Gholson Road: Revolutionaries and Texas Rangers

GHOLSON ROAD is the well-documented story of one family's role in American history, from early Virginia through early Texas during the period of the Old West. Anthony2 fought with the Virginia militia in the Revolutionary War and leased land from George Washington. In 1801, at age 68, he moved his family west to Kentucky.

Samuel, son of Anthony2, fought in the War of 1812, participating in the Battle of the Thames and the Battle of New Orleans, moved to Arkansas Territory, then to Texas, arriving in 1832 with his son Albert. They were members of Robertson's Colony while Texas was still a part of Mexico and were among the early Texas Rangers. Albert fought in most of the battles of the Texas Revolution and survived many Indian fights, only to be killed by a neighbor. His sons, Sam and Frank, were also Texas Rangers, protecting the settlers and helping to retrieve several Indian captives. The brothers were persuaded to become Confederate soldiers by a lynch mob that threatened to kill them and their young wives if they did not. After the Civil War, they were involved in the cattle industry and the trail drives of the late 1800s.