HISTORY

          Refugio was one of the original counties of the Republic of Texas when independence from Mexico was established in 1836.  It was originally a Mexican municipality.             

          Initially very large, Refugio county has, over the years, contributed land to several surrounding counties.  "By the time of the Civil War^qv the original Refugio County area had been reduced by Goliad County in 1841; Calhoun, San Patricio, and Victoria counties in 1846; and awards to Bee County in 1857 and to Nueces County in 1858." (Handbook of Texas, John Leffler)  This is important when tracing the migrations of an ancestor.  The ancestor might not have moved at all but will be found in a different county because of  a boundary change or the creation of a new county.

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Refugio Co., TX - 1895

Population:  582

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"Small Town History: Refugio, Texas" 
by Joseph Lara, Palo Alto College

"A Second Rate Hog Pen"
Lipantitlán and the Battle of the Nueces, 1835
By David Vickers

Reminiscences of Mrs. Annie Fagan Teal
Permission granted by Harold Johnston, great great grandson of Annie Fagan and Peter Teal

Protest Against the Opposition of Power and Hewetson 
to Settlement by Martin de Leon 
June 3, 1831 

THE IRISH IN REFUGIO COUNTY

Power and Hewetson Colony

"Empresarios Power and Hewetson, obtained the right, in 1831, to establish the capital of their colony at the site of the extinguished Mission of Refugio, on the north bank of the Mission River."

History of The Texas Connection With Ballygarrett

"In 1833, some 600 people led by the Empresario James Power left Ireland to found a new Irish settlement under Mexican jurisdiction in the state of Texas."

MAPS

Historical map of Corpus Christi Bay 1845, "showing Copano Bay and the town of Copano, which no longer exists". This link is to "free" maps provided by TexMaps of Corpus Christi.  

SURROUNDING COUNTIES

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