Joanna Troutman

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, which became known as the Troutman flag, consisting of a five-pointed blue star and the words "Liberty 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.[1]

Joanna Troutman
Joanna Troutman portrait in Texas State Capitol
Born
Joanna Troutman

19 February 1818 (1818-02-19)
Baldwin County, Georgia
Died23 July 1879 (1879-07-24) (aged 61)
Knoxville, Georgia
NationalityAmerican
OccupationFlag maker
Spouse(s)Solomon L. Pope
W. G. Vinson
This flag designed by Joanna Troutman known as the "Troutman Flag" was used by the Georgia Battalion under the command of William Ward which marched from Macon, Georgia to participate in the fight against Mexico and were killed in the Battle of the Alamo in 1836

Background

The Georgians, who were led by William Ward, suffered a harsh fate. Though they escaped the Battle of Coleto and the capitulation 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.[2]

Life

Born in Crawford County, Georgia 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 transferred to the Texas State Cemetery in Austin in 1913. Her portrait hangs in one of the legislative chambers of the Texas Capitol.[1]

Notes
  1. tshaonline.org, Troutman, Joanna
  2. tshaonline.org, Ward, William

References
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