Mother Of Texas 2 Minibox

Jane Long

Placed By: Silver Eagle
Date: 03/25/09
Nearest Town: Richmond, TX
County: Fort Bend
Terrain Difficulty: Easy (flat, 300 yards RT)
Status: alive (03/25/09)

The "Mother Of Texas" is Jane Long, not because she gave birth to the first Anglo child, but because of her independent and determined character while living a long and hard life in Texas. She first came to Texas in 1820 and lived on Bolivar Peninsula for a few years. She then received title to a league of land in Fort Bend County from empresario Stephen F. Austin on August 24, 1824. It wasn't until 1837 that she moved to her league, a portion of which she had sold to Robert E. Handy who developed the town of Richmond, the county seat of Fort Bend County. Folklore and family tradition hold that Jane was courted by Texas' leading men, including Ben Milam, Sam Houston and Mirabeau B. Lamar, but that she refused them all and died a widow of James Long on December 30, 1880. Today you can visit the Fort Bend Museum and see the Long-Smith Cottage, her home in Richmond. You can also visit the Morton Cemetery between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm, where she and Lamar, a Republic Of TX president, are buried and this minibox resides. On her gravestone is inscribed "Mrs. Jane H. Long, The Mother of Texas." Morton Cemetery was founded in 1825 when William Morton buried Robert Gillespie, a fellow Mason, and erected the first Masonic Monument in TX. The monument was almost destroyed in 1836 by Santa Anna's men while camping, but was saved by an officer who was a Mason. NOTE: This minibox has a different stamp from the first box that went missing, so is considered a new box.

Directions:

From Houston, take Hwy 59 Southwest about 25 miles to Hwy 99. Go right for about 3 miles to Hwy Alt 90 & turn left toward Richmond for about 5 miles. After crossing the Brazos River upon entering Richmond, turn right on N. 2nd Street and go .3 miles to Commerce Street. Turn left and park outside the Morton Cemetery. Letterbox is only accessible between 8:00-5:00.

Clues:

Walk west on the asphalt road under the Morton Cemetery sign for about 25 yards to the first gravel road to the left (south). Go down it for another 25 yards to another gravel road to the right (west). Go down it for about 50 yards to another gravel road to the left (south). Go down it for about 25 yards and look left (east) for the first Masonic Monument, then turn right (west) and walk 20 steps to the grave of Lamar. Turn left (south) and walk a few steps to the grave of Jane Long. From her grave, continue south toward some trees at the edge of the cemetery about 25 yards away. You will come to a marker for MATLAGE and you should continue into the woods for 10 steps, then turn left and go 3 steps to a large multi-trunk tree. The minibox is within the trunks under a rock and leaves. The box is a pill container, so remove the top by pushing down while turning counter-clockwise. When replacing the top, make sure to screw it on all the way and check to make sure it doesn't come off if you lift up on it. Please replace as described.

NOTE: Always take adequate precautions (such as prodding with a stick and/or wearing gloves) before reaching into dark crevasses and holes in the wild. Before you set out read the waiver of responsibility and disclaimer.

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Last updated on 03/25/2009

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