Eleanor Finch
Sterling Clack Robertson (1785–1842) was an empresario, soldier, and statesman from Tennessee, who played a significant role in the history of Texas. As an influential figure, he introduced 600 families into Robertson's Colony and served as a delegate at the Washington-on-the-Brazos convention, signing the Texas Declaration of Independence. However, there is conflicting information about whether he signed the Constitution of the Republic of Texas. While some sources claim that he did indeed sign the Constitution, others state that he did not, highlighting his non-signature as an example of the historical dynamics of constitutional processes in the region.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Birth | 2 October 1785 |
| Birthplace | Nashville, Tennessee |
| Death | 4 March 1842 |
| Occupation | Empresario, soldier, statesman |
| Military Service | War of 1812, Texas Revolution |
| Political Affiliation | Republic of Texas |
| Notable Accomplishments | Signed Texas Declaration of Independence, Sponsored bill creating the General Land Office |
| Family | Elijah Robertson (father), Rachael Smith (partner), Frances King (partner), James Maclin Robertson (son), Elijah Sterling Clack Robertson (son) |
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What You'll Learn
Sterling C. Robertson was an empresario from Tennessee
Sterling Clack Robertson, commonly known as Sterling C. Robertson, was an empresario from Tennessee. He was born in 1785 in what is now Nashville, Tennessee, and spent his youth there. Robertson was born into a wealthy and influential slave-holding family. He received a private education through his family connections.
Robertson served in the Tennessee Militia in the campaign against the British in New Orleans during the War of 1812. He was discharged with the rank of Major and returned to Tennessee, where he lived on a plantation in present-day Giles County. In March 1822, he was one of seventy members of the Texas Association who petitioned the Mexican government for permission to settle in Texas. They received a contract in 1825, known as Leftwich's Grant, and Robertson travelled to Texas with a party to explore the new territory. The colonization project became known as the Nashville Company, and Robertson began signing up families to move to Texas in 1830. He introduced 600 families into Robertson's Colony.
Robertson was also an elected delegate to the Washington-on-the-Brazos convention in 1836, where he signed both the Texas Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the Republic of Texas. He served as a senator during the first two sessions of the Congress of the Republic of Texas from 1836 to 1838. During this time, he served as the chairman or member of several committees tasked with creating laws for the new nation. One of his most notable contributions was sponsoring a bill to establish the General Land Office to manage the distribution of Texas public lands to settlers.
Sterling C. Robertson died of pneumonia in Robertson County on March 4, 1842. He is buried in the Texas State Cemetery in Austin, Texas.
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He signed the Texas Declaration of Independence
Sterling Clack Robertson, also known as Sterling C. Robertson, was an early Texas empresario, soldier, and statesman. He was born on October 2, 1785, in what is now Nashville, Tennessee, and spent his youth there. After serving in the Tennessee Militia in the campaign against the British in New Orleans during the War of 1812, he returned to Tennessee, where he lived on a plantation in present-day Giles County.
In March 1822, Robertson was one of seventy members of the Texas Association who petitioned the Mexican government for permission to settle in Texas. They finally received a contract in 1825, known as Leftwich's Grant. Robertson explored the new territory with a party sent from Nashville and remained in Texas until at least August of the following year. The colonization project became known as the Nashville Company, and by April 1830, Robertson had begun signing up families to move to Texas.
Robertson was an elected delegate to the Washington-on-the-Brazos convention in 1836, where he signed the Texas Declaration of Independence. This historic document was a response to grievances against the Mexican government, including the imprisonment of Stephen F. Austin, Mexico's failure to recognize the rights of settlers, and the absence of habeas corpus. The signing of the Texas Declaration of Independence by Robertson and 59 others declared Texas' independence from Mexico and led to the freedom and establishment of its own government.
Robertson's signature on the Texas Declaration of Independence exemplifies his role in the historical dynamics of the region's constitutional processes. His contribution to this document, which also served as a platform for delegates to establish a new constitution mirroring American principles, did not extend to signing the Constitution of the Republic of Texas.
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He did not sign the Constitution
Sterling Clack Robertson (1785–1842) was an empresario from Tennessee, during Mexican Texas. He was a delegate to the Washington-on-the-Brazos convention, where he signed the Texas Declaration of Independence, but he did not sign the Constitution.
