The San Jacinto Chapter of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas was organized by eight Houston women on November 9, 1891. Founding members were Mrs. Andrew Briscoe; Miss Belle Fenn; Mrs. John R. Fenn, who served as chapter president until 1896; Miss Annie Hume; Mrs. Anson Jones, widow of the last Republic president; Mrs. A. B. Looscan; Mrs. J. J. McKeever; and Mrs. Minnie Phelps Vasmer.

The state organization had been formed three days earlier in the Houston home of Mrs. Briscoe. Preserving the San Jacinto Battlefield became a priority project for this chapter.

In 1894 its members helped veterans mark key sites at San Jacinto Battlefield. Members urged the state to acquire land there, and by 1900 some 327 acres were added to the 10 acres held since 1883. The chapter placed 20 granite markers there by 1912. State and Federal funds erected the San Jacinto Monument between 1936-1939, so the chapter's own monument fund was used for other projects.

The Pioneer Memorial Log House was built in 1936 with Federal labor, and a bronze sun dial was placed at the battlefield in 1939. The chapter developed the Children of the Republic organization in 1936, and sponsors student essays on Texas history. The chapter continues to host monthly meetings, events, and sponsoring Texas history education. Members typically gather on the first Thursday of each month (October through June) at the Pioneer Memorial Log House in Hermann Park.

(Source: SanJacinto.org)