History of the Town of Montgomery
Oral History
Donald Duncan shared with me the oral history of the settlement of Montgomery. He referenced a book written by Robin Montgomery telling the oral history. Oral history supports that around 1823 there was a trading post west of the current town of Montgomery. Owen and Margaret Montgomery Shannon were colonist with Stephen F. Austin. They got a land grant and traded with Indians. It was referred to as the Montgomery Trading Post. This was off current Highway 149 in the Town Creek area. Mr. Duncan also claims that he has personally found hundreds of artifacts at the possible location that would support there having been a trading post located there, such as belt buckles.
History Based in Research by Kameron Searle
Kameron Searle, a historian, says that there is no primary historical evidence of a Montgomery Trading Post in the Town Creek area in the 1820’s. He researched county records and found that there was a trading post. However, basic details of the original trading post, such as location, ownership, and years of operation, did not match the oral history claims.
According to records Mr. Searle found, William. W. Shepperd established the area’s first store and trading post in 1835 on Lake Creek. Then in July of 1837, the town of Montgomery was founded by W. W. Shepperd and John Wyatt Moody. W. W. Shepperd and J. W. Moody named the town Montgomery after Montgomery County, Alabama. This is where J. W. Moody was from and had been the County Clerk.
In December 1837, President Sam Houston signed a law that created Montgomery County, and Montgomery “Town Under the Hill” became the County Seat. Then in March 1838, W. W. Shepperd, donated 200 acres just south of the town to the county. At this time, the Montgomery County Commissioners moved the location of the town to the donated land, calling it the “New Town” of Montgomery “on the hill”.
According to records Mr. Searle found, William. W. Shepperd established the area’s first store and trading post in 1835 on Lake Creek. Then in July of 1837, the town of Montgomery was founded by W. W. Shepperd and John Wyatt Moody. W. W. Shepperd and J. W. Moody named the town Montgomery after Montgomery County, Alabama. This is where J. W. Moody was from and had been the County Clerk.
In December 1837, President Sam Houston signed a law that created Montgomery County, and Montgomery “Town Under the Hill” became the County Seat. Then in March 1838, W. W. Shepperd, donated 200 acres just south of the town to the county. At this time, the Montgomery County Commissioners moved the location of the town to the donated land, calling it the “New Town” of Montgomery “on the hill”.
My Opinion about the History
I believe there was a Montgomery Indian Trading Post run by Owen and Margaret Montgomery Shannon around 1820 to 1826. It seems to me that the items that Mr. Duncan found at the supposed location of this trading post supports this version of the history. Since this trading post would have been started before the county was established, there are probably not any records. I think this is where the town originated and was named after Margaret Montgomery. It is probably just a coincidence that J. W. Moody was from Montgomery County, Alabama. It sounds like Montgomery might have been a pretty common name back during that time.
Bibliography
Duncan, Donald. "Riddling Through Local History - Montgomery Scavenger Hunt." Personal interview. 9 Apr. 2016.
Gandy, William H. Cities, Towns, and Communities. N.p.: n.p., 1952. 63-111. History of Montgomery County Texas. Web. 14 Apr. 2016. <http://www.montgomerytexas.com/history-of-montgomery-by-William-Harley-gandy/>.
Historic Montgomery: Birthplace of the Texas Flag- A Small, Historic Hometown with Shady Streets and Friendly People... N.p.: n.p., n.d. Print.
Historic Montgomery Keepsake: Birthplace of the Texas Flag. N.p.: n.p., n.d. Print.
Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce, and Montgomery Historical Society, comps. Experience Montgomery: Tour & Shopping Guide. N.p.: n.p., n.d. Print.
Seattle, Kameron. "Evolution of the Montgomery Trading Post Myth." Texas History Page. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Apr. 2016. <http://www.texashistorypage.com/Evolution_of_the_Montgomery_Trading_Post_Myth.html>.
Gandy, William H. Cities, Towns, and Communities. N.p.: n.p., 1952. 63-111. History of Montgomery County Texas. Web. 14 Apr. 2016. <http://www.montgomerytexas.com/history-of-montgomery-by-William-Harley-gandy/>.
Historic Montgomery: Birthplace of the Texas Flag- A Small, Historic Hometown with Shady Streets and Friendly People... N.p.: n.p., n.d. Print.
Historic Montgomery Keepsake: Birthplace of the Texas Flag. N.p.: n.p., n.d. Print.
Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce, and Montgomery Historical Society, comps. Experience Montgomery: Tour & Shopping Guide. N.p.: n.p., n.d. Print.
Seattle, Kameron. "Evolution of the Montgomery Trading Post Myth." Texas History Page. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Apr. 2016. <http://www.texashistorypage.com/Evolution_of_the_Montgomery_Trading_Post_Myth.html>.