Damon's Mills

Elizabeth Powell, a widow with five children, four of whom came with her to Texas, was reportedly born in Pennsylvania. She entered Texas in 1828 as a colonist of Stephen F. Austin and in 1831 received a league of land from the Mexican government. This was grant number one in Austin's second colony and was located on Turkey Creek and the San Bernard River in what is now Fort Bend County. Her house was situated on the trail from Brazoria and Columbia to San Felipe near where it crossed one of the routes to San Antonio. The Mexican general Vicente Filisola left the only contemporary description of Madam Powell's place. The house he described was in the style that early Americans called double pen or dog-run houses. This style, typical of many homes in early Texas, was two rooms separated by a hallway open at both ends. The kitchen was separate from the main house along with several smaller buildings.

Adapted from the official Handbook of Texas, a state encyclopedia developed by the Texas State Historical Association (TSHA). It is an authoritative source of trusted historical records.