Matthew Burnett Homesite Plaque

Whose footsteps echoed on this very ground before us, marking a pivotal moment in Texas history? Right here, at the Matthew Burnett Homesite Plaque, we’re standing on land that once belonged to Matthew Burnett and his wife, Sarah. Before oil wells and skyscrapers, this was their home, a quiet homestead nestled amidst the Texas wilderness. The year was 1831 when the Burnetts, originally from Arkansas, decided to put down roots in this promising land. Their home was strategically located near the Harrisburg Road, a vital artery connecting them to the bustling heart of early Texas. Imagine their surprise when, in March 1836, the interim government of the fledgling Republic of Texas made a pit stop at their humble abode. They were on their way to establish Harrisburg as the new capital, a decision fueled by the escalating tensions with Mexico. Just a few weeks later, the quiet of the Burnett homestead was shattered once more. This time, it was the weary soldiers of the Texas army, led by General Sam Houston himself. 1,100 men, their spirits worn but not broken, descended upon the Burnett’s property at dusk on April 16th, 1836. The soldiers, famished and exhausted, consumed most of the Burnett’s livestock and grains, a necessary sacrifice for the fight for independence. The image of those determined men, fueled by the Burnett’s hospitality and the fires of revolution, is forever etched in the history of this place. Little did Matthew and Sarah Burnett know that they were hosting future heroes on the eve of a momentous battle. Just four days later, those very soldiers would clash with the Mexican army at San Jacinto, securing Texas’s hard-fought independence. This unassuming plaque marks not just the site of the Burnett home, but a pivotal stop on the road to Texas liberty.