“M” is for Maverick, Samuel Augustus (1803-1870). Lawyer, land speculator. Born in Pendleton District, Maverick graduated from Yale. He established a law practice in Pendleton, but then moved to Georgia and Alabama—overseeing family lands. Bored, he moved to Texas in pursuit of cheap land. Arriving at the height of the Texas revolution, Maverick joined the Texas forces. He settled in San Antonio where he practiced law and began purchasing land in western Texas. His most lasting legacy is the application of his name as a term for unbranded cattle. Legend has it that he refused to brand his calves because he thought that allowed him to claim all unbranded cattle on the range. Samuel Augustus Maverick lent his name to Maverick County in western Texas where he held more than 300,000 acres at his death.
“M” is for Maverick, Samuel Augustus (1803-1870)
