Celebrate Texas Independence at "Independence Eve"

March 1

 

The Fearless Fifty-Nine, Claiborne West

Claiborne West was the 36 year old Jefferson representative. West moved from Louisiana to Texas in 1831. He served as a member of the subcommittee for safety and vigilance for the district of Cow Bayou during the Convention of 1832. Upon the formation of the General Council, he was elected to represent the Jefferson Municipality. After the Convention, he furnished provisions to soldiers during the Runaway Scrape and prior to the battle of San Jacinto. Then he enlisted in a company under Benjamin Franklin Hardin and served from July to October 1836. After the war, he was a representative in the Texas Congress from 1836 to 1837. Also in 1836, he served as postmaster for the hamlet of Jefferson. Later in life he moved to Montgomery County then Guadalupe County. He was married three times with nine children from his first marriage. He died in September 1866.

Claiborne West State Park in Vidor (near Beaumont) is named after him.