Research. Authors tend to be in two camps where it’s concerned: those who love it and those who hate it. I’m firmly in the first category. I love learning new things about the time period and location I’ve chosen for my books, but – and this is a big but – there’s a problem. All too often I uncover tidbits that I find fascinating but that won’t fit into my stories. Since I hate to have them languish in my research folder, I thought I’d share ten of them with you today.
The first five come from The Texans, part of Time-Life’s The Old West series. 
- Although there’s no denying Stephen Austin’s importance in Texas history, colonizing the area wasn’t his dream. It was his father, Moses’s. In fact, Stephen was less than enthusiastic about the idea. But when Stephen learned that his father’s dying wish was that he ensure that Moses’s plans for Texas were realized, the dutiful son agreed. And the rest, as the saying goes, is history.
- One of the terms of the land grant Austin (Stephen, that is) received was that he’d bring 300 families to settle on that land. Though he’d expected that to be relatively easy to accomplish, he was only able to recruit 297. No one seemed too distressed by that breach of contract, and those families were soon referred to as the Old Three Hundred.
- The Mexican government had two stipulations for land ownership: settlers must become both Mexican citizens and Roman Catholics. Since most of the immigrants were Protestants, it was generally understood that Catholic rites would not be strictly enforced.
- Because not all communities had priests, couples who wanted to marry but didn’t want to wait for the priest to reach their town would often have a civil ceremony. That ceremony included signing a bond that they’d have their marriage confirmed by a priest as soon as possible. In theory, the bond was legally enforceable, but unhappy couples who wanted to dissolve their marriage simply destroyed the bond and declared themselves once more single.
- Speaking of marriage, Sam Houston, another legendary figure in early Texas history, had a disastrous one. Within three months of marrying the much younger Eliza Allen in 1829, they were separated, perhaps because of his drunkenness. Fortunately for him, when he married again in 1840, also to a considerably younger woman, the marriage was a longer and presumably happier one that resulted in eight children.
My second source of tidbits is T.R. Fehrenbach’s Lone Star. 
- You’re undoubtedly familiar with the term hidalgo, but did you know that it’s derived from the old Spanish term Fijo d’Algo, meaning “son of someone important”?
- When Texas became a state, its constitution included some unusual (at least for the time) provisions. (1) No minister could serve in the legislature. (2) Married women were guaranteed property rights. (3) Private households were exempt from foreclosure. (4) Banks could not incorporate.
- In 1838 Texas became the first part of America to enact homestead legislation.
- Immigrants, particularly from Europe, formed a large part of the population. In fact, by 1850 European – mostly German – immigrants outnumbered Mexicans and Anglos in San Antonio.
- Among the immigrants who settled in the Hill Country were a number of intellectuals who formed utopian colonies referred to as “Latin Colonies” because they conducted weekly meetings where they discussed topics ranging from politics to literature to music in Latin. While there was no doubting the founders’ education, their lack of farming experience led to a predictable decline in the towns’ fortunes.
And there you have it: ten tidbits that intrigued me. Were you surprised by any of them? Which did you find the most interesting? Can you envision a story with one of these as its basis? If so, which?
Amanda is graciously giving away a print copy of The Spark of love to one lucky commenter.
The Spark of Love
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She’s determined to start a new life in the West . . . if only the old one will leave her alone
When a spurned suitor threatens her, heiress Alexandra Tarkington flees New York for Mesquite Springs in the Texas Hill Country, where her father is building a hotel. But the happy reunion she envisions is not to be as her father insists she return to New York. Instead, Alexandra carves out a niche for herself in town, teaching schoolchildren to paint and enjoying the company of Gabe Seymour, a delightful man she met on the stagecoach.
But all is not as it seems. Two men, each with his own agenda, have followed her to Mesquite Springs. And Gabe is an investigator, searching for proof that her father is a swindler.
With so much to lose—and hide from one another—Alexandra and Gabe will have to come together if they are ever to discover whether the sparks they’ve felt from the beginning can kindle the fire of true love.
Amanda Cabot is the bestselling author of more than forty books and a variety of novellas. Her books have been honored with a starred review from Publishers Weekly and have been finalists for the ACFW Carol Award, the HOLT Medallion, and the Booksellers’ Best.
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I loved all of these. The one that surprised me was: Stephen F. Austins’s Dad’s (Moses) dying wish.
If I were to wrote a story this one would be a great basis: When Texas became a state, its constitution included some unusual (at least for the time) provisions. (1) No minister could serve in the legislature. (2) Married women were guaranteed property rights. (3) Private households were exempt from foreclosure. (4) Banks could not incorporate.
Thank you for honoring my home state and sharing these wonderful tidbits.
I agree that the dying wish would be a wonderful premise for a book. Thanks, too, for including the information about the constitution. I was fascinated by them when I first discovered them and have, in fact, included a few as tidbits in some of my books.
