Jamestown

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Jamestown, also known as Berrien, Jimtown, and Old Jamestown, was just south of Wilds Creek in eastern Smith County three miles north of Overton in Rusk County. The site, settled in 1846, was part of the Edward Pierce survey and was located at the intersection of Mound Indian Trail and the Starrville-Omen Road. In 1853 David and Elizabeth Steber began laying out streets and selling lots at the townsite-with the stipulation that no taverns be opened-and in 1855 the settlement was granted a post office called Berrien; J. B. Hall was postmaster. Hall changed the post office name to Jamestown in 1856, and that same year a Masonic lodge was chartered. By 1858 the community had three blacksmiths, two wagonmakers, two general stores, and a cabinetmaker. The 1860 census listed Thomas Hall, B. F. Skinner, and J. T. Kenedy as teachers in the Jamestown common school. The area was served by five Methodist ministers and one Baptist minister; the twenty-seven members of the Baptist congregation met every two weeks.

In 1861 Dr. W. M. Bradford raised a military company at the community, and Company G of the Fourteenth Texas Voluntary Infantry was mustered in under Capt. D. C. Laird. Home-front patrols were also organized. After the Civil War, local residents engaged primarily in producing and shipping cotton, and the community remained fairly stable. In 1867 the Stebers donated two acres for a Methodist church. They had already established the Steber, Butler, and Company Storehouse, and other businesses soon included a gristmill and gin. Jamestown's population was seventy, including one teacher and two doctors.

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Vista K. McCroskey | © TSHA

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

Belongs to

Jamestown is part of or belongs to the following places:

Currently Exists

No

Place type

Jamestown is classified as a Town

Associated Names

  • [1]
  • [Old-]
  • [Jimtown]
  • (Berrien)

Location

Latitude: 32.32910400
Longitude: -94.99449700

Has Post Office

No

Is Incorporated

No