Pease, Elisha Marshall

Portrait of Elisha Marshall Pease. Cabinet card format. Elisha Marshall Pease (1812-1883) was born in Enfield, Hartford County, Connecticut, to Lorrain T. Pease and Sarah (Marshall) Pease. He was called "Marshall" by his family and is not known to have signed himself as anything but "E. M. Pease" and "Marshall"--never "Elisha." He studied at Westfield Academy (Mass.) until age fourteen or fifteen, after which he worked as a store clerk and then for the Hartford Post Office. He left Connecticut in 1834 and, after exploring the Midwest and making a trip to New Orleans, came to Texas in 1835. There he came to acquire financial security that he could not gain in New England. Pease settled in the Municipality of Mina (later renamed Bastrop) where he became involved in the early stages of the Texas Revolution. He fought in the first battle at Gonzales, and then he began service to the interim government and, later, that of the Republic of Texas. He wrote part of the Constitution of the Republic of Texas and served in several positions in the interim government. He settled in Brazoria at the invitation of John Austin Wharton, where he joined Wharton's law firm, and he was admitted to the Texas bar in 1837. He served in the first three terms of the Texas legislature after annexation. Pease ran unsuccessfully for governor in 1851, but he won two years later, and he and his family moved to Austin. He was governor for two terms (1853-1857), during which time his administration settled the debt remaining from the Texas Revolution, putting the state on a sound financial foundation for the first time. He persuaded the Legislature to establish a Permanent School Fund of two million dollars, but as much as he wanted public schools, they were not generally operational until after the Civil War. He encouraged railroad construction in the state and led the building campaign that resulted in construction of the Governor's Mansion, the General Land Office, and a new Capitol. He also led the establishment of state schools for the deaf and the blind, as well as the state "lunatic asylum." In 1859, Pease bought the home that James B. Shaw had built west of the City of Austin in 1854. With its surrounding farm and untouched acres, it became known as Woodlawn. The house was the prototype of the Governor's Mansion--both were built by Austin's "master builder," Abner H. Cook. Four generations of the Pease family lived there. Before, during, and after the Civil War, Pease was loyal to the Union, although he was an enslaver. He and his family remained in Austin during the War, lest they lose all their property, and he farmed with enslaved people at Woodlawn. Because he refused to swear loyalty to the Confederacy, he could not practice law during the War. During Reconstruction, he unsuccessfully ran for governor in 1866. The following year, he was appointed provisional governor by the U. S. Army command in charge of Texas. In 1869, he resigned over political differences. He continued to be involved in Texas politics and, in 1879, he was appointed United States Customs Collector, where he served two years. He co-founded a bank in Austin and was involved in civic improvements. Pease died suddenly in Lampasas and was buried in the family plot of the Austin City Cemetery, now Oakwood Cemetery.

Julia Maria Pease golfing. Her back is to the camera. A man watches her from the right as she prepares to swing. Julia Maria Pease (1853-1918), who was known as Julie, was born in Brazoria in 1853, the year that her father was elected governor. She lived at Woodlawn for most of her life. She was educated at Hartford Female Seminary (CT) and Vassar College (NY), from which she received a degree in fine arts. After her older sister Carrie Pease Graham died in 1882, Julie reared Carrie's three children, Marshall, Niles, and Margaret Graham, at Woodlawn. Julie led an active social and civic life and was a leader in promoting the arts in Austin. She was one of the first members (and a life member) of the Texas State Historical Association, a member of the University Ladies Club and the Colonial Dames, and a sponsor of the Boy Scouts. She helped raise funds for a hospital and worked to improve Austin's jail conditions. She and her mother were patrons and friends of sculptor Elisabet Ney. Her efforts to preserve Ney's studio and works resulted in the establishment of The Texas Fine Arts Association. Julie continued her parents' tradition of hospitality at Woodlawn, and she was also a devoted gardener there. She was especially dedicated to the preservation of Austin's trees. She passed away in 1918.

