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Texas History
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Baxter Island is located on the western foot of the Colorado River, in Matagorda, Texas.The island has a fascinating history deeply intertwined with the, European exploration, the Texas Revolution, and the diverse wildlife that calls it home.

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Cattle drives on the Colorado River

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Baxter Island

Matagorda, Tx

Welcome to the cradle of Texas History!Baxter Island is located at the mouth of the Colorado River in Matagorda, Texas. The island has a fascinating history deeply intertwined with the settlement of the region, European exploration, and the diverse wildlife that calls it home.Reverend William P. Baxter, an early Texas pioneer, helped establish the town site of Matagorda, Texas for Steven F. Austin. The island was part of Stephen F. Austin's original Mexican land grant. In recognition of his contributions to the founding of Matagorda, Baxter Island was named in his honor.As an early settlement that attracted pioneers and settlers, Matagorda played a crucial role in the fight for Texas independence.Matagorda, with its strategic position on the Gulf Coast, served as a vital port for trade and transportation.

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Salt Grass Pioneers

Nearly 200 years ago, the Baxter family regularly undertook the arduous task of driving their herds of cattle from the winter pasture located on the Matagorda Peninsula to the summer pasture on Baxter Island in Matagorda, Texas. Mounting their horses, they would skillfully guide the cows across the formidable Colorado River, marking the transition from the winter grazing grounds to the summer sanctuary. Roaming across the 30-mile stretch of coastal land between the Matagorda Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, the cattle would feast on the lush and nutritious salt grasses that flourished in the region, a region that would become quintessential of the first pioneers of Stephen F. Austin's colony.The journey across the Colorado River was not without its perils. The swift currents and unpredictable tides of the river posed a formidable challenge to both the Baxter family and their cattle. The treacherous nature of the river added an element of danger to their annual migration, requiring skillful navigation and unwavering determination to ensure the safe passage of both man and beast. The very act of traversing the Colorado River symbolized the courage and resilience of the early pioneers who were willing to brave the uncertainties and risks of the untamed landscape in pursuit of a better life.Grazing on the abundant coastal grasses served as a vital component of the cattle's sustenance and well-being during their sojourn between the Matagorda Peninsula and Baxter Island. The nutrient-rich grasslands provided essential nourishment for the cattle, enabling them to thrive and prosper in the challenging coastal environment. The act of grazing on the coastal salt grasses not only sustained the cattle but also represented a harmonious relationship between man, animal, and nature, where each played a crucial role in the delicate ecosystem of the region.In retrospect, the epic journey of the Baxter family across the Colorado River epitomizes the spirit of adventure, perseverance, and dedication that characterized the early pioneers of Stephen F. Austin's colony. Through their daring exploits, the pioneers laid the foundation for future generations to settle and prosper in the rugged wilderness of Texas, transforming the untamed landscape into a land of opportunity and promise. The legacy of the Baxter family and their courageous cattle drives continues to resonate with us today, serving as a testament to the indomitable human spirit and the enduring bond between man and nature in the ever-changing tapestry of history.

Island birds

Baxter island's location makes it an ideal habitat for a variety of waterfowl species, including ducks such as mallards, pintails, teal, and wigeons, among others. The diverse wetland areas, marshes, and freshwater ponds provide an abundant food source and shelter for these birds, attracting them in large numbers during the hunting season.Duck migration over the Colorado River to Matagorda is a fascinating natural phenomenon. Each year, thousands of ducks embark on a long-distance journey from their breeding grounds in the Northern United States and Canada to their wintering grounds in Matagorda, Texas.Birdwatchers and sportsman alike, flock to Matagorda during the peak of duck migration to witness this awe-inspiring spectacle. It's a great opportunity to observe and hunt various species of ducks, such as mallards, pintails, teal, and many more, as they make their way over the Colorado River and settle in the wetlands and coastal areas of Matagorda.As the weather begins to turn colder in the north, ducks start their migration, driven by instinct and the need to find more favorable conditions for feeding and survival.The Colorado Rivers serves as a crucial migratory pathway for these ducks as they make their way south. The ducks typically follow well-established flyways, which are like highways in the sky, guiding them along their journey.

