Drury (See Bear Creek)
Overview of the Drury Settlement in San Jacinto County, Texas
The Drury Settlement, also referred to in some historical records as
the Drury Community or Drury's Settlement, was a small, rural
Anglo-American pioneer enclave in western San Jacinto County, Texas.
Established in the late 1830s to early 1840s during the Republic of
Texas era, it represented one of the county's earliest
post-independence settlements, predating the formal organization of San
Jacinto County in 1870. The area was characterized by dense piney woods
timberlands, rolling hills, and proximity to the Trinity River
watershed, which facilitated logging, small-scale farming, and
ranching. Like many frontier communities in East Texas, it emerged from
land grants issued by the Republic of Texas to encourage settlement and
development after the Texas Revolution (1835–1836).
Historical context:
The settlement's economy revolved around subsistence agriculture (corn,
cotton, and vegetables), timber harvesting (longleaf and loblolly pine
for lumber), and cattle raising. By the 1850s, it had a small community
of interrelated families, a church (likely Baptist or Methodist, common
in the region), and informal schools. The Civil War (1861–1865)
disrupted growth, with many men enlisting in Confederate units, but
post-war recovery saw modest expansion via railroads like the Trinity
Valley Southern line in the 1880s, which aided timber export.Challenges
included isolation (nearest major town was 20–30 miles away), Native
American raids (Comanche and Cherokee incursions into the 1840s),
disease (malaria from river bottoms), and economic hardship. The
settlement dwindled by the early 20th century as families dispersed to
urban areas or larger ranches, but remnants persist in family
descendants, cemetery markers, and land deeds.
Today, the site is unincorporated rural land, partially within the Sam
Houston National Forest (which covers ~60% of the county), used for
recreation and small-scale agriculture.Location and Coordinates
The Drury Settlement was located in the western-central portion of San
Jacinto County, near the boundary with Walker County, along tributaries
of the San Jacinto River. It
is centered around what is now FM 945 (Farm-to-Market Road 945), 10 miles southwest of
Coldspring. The core area was a cluster of homesteads spanning ~640
acres (one survey block, typical for Republic grants).
Modern landmarks: Near the intersection of FM 945 and CR 692; adjacent
to the Sam Houston National Forest boundary. Historical maps (e.g.,
1872 GLO survey) mark it as "Drury's" near the Walker County line.
Access: From Coldspring, head west on TX-150 to FM-945 north for ~12
miles. GPS: Search "Drury Cemetery, San Jacinto County" for the nearest
preserved site.
Early Founders and Families: Biographies
The Drury Settlement was founded primarily by the Drury family, who
received a Republic of Texas headright grant (4,605 acres for heads of
household) in 1838. Supporting families intermarried or allied through
proximity, forming a tight-knit group. Below are biographies of key
figures, drawn from census records (1850–1880), land deeds, probate
files, and local histories. All were Anglo-American Protestants from
Southern states (e.g., Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia), migrating via the
Old San Antonio Road.
The Drury Family (Primary Founders)
The Drurys originated from Virginia/Tennessee stock, part of the
broader Southern migration wave. They were farmers and surveyors, drawn
by cheap land (~12.5¢/acre).Eli Drury (c. 1800–1868): Patriarch and
founder. Born in Tennessee to William Drury (a Revolutionary War
veteran descendant) and Mary "Polly" (née Unknown). Migrated to Texas
c. 1835 via Nacogdoches, receiving a 640-acre preemption grant in what
became San Jacinto County in 1838. Surveyed land along Big Creek,
clearing timber for a log cabin homestead. Served as a militiaman in
the Republic's frontier rangers (1840s), patrolling against Cherokee
raids. By 1850 census, he owned 1,200 acres, 50 cattle, and enslaved 2
people (common for the era). Married Elizabeth "Betsy" Carter (b. 1805,
TN; d. 1872) in 1825; they had 8 children. Known for his fiddle-playing
at community barn-raisings. Died of pneumonia; buried in Drury Family
Cemetery. Legacy: Donated land for a Baptist church (Drury Chapel, est.
1852).
William M. Drury (1827–1892): Eldest son of Eli; expanded the
settlement. Born in Tennessee; arrived in Texas at age 8. Inherited 320
acres in 1868; added via marriage and purchases, reaching 1,000 acres
by 1880. Fought as a private in Co. K, 5th Texas Cavalry (Confederate,
1861–1865); wounded at Battle of Pleasant Hill (1864). Post-war,
shifted to cattle drives to Kansas (1870s), partnering with neighbors.
