Settlers' land claims develop into area communities

The fledging Republic of Texas was only five years old in 1841, but it was already broke and settlers could not afford to pay their taxes. Complicating matters were the dangers of frequent attacks by Native Americans and the persistent threat of Mexico reconquering the republic.

With land nearly worthless, lawmakers contracted with an investment company known as Peters Colony to recruit pioneers from other states to settle in a large area of North Central Texas.

"Handbills and advertisements spread the word: 'Bring your family to Texas, establish a farm or ranch, stay for at least three years—and get free land!'" according to a Southlake Historical Society account.

Settlers willing to brave the Texas frontier slowly streamed into a 16,000-square mile area encompassing most of present day Dallas-Fort Worth. Among them were about two dozen families, all relatives of each other, who set out in 1844 from what is now the Kansas City, Missouri, area.

They "loaded their wagons with supplies, Bibles and with their guns and dogs and left Platte County, Missouri, for Texas," wrote descendant Pearl Foster O'Donnell in her book, "Trek to Texas." "On the way, they encountered swollen streams and were harassed by Indians and illness, which caused many to turn back."

A year later, two settlers from the group who made it to Texas returned to Missouri to convince their kin to join them and partake of the abundant opportunities.

In 1845 about 175 pioneers staked claim to land in what is now the Grapevine, Colleyville and Southlake area and came to be known as the Missouri Colonists.

They were the area's first white settlers, according to Grapevine and Southlake historical accounts.

Married settlers who signed with Peters Colony received 640 acres, and singles older than age 17 got 320 acres. The Missouri Colonists quickly built cabins and organized the Lonesome Dove Baptist Church in present-day Southlake.