John Marie Durst
Encyclopedia
John Marie Durst was an early settler who lived most of his life in Louisiana
and Texas
. He was a multi-linguist who learned the mercantile trade from his godfather Peter Samuel Davenport. Durst was a veteran of the Battle of New Orleans
. He was a legislative representative under Coahuila y Tejas
, during which he became involved in a land speculation controversy. Durst became a large land holder, due in part to an inheritance from Davenport. Because of a ride he made in 1835 to warn of Mexican troop movements, some have labeled him the Paul Revere of Texas. Durst was a Captain in the Republic of Texas
militia under Major General Thomas J. Rusk. He was the founder of the community of Mount Sterling, Texas in Nacogdoches County..
on February 4, 1797. He was one of eight children, four boys and four girls, born to Jacob and Anna Agnes (Schesser) Durst. His brother John Isaac shared his first name. His father Jacob had been born in Shenandoah County, Virginia
in 1754. Jacob's father Abraham Derst spelled the family name with an "e". Abraham Derst was born in Worms-Pfeddersheim
, Germany
in 1725, and became the family member who emigrated to Virginia
. Abraham's father Abraham Jacob Derst was born and died in Germany. When John was two years old, his mother died. John's father Jacob Durst moved the entire family to Natchitoches, Louisiana
in 1803.
, the distribution center was an importer and exporter of merchandise between Louisiana and Texas, servicing both the Spanish troops and the area Indian tribes. Under Davenport's guardianship, the young Durst learned the mercantile trade and became fluent in several languages. When the Gutiérrez-Magee Expedition
captured Nacogdoches on August 12, 1812, Davenport became an arms supplier for the Mexican and American forces, helping to rally volunteers to join the cause. With the expedition defeated the next year, the Spanish government offered a reward for his capture. Davenport fled to Natchitoches
, accompanied by Durst.
, as part of the Louisiana militia, second division. At the end of the battle, Durst returned to Natchitoches.
, Nacogdoches
and Anderson
counties.
from Nacogdoches. He became involved in a controversy over land speculation. While at the legislature, Durst learned of Mexican troop movement into Texas, and became known as the Paul Revere of Texas for his subsequent ride warning of the movement.
In 1838, Durst held the rank of Captain in the Republic of Texas
militia, serving under Major General Thomas J. Rusk, during Rusk's campaign involving the Kickapoo and Cherokee
tribes. In 1844, Durst moved to Leon County.
, at the time a deputy surveyor, served as a private tutor to the Durst children. John Marie Durst died in Galveston
on February 9, 1851 and is buried in the family cemetery in Leon County. His wife died September 23, 1885 and is buried next to him.
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
and Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
. He was a multi-linguist who learned the mercantile trade from his godfather Peter Samuel Davenport. Durst was a veteran of the Battle of New Orleans
Battle of New Orleans
The Battle of New Orleans took place on January 8, 1815 and was the final major battle of the War of 1812. American forces, commanded by Major General Andrew Jackson, defeated an invading British Army intent on seizing New Orleans and the vast territory the United States had acquired with the...
. He was a legislative representative under Coahuila y Tejas
Coahuila y Tejas
Coahuila y Tejas was one of the constituent states of the newly established United Mexican States under its 1824 Constitution.It had two capitals: first Saltillo, and then Monclova...
, during which he became involved in a land speculation controversy. Durst became a large land holder, due in part to an inheritance from Davenport. Because of a ride he made in 1835 to warn of Mexican troop movements, some have labeled him the Paul Revere of Texas. Durst was a Captain in the Republic of Texas
Republic of Texas
The Republic of Texas was an independent nation in North America, bordering the United States and Mexico, that existed from 1836 to 1846.Formed as a break-away republic from Mexico by the Texas Revolution, the state claimed borders that encompassed an area that included all of the present U.S...
militia under Major General Thomas J. Rusk. He was the founder of the community of Mount Sterling, Texas in Nacogdoches County..
Early life
John Marie Durst was born in Arkansas Post, ArkansasArkansas Post, Arkansas
Arkansas Post, Arkansas is an unincorporated community in Arkansas County, Arkansas, United States. The community is located at the end of Arkansas Highway 169.....
on February 4, 1797. He was one of eight children, four boys and four girls, born to Jacob and Anna Agnes (Schesser) Durst. His brother John Isaac shared his first name. His father Jacob had been born in Shenandoah County, Virginia
Shenandoah County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 35,075 people, 14,296 households, and 10,064 families residing in the county. The population density was 68 people per square mile . There were 16,709 housing units at an average density of 33 per square mile...
in 1754. Jacob's father Abraham Derst spelled the family name with an "e". Abraham Derst was born in Worms-Pfeddersheim
Worms-Pfeddersheim
The former free imperial city Pfeddersheim is a borough of Worms since 1969. It became a borough after 2,000 years of independent history.Pfeddersheim is located in the Pfrimm valley in Rhenish Hesse and surrounded by Riesling vineyards...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
in 1725, and became the family member who emigrated to Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
. Abraham's father Abraham Jacob Derst was born and died in Germany. When John was two years old, his mother died. John's father Jacob Durst moved the entire family to Natchitoches, Louisiana
Natchitoches, Louisiana
Natchitoches is a city in and the parish seat of Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana, United States. Established in 1714 by Louis Juchereau de St. Denis as part of French Louisiana, the community was named after the Natchitoches Indian tribe. The City of Natchitoches was first incorporated on February...
in 1803.
