Photo courtesy Southlake Historical SocietyJohn Foster (center) and his family were among the early settlers.
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.
