References
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Texas State Historical Association Biography | USA | VIEW SOURCE |
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Ballygarrett history pages | Ireland | VIEW SOURCE |
James Power was born in Cahore in Ballygarrett in 1778 and emigrated to the USA in 1809 where in worked in New Orleans for 12 years.
In New Orleans he heard of the land grant opportunities the Mexican Government was offering and he made the decision to move to Saltillo Via Matamoros in 1821, where he became a citizen of Mexico.
In 1833, around 600 people left Ireland to found a new Irish settlement under Mexican jurisdiction in the state of Texas. James Power was one of four Irish Land Agents (Empressario) who made contracts to colonise the land with people who were "Irish, Catholic and of good moral character". The land available amounted to about 1,000 acres per family. The laws adopted by the state of Texas were particularly favourable to immigration from Ireland and the Refugio and San Patricio areas of south Texas were selected to be colonised by the Irish Four Irish Empressario's; James Power & James Heweston in Refugio with John McMullen and James McGloin in San Patricio.
James's married his first wife Dolores de la Portilla, daughter of Felipe Roque de la Portilla, in 1832. They had two children together. After her death he married her sister Tomasito and they had five children together.
James died 15 August 1852.
| Additional Information | ||
|---|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 1st Jan 1778 (circa) | |
| Date of Death | 1st Jan 1852 | |
| Spouse (First Name/s and Maiden/Surname) | First wife: Dolores de la Portilla Second wife: Tomasita de la Portilla | |
| Names of Children | James Jr. (1834-1886) Doloretus (1835-1896) Tomeseta (1839-1932) Mary (1842-1912) Elizabeth (1842-) Philip (1848-1934) | |
