Since Texas became an individual republic in 1836, I wondered if and what coins and paper money they produced during those 10 years as The Republic of Texas. In the early days of Texas, a variety of currencies served as cash, including Spanish and Mexican money, bank notes from various U.S. states (The notes of state-chartered banks constituted in all the states the principal money, but, those of Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee were the most commonly found in The Republic of Texas), and currency issued by private companies (called shinplasters). Although The Republic of Texas' Constutution of 1836 gave its Congress the power to "coin money [and] regulate the value thereof," no coins were ever minted. The Republic of Texas first issued paper money in 1837. This currency of 1837 was called "star money" for the small star on the face of the bill. The star money was not face value currency, but rather interest-bearing notes (similar to a treasury bill) that circulated by being endorsed over to the next payee. In 1838, Texas issued change notes with elaborate designs on the front and blank backs. Researching the Currency of the Republic of Texas, I came across this webpage: http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/treasures/republic/currency-01.html Take another look. There is a photo of a man in the middle of the three graphics on the right side of the $5 and $50 Redbacks. Historical research reveals his name is "Deaf Smith" and the reason his photo adorns those Red Backs is his service to General Sam Houston as spy, scout, and soldier. He is one of the most remembered revolutiomary heroes who fought for Texas' independence. His birth given name is Erastus Smith. He, being a sickly man, near death, in one of those freezing industrialy polluted Eastern states, immigrated to Texas in 1821 Being one of the first to join the Texas Republican Army in Gonzalez, his contributions as a spy, scout, and soldier would influence the Battle of Concepcion, the renowned Grass Fight, and the Battle of San Jacinto. He would also be the man who Sam Houston trusted to confirm the fall of the Alamo. Smith has been acclaimed as both the "eyes and ears" of the Texas Army. Unfortunately, for the man that proved to be two of Texas’ most vital organs, her "eyes and ears", he was both going blind and deaf. Hence, history remembers Erastus by the name of "Deaf Smith." Although Deaf Smith is remembered as one of Texas’s greatest scouts and spies, he is most famously remembered for being a heroic soldier at the Battle of San Jacinto. After allowing him to choose a group of trustworthy men, Houston sent him to remove and burn Vince's Bridge. By doing this, he would block any further aid from reaching Santa Anna and, at the same time, remove the enemy’s only means of escape. Houston warned Smith that, if he did not do this quickly, the field would be crimson before his return, or in other words, the battle would be over. Smith and his men, however, completed their mission and returned in time to take the field with Houston and the rest of the Texas Republican Army. In 1837 this Texas soldier, scout, and spy was buried in the Episcopal Churchyard were a grave marker reads "Deaf Smith, the Texas Spy." In American East, the name Erastus Smith was used in reference to a sick man who was likely to leave this world after accomplishing little, but in Texas, the name Deaf Smith would be used in reference to one of the most important men in the region. Deaf Smith’s story is just one of the accounts of thousands of Americans who left their home with little to gain much in Texas. Therefore it is fitting his image adorns thode two Red Backs. Thought you might like to know... Clinker
Another terrific post. I remember reading about Deaf Smith years ago. It may have been in Texas Highways or one of the many Texas guidebooks that I've had. Thanks for sharing this with us. The notes have wonderful designs. Wouldn't mind having one of those.
Thanks for another informative post. Interestingly, a member of my coin club in Pasadena Texas just wrote a book about paper money and the Texas Republic. He presented it last month in the club meeting and it looks very good. For those interested it is entitled: The Paper Republic: The Struggle for Money, Credit and Independence in the Republic of Texas
Great story, thanks for sharing. As for coins in the old Republic. They used mostly Mexican coins which were legal tender in the US and Texas. Traci
To bobbeth87: My two thanks to you for a positive comment and for sharing the title your friend's new book... Clinker
I do not have any of the currency, but I was born about two blocks from the Alamo.`Later I found out that a 1st cousin five times removed died at the Alamo in 1836. It would be nice to have some.-O)
To Saercher: Do a search for "Republic of Texas Currency" on any search engine. You should get plenty of results. Clinker
The Republic of Texas and Sam Houston have a special place in my family history. When Andrew Jackson forcibly removed the Cherokee people from Georgia and North Carolina in 1837-8 President Sam Houston of the Republic of Texas offered sanctuary to Cherokee that wanted to settle in Texas. Some of my ancestors took him up on the offer and settled in the Red River valley in NE Texas and built their plantation there that existed until the Civil War. Because of that, they were spared the ignominy of languishing in what would become the Indian Territory and later Oklahoma.
My father's direct line came to Goliad, Texas about 1850-1853 from MO, and built the first house built of brick and stone in the area, later in about 1950 it got electricity. Them family moved to Carrizo Springs after the Civil War, because they killed several Yankees during reconstruction period, and had to leave.The land that they moved to was considered "No Man's Land" and the Federal Govt. did not pursue them and the Mexicans did not bother them either, only the Indians and bad Mexicans did. Later some of my father's people move to the San Antonio, Texas area.