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William A. Baxter

William A. Baxter, son of William P. Baxter and Esther Wightman Yeamans was born October 25, 1835, in Matagorda County, and died August 20, 1889.He like his father was a rancher and raised cattle and pigs on Baxter Island. William and his wife Anne Elizabeth owned sixteen acres on Baxter Island, and built their home and reared their children there. William and Anne Elizabeth's children crossed the river in a skiff to attend school.Matagorda was the county seat and an important port. William A. Baxter owned a schooner, and was engaged in transporting goods to Indianola, Texas.Anna Elizabeth Williams Baxter Williams was born in 1847, on the Matagorda Peninsula near the townsite of Matagorda, Texas. Her mother Catherine had immigrated.America from Denmark after marrying Wilhelm Rasmussen who was originally from Germany. When her father settled on the Matagorda Peninsula, he changed his name to John W. Williams, thus Anna Elizabeth was born on American soil with an American name.All of Elizabeth's early life was spent on the Peninsula. She was a tiny girl with blue eyes and blond
hair. Much of her time and energy was spent helping with the family occupation, which was farming vegetables and raising herds of sheep and cows.There was always time for play, however, and Elizabeth took part in all the activities common to the youth of that time. Even then, fads were common, and the fad she enjoyed participating in the most was called "follow me bows." This name was given to two long bows, one tacked to either shoulder, which hung from the shoulders in long streamers.Schools in those days were scarce, and the nearest public school was located in the town of Matagorda.Since transportation across the bay took too long and was too hard to obtain, the families on the peninsula got together and hired a teacher to come to the peninsula to teach. The population of the peninsula was sparse, and the houses were located far apart,
therefore a centrally located house was chosen as a
AF,,school. It was in such a house that Elizabeth received all her formal school education. Elizabeth was in her early teens when the Civil War
broke out. The war provided many strange experiences for her, for during this time the Yankee soldiers
marched down the Matagorda Peninsula. They took the people's sheep, cows, and food and paid them in useless Yankee money. Elizabeth's family was no exception and they lost all their food, their crops were ruined, and their meat was taken. Outraged at the thought of living through the winter on the small rations left them, the families banded together and made plans to retaliate. The boys and men sneaked to the Yankee's camps at night, scattered the herds of livestock, and stole back all the food they could. Eventually, the scattered livestock returned to their
homes on the peninsula. As a result of these experiences, the years of the Civil War were stamped deeply within Elizabeth's memory.
At the age of nineteen Elizabeth was married to William Baxter. During the following years that they
stayed on the peninsula, they were blessed with three children. Shortly after their third child arrived they
moved across the Colorado River from Matagorda to what is now called Baxter Island. In 1886 a terrible storm blew away their house and all their belongings
were ruined or lost. As soon as possible, Elizabeth and
William rebuilt their home on higher ground, away
from the raging river.
During their years of marriage, Elizabeth and William
had ten children. One child died during infancy.
Elizabeth reared her children very strictly, teaching
them to respect their elders. In order to get to school
each day, the children had to cross the Colorado River
by boat. After school they helped with the chores, but
always found time to play. The children especially
loved to watch for their father's boat as he came home
from hauling a cargo to Galveston, for he often
brought them gifts or clothes. The family harmony was
broken in 1898 when their father died of a stroke at the
age of sixty-three.
Elizabeth and her children remained on Baxter
Island for nearly five years after William's death. She
moved to Matagorda around the year of 1905 where
she became active in the Methodist Church. She was
very active in many community projects, and she
gained many friends as she worked.
On December 17, 1947, Elizabeth celebrated her one
hundredth birthday. She had seen four of her children
celebrate their fiftieth wedding anniversaries. Her
health was excellent for her age and her only worry was
bad hearing, consequently, she was always afraid that
she might miss some of her daughters' gossip. She
delighted in telling her great-grandchildren tales of her
early life. Her one hundredth birthday was celebrated
Anna Elizabeth Williams BaxterANNA ELIZABETH
WILLIAMS BAXTER FAMILY
Anna Elizabeth Williams was born on December 17,
1847, on the Matagorda Peninsula near Matagorda,
Texas. Her mother Catherine had immigrated to
America from Denmark after marrying Wilheml Ras-
mussen who was originally from Germany. When her
father settled on the Matagorda Peninsula, he changed
his name to John W. Williams, thus Anna Elizabeth
was born on American soil with an American name.
All of Elizabeth's early life was spent on the Pen-
insula. She was a tiny girl with blue eyes and blond
hair. Much of her time and energy was spent helping
with the family occupation, which was farming vege-
tables and raising herds of sheep and cows. There was
always time for play, however, and Elizabeth took part
in all the activities common to the youth of that time.
Even then, fads were common, and the fad she enjoyed
participating in the most was called "follow me bows."
This name was given to two long bows, one tacked to
either shoulder, which hung from the shoulders in long
streamers.
Schools in those days were scarce, and the nearest
public school was located in the town of Matagorda.
Since transportation across the bay took too long and
was too hard to obtain, the families on the peninsula
got together and hired a teacher to come to the
peninsula to teach. The population of the peninsula
was sparse, and the houses were located far apart,
therefore a centrally located house was chosen as a
AF,,school. It was in such a house that Elizabeth received all her formal school education. Elizabeth was in her early teens when the Civil War
broke out. The war provided many strange experiences for her, for during this time the Yankee soldiers marched down the Matagorda Peninsula. They took the people's sheep, cows, and food and paid them in useless Yankee money. Elizabeth's family was no
exception and they lost all their food, their crops were ruined, and their meat was taken. Outraged at the thought of living through the winter on the small rations left them, the families banded together and made plans to retaliate. The boys and men sneaked to the Yankee's camps at night, scattered the herds of livestock, and stole back all the food they could.
Eventually, the scattered livestock returned to their homes on the peninsula. As a result of these experiences, the years of the Civil War were stamped deeply within
Elizabeth's memory. At the age of nineteen Elizabeth was married to
William Baxter. During the following years that they stayed on the peninsula, they were blessed with three children. Shortly after their third child arrived they moved across the Colorado River from Matagorda to
what is now called Baxter Island. In 1886 a terrible storm blew away their house and all their belongings were ruined or lost. As soon as possible, Elizabeth and William rebuilt their home on higher ground, away from the raging river.
During their years of marriage, Elizabeth and William had ten children. One child died during infancy.Elizabeth reared her children very strictly, teaching them to respect their elders. In order to get to school each day, the children had to cross the Colorado River
by boat. After school they helped with the chores, but
always found time to play. The children especially
loved to watch for their father's boat as he came home
from hauling a cargo to Galveston, for he often
brought them gifts or clothes. The family harmony was
broken in 1898 when their father died of a stroke at the
age of sixty-three.
Elizabeth and her children remained on Baxter
Island for nearly five years after William's death. She
moved to Matagorda around the year of 1905 where
she became active in the Methodist Church. She was
very active in many community projects, and she
gained many friends as she worked.
On December 17, 1947, Elizabeth celebrated her one
hundredth birthday. She had seen four of her children
celebrate their fiftieth wedding anniversaries. Her
health was excellent for her age and her only worry was
bad hearing, consequently, she was always afraid that
she might miss some of her daughters' gossip. She
delighted in telling her great-grandchildren tales of her
early life. Her one hundredth birthday was celebratedwith an open house held by her daughter. Elizabeth
received many cards and telegrams of best wishes;
among them was a telegram from Jack Bailey, master
of ceremonies on "Queen for a Day."
At the age of one hundred one years and eight
months, Elizabeth passed away in Matagorda at her
daughter's home. She was Matagorda County's oldest
citizen. Elizabeth had lived to see the fifth generation,
and seven of her children survived her. Fifty-one years
after her husband's death Anna Elizabeth Williams
Baxter was laid to rest beside him in the Matagorda
Cemetery. She had lived a full, rich, Christian life, and
left behind many pleasant memories.William A. Baxter; Pvt; Capt. E. A. Peareson’s Company 6 Regiment Texas Infantry; Age 23 years; Company Muster-in Roll for Oct. 4, 1861 at Camp Hy E. McCulloch; Joined for duty and enrolled Oct 4, 1861 at Matagorda by Capt. E. A. Peareson; Period: war; 85 miles to rendezvous

