Rev. George Washington Baines

(1809-1882) Noted Texas religious leader. Pastor, 1850, to Gen. and Mrs. Sam Houston. Founded first Baptist paper in state, 1855. In difficult Civil War years, served as president of Baylor University, 1861-63, and pastor of the First Baptist Church in Fairfield, 1864-66. A North Carolinian. Uneducated, at 21 he cut and rafted timber to pay for schooling. Received A.M. Degree, University of Alabama. Moved to Arkansas. Founded 7 churches. Served in Arkansas Legislature, 1843-44. Lived and preached in Louisiana, 1845-49. He had 10 children. His wife, Melissa Ann (Butler), died here in wartime. He made her coffin with his own hands. One of their great-grandsons, Lyndon Baines Johnson, became 36th President of the United States, the first Texan to receive this high honor. Churches were vital to military and civilian morale in Confederate Texas. Rev. Baines and other ministers led their congregations in prayer days, soldier relief work, aid to families, distribution of Bibles. They also inspired numerous conversions. Later Rev. Baines served as agent for the Baptist State Convention and its education commission. (1965)

Rev. George Washington Baines is a historical marker in Fairfield, Freestone County, dedicated in 1965. It is one of 57 historical markers documented in Freestone County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 139 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 31.7239, -96.1607 near Fairfield. The nearest cataloged historic site is Manahan House (historical marker), about 0.1 miles away. Others within a short drive include Freestone County, Bradley, Captain L. D., and Val Verde Battery, C.S.A..

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5161009855. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.