I found the constitution part interesting. If I wrote a book I would use some immigrants.
The whole immigrant experience is fascinating, at least to me, perhaps because my maternal grandparents immigrated from Europe. That’s why Paper Roses, the first of my Texas Dreams books, has French and German immigrants in it.
I thought Hidalgo was in reference to Miguel Hidalgo. I didn’t know of its meaning other than a reference to nobility.
And I thought of the movie by the same name.
I found them all fascinating. #4 reminds me of the old Scottish tradition of handfasting, where they’re married for a year and exactly one year and a day after they have to decide whether or not to stay married or go their separate ways.
#4 I can see being a story.
I’d forgotten about that, but you’re right — there are definite similarities.
I found it interesting that all immigrants were required to become Catholics. I was not aware of that fact.
That was because Mexico was a Catholic country. Things changes when Texas became an independent country and then a US state.
Hi Amanda, I’m so excited that you’re here! This is such an interesting post. I just wanted to add that I love your Westward Winds and Texas Dreams trilogies so much, I can’t count the times I’ve read and reread them. The characters always feel like home. The Spark of Love sounds absolutely wonderful, and I can’t wait to read it. Thankyou so much for what you do!
You can’t see it, but I’m grinning over the fact that you’ve reread my books. What a wonderful compliment!
‘The Mesquite Springs’ series has my heart. So undeniably overwhelmed already for this new book. I’m going to love it so when I read it, I just know it.
Of course I hope you enjoy it. One reader told me she thought The Spark of Love was the best book I’ve ever written. I’m too close to it to say whether that’s true, so you’ll have to let me know if you share her opinion.
I found them all interesting, especially #10.
That one still intrigues me, which is why I’m trying to figure out how I can have a book with a Latin Colony in it.
Research is such a task, and it’s so great that you love it! As an aspiring author myself I feel like it gets so boring at times and I just want to stop and continue writing. I think that’s in part to blame for all the research I have to do as a student in college. And I’ve always come to see it as an obligation instead of something to fall in love with. Here’s to hoping I can someday, thankyou for the inspiration Amanda.
As I said at the beginning, writers tend to either love or hate research. One thing I’ve found helpful as a writer is to research only the basics before I begin the story. As I work on the first draft, I keep a list of questions but don’t do the research on them until I’ve finished that draft. That way, I don’t get bogged down in research and the book gets written.
I was surprised that a minister could not serve on the legislator. Interesting tidbits. Thank you for enlightening us about the great state of Texas.
I don’t know why that was the case. Perhaps it was a reaction to the requirement that immigrants become Catholics when Texas was part of Mexico. Perhaps it was a desire for separation of church and state.
Good morning! Thanks for dropping by & sharing this with us.
I find both 3 & 9 the most surprising and would include both of them in a book thats setting was in and around San Antonio.
Who would ever think that German’s would have the highest number to populate San Antonio? Not me. I have never heard of the “must become Catholic” or that they “must also become Mexican Citizens”, that I recall.
I would love the opportunity to read your book. A giveaway is an awesome way to find a new author to add to my go to authors list.
I was a bit surprised by the percentage of Germans in San Antonio, but maybe I shouldn’t have been. After all, there were a LOT of German immigrants in that part of Texas.
Welcome today. Thank you for sharing these wonderful tid-bits. I also fall in the first category. I have love learning about history my whole life. My husband loves history and so does our son, who got a bachelors and masters in history. Our daughter is “its ok” She falls more into learning about technology. This book cover is lovely. And the book itself sounds wonderful. Thanks for the give a way. quilting dash lady at comcast dot net
I’m glad you enjoyed the post. I had fun deciding which tidbits to share.
I didn’t know any of these things, so I liked them all! It’s funny what they were willing to overlook to homestead!!
I continue to be amazed at what people would do in search of a better life. The pioneers were definitely stronger than I am.
A captivating and fascinating post which was surprising. #9 surprised me greatly. Most interested though and history interests me greatly.
I’m glad you enjoyed it.
I was surprised at Sam Houston’s first marriage only lasting three months. I think that would be an interesting story.
That surprised me too.
I’ve always thought it would be interesting to know more about that short marriage, but to my knowledge, almost nothing was said about it at the time and details are still hiding. Sam had the good manners to leave town afterward!
As far as which one could I see as a story, I think most are interesting to include in one way or another, but the one that I think many people could relate to in some fashion would be the Catholics vs. the Protestants. Perhaps not on personal experience but because of family history. Growing up in Texas and NM and until beginning in the later 70s, I recall that a Catholic and a Protestant wanting to marry was a big issue. Several Catholic friends had to be granted permission by the church to marry outside the Church. Additionally, the nonCatholic had to agree to certain conditions such as raising children in the Church. And, according to various sources over the years, that had been even more of an issue in the past. Several couples I knew eloped after a very secretive dating and then went to confession — of course, they were then married in the church.