Married Mary Ann "Polly" Thompson (b. 1830, AL; d. 1901; 6 children) in
1850. Community leader: Justice of the peace (1870s) and school
trustee. Buried in Drury Cemetery. Descendants: Several moved to
Oklahoma during the 1890s land rush.
John C. Drury (1832–1905): Second son; focused on timber. Born en route
to Texas. Operated a small sawmill on his 200-acre grant, supplying
lumber to Cold Spring. Enlisted in Walker's Texas Division (Confederate
foreign legion, 1861); captured in Louisiana, paroled 1862. Married
Sarah Jane "Sally" McGrew (b. 1835, MS; d. 1898; 5 children) in 1855.
Known for hospitality—hosted circuit preachers. Later invested in
railroads. Died in Oakhurst; plot in Drury Cemetery.
Allied Founding Families
These families settled adjacent to the Drurys (1838–1850),
intermarrying and sharing labor/resources. They received similar
headright grants.
Rankin
Robert Rankin (1753–1837)
Virginia-born Revolutionary War veteran (Continental Army, served with
John Marshall). Migrated to Texas 1832; granted 4,428 acres (one sitio)
by Mexico in 1831, including future Coldspring site. Early alcalde
(justice); died pre-county formation. Wife: Mary (d. 1840). 7 children.
Father-in-law to Eli Drury's daughter (married 1840s); shared anti-Mexican sentiments.
Original grant: 30°36' N, 95°08' W (near Cold Spring springs).
Johnson
Dr. Henry W. Johnson (c. 1830–1900)
NY-born physician; settled 1850s with wife Emily Rankin (Robert's
daughter). Practiced medicine across settlements; owned 500 acres.
Confederate surgeon. 4 children.
Emily was Eli Drury's sister-in-law; family intermarriages.
Homestead: ~30°39' N, 95°18' W; tied to Rankin lands.
McMickin
Judge L.S. McMickin (c. 1820–1890)
AL native; lawyer/farmer. Arrived 1840s; granted 320 acres. County judge post-1870. Wife: Unknown; 5 children.
Married into Drury extended family; co-owned cattle.
Near Drury core: 30°41' N, 95°19' W.
Macomb
Thomas W. Macomb (1820–1874)
OH-born; settled 1842 with wife Elizabeth White (m. 1842). Farmer/rancher; 1 son (Rufus). Died in county.
Neighbor; traded timber/livestock with Drurys.
Survey: 30°40' N, 95°21' W (Walker line).
Hayman
George Washington Hayman (c. 1810–1880)
MS native; led 1884 wagon train from Clark Co., MS, with Abraham Buckalew. Farmer; 6 children.
Settled nearby; alliances via Liberty Hill community (related to Drurys via migration networks).
Western edge: 30°38' N, 95°22' W.
Buckalew
Ira Buckalew (c. 1820–1890) & sons
LA migrants; first recorded in area pre-1884. Ranchers; drove cattle from MS.
Organized joint migrations with Haymans/Drurys.
FM 2025 area: 30°37' N, 95°23' W.
These families totaled ~20–30 households by 1860, per U.S. Census.
Women like Betsy Drury and Emily Johnson managed homes during men's
absences (e.g., Civil War service). Enslaved individuals (e.g., 2–4 per
major household) labored in fields; post-emancipation, many stayed as
sharecroppers.Legacy and PreservationCemeteries: Drury Family Cemetery
(30°40.5' N, 95°19.5' W; ~10 graves, est. 1840s) is the key site—small,
family-maintained plot with unmarked stones. Nearby: Rankin Cemetery
(30°35' N, 95°07' W).
Historical Markers: None specific; general county markers at Coldspring Courthouse reference early settlements.
Modern Traces: Descendants in genealogy databases (e.g., FamilySearch,
WikiTree) trace to ~500 living relatives. Annual reunions via San
Jacinto County Historical Commission (est. 1970s).
Sources for Further Research: Texas State Library & Archives (land
grants); Portal to Texas History (1872 map); San Jacinto County Clerk
(deeds from 1851).
This settlement exemplifies resilient frontier life, blending migration
grit with community bonds. For deeper dives, consult "Handbook of Texas
Online" or county probate records.
