Commemorating the 150th anniversary of the community of Barrett.

89(R) HR 1525 - Enrolled version - Bill Text

H.R. No. 1525

R E S O L U T I O N

WHEREAS, Residents of Barrett are celebrating the 150th

anniversary of their community with a Founders Day event on

June 14, 2025; and

WHEREAS, Harrison Barrett, the community's founder and

namesake, was born in Texas around 1845 to Simon and Eliza Barrett;

his parents, who came from Louisiana, had several other children,

but during slavery, the family members were separated; and

WHEREAS, Immediately after emancipation in 1865, Harrison

Barrett and his wife, Annie Jones Barrett, made a 30-mile trek to

Houston to have a justice of the peace legally formalize their

marriage; Mr. Barrett spent several years finding his relatives and

reuniting them on land east of the San Jacinto River that he planned

to purchase; he cut down trees on the property to build seven houses

and helped his family members start farms; he and his wife were

blessed with 12 children; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Barrett established a sawmill, gristmill, and

coffee mill, and he granted open access to the fish and crawfish in

the spring and gully near his homestead; in 1889, the White owner of

the land finally agreed to sell it to Mr. Barrett for 50 cents an

acre, and the holding was one of the largest to be acquired by a

freedman in Harris County; the community initially became known as

Barrett's Settlement, and as it grew, Mr. Barrett donated land for

Shiloh Baptist Church, which also served as a school; and

WHEREAS, In 1917, Mr. Barrett passed away; he, his wife, and

four other family members are interred in the Journey's End

Cemetery near his original homestead; twice rebuilt by descendants,

the house still stands today; in 1947, the community gained a high

school and a post office branch, known as Barrett Station; today,

the area is home to approximately 5,000 people; and

WHEREAS, Harrison Barrett inspired generations through his

resilience, determination, and deep commitment to his loved ones,

and it is truly a pleasure to join in marking this milestone in rich

history of the community that he founded; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 89th Texas

Legislature hereby commemorate the 150th anniversary of Barrett and

extend sincere best wishes to all those taking part in the 2025

Founders Day celebration; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be

prepared for the community as an expression of high regard by the

Texas House of Representatives.

Dutton

______________________________

Speaker of the House

I certify that H.R. No. 1525 was adopted by the House on June

2, 2025, by a non-record vote.

______________________________

Chief Clerk of the House