Formal portrait of Julia Maria Pease, wearing a dark dress and with her arms crossed in front of her waist. Julia Maria Pease (1853-1918), who was known as Julie, was born in Brazoria in 1853, the year that her father was elected governor. She lived at Woodlawn for most of her life. She was educated at Hartford Female Seminary (CT) and Vassar College (NY), from which she received a degree in fine arts. After her older sister Carrie Pease Graham died in 1882, Julie reared Carrie's three children, Marshall, Niles, and Margaret Graham, at Woodlawn. Julie led an active social and civic life and was a leader in promoting the arts in Austin. She was one of the first members (and a life member) of the Texas State Historical Association, a member of the University Ladies Club and the Colonial Dames, and a sponsor of the Boy Scouts. She helped raise funds for a hospital and worked to improve Austin's jail conditions. She and her mother were patrons and friends of sculptor Elisabet Ney. Her efforts to preserve Ney's studio and works resulted in the establishment of The Texas Fine Arts Association. Julie continued her parents' tradition of hospitality at Woodlawn, and she was also a devoted gardener there. She was especially dedicated to the preservation of Austin's trees. She passed away in 1918.

Portrait of Lucadia Pease, wearing a dark dress with white lace at the neck. Lucadia Christiana (Niles) Pease (1813-1905) was born in Poquonock, Hartford County, Connecticut, to Richard Niles and Christiana (Griswold) Niles. Her education was equivalent to a level of high school today. At age twenty-five, she went to stay with a family in Virginia and saw Southern plantation life, including slavery, for the first time. She later visited her uncle, U. S. Senator John Milton Niles, in Washington City at the time that Texas was annexed to the Union. In 1848, Marshall Pease (a distant cousin) proposed to Lucadia, and they were married two years later. Throughout her life in Texas, Lucadia maintained her relationship with her family in Connecticut and with her husband while he was away through extensive correspondence. She was also in the north for months at a time--hence much more correspondence was written during those periods. Lucadia and Marshall's letters are full of their love for one another and for their three daughters, Carrie Margaret, Julia Maria (Julie), and Anne Marshall. During the Civil War, Anne died of typhoid fever at the age of seven. The couple brought up the children with as much education as they could provide in Austin, which had no public schools at the time, and in Connecticut. In the 1850s, Lucadia declared her belief in women's rights, and her husband supported her. She owned property in her own name and was executrix of his extensive will. As the governor's wife and thereafter, she was responsible for extensive hospitality, which was known to be gracious. She passed away at the age of ninety-one.

Photographic reproduction of a painted portrait of Lucadia Pease, holding book in lap. Lucadia Christiana (Niles) Pease (1813-1905) was born in Poquonock, Hartford County, Connecticut, to Richard Niles and Christiana (Griswold) Niles. Her education was equivalent to a level of high school today. At age twenty-five, she went to stay with a family in Virginia and saw Southern plantation life, including slavery, for the first time. She later visited her uncle, U. S. Senator John Milton Niles, in Washington City at the time that Texas was annexed to the Union. In 1848, Marshall Pease (a distant cousin) proposed to Lucadia, and they were married two years later. Throughout her life in Texas, Lucadia maintained her relationship with her family in Connecticut and with her husband while he was away through extensive correspondence. She was also in the north for months at a time--hence much more correspondence was written during those periods. Lucadia and Marshall's letters are full of their love for one another and for their three daughters, Carrie Margaret, Julia Maria (Julie), and Anne Marshall. During the Civil War, Anne died of typhoid fever at the age of seven. The couple brought up the children with as much education as they could provide in Austin, which had no public schools at the time, and in Connecticut. In the 1850s, Lucadia declared her belief in women's rights, and her husband supported her. She owned property in her own name and was executrix of his extensive will. As the governor's wife and thereafter, she was responsible for extensive hospitality, which was known to be gracious. She passed away at the age of ninety-one.

