to surrender it.

With the now famous challenge "Come and Take It", the Texians faced Mexican troops at the Battle of Gonzales, the first military engagement of the Texas Revolution.

For the Gonzales Chapter, Daughters of the Republic of Texas, this Honor Day holds special meaning. We are proud to preserve and share the history of the community where the fight for Texas independence began.

Today, we honor the men and women whose courage, determination, and sacrifice helped set Texas on the road to independence. Their stories remain an important part of the heritage we are entrusted to preserve for future generations.

Do you have an ancestor who participated in the Battle of Gonzales? Comment below and share their name with us! We would love to honor and remember those who were there.

Gonzales, Texas where it all began - COME AND TAKE IT!



photo citation: Marshall, Bruce. "Gonzales Residents with Their Cannon and "Come and Take It" Flag during the First Skirmish of the Texas Revolution on October 2, 1835." Digitial.Utsa.Edu, 2 Oct. 2026, digital.utsa.edu/digital/collection/p9020coll008/id/9313/.

09/22/2026

William Augustin Matthews: Texas Pioneer, Soldier & Rancher

Long before Thomas Newton Matthews built the home we know today as the J.B. Wells House, his father William Augustin Matthews (1800-1856), was helping shape the early history of Gonzales and Dewitt's Colony.

Matthews' connection to Texas began through his association with empresario Green Dewitt. He later helped bring families from Tennessee to DeWitt's Colony, guiding settlers on their journey, helping secure supplies, and assisting them as they established new lives in Mexican Texas.

When the struggle for Texas independence came, Matthews served the Texas cause as a soldier, courier, and quartermaster. His years of service and involvement in the colony also helped him acquire substantial landholdings. By the 1850's, he had become a prominent farmer, cattle rancher, landowner, and stock owner in the Gonzales area.

Matthews' family connections reach deep into Texas history. His first wife, Naomi DeWitt, was the daughter of Green DeWitt. Following Naomi's death, he married Nancy King, sister of William Phillip King, one of the Immortal 32 who answered the call to defend the Alamo.

William and Nancy were the parents of Thomas Newton Matthews, who would build the Matthews-Wells House in 1885.

Today, through the J.B. Wells House, we continue telling the stories of families- and the broader community- whose lives became intertwined with the history of Gonzales.

PHOTO Info: This is William Augustin Matthew's 1831 Mexican Texas land-related document. It was created five years before Texas Independence and more than fifty years before his son T. N. Matthews built the J.B. Wells house.

To see the document in in's entirety visit the General Land Office link below:

https://cdn.glo.texas.gov/ncu/SCANDOCS/archives_webfiles/arcmaps/webfiles/landgrants/PDFs/1/0/2/9/1029562.pdf

09/19/2026

DRT Honor Day - Texian Navy Day

Each third Saturday in September, the Daughters of the Republic of Texas observes Texian Navy Day, honoring the important role the Republic of Texas Navy played in the fight for Texas independence.

In 1836, the young Republic relied on four vessels known as the "Big Four" Independence, Brutus, Liberty, and Invincible. These ships helped protect the Texas coastline, challenge Mexico's blockade, and keep vital routes open between Texas and the United States for volunteers and supplies.

The Texian Navy also became connected to some remarkable moments in Texas history. During the Runaway Scrape, a naval vessel helped carry refugees from Morgan's Point, and following the victory at San Jacinto, Invincible carried news of the victory while Liberty helped es**rt the wounded General Sam Houston toward New Orleans for treatment.

Although the Republic of Texas Navy existed only for a short periods, it's sailors and ships helped protect a young nation during some of its most uncertain days.

09/18/2026

September 18 - DRT HONOR DAY - TEXAS HEROES DAY

September 18, one of the fourteen Daughters of the Republic of Texas Honor Days, is remembered for two events that occurred six years apart. September of 1842 is the anniversary of the Dawson Massacre where 36 Texian militiamen were killed by Mexican soldiers during the Battle of Salado Creek. Then on September 18, 1848, their remains along with those Texians who perished in the failed Mier Expedition were reinterred in a common tomb on a bluff south of La Grange.

On September 18, 1933, a new granite vault was dedicated for the 1936 Texas Centennial. The Centennial Commission erected a 48-foot shell stone monument with an art deco mural to prominently mark the mass grave. The grave site is now part of the Monument Hill State Historic Site.

09/14/2026

Mitchell Street: A Road Through Gonzales History

Have you ever wondered how Mitchell Street in Gonzales got its name?

The street was named for Eli Mitchell, an early Texas settler who moved to Gonzales in 1828 and became a merchant and public official. When tensions with Mexico erupted in 1835, Mitchell played a memorable role in the opening chapter of the Texas Revolution. The famous “Come and Take It” cannon was mounted on Mitchell’s wagon, and historical accounts credit him with firing the cannon during the Battle of Gonzales—the opening battle of the revolution.

Mitchell continued supporting the cause after the battle. His cornfield became an encampment for Texas volunteers, and corn from his fields helped feed the army as the men prepared to march toward San Antonio. A Texas Centennial monument later honored Mitchell specifically for providing corn to ration the army and participating in the Battle of Gonzales.

Today, Mitchell Street still carries the name of this early Gonzales patriot—and fittingly, it is also home to the historic J.B. Wells House, built in 1885.

So the next time you travel down Mitchell Street, remember: you aren’t simply driving down a Gonzales street. You’re traveling a road whose name reaches back to the very beginning of the Texas Revolution.



Sources:
Information for this post was compiled from historical accounts of Eli Mitchell and early Gonzales, including the Handbook of Texas (Texas State Historical Association), Texas Historical Commission records and Find a Grave.