Jane W Long
Orphaned at the age of 14 and widowed at 24, Jane Wilkinson Long led a long and hard life. She was born Jane Wilkinson on July 23, 1798 in Charles County, Maryland. Her father died when she was less than a year old. In 1811, she moved with her mother to Mississippi. When her mother died the following year, she went to live with her older sister in Natchez. In early 1815, Jane met James Long, a doctor who had come to Natchez to help at the Battle of New Orleans. By May of that year, they were married. The Longs had their first child later that year.
By 1820, Jane had joined her husband at Bolivar Point near Galveston Island. They helped establish an outpost to help free Texas from Spanish rule. James was a filibuster, a soldier in a private army, and in September 1821, went to try to conquer land in Texas from the Spanish. Jane was expecting another child. Jane stayed behind and would wait for James's return. Unfortunately, James was captured and killed in Mexico City. During the winter, supplies ran out and with her 12 year old slave Kian, and her six year old daughter, they camped on the coast of Bolivar Point and hunted and fished for their own food. On December 21, 1821, Jane gave birth to Mary James Long is an ice covered tent. After that terrible winter, Jane and her girls joined the Austin colony and the Old Three Hundred. Jane Long and Kian showed the spirit of the early settlers of Texas.
By 1832, Jane Long opened a successful hotel in Brazoria, a port for new arriving emigrants. The hotel became a focal point for social and political activities in Texas. When Stephen Austin returned from 18 months in prison in Mexico City in 1835, a dinner and ball was held in his honor.
Throughout her long and active life in Texas, Jane Long became the object of many admirers. Ben Milam, William Travis, Stephen F. Austin, Sam Houston and Mirabeau Lamar were just a few who wanted to marry Jane. None were successful and Jane Long died on December 30, 1880 a widow of James Long.
Jane Long is buried at Richmond, Texas. On her gravestone is inscribed, "Mrs. Jane H. Long, The Mother of Texas."
Additional settings for Safari Browser.
