Robert M. Coleman (Texan politician)
Robert M. Coleman | |
|---|---|
| Commanded a Texas Ranger division | |
| In office 1836–1837 | |
| 1st Commanding Officer of Coleman's Fort | |
| In office namesake and constructor 1836 – 1836/37 | |
| Succeeded by | Maj. William H. Smith |
| Alcalde (Mayor) of Mina | |
| In office elected 1834 – term tbd | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (possibly) Robert Morris Coleman 1799 Kentucky, U.S. |
| Died | July 1, 1837 (aged 37–38) Brazos River at Velasco, Texas, U.S. |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States Mexico as Landowner Republic of Texas |
| Branch/service | United States Army Army of the Republic of Texas |
| Years of service | U.S. Army Texian Army: 1835–36 |
| Rank | U.S. Army: Corporal Texian Army:Corporal |
| Battles/wars | • Texas Revolutionary War • Battle of Concepción • Battle of San Jacinto |
Robert M. Coleman (1793 – July 1, 1837) was a Texan and later American politician, soldier, and aide-de-camp to Sam Houston. Coleman was a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence, a Colonel, and a transitional founder of the Republic of Texas into the United States as a constituent state. His opposition to the strategies of Sam Houston regarding defense of the Alamo and troop placements on up through the Battle of San Jacinto caused a rift with Houston and a posturing treatise. This lent suspicion to Coleman's death by drowning.
Coleman was appointed one of the first Texas Rangers. His outpost, Coleman's Fort, was later named Fort Colorado. Early writers on Coleman include Noah Smithwick, a contemporary frontiersman who was stationed at Coleman's Fort. Coleman is referenced in Smithwick's book Recollections of Old Texas Days.
On February 1, 1858, he became the posthumous namesake of Coleman County, Texas. This led to Coleman City, Coleman Lake, and many other features, places, businesses, and identifiers in Coleman County also bearing his name.