Joanna Troutman
Encyclopedia
Joanna Troutman also Johanna Troutman (19 February 1818 – 23 July 1879) sewed a flag for a battalion of Georgia volunteers who were leaving to fight in the Texas Revolution
. She created the Troutman flag
which had a five-pointed blue star and the words "Victory or Death" on a white silk field. On the reverse side was the Latin phrase UBI LIBERTAS HABITAT, IBI NOSTRA PATRIA EST which means, "Where liberty dwells, there is our fatherland". On 8 January 1836, the flag was raised at Velasco
which is now part of modern Freeport, Texas
. The original flag was badly damaged by accident and only shreds flew in battle.
, suffered a harsh fate. Though they escaped the Battle of Coleto
and the capituation of James W. Fannin's command, they were pursued by José de Urrea
's cavalry. Out of ammunition, they finally surrendered and were marched back to Goliad to join the rest of Fannin's captured troops. On 27 March 1836, they were nearly all executed in the Goliad massacre.
on 19 February 1818, Troutman was the daughter of Hiram Bainbridge Troutman. In 1839 she married Solomom L. Pope and moved to a plantation in Knoxville, Georgia
called Elmwood. The couple had four sons. Her husband died in 1872 and in 1875 she wed W. G. Vinson, who served in the Georgia state legislature. She died on 23 July 1879 at Elmwood and was buried next to her first husband. At the request of Texas governor Oscar Branch Colquitt
her remains were tranferred to the Texas State Cemetery
in Austin
in 1913. Her portrait hangs in one of the legislative chambers of the Texas Capitol.
Texas Revolution
The Texas Revolution or Texas War of Independence was an armed conflict between Mexico and settlers in the Texas portion of the Mexican state Coahuila y Tejas. The war lasted from October 2, 1835 to April 21, 1836...
. She created the Troutman flag
Troutman flag
The Troutman Flag was designed by Joanna Troutman. Joanna designed the flag when she was 18 years old and living in Georgia. The flag was white silk, with a five pointed blue star on it, with the words "Liberty or Death" beneath the star...
which had a five-pointed blue star and the words "Victory or Death" on a white silk field. On the reverse side was the Latin phrase UBI LIBERTAS HABITAT, IBI NOSTRA PATRIA EST which means, "Where liberty dwells, there is our fatherland". On 8 January 1836, the flag was raised at Velasco
Velasco, Texas
Velasco was a town in Texas, United States, that was later annexed by the city of Freeport. Founded in 1831, Velasco is situated on the east side of the Brazos River in southeast Texas. It is sixteen miles south of Angleton, Texas, and four miles from the Gulf of Mexico.The town's early history is...
which is now part of modern Freeport, Texas
Freeport, Texas
Freeport is a city in Brazoria County, Texas within the Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown metropolitan area and is situated in Southeast Texas. As of the 2000 U.S...
. The original flag was badly damaged by accident and only shreds flew in battle.
Background
The Georgians, who were led by William WardWilliam Ward (Texas)
William Ward , was a Macon, Georgia native, who answered the appeal from Texas, during the Texas Revolution. He recruited men from Georgia and led the Georgia Battalion.-Georgia native:William Ward and Dr...
, suffered a harsh fate. Though they escaped the Battle of Coleto
Battle of Coleto
The Battle of Coleto, also known as the Battle of Coleto Creek, the Battle of the Prairie, and the Batalla del encinal del Perdido, was fought on March 19 and 20, 1836, during the Goliad campaign of the Texas Revolution...
and the capituation of James W. Fannin's command, they were pursued by José de Urrea
José de Urrea
José de Urrea was a noted general for Mexico. He fought under General Antonio López de Santa Anna during the Texas Revolution. Urrea's forces were never defeated in battle during the Texas Revolution...
's cavalry. Out of ammunition, they finally surrendered and were marched back to Goliad to join the rest of Fannin's captured troops. On 27 March 1836, they were nearly all executed in the Goliad massacre.
Life
Born in Baldwin County, GeorgiaBaldwin County, Georgia
Baldwin County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2010, the population was 46,337. The county seat is Milledgeville.Baldwin County is part of the Milledgeville Micropolitan Statistical Area, which includes neighboring Hancock County....
on 19 February 1818, Troutman was the daughter of Hiram Bainbridge Troutman. In 1839 she married Solomom L. Pope and moved to a plantation in Knoxville, Georgia
Knoxville, Georgia
Knoxville is an unincorporated community in and the county seat of Crawford County, Georgia, United States. The community is part of the Macon Metropolitan Statistical Area....
called Elmwood. The couple had four sons. Her husband died in 1872 and in 1875 she wed W. G. Vinson, who served in the Georgia state legislature. She died on 23 July 1879 at Elmwood and was buried next to her first husband. At the request of Texas governor Oscar Branch Colquitt
Oscar Branch Colquitt
Oscar Branch Colquitt was the 25th Governor of Texas from January 17, 1911 to January 19, 1915. He was a member of the Democratic Party. Gov...
her remains were tranferred to the Texas State Cemetery
Texas State Cemetery
The Texas State Cemetery is a cemetery located on about just east of downtown Austin, the capital of Texas. Originally the burial place of Edward Burleson, Texas Revolutionary general and Vice-President of the Republic of Texas, it was expanded into a Confederate cemetery during the Civil War...
in Austin
Austin, Texas
Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of :Texas and the seat of Travis County. Located in Central Texas on the eastern edge of the American Southwest, it is the fourth-largest city in Texas and the 14th most populous city in the United States. It was the third-fastest-growing large city in...
in 1913. Her portrait hangs in one of the legislative chambers of the Texas Capitol.