He became interested in Texas from as early as July 15, 1819, while operating a salt business on the south side of the Caddo River in Arkansas.
He was in Texas before June 1822 and settled on the east bank of the Colorado River, opposite the community at Beason's Ferry, site of the present town of Columbus.
While he was returning east to gather his family, an Indian raid destroyed his corn crop, leaving them without provisions when they arrived.
His home was a community center on the Colorado River, and he took an active part in all colonial affairs, serving on committees, drafting petitions, and carrying on extensive correspondence with Stephen F.
[2] He was with the group of settlers who went to Nacogdoches to put down the Fredonian Rebellion, but was too old to fight in the Texas Revolution.