Robertson was born on October 2, 1785, in what is now Nashville, Tennessee. He served in the Tennessee Militia in the campaign against the British in New Orleans during the War of 1812 and was discharged with the rank of Major. After the war, he owned a plantation in Giles County and was a stockholder in the Texas Association. In 1822, he signed a memorial to the Mexican government requesting permission to settle in Texas. He received a contract in 1825, known as Leftwich's Grant, and came to Texas with a party sent to explore the new territory.
In 1836, Robertson was a delegate to the Convention of 1836, where he signed the Texas Declaration of Independence, but not the Constitution. The Texas Declaration of Independence was a response to grievances against the Mexican government, including the imprisonment of Stephen F. Austin and Mexico's failure to recognize the rights of settlers. It led to the creation of a constitution that allowed slavery. Robertson's non-signature on the Texas Constitution exemplifies the historical dynamics of constitutional processes in the region.
As an empresario, Robertson introduced 600 families into Robertson's Colony. He served as a senator during the first two sessions of the Congress of the Republic of Texas and was Captain of a Ranger company during the Texas Revolution. He sponsored a bill creating the General Land Office to oversee the distribution of Texas public lands to its settlers.
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He was a delegate at the Washington-on-the-Brazos convention
Sterling Clack Robertson (1785–1842) was an empresario from Tennessee during Mexican Texas. He was born in Nashville, Tennessee, and served in the Tennessee Militia in the campaign against the British in New Orleans during the War of 1812. After the war, he owned a plantation in Giles County. In 1822, Robertson was one of seventy members of the Texas Association who petitioned the Mexican government for permission to settle in Texas. They received a contract in 1825, known as Leftwich's Grant, and Robertson travelled to Texas with a party to explore the new territory.
In 1836, Robertson was elected as a delegate to the Washington-on-the-Brazos convention. He was joined by his nephew George C. Childress. There, Robertson signed the Texas Declaration of Independence, which declared Texas' independence from Mexico. This was a direct result of the Texas Revolution and allowed Texas to have its own government. However, it is unclear whether Robertson signed the Constitution of the Republic of Texas. While some sources claim that he did, others state that he did not.
Robertson introduced 600 families into Robertson's Colony and became a senator during the first two sessions of the Congress of the Republic of Texas. He served in the senate from 1836 to 1838 and was either chairman or a member of several committees charged with creating laws for the new nation. One of his most notable contributions was sponsoring the bill that created the General Land Office to oversee the distribution of Texas public lands to its settlers.
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He was a senator in the First and Second Congresses of the Republic of Texas
Sterling Clack Robertson (1785–1842) was a senator in the First and Second Congresses of the Republic of Texas. He was an early Texas empresario, soldier, and statesman, born in Nashville, Tennessee, and spent his youth there. He served in the Tennessee Militia in the campaign against the British in New Orleans during the War of 1812 and was discharged with the rank of Major. After the war, he owned a plantation in Giles County.
In March 1822, Robertson was one of 70 members of the Texas Association who petitioned the Mexican government for permission to settle in Texas. They received a contract in 1825, known as Leftwich's Grant, and Robertson travelled to Texas with a party to explore the new territory. He remained in Texas until at least August of the following year. The colonization project became known as the Nashville Company, and from April 1830, Robertson began signing up families to move to Texas.
Robertson was an elected delegate to the Washington-on-the-Brazos convention in 1836, where he signed the Texas Declaration of Independence. However, there is conflicting information about whether he signed the Constitution of the Republic of Texas. While some sources claim that he did sign the Constitution, others state that he did not.
During his time in the Senate of the First and Second Congresses of the Republic of Texas, Robertson served as either the chairman or a member of several committees charged with creating laws for the new nation. One of his most notable contributions was sponsoring the bill that created the General Land Office to oversee the distribution of Texas public lands to its settlers.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Sterling C. Robertson did not sign the Constitution. However, he did sign the Texas Declaration of Independence.
The Texas Declaration of Independence was a document signed in 1836 declaring Texas' independence from Mexico.
Sterling C. Robertson was an early Texas empresario, soldier, and statesman. He was also a delegate at the Convention of 1836 and a senator in the First and Second Congresses of the Republic of Texas.
