William Selkirk
 

William Selkirk (July 24, 1792-1830) was the son of James Selkirk (1757-1820), born in Scotland, and Elizabeth Henry (April 14, 1776-May 9, 1844). James saw service in the American Revolution by 1776 and was discharged on June 7, 1783, from the 2nd New York Regiment; his discharge papers were signed by General George Washington. The Selkirk family lived in Selkirk, New York, near Albany.

William married Matilda Hallenbake (January 18, 1794-August 25, 1820). They had two children: James Henry (1815-1862) and Rachel Elizabeth (1813-____). William served in the War of 1812, and by 1814, was a silversmith working as a foreman for John Doty, who was also a watchmaker. Matilda died on August 25, 1820, and in December 1820, William's father died. William's brother, Charles, became guardian of the two children in 1822, when William came to Texas as a surveyor with Stephen F. Austin's "Old Three Hundred."

Selkirk made surveys throughout the colony, but principally along the Gulf Coast, where the counties of Brazoria, Matagorda and Jackson were organized at a later date. As a colonist, William received a "headright" grant of one league, situated on the Selkirk Islands which were formed by the branches of the Colorado River immediately above the town of Matagorda. The certificate for the lands was dated August 10, 1824.

Selkirk was active in the affairs of the colony and had the confidence of Stephen F. Austin, both personally and professionally. This is evidence by the fact that in July, 1824, the empressario sent him to deliver Austin's "talk" to the Waco Indians. Judge Thomas Duke, James Baird, Thomas H. Bond, a Mr. Jones and John McCrosky went with him. William was elected second sergeant of the militia at an election held at San Felipe on July 10, 1824. On January 4, 1827, Selkirk was appointed on a committee of three to wait on the governor of Coahuila and "assure him of the loyalty of the citizens of Austin's Colony in regard to recent uprisings in Nacogdoches" (the Fredonian Rebellion).

In a letter dated January 27, 1829, Austin wrote Selkirk telling him "to fire the prairie at different places as you go along. In case we do not find you, I wish you to continue on the meanderings to the forks of Karankaway, and then go to John Brown's where you will find a letter of instruction.

William Selkirk will be remembered, not only as the first Selkirk to come to Matagorda County but for his work as a surveyor. He helped to plot the town of Matagorda and made one of the first maps of the county. In a bill for surveying, Stephen F. Austin paid Selkirk $400 for surveying part of the meandering Colorado River consisting of 31,655 bars.

Selkirk, together with other surveyors, will be remembered for shaping Matagorda County into what it is today.

Historic Matagorda County, Volume I, pages 94-95
 

James Henry Selkirk
 

Lucy Hall Selkirk
 

James Henry Selkirk
 

James Henry Selkirk (March 29, 1815-October 31, 1862), the only son of William Selkirk, came from Selkirk, Albany County, New York, in 1836-- after the Battle of San Jacinto-- with a group of New York volunteers recruited to help the Texas colonists like Mexico for independence. According to family records, James Henry was an apprentice in the establishment of James Gould, in Albany, New York. This company manufactured post coaches and other vehicles. James Henry was in the painting department where he became and "ornamentor" and was most proficient. After serving his time as an apprentice in becoming a skilled ornamentor, he received the highest fee been paid to coachmakers. he was active also in the establishment of a historic society and, while in Albany, was the leading actor in theatrical performances.

After working as a journeyman in saving enough money with the intent of going to Matagorda to recover the lands received by his father from the Mexican government, the failed first by ship to Galveston and then to Matagorda, where he found the land occupied by "squatters." By legal proceedings, the "squatters" were evicted and he came into the rightful possession of the Selkirk property.

Federal Hall and his family came from Birmingham, England, to the United States about 1826. He was married to Lucy Bromwich on February 13, 1820, and settled on Staten Island, New York. Paul was a gunmaker in England and became a manufacturer of firearms in the United States. His first child, William, was born in England on April 8, 1823, and the second, Lucy, was born August 4, 1825, in England. By the time Hall came to Texas in 1841, there were three children living: Lucy, Joseph and Sarah. All lived in Victoria prior to moving to Matagorda in 1843. As the family neared Matagorda, young Joseph road ahead to the ferry on the Colorado, which was just above the Selkirk land. James Henry Selkirk was operating the ferry at the time and as Joseph approached, he told James Henry to hold the ferry for his family who were short distance behind. James Henry asked jokingly whether or not Joseph had any sisters. He answered that he had to, Lucy and Sarah, Ben remarked, "You can have Lucy for your sweetheart!" Lucy Hall and James Henry Selkirk married August 5, 1843. The family Bible records the following children:

(1) William (December 1, 1845-March 15, 1915) married June 21, 1871 to Louisa Redmand Mann (May 14, 1842-Novembr 13, 1921)
(2) James Henry, Jr. (October 14, 1847-June, 1919) married Leona Hutchinson of New Orleans (they had no children)
(3) Catherine Civill (November 21, 1849-June 2, 1924) married December 24, 1867, to Edward J. Inglehart
(4) John McMullen (August 12, 1852-October 13, 1920) married first April 1, 1871, to Ada L. Penish; married second Hulda J. Beasley (September 5, 1863-September 12, 1932)
(5) Samuel Gross ( August 31, 1836-June 22, 1934) married January 18, 1883, two Seraphina Eleanor Smith ( July 27, 1861-April 17, 1952)
(6) Lucy Adelaide ( October -October 13, 1856-October 25, 1939) married July 12, 1877, to Frederick Kenner Fisher ( May 22, 1852-February, 1919).

James Henry Selkirk played a prominent part in the affairs of Matagorda, both of the town and county-- as a businessman and a public official. With his cousin, James Selkirk (also from Albany), he constructed the first dock in Matagorda which was built on the south side of the town. For seven years he conducted as shipping and warehouse business for the interior planters and ranchers. Selkirk with city clerk and treasurer, County Clerk, County surveyor, and treasurer he was interested in art and was a member of the American Art Society. He was also a member of Masonic Lodge #7.

In the Colorado Tribune, Matagorda, dated January 28, 1848, James Henry advertised his :Daguerreotype Studio:

J. H. Selkirk having purchased a new and improved daguerreotype apparatus is now prepared to take likenesses. The materials for the purpose have been selected with care and are of the best quality, the camera is furnished with the most costly acromatic lenses, and he feels assured the likeness will recommend themselves to the favor of the public better than by words and advertisement.

James Henry made many daguerreotypes over the next few years and use them in training for services for his family.

James had Selkirk was the victim of the yellow fever epidemic that scourged Matagorda County and the fall of 1862. List all Selkirk died in Waukesha, Wisconsin, in 1992. Both were buried in the Matagorda Cemetery.

Historic Matagorda County, Volume 1, pages 93-94
 

Samuel Gross Selkirk

Seraphina Eleanor Smith Selkirk