He was justice of the peace in Matagorda from June to December of 1869, filling in when W. H. Burkhart died. In the probate minutes, William A. Baxter was made administrator of his wife's estate, which consisted of one hundred acres of land on the Peninsula and the following children were named:

He served in the Civil War, 6th Texas Infantry. His wife, Anne Elizabeth, lived to be nearly 102, and was buried beside him.

HENRY SAMUEL BAXTERHenry grew up helping with the family ranching in Matagorda. He lived for several years in Refugio County while his father served as minister of the Christian Church at St. Mary's. During that time Henry met Mary Elizabeth "Bettie" Ellis who was born November 19, 1857, in San Saba, Texas, the daughter of Francis Marion and Martha Whitehead Melton Ellis.Henry and Bettie were married September 17, 1874, at St. Mary's by William P. Baxter. Bettie's sister Kate Ellis married Paul Baxter, Henry's brother. Her brother Stonewall Jackson Ellis married Cora Louise Baxter, daughter of Henry's brother William A. Baxter. After their marriage, Henry and Bettie made their home in Matagorda County where their four older children were born. In 1884 they moved to Bee County, bought land there, and their four younger children were born. Henry died on April 20, 1892, and was buried in Beeville, Texas. Bettie moved the family to Bay City where all of thechildren attended school. About 1907 Bettie and her two youngest, unmarried sons, Walter and Stonewall "Stonie," moved to Houston. Stonie married in 1917, and Bettie lived with him in Houston until she died on August 23, 1944.
Henry and Bettie's eight children were: Martha Esther, William Francis, Birdie Lee, Florence Alice,
Mary Omega, Allen Stonewall who died in infancy, Walter Henry, and Stonewall Jackson. Martha "Mattie" Esther (1875-1967) married her
cousin, Paul Franklin "Frank" Franz, son of Conrad Franz and Demis Baxter in 1896. The were the parents of five children: Harvy Arthur, Camille Elizabeth, Mary Omega, Percival Burton, and Weldon Franklin who died in infancy.