Samuel Davenport
In 1806, Jacob Durst moved to Nacogdoches, Texas with son John Marie and two of his brothers. Jacob died in 1814, and local merchant Peter Samuel Davenport, known to friends as Samuel, became John's godfather and legal guardian. The other two sons had already reached adulthood. Nacogdoches merchants William Barr, Luther Smith, Edward Murphy and Davenport had established the mercantile House of Barr and Davenport in 1798. During Spanish TexasSpanish Texas
Spanish Texas was one of the interior provinces of New Spain from 1690 until 1821. Although Spain claimed ownership of the territory, which comprised part of modern-day Texas, including the land north of the Medina and Nueces Rivers, the Spanish did not attempt to colonize the area until after...
, the distribution center was an importer and exporter of merchandise between Louisiana and Texas, servicing both the Spanish troops and the area Indian tribes. Under Davenport's guardianship, the young Durst learned the mercantile trade and became fluent in several languages. When the Gutiérrez-Magee Expedition
Gutiérrez-Magee Expedition
The Gutiérrez-Magee Expedition was an 1812–13 joint Mexican-American filibustering expedition against Spanish Texas during the early years of the Mexican War of Independence.-Background:...
captured Nacogdoches on August 12, 1812, Davenport became an arms supplier for the Mexican and American forces, helping to rally volunteers to join the cause. With the expedition defeated the next year, the Spanish government offered a reward for his capture. Davenport fled to Natchitoches
Natchitoches, Louisiana
Natchitoches is a city in and the parish seat of Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana, United States. Established in 1714 by Louis Juchereau de St. Denis as part of French Louisiana, the community was named after the Natchitoches Indian tribe. The City of Natchitoches was first incorporated on February...
, accompanied by Durst.
Battle of New Orleans
On January 8, 1815, Durst participated in the Battle of New OrleansBattle of New Orleans
The Battle of New Orleans took place on January 8, 1815 and was the final major battle of the War of 1812. American forces, commanded by Major General Andrew Jackson, defeated an invading British Army intent on seizing New Orleans and the vast territory the United States had acquired with the...
, as part of the Louisiana militia, second division. At the end of the battle, Durst returned to Natchitoches.
Land owner
Davenport died in 1824. His will left 10000 acre (40.47 km²; 15.63 sq mi) acres in Louisiana to Durst. Davenport's son Juan Benigno swapped Durst the Louisiana acreage for acreage on the west side of the Sabine River in Texas. In April 1834 Durst received a Mexican land grant of five leagues in HoustonHouston County, Texas
Houston County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. As of 2000, the population was 23,185. Its county seat is Crockett. Houston County is named for Samuel Houston, a president of the Republic of Texas and Governor of Texas...
, Nacogdoches
Nacogdoches County, Texas
As of the census of 2000, there were 59,203 people, 22,006 households, and 14,039 families residing in the county. The population density was 62 people per square mile . There were 25,051 housing units at an average density of 26 per square mile...
and Anderson
Anderson County, Texas
Anderson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. As of 2000, the population was 55,109. Its county seat is Palestine. Anderson county was organized in 1846, and is named in honor of Kenneth L. Anderson who had been Vice President of the Republic of Texas.-Geography:According to the...
counties.
Coahuila y Tejas
From 1829 to 1834, Durst served in many capacities as an interpreter, and became active in politics. In 1835, Durst became a legislative representative of Coahuila y TejasCoahuila y Tejas
Coahuila y Tejas was one of the constituent states of the newly established United Mexican States under its 1824 Constitution.It had two capitals: first Saltillo, and then Monclova...
from Nacogdoches. He became involved in a controversy over land speculation. While at the legislature, Durst learned of Mexican troop movement into Texas, and became known as the Paul Revere of Texas for his subsequent ride warning of the movement.
Republic of Texas
In 1837, Durst founded the town of Mount Sterling in Nacogdoches County.In 1838, Durst held the rank of Captain in the Republic of Texas
Republic of Texas
The Republic of Texas was an independent nation in North America, bordering the United States and Mexico, that existed from 1836 to 1846.Formed as a break-away republic from Mexico by the Texas Revolution, the state claimed borders that encompassed an area that included all of the present U.S...
militia, serving under Major General Thomas J. Rusk, during Rusk's campaign involving the Kickapoo and Cherokee
Cherokee
The Cherokee are a Native American people historically settled in the Southeastern United States . Linguistically, they are part of the Iroquoian language family...
tribes. In 1844, Durst moved to Leon County.
Personal life and death
Durst married Harriet Matilda Jamison on February 15, 1821. John Henninger ReaganJohn Henninger Reagan
John Henninger Reagan , was a leading 19th century American politician from the U.S. state of Texas. A Democrat, Reagan resigned from the U.S. House of Representatives when Texas seceded from the Union and joined the Confederate States of America. He served in the cabinet of Jefferson Davis as...
, at the time a deputy surveyor, served as a private tutor to the Durst children. John Marie Durst died in Galveston
Galveston, Texas
Galveston is a coastal city located on Galveston Island in the U.S. state of Texas. , the city had a total population of 47,743 within an area of...
on February 9, 1851 and is buried in the family cemetery in Leon County. His wife died September 23, 1885 and is buried next to him.