GOD & TEXAS: Betsy Ross of Texas

It was on the muddy banks of the Brazos River that Sarah gave birth to her first child. With the other refugees in the 1836 Runaway Scrape, Sarah was waiting her turn to cross the mighty river. Now, with uncertainty and fear mixed with motherly joy, Sarah welcomed the newborn into her harried race for survival.
Born in 1812 to E.R. and Elizabeth Bradley, Sarah was given the Biblical name of the wife of Abraham. The Old Testament Sarah gave birth to her son Isaac at age 90, and is remembered for her courage and steadfast faithfulness to God. Sarah Bradley exhibited these same noble qualities.
In 1823, the Bradley family immigrated to Texas from Kentucky becoming part of Stephen F. Austin’s “Old 300.” They settled near the Brazos River in what is now Brazoria County. At age 23, Sarah married Archelaus B. Dodson and moved to the town of Harrisburg.
Four months later, Archelaus was elected first lieutenant of the Robinson company of the Texian volunteer army. The settlers opposed the suppression of religious freedom and the iron-fisted rule of the distant Mexican government. The Mexican flag of green, white, and red was scorned by the settlers and they no longer respected it.
In the Fall of 1835, as the Robinson Company prepared for combat in Gonzales and San Antonio, Sarah presented them with a parting gift. Using scraps of heavy cotton cloth, Sarah had made them a unique battle flag. The design was akin to the Mexican flag except the panels were blue, white, and red. In the center of the blue panel was a white five-point star. Some reports indicate that the “Dodson Flag” later flew over the Constitutional Convention of 1836 which met at Washington-on-the- Brazos.
After the fall of the Alamo and the massacre at Goliad, settlers frantically fled east. Archelaus was ordered to facilitate the escape of the women and children, and to safely transport them across the Brazos River. It was there, under a crude shelter on April 9, that the Dodsons embraced their first child.
Following the war, the Dodsons lived in Fort Bend County before settling in Grimes County near Bedias. They ministered to a war-torn community by donating four acres to construct Bethel Church and cemetery. Unfortunately, Sarah died at the young age of 36 and was among the first to be buried there.
Because she created the Dodson battle flag, some have called Sarah the “Betsy Ross of Texas.” This comparison to national patriot Betsy Ross, who created the early design of United States flag, serves as a wonderful tribute to a true Texas hero. Today’s Texas flag shares many attributes found in the Dodson flag.
Sarah challenges us to live out our Christian values and patriotic zeal during troubled times. We can find assurance in Psalm 27:3 NIV, “Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident.”
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