Black and while photographic copy of a color painting of Elisha Marshall Pease. Elisha Marshall Pease (1812-1883) was born in Enfield, Hartford County, Connecticut, to Lorrain T. Pease and Sarah (Marshall) Pease. He was called "Marshall" by his family and is not known to have signed himself as anything but "E. M. Pease" and "Marshall"--never "Elisha." He studied at Westfield Academy (Mass.) until age fourteen or fifteen, after which he worked as a store clerk and then for the Hartford Post Office. He left Connecticut in 1834 and, after exploring the Midwest and making a trip to New Orleans, came to Texas in 1835. There he came to acquire financial security that he could not gain in New England. Pease settled in the Municipality of Mina (later renamed Bastrop) where he became involved in the early stages of the Texas Revolution. He fought in the first battle at Gonzales, and then he began service to the interim government and, later, that of the Republic of Texas. He wrote part of the Constitution of the Republic of Texas and served in several positions in the interim government. He settled in Brazoria at the invitation of John Austin Wharton, where he joined Wharton's law firm, and he was admitted to the Texas bar in 1837. He served in the first three terms of the Texas legislature after annexation. Pease ran unsuccessfully for governor in 1851, but he won two years later, and he and his family moved to Austin. He was governor for two terms (1853-1857), during which time his administration settled the debt remaining from the Texas Revolution, putting the state on a sound financial foundation for the first time. He persuaded the Legislature to establish a Permanent School Fund of two million dollars, but as much as he wanted public schools, they were not generally operational until after the Civil War. He encouraged railroad construction in the state and led the building campaign that resulted in construction of the Governor's Mansion, the General Land Office, and a new Capitol. He also led the establishment of state schools for the deaf and the blind, as well as the state "lunatic asylum." In 1859, Pease bought the home that James B. Shaw had built west of the City of Austin in 1854. With its surrounding farm and untouched acres, it became known as Woodlawn. The house was the prototype of the Governor's Mansion--both were built by Austin's "master builder," Abner H. Cook. Four generations of the Pease family lived there. Before, during, and after the Civil War, Pease was loyal to the Union, although he was an enslaver. He and his family remained in Austin during the War, lest they lose all their property, and he farmed with enslaved people at Woodlawn. Because he refused to swear loyalty to the Confederacy, he could not practice law during the War. During Reconstruction, he unsuccessfully ran for governor in 1866. The following year, he was appointed provisional governor by the U. S. Army command in charge of Texas. In 1869, he resigned over political differences. He continued to be involved in Texas politics and, in 1879, he was appointed United States Customs Collector, where he served two years. He co-founded a bank in Austin and was involved in civic improvements. Pease died suddenly in Lampasas and was buried in the family plot of the Austin City Cemetery, now Oakwood Cemetery.

A head-and-shoulders portrait of Texas governor Elisha Marshall Pease. Elisha Marshall Pease (1812-1883) was born in Enfield, Hartford County, Connecticut, to Lorrain T. Pease and Sarah (Marshall) Pease. He was called "Marshall" by his family and is not known to have signed himself as anything but "E. M. Pease" and "Marshall"--never "Elisha." He studied at Westfield Academy (Mass.) until age fourteen or fifteen, after which he worked as a store clerk and then for the Hartford Post Office. He left Connecticut in 1834 and, after exploring the Midwest and making a trip to New Orleans, came to Texas in 1835. There he came to acquire financial security that he could not gain in New England. Pease settled in the Municipality of Mina (later renamed Bastrop) where he became involved in the early stages of the Texas Revolution. He fought in the first battle at Gonzales, and then he began service to the interim government and, later, that of the Republic of Texas. He wrote part of the Constitution of the Republic of Texas and served in several positions in the interim government. He settled in Brazoria at the invitation of John Austin Wharton, where he joined Wharton's law firm, and he was admitted to the Texas bar in 1837. He served in the first three terms of the Texas legislature after annexation. Pease ran unsuccessfully for governor in 1851, but he won two years later, and he and his family moved to Austin. He was governor for two terms (1853-1857), during which time his administration settled the debt remaining from the Texas Revolution, putting the state on a sound financial foundation for the first time. He persuaded the Legislature to establish a Permanent School Fund of two million dollars, but as much as he wanted public schools, they were not generally operational until after the Civil War. He encouraged railroad construction in the state and led the building campaign that resulted in construction of the Governor's Mansion, the General Land Office, and a new Capitol. He also led the establishment of state schools for the deaf and the blind, as well as the state "lunatic asylum." In 1859, Pease bought the home that James B. Shaw had built west of the City of Austin in 1854. With its surrounding farm and untouched acres, it became known as Woodlawn. The house was the prototype of the Governor's Mansion--both were built by Austin's "master builder," Abner H. Cook. Four generations of the Pease family lived there. Before, during, and after the Civil War, Pease was loyal to the Union, although he was an enslaver. He and his family remained in Austin during the War, lest they lose all their property, and he farmed with enslaved people at Woodlawn. Because he refused to swear loyalty to the Confederacy, he could not practice law during the War. During Reconstruction, he unsuccessfully ran for governor in 1866. The following year, he was appointed provisional governor by the U. S. Army command in charge of Texas. In 1869, he resigned over political differences. He continued to be involved in Texas politics and, in 1879, he was appointed United States Customs Collector, where he served two years. He co-founded a bank in Austin and was involved in civic improvements. Pease died suddenly in Lampasas and was buried in the family plot of the Austin City Cemetery, now Oakwood Cemetery.

