Jane Wilkinson Long: Texas Pioneer

By Neila Skinner Petrick

Book Overview

Considered the 'Mother of Texas, ' Jane Wilkinson Long used her intelligence and bravery to build a life on the Texas frontier. With one of the few land grants given to women, Jane built an inn that became an important meeting place for the Texas Independence Movement.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1589801474
• ISBN13: 9781589801479
• Release Date: February 2004
• Publisher: Pelican Publishing Company
• Length: 32 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 8.7" x 11.2"
• Age Range: 4 to 8 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 3

Customer Reviews

AN INSPIRING BIOGRAPHY

As a child, Neila Skinner Petrick says that she loved hearing stories about the Southwest, especially Texas pioneers. Little wonder that she was enthralled by the life of Jane Wilkinson Long. Often called the "Mother of Texas," Jane Long was an orphan who lived with her aunt and uncle in Mississippi. At the age of 16 she married Dr. James Long who wanted to conquer a far off land ruled by Spain - Texas. To this end he gathered an army and set off. Four years later Jane saddled her mule, Agatha, and followed him. Accompanied by soldiers, her daughter, Ann, and a slave, Kiamatia, she made the long journey. After an arduous and sometimes perilous trek she met Dr. Long and his army at a fort near Galveston Island. It was there that Jane had their second child, Mary James. When she was widowed she joined Stephen Austin's colony, and later moved to Brazoria on the Brazos River where she opened an inn. Later, when Sam Houston ordered settlers to go east for safety, Jane and her family did so. Then, when Houston and his men defeated the Mexican army, Jane returned home only to find that her inn had been burned to the ground. Of course, she rebuilt it, and also helped to build a church and a school. She had seen the Battle of the Alamo; she had lived through dangerous times. What a woman! What a life! - Gail Cooke

Great reading for

What a great book for young people! History is so often boring or mundane for the young reader, but not this book. By weaving together history, adventure and personal insight, Mrs. Petrick gives her audience a glimpse of early Texas in a most interesting way. The artwork adds beauty and interest. I loved reading it. Mary E. Jones