Jane Wilkinson Long

Often called the 'Mother of Texas, ' Jane Wilkinson Long led an eventful life on the Texas frontier. Her life as a pioneer, mother, widow, businesswoman, and revolutionary is brought to life for children in Jane Wilkinson Long: Texas Pioneer. After being orphaned at a young age, Jane married Dr. James Long when she was only sixteen. Dr. Long dreamed of conquering 1/2Tejas 1/2 and used his wife 1/2s fortune to build an army. Jane and her family soon joined him on the Bolivar Peninsula, only to be left again as Dr. Long attempted to conquer Mexico. Alone on the frontier with only her slave to help her, Jane endured a brutal winter. With the coming of spring, Jane learned of her husband 1/2s death in Mexico. Now a widow, Jane joined Stephen Austin's pioneers in the Austin colony and obtained a land grant. She built an inn in Brazoria that soon became a meeting place for revolutionaries like Stephen Austin, William Barret Travis, and Sam Houston. Jane's unflagging spirit helped her to build a life for herself and her family despite numerous setbacks.