Photograph of a painting of Lucadia Niles Pease. Lucadia Christiana (Niles) Pease (1813-1905) was born in Poquonock, Hartford County, Connecticut, to Richard Niles and Christiana (Griswold) Niles. Her education was equivalent to a level of high school today. At age twenty-five, she went to stay with a family in Virginia and saw Southern plantation life, including slavery, for the first time. She later visited her uncle, U. S. Senator John Milton Niles, in Washington City at the time that Texas was annexed to the Union. In 1848, Marshall Pease (a distant cousin) proposed to Lucadia, and they were married two years later. Throughout her life in Texas, Lucadia maintained her relationship with her family in Connecticut and with her husband while he was away through extensive correspondence. She was also in the north for months at a time--hence much more correspondence was written during those periods. Lucadia and Marshall's letters are full of their love for one another and for their three daughters, Carrie Margaret, Julia Maria (Julie), and Anne Marshall. During the Civil War, Anne died of typhoid fever at the age of seven. The couple brought up the children with as much education as they could provide in Austin, which had no public schools at the time, and in Connecticut. In the 1850s, Lucadia declared her belief in women's rights, and her husband supported her. She owned property in her own name and was executrix of his extensive will. As the governor's wife and thereafter, she was responsible for extensive hospitality, which was known to be gracious. She passed away at the age of ninety-one.

Formal portrait of Lucadia Pease wearing a dark dress. Lucadia Christiana (Niles) Pease (1813-1905) was born in Poquonock, Hartford County, Connecticut, to Richard Niles and Christiana (Griswold) Niles. Her education was equivalent to a level of high school today. At age twenty-five, she went to stay with a family in Virginia and saw Southern plantation life, including slavery, for the first time. She later visited her uncle, U. S. Senator John Milton Niles, in Washington City at the time that Texas was annexed to the Union. In 1848, Marshall Pease (a distant cousin) proposed to Lucadia, and they were married two years later. Throughout her life in Texas, Lucadia maintained her relationship with her family in Connecticut and with her husband while he was away through extensive correspondence. She was also in the north for months at a time--hence much more correspondence was written during those periods. Lucadia and Marshall's letters are full of their love for one another and for their three daughters, Carrie Margaret, Julia Maria (Julie), and Anne Marshall. During the Civil War, Anne died of typhoid fever at the age of seven. The couple brought up the children with as much education as they could provide in Austin, which had no public schools at the time, and in Connecticut. In the 1850s, Lucadia declared her belief in women's rights, and her husband supported her. She owned property in her own name and was executrix of his extensive will. As the governor's wife and thereafter, she was responsible for extensive hospitality, which was known to be gracious. She passed away at the age of ninety-one.

Portrait of Lucadia Pease. Lucadia Christiana (Niles) Pease (1813-1905) was born in Poquonock, Hartford County, Connecticut, to Richard Niles and Christiana (Griswold) Niles. Her education was equivalent to a level of high school today. At age twenty-five, she went to stay with a family in Virginia and saw Southern plantation life, including slavery, for the first time. She later visited her uncle, U. S. Senator John Milton Niles, in Washington City at the time that Texas was annexed to the Union. In 1848, Marshall Pease (a distant cousin) proposed to Lucadia, and they were married two years later. Throughout her life in Texas, Lucadia maintained her relationship with her family in Connecticut and with her husband while he was away through extensive correspondence. She was also in the north for months at a time--hence much more correspondence was written during those periods. Lucadia and Marshall's letters are full of their love for one another and for their three daughters, Carrie Margaret, Julia Maria (Julie), and Anne Marshall. During the Civil War, Anne died of typhoid fever at the age of seven. The couple brought up the children with as much education as they could provide in Austin, which had no public schools at the time, and in Connecticut. In the 1850s, Lucadia declared her belief in women's rights, and her husband supported her. She owned property in her own name and was executrix of his extensive will. As the governor's wife and thereafter, she was responsible for extensive hospitality, which was known to be gracious. She passed away at the age of ninety-one.