Statement of Purpose

The object of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas shall be:

  1. To perpetuate the memory and spirit of the men and women who achieved and maintained the independence of Texas.
  2. To encourage historical research into the earliest records of Texas, especially those relating to the Revolution of 1835 and the events which followed.
  3. To foster the preservation of documents and relics.
  4. To encourage the publication of records of individual service of the soldiers and patriots of the Republic and other resource material for the history of Texas.
  5. To secure and memorialize historic spots by erecting markers thereon, and to cherish and preserve the unity of Texas, as achieved and established by the fathers and mothers of the Texas Revolution.
  6. To promote the celebration of Texas Honor Day.

Tips on Providing DRT Eligibility

Deeds, probate records, guardianships, church records, marriage records, newspaper articles written at the time of the event, wills, pensions, voter registration certificates, and ship’s lists are all acceptable records for proof.

Supporting proof for all dates and names is required.

The relationship of one generation to another must be proven, using as little proof as possible. Redundant proof of a relationship, date, or proof of service is not required or desired. One set of proof may be used when applications of several persons with the same ancestor are submitted at the same time in one envelope. When referring to proof in a previous approved application, the referenced member’s number, name and applicant’s relationship to that member should be given. It must be verified that proper proof was submitted with that member’s application.

When using a death record as proof of service additional proof must be submitted.

Bible records must have been recorded as the event happened or, as secondary proof, must have supporting proof. Tombstone pictures must be photocopied, with the name and location of the cemetery typed on the page.

All documents must be clear enough to read. When using 1846 tax rolls of Texas as proof of payment of poll tax and presence in Texas, a photocopy of the microfilm must be submitted.

A DRT applicant may find the following sources helpful in securing proof of an ancestor’s colony, military service, residence or land grants in the Republic of Texas.

Family Records

  • Bibles, letters, memoirs, marriage license.

Population Records

  • Texas Census of 1840 by Gifford White
  • Federal Census

Military Records

  • Muster rolls, pay vouchers, proof of service from State Archives, Texas State Library, P.O. Box 12927, Austin, TX 78711.
  • San Jacinto roll from Wortham’s History of Texas, Vol. 3.

Land Records

  • General Land Office records, Austin, TX
  • Headrights and State of Texas patents at county clerk’s office.
  • Deed index, probate records at county clerk offices.

Colonists

  • Austin’s Colony Pioneers by Worth S Ray
  • Austin’s Old 300 Wortham’s History of Texas, Vol. 1
  • DeWitt’s Colonist, Book of Brands,
  • Peter’s Colony by Seymour V Conner
  • Robertson’s Colony in Texas, Vol. VIII, ISBN 0-932408-08-7; Papers concerning Robertson’s Colony in Texas, Vol. XIII, by Malcolm McLean.