Robert McAlpin Williamson
Robert McAlpin Williamson | |
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![]() Judge Robert McAlpin Williamson | |
Republic of Texas Supreme Court Justice |
Robert McAlpin Williamson (1804? – December 22, 1859) was a Republic of Texas Supreme Court Justice, state lawmaker and Texas Ranger. Williamson County, Texas is named for him. He is the first white person documented playing the banjo.[1]
Early life[]
Williamson was born in Wilkes County, Georgia to a prestigious family. His mother died shortly after and he was raised by his paternal grandmother, Sarah Gilliam, in Milledgeville, Georgia. At the age of fifteen, he contracted tuberculous arthritis that caused his right leg to permanently stiffen at a 90 degree angle. In order to walk, a wooden leg had to be fastened to his knee. Because of this, he later acquired the nickname "Three-Legged-Willie". He passed the bar at the approximate age of nineteen before practicing one year of law in Georgia.
Life in Texas[]
Williamson came to Stephen F. Austin's colony (San Felipe de Austin) in June 1827. He became acquainted with both Stephen F. Austin and William B. Travis during this time. He co-founded the newspaper in 1829 and became the first prosecuting attorney for San Felipe shortly after. He later went on to edit the newspapers and .
He was made the first Major of all the Rangers on November 28, in the Texas Rangers in 1835 and went on to participate in the Texas Revolution fighting in the Battle of Gonzales and the Battle of San Jacinto in William H. Smith's 2nd REG. "J" cavalry.
Political activity[]
- 1833 – Delegate to Convention of 1833
- 1835 – Delegate to Consultation (Texas)
- 1837 to 1840 – Justice of Texas Republic Supreme Court
- 1840 to 1843 – Texas Republic House of Representatives
- 1843 to 1844 – Texas Republic Senate
- 1843 to 1844 – Texas Republic House of Representatives
- 1846 to 1848 – Texas State Senate
- 1849 – Unsuccessfully ran for U.S. Representative from Texas,
- 1851 – Unsuccessfully ran for Lieutenant Governor of Texas
Death and burial[]
Williamson died in Wharton County, Texas on December 22, 1859 after a long illness. He is buried in the Texas State Cemetery.[citation needed]
See also[]
References[]
- ^ Smithwick, Noah (1984). The Evolution of a State or Recollections of Old Texas Days. Austin: University of Texas Press. p. 49.
External links[]
- Robert McAlpin Williamson from the Handbook of Texas Online
- Robert McAlpin Williamson at the Tarlton Law Library – University of Texas Law School
- Three-Legged-Willie.org – Williamson County Texas Genealogy Website
- 1804 births
- 1859 deaths
- Members of the Texas Ranger Division
- Justices of the Texas Supreme Court
- People from Wilkes County, Georgia
- Members of the Texas House of Representatives
- Texas state senators
- People of the Texas Revolution
- Burials at Texas State Cemetery
- Williamson County, Texas
- People from Milledgeville, Georgia
- 19th-century American politicians
- 19th-century American judges
- Texas people stubs