The Quarterly of the Texas State Historical Association, Volume 2, July 1898 - April, 1899 Page: 174

174 Texas Historical Association Quarterly.

NOTES AND FRAGMENTS.
EARLY TEXAS NOMEN ILATURE.---In casting about for fresh ,ma-
terial from which to construct a chapter for THE QUARTERLY, it
occurred to me that a review of the local names attaching to ,some
of the old colonists, together with their significance, might prove
interesting.
Though the number of men was so small, there were many whose
surnames were the same, and, as they were 'all more or less known
throughout the colonies, various prefixes were adopted to individual-
ize them. These prefixes were the results of accident, incident, or
the occupation of the party to whom they applied.
There was, for instance, "Popcorn" Robinson, who was the first
settler on the site later occupied by Brazoria. The early arrivals
mostly landed at 'the mouth of the Brazos, and, leaving their fami-
lies and effects there,, struck out into. the interior in search of loca-
tions. 'Such a party, starting out up the river, struck camp on the
site of the future town. Being pleased with the place, one of the
party declared his intention of locating it, and as a preliminary
step took from his wallet a handful of popcorn, which he proceeded
to plant. The spot, however, proved to be on Austin's reserved
land, but that didn't interfere with the claims of the corn. It main-
tained its ground, at least to the ,extent of giving name to the place,
which became known as the "Popcorn Patch" until it was laid out
for a town and rechristened Brazoria. William Robinson purchas-
ing and settling on the "Popcorn patch," the name was extended
to him. His family consisted of a wife and a daughter, who
married one George Mosely. They probably have descendants in
Texas.
The B-~own family had the largest representation, with the Wil-
]iamses a close second. Everybody has heard of "Waco" Brown,
but it may not be so well known that his distinctive appellation was
the result of 'an enforced sojourn among 'the Waco Indians. Then
there was "Mustang" Brown, whose occupation was the catching of
wild horses; with him in the business was associated ,one Hopkins,
who also shared his title. "Sheep" Brown, living 'on the Brazos,