Haden Edwards received an empresario contract to settle 800 families near Nacogdoches. When
he arrived with the families in the 1820s, he discovered people already lived there. They arrived
long before Mexico gave him the grant. Edwards became very angry and tried to take over the
town. The Mexican government did not support Edwards. Instead, they annulled his
contract. Edwards stayed in the area and attempted to start a rebellion. On December 21, 1826,
Edwards and his supporters claimed part of East Texas free and independent of Mexico. They
named it the Republic of Fredonia. They even had support of the Cherokee in the
area. However, most Anglo settlers in Texas did not support Haden’s rebellion. When a group of
men from Austin’s colony joined with Mexican soldiers to march on Fredonia, Haden and his
brother fled to the United States. The unrest caused Mexican leaders to rethink their immigration
policies.

The Republic of Fredonia: A Fight for Freedom in Early Texas

Haden Edwards standing with a frustrated expression, looking at a group of settlers in the distance

Once upon a time, in the early 1820s, a man named Haden Edwards traveled to Texas. He was excited because he had an empresario contract to settle 800 families in East Texas, near a place called Nacogdoches. But when Haden arrived, he found people already living there. They had been there long before Haden's contract. This made Haden very upset because that land was his to settle.

Haden's New Adventure

Haden Edwards with a determined look, standing beside his brother in a small town setting

Haden tried to take over the town, but things didn't go as planned. The Mexican government heard about his actions and decided not to support him. They canceled his contract, which made Haden even more determined. He didn't want to give up, so he stayed in the area with his brother. They began to think about starting a rebellion.

Trouble in Nacogdoches

Haden Edwards raising a flag with 'Republic of Fredonia' written on it, surrounded by a few supporters

On December 21, 1826, Haden and his supporters made a bold move. They declared part of East Texas free and independent from Mexico. They named it the Republic of Fredonia. Even some Cherokee in the area supported them. But most of the Anglo settlers in Texas did not agree with Haden's rebellion because they didn't want to get caught up in a war for independence.

The Republic of Fredonia

Haden Edwards and his brother fleeing through a dense forest, looking back with concern

Soon, a group of men from Stephen F. Austin's colony joined Mexican soldiers to march on Fredonia. They were ready to put an end to the rebellion and bring peace back to the area. Haden and his brother knew they couldn't win, so they fled to the United States. The rebellion ended, but it made Mexican leaders rethink their immigration policies. They began to realize that many settlers weren't happy with their rules. This unrest would be one of the sparks that would eventually lead to the Texas Revolution.
