Hedgcoxe War facts for kids
The Hedgcoxe War of 1852, also known as the Peters Colony Rebellion, was a protest by early settlers in Texas. They were upset because a company called The Texas Emigration and Land Company (also known as the Peters Colony) seemed to be trying to take away their land claims. This conflict also involved people who owned parts of the company and others who bought and sold land, worried that their land would become less valuable.
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What Caused the Hedgcoxe War?
Land Disputes and New Laws
In 1852, the Texas government tried to solve the problem between the settlers and the land company. On February 10, 1852, they passed a new law. This law was meant to be a compromise. It said that all lawsuits had to stop. Settlers would get new rules for their land claims. They would also have more time to file their claims. The state also agreed to give the land company 1,088,000 acres (4,400 km2) of land.
However, many settlers and land buyers were still worried. They thought the company was getting too much land. They feared the company would sell so much land that it would make all land less valuable. So, the protests continued.
Hedgcoxe's Proclamation and Growing Anger
In May 1852, Henry Oliver Hedgcoxe, who worked for the land company, made an announcement. He said that settlers had until August 4, 1852, to prove their land claims to him. This announcement made the new law seem confusing to many.
The settlers became even more upset when Ebenezer Allen, Texas's main lawyer, said the law was fair.
The Protest and Its Outcome
The Dallas Meeting and Hedgcoxe's Office
On July 15, 1852, a large meeting of settlers took place in Dallas. A group investigating the situation accused Hedgcoxe of cheating and corruption.
The very next day, July 16, 1852, a local leader named John Jay Good led about 100 armed men. They marched from the meeting in Dallas to Hedgcoxe's home. This was on Rowlett's Creek in Collin County. Then, they went to his office. His office was located along Office Creek in Stewartsville, which is now The Colony, TX. A historical marker is near the original office spot today.
The Raid and Resolution
Hedgcoxe and his clerk, S. A. Venters, found out about the raid ahead of time. They managed to escape with some important records. The angry settlers then burned Hedgcoxe's office. They also took some of the files and moved them to the Dallas County Courthouse. Hedgcoxe was told to leave the area.
On January 1, 1853, the land company sent a friendly letter to the settlers. Then, on February 7, 1853, a change to the original law was passed. This new version made both sides happy. Over the next ten years, there were only small adjustments made in courts and by the government. After that, the settlers' land problems were finally solved.
