Details for Near Site of Trading Post of Dr. George Washington Hill

Historical Marker — Atlas Number 5349007210

Data

Marker Number 7210
Atlas Number 5349007210
Marker Title Near Site of Trading Post of Dr. George Washington Hill
Index Entry Hill, George Washington, Dr., Trading Post
Address 18520 FM 709
City Dawson
County Navarro
UTM Zone 14
UTM Easting 715353
UTM Northing 3537370
Subject Codes trading posts, customs stations; Republic of Texas; state official; medical topics and health professionals; pioneers;
Marker Year 1970
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark No
Marker Location Liberty Hill Park, Navarro Mills Lake, 0.4 mi NW of park entrance near lakeshore
Private Property No
Marker Condition In Situ
Marker Size 27" x 42"
Marker Text (1814-1860) Dedicated frontier physician and public servant to the Republic and State of Texas. Born in Tennessee, Hill received his medical degree from Transylvania University. He came to Texas in 1836, where he was a surgeon for Fort Houston at the opening of his lifelong practice. In 1837 Hill became the medical censor for Milam County. Later that year, he moved to newly created Robertson County, where he married Miss Matilda Slaughter. He entered public office as Robertson County Representative in the Congress of the Republic, 1838-41 and 1842-43. In 1838 Hill was reported operating a trading post near here. His home, called Spring Hill, became the first settlement in Navarro County. Later that year, however, it was connected with a tragedy. A few days after spending the night at Hill's place twenty-one surveyors (including Hill's brother) were virtually annihilated by several hundred Kickapoos. Hill was named Indian agent for the Republic in 1841, and in 1843 he became secretary of war. After Texas joined the Union he served in the Legislature. Throughout these years he continued to practice medicine, facing many dangers in order to render aid. In 1853 Hill County was named in his honor. (1970)

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