James Randolph Robertson

James Randolph Robertson

James Randolph Robertson was born March 7, 1794.  He was the grandson of General James Robertson, the founder of Nashville, and commonly referred to as the “Father of Tennessee”.

In 1836, James Randolph, his wife Susan, and their seven children joined three of his brothers in making the journey to Texas.  They settled in the Brazos Valley west of Hearne.  By 1850, Robertson County records show that he and his wife owned a 15,000- acre plantation, and were credited with bringing cotton farming to Texas.  Later that year, James died, followed in death weeks afterward by young daughters Eliza and Medora.  They are buried in the Robertson family cemetery a quarter-mile from the original site of the Robertson homestead.