Irish Immigrants in Refugio
N 28° 17.800 W 097° 16.471
14R E 669201 N 3131274
Refugio has a historical reputation of having residents of both Mexican and Irish heritage living in the city. This marker documents the beginnings of this Irish migration to this city.
Waymark Code: WM10NJ2
Location: Texas, United States
Date Posted: 06/02/2019
Views: 7
Several impresarios with land grants and who had close dealings with the Mexican government were able to successfully recruit emigrants to come to their respective land grants and settle in Texas. James Hewetson and his fellow countryman James Power, both from Ireland, were two such men. James Power had a big influence on getting Irish settlers to come and stay in and around Refugio. As the marker points out, many of the Irishmen sided with the Texan's struggle for independence from Mexico and joined the Texas troops to fight for independence. The success of the Irish settlers is seen even today in the population mix of Refugio. The two predominant nationalities represented in the city's population are those of Irish and Mexican descent even today.
This historical marker is found in the NE corner of the the city block across from the Refugio County Courthouse. It is near the corner of Purisima Street and Osage Street.
Marker Number: 2652
Marker Text:
The history of settlement in Refugio is closely associated with Ballygarrett, County Wexford, Ireland. Irish natives James Power (c. 1788-1852) and James Hewetson (1796-1870), both of whom immigrated to the United States in the early 19th century and later became citizens of Mexico, obtained permission from the Mexican government to oversee the immigration of more than 200 Irish families to Texas in the 1830s.
The first group of Irish settlers arrived on the Texas Gulf Coast in 1834. A cholera epidemic and the loss of provisions and equipment in rough waters as the immigrants reached the shore delayed their arrival in Refugio, where they were to settle near the former Spanish mission of Nuestra Senora del Refugio. The colony soon was established, however, and almost immediately the new settlers were embroiled in the cause of Texas independence from Mexico. Many Irishmen fought in the Texas Army and later served in the Republic of Texas Congress.
The Irish people established a lasting presence in the Refugio area. Many descendants of the early immigrants still reside in the area, some on land granted to their ancestors in the 1830s.
(1995)
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