[Historic Marker Application: Russell-Cocke House] Page: 7 of 64

                                
Russell / Cocke House
The Russell / Cocke house is located at 602 East St. Charles Street (Block 33, Lots 5
and 6) in the original Brownsville townsite. Exhibits I, II & III.
The subject structure, a rare blend of Gothic Greek Revival and early Victorian, was
constructed in 1877 for William H. Russell on property acquired from the Brownsville
pioneer Scanlan family. (Exhibit 1) A written description by the restoration architect will
be found in the exhibit IV section of this application. During the recent restoration it was
discovered that the name of the original owner and shipping orders for each downstairs
door and window frame were still attached to the frames. The frames are marked "W .H.
Russell- Point Isabel Parish ...." Which leads us to believe that they may have been
prefabricated in New Orleans.. (I)
William H. Russell, was born in 1838 in Brazoria County to early settlers of Texas.
He was the son of Captain William Jarvis Russell who commanded the schooner
Brazoria at the battle of Velasco and fought with General Houston in the battles for
Texas Independence in 1836. Captain Russell had come to Texas in 1826 as a member of
the De Witt Colony. William H. Russell moved to Cameron County (Brownsville) in
1870 and purchased this property in 1877 The building was constructed that same year
He died in 1882. (2 & 3)
William H Russell's son, William Jarvis Russell, named after his grandfather, was
born in Fayette County in 1865. At the age of five he moved to Brownsville with his

parents and in 1877 resided in this house. W.J. Russell was destined to become a