@ Twila George, Secretary/Historian WTHCA
Minerva Louisa Robertson Doran was born in 1830 in Tennessee, likely Nashville, to Sterling Clack Robertson and Louise King. Sterling Robertson brought his own family as well as approximately 600 other families to the area that became Robertson's Colony. He was a delegate at the convention at Washington (now Washington-On-The-Brazos) where he signed the Texas Declaration of Independence and the Texas Constitution. He also served in a Texas Rangers company and was present at the Battle of San Jacinto.
In 1843, Minerva Louisa married Richard Gee and gave him two known sons, William and Alfred Daniel. It is presumed Richard Gee died before 1849 as no records are found for him.
In 1849, Minerva Louisa married Major John Doran, an Irishman who had immigrated from the United States, where he had served in the United States Army, to Texas in 1840. In 1841, Doran took part in the Santa Fe Expedition, was captured, and subsequently served in a Mexican prison for two years before he made his way back to Texas. Minerva and John had eight known children; Mary Ann, Josephine, John, Sarah, Elenor, James, William, and Catherine.
Minerva Louisa Robertson Doran died 10 Dec 1879 and was buried in what is now the Washington, Texas Historical Cemetery. Not all of her children reached adulthood and four are buried in a plot with her; Josephine (1), John (10), James (4), and Catherine.(6). Major John Doran died 8 Oct 1891 and, according to his obituary in the Galveston Daily News, his body was returned to Washington County, Texas. His place of interment is not known, but it is likely he is buried in the Washington Texas Historical Cemetery, along with his family members.
"Major John Doran." Galveston Daily News (Galveston Texas), Oct 9, 1891. From Newspapers.com, www.newspapers.com/image/30187717, accessed 20 May 2023.
McLean, Malcolm D. "Robertson, Sterling Clack," Texas State Historical Association, Online, 1952 (Revised July 20, 2017), www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/robertson-sterling-clack, accessed 20 May 2023
Washington County Clerk Office. Marriage Records, Volume 1, page 7.
