Bennett, Joseph L.

Joseph L. Bennett, who came to Texas in 1834 and settled in this area, joined the Texas army in early 1836. As captain of a company of local volunteers, he left this area about March 1, 1836, to lead his troops to aid Texan forces at the Alamo. Upon reaching the Colorado River he learned of the fall of the Alamo, and so discontinued the mission. He soon joined with Sam Houston's main army and in April was elected Lt. Colonel of the 2nd Regiment of Volunteers, the company he commanded at the Battle of San Jacinto. Bennett received land grants in payment for his military service, and in 1837 President Sam Houston appointed him to command a frontier defense unit. Elected by Montgomery County voters to the Republic of Texas Congress, he served for two terms, 1838-1840. He briefly resumed military service in 1842 as a member of the Somervell Expedition against Mexico. Bennett also was active in local civic affairs, serving as mail carrier from Houston to Montgomery, county commissioner and supporter of area schools. He moved his family to his headright land grant in present Navarro and Freestone counties in 1848. He died later that year and was buried in a family graveyard near Streetman.

Bennett, Joseph L. is a historical marker in Montgomery, Montgomery County. It is one of 65 historical markers documented in Montgomery County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 153 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 30.3825, -95.6512 near Montgomery. The nearest cataloged historic site is Martin Cemetery No.1 (cemetery), about 1.2 miles away. Others within a short drive include Site of the Home of Dr. Charles B. Stewart, Johnson-Haynes Chapel, and Cathalorri.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5339007865. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.