Commissioner Sharon Gentry recounts Peters Colony history and local farm stories

Commissioner Sharon Gentry presented a historical overview of Peters Colony, tracing its origins to contracts signed by Republic of Texas president Sam Houston in the early 1840s and the role of impresarios in recruiting settlers. Gentry summarized the settlement requirements — building a log cabin and cultivating acreage — and described how Peters Colony eventually encompassed portions of many North Texas counties.

Gentry framed the talk locally by recounting her family’s purchase of a small parcel in Flower Mound in 1967 and the artifacts uncovered there. "We found a lot of bricks ... We just uncovered them," she said, describing finds along a nearby creek and remnants of an old automobile shell on adjacent property. Commissioners noted historic maps that showed how quickly Denton County filled out during the colony’s expansion.

The presentation included a review of contract extensions signed by Sam Houston in 1842 and 1843 that expanded colony boundaries and recruitment requirements. Gentry thanked town staff and local museum partners for providing digitized maps and archival documents used in the presentation, and she said the commission hopes to highlight local farms with ties to Peters Colony in future outreach and exhibits.

The commission followed with questions from members and attendees about maps, acreage and archaeological finds; Gentry said her original parcel started at roughly 4.9 acres and that additional adjoining acres were acquired over time.