From 5th grade onward, my family lived in New Mexico. I returned to Texas for college, then married and have been here since. I have learned a lot of history, and while different than my beloved Southwest, it is terrifically interesting. Texas did seem to attract incredibly interesting movers and shakers!
I enjoyed learning about the background and history. This makes it come alive. I thought that # 10 was amazing and # 3 too. Thanks for your great history lesson.
You’re welcome! This was a fun post to write.
I found the constitution information interesting especially the part about married women. I’ve been doing research on the California first constitution and they had something similar. Women could keep their property after marriage and was due in large part to an old Spanish law that Mexico required the US to keep when California a became part of the nation.
Thanks for the information about California. I love learning new things.
I was a history major in High School. I really loved the western part of our history. This is all new to me. Thank you. Did you know the real Lone Ranger was a man called Sam Bass a black man. The last person he arrested was his son who killed his wife. Then he became a police man.
No, I didn’t know that. Fascinating! There’s definitely a story in that.
I did not know any of these tidbits. What a mixture of cultures and laws.
That mixture is part of what makes history so interesting — at least to me.
Absolutely.
This is so interesting. I’ve lived in Texas nearly my entire life and I think number 9 is the only one I knew. 1 and 4 would make interesting story plots.
I’m glad you found this post interesting. I keep thinking about #4 and wondering whether one of my next books should have that as its premise.
I found your list educational and feel like you could work the first five points into books nicely and especially about the 300 family stories (I round up, in my world 297 IS 300 haha…).
When driving through Texas we used to stay at a ‘Sunday House Inn’ in Kerrville and I thought that was simply a charming name. But when I visited Fredericksburg and saw the little tiny Sunday Houses that the German farmers built for rest and relaxation after church, it made sense and seemed even more interesting.
For most of my life I only read non-fiction books so when I first started reading some historic fiction I’d struggle because of descriptions that don’t line up to reality but after a couple of enjoyable books I realized it’s all part of the story and I don’t even think about it now.
I know what you mean about being distracted by descriptions that don’t match reality. That’s something I try to avoid. It’s interesting that you mentioned Sunday Houses, because the book I’m currently writing, the second of the next trilogy, features two Sunday Houses.
I found fact 7 to be very interesting, particularly the women’s rights to own property and the banks could not incorporate.
Since women owning property wasn’t common then, I found that a particularly interesting aspect of Texas law.
These were all so interesting! I think #4 and #7 really surprised me though. Thank you for sharing.
I’m glad you enjoyed the post.
I found #10 interesting. If the settlers did not know how to farm, what did they expect to do on homesteads and to support a town? I think it would make an interesting story around what the people of the town might do to remedy the situation.
I think they had unrealistic expectations and thought they’d be living in cities, discussing “important” things rather than earning a living by farming.
I think number 4 was interesting and I could see this one written into a book. I really enjoy your post.
It’s so interesting to see which point intrigues people most. Of course, I’m glad you enjoyed the post.
Exploring history is very interesting. We traveled for work for nearly 10 years visiting every state in the U.S. except 3 states. During our time in most states we spend off time indulging in the town’s history and were very entertained. I am not a buff of the early battles which we were involved in, but I followed my husband’s journey through many battle grounds and was not disappointed other than the amount of time he took to read every little bit of signage. (This was a bit much for me.) Oh well, to each his own. Thank you for the info about Texas and particularly Austin. History is what formed the states and cities into what they are today. People around the U.S. are very interesting to listen to as they tell their story.
How wonderful that you were able to travel to so many states and explore their history!
Hey Amanda, I love Texas and it’s rich history! Thank you for sharing.
The pleasure was mine.
Hi, the one that really surprised me was #9. I would have never guessed that. Thank you so much for sharing these tidbits from the State in which I was born and live in. Have a great weekend and stay safe.
Thanks for sharing these interesting facts. I was especially impressed that married women were guaranteed property rights!
Thank you so much. I find #10 so intriguing. I would think the settlers would find more culture in the east. God bless you.
interesting info
Like you, I love research. Fehrenbach’s TEXAS is one of my favorite resources, along with the Handbook of Texas online. Thanks for an interesting post. Best wishes!
Hi there,
I like #7– “Married women were guaranteed property rights.” Hooray for Texas!
Also #10– I always liked the idea of utopian communities, and wished that they would work in reality. If any of them had survived and thrived, how cool would they be to visit/live in today! Who knows how they would have evolved? This is the one I’d love to see as a book–the utopian idealists trying to eke out a living off the land. How much opportunity for conflict and how many noble intentions!
Thanks for the interesting tidbits!
I was surprised that they required them to be Roman Catholic.