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Emily West Morgan, Yellow Rose of Texas? |
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The lyrics to a song popular in the 19th century and again due to a televsion show in the 1950's refer to a person not a flower. The story of The Yellow Rose of Texas begins in 1830 with James Morgan, Philadelphia entrepreneur, moving to Mexico. His plan was to capitalize on cheap land and business opportunities. Being aware of the Mexican government's stance against enslavement, Morgan reportedly renamed his slaves as 99-year indentured servants. |
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In 1835, Morgan went to New York to recruit more laborers for his growing settlement named New Washington. One of which was a twenty year old mixed race woman named Emily D. West who was described as having extraordinary intelligence and sophistication along with being stunningly beautiful. She signed a one year contract to work for Morgan. Since many of his prevously obtained slaves/servants were obtained from Bermuda, she may have been from there originally. Census records in New Haven, Connecticut matching her description indicate she could have been from there and was freeborn.. |
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The war for Texas' independence from Mexico was fully engaged by the following year and was led by General Sam Houston. James Morgan's now successful settlement was strategically located near the mouth of the San Jacinto River. As a loyal supporter for the land to belong to the United States, he freely gave food and supplies to Houston's men. One particularly strategic parcel of land named Morgan's Point (so called to this day) extended into San Jacinto Bay where flatboats were loaded with supplies for Houston army. |
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In March of 1836, James Morgan was appointed a Colonel and assigned to the Port of Galveston, so he left Emily West Morgan in charge of loading the flatboats for the army. By April, Morgan's settlement was mostly deserted when Santa Anna's army appeared and took control. Known for his womanizing, Santa Ana took Emily as his personal spoil of war. As an indentured servant he did not feel the need to engage in elaborate subterfuge such as a mock wedding he arranged to convince the mother of a young girl he desired that his intentions were honorable as opposed to what we now refer to as statutory rape. |
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Along with Emily, Santa Ana captured another mixed race indentured servant at New Washignton named Turner who he tried to convince to lead scouts to Houston's camp. Emily told Turner to escape and inform the "Texian" army of the Mexican general's location and plans. When Houston heard the news from Turner, he was able to move his troops within visual range of the Mexican general's camp. |
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On the morning of April 21, Houston reportedly climbed a tree to spy into the Mexican camp and upon seeing the lovely Emily waiting on the general remarked "hope that slave girl makes him [Santa Anna] neglect his business and keeps him in bed all day". That afternoon, the Mexican army was caught completely by surprise, and Santa Anna was literally caught with his pants down. |
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Emily West Morgan survived the battle and made her way back to New Washington. Two days later, James Morgan returned from Galveston. When Emily told him of Santa Ana's arrival and what she and Turner had done, he cancelled her indenture and provided her with means to return to New York. Another version of the story has Emily joining the employ of Isaac Moreland of San Jacinto who sponsored her return to New York in 1837. Whether she made it all the way back to New York or settled somewhere in between is lost to history. |
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We do know James Morgan not only knew of but recognized that Emily's actions were heroic. He told people of how she saved New Washington and alerted Gen. Houston and also wrote of it in his journals. The lyrics of the popular song Yellow Rose of Texas that would be sung by marching soldiers during the Civil War and settlers traveling westward were based on these journals. The original lyrics spoke of a "darky". |
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To this day, the actions of the young woman from the northeast are still reverently commemorated by the members of the Knights of the Yellow Rose of Texas each April 21 at San Jacinto. |
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For more information on Filling in the Gaps in American History (F.I.G.A.H), biographies and additional research on people of African Descent who don' t usally appear in textbooks, contact us at email |
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