James Vinzant
To set a “mental peg,” most Texans know the famous Battle of the Alamo took place in 1836. Weeks after that battle, Sam Houston and his army defeated and captured General Santa Anna at the Battle of San Jacinto. With that victory, Texas became a Republic, and from that point in time until 1845, Texas was a country in and of itself.
While David Crockett, James Bowie, William B. Travis, and others were buying time and sacrificing themselves at the Alamo in 1836, so that Sam Houston could build an army, Collin McKinney was both the oldest delegate to declare independence, and the delegate who traveled the farthest to develop a Declaration of Independence and Constitution at Washington-On-The-Brazos.
He was a mountain of a man who quickly won the respect of those present and was as respected as highly as Sam Houston. He made eleven trips to Kentucky and Tennessee to guide caravans of families to this land of promise called Texas. Many of those worshipped just as we worship today. They believed each congregation should be self-determining in making their decisions rather than relying on a man-made hierarchy. Each Sunday they observed the Lord’s Supper and they baptized those who were 1) old enough to acknowledge they were sinners and 2) believed they needed the blood of Jesus to forgive them.
Collin and his family had come in contact with numerous families who wanted to be a part of opening up this new land called Texas. There were battles to be fought with Native Americans and various rebellions in Mexico, notably, one Gen. Santa Anna.
While serving in the Republic, McKinney strongly suggested that each new county be approximately thirty miles square with a County Seat in the center. One could travel from one county seat to another on one day on horseback. This was approved. He was a mentor to many of the great leaders of both the Republic and those who would lead the State.
Upon his arrival from Tennessee to fight at the Alamo, David Crockett visited his old friend, Collin McKinney at McKinney’s home. Thus, not only was McKinney’s voice sought prior to Texas becoming a republic, McKinney’s advice was also sought before the terrible Civil War. He died prior to the vote for or against secession from the Union. The county voted to stay with the Union, but the State voted to secede.
Had he not been so humble, Collin McKinney might have been as well known as David Crockett.
The quill pen and ink blotter that was used to sign the Texas Declaration of Independence back in 1836 was given to Collin McKinney to honor him because he was the oldest of all the delegates, he helped draft the Declaration, and he rode the furthest by horseback to Washington-on-the-Brazos.
He was so respected that both the County and the County Seat were named after him.
We deeply appreciate the spiritual faith he instilled in his family and those whom he influenced. With the arrival of Joseph Brice Wilmeth and the marriages between several of the McKinney and Wilmeth families, the New Testament church grew all over North Texas. Many who now live in North Texas have roots in what was Peter’s Colony and who were led physically as well as spiritually through the influence of Collin McKinney.