Statesman, soldier and ambassador, Barnard Elliot Bee, Sr., was a significant figure during Texas’ years as a republic (1836-45). He was born in South Carolina to federal judge, Thomas Bee, and Susannah (Bulline) Bee. In 1809, he married Ann Wragg Fayssoux, with whom he had five daughters and two sons. Bee studied law, but never practiced, instead serving as a Colonel on the staff of South Carolina Governor James Hamilton. Bee moved his family to Texas in 1836, joining the Republic of Texas Army, which he served for several months until ordered to examine the coast to ascertain proper sites for the erection of forts. He left the army to become the Republic of Texas’ first Secretary of the Treasury. The next year, Bee became the Republic’s Secretary of War and in 1839, he was appointed as Minister Plenipotentiary to Mexico. As a diplomat, he sought Mexico’s recognition of Texas Independence, though the proposal was rejected. Later that year, Bee became Minister Plenipotentiary to the United States; in that role, he negotiated with Daniel Webster and settled the 1843 treaty by which the U.S. recognized Texas. Bee also entered into talks with Spain, negotiating free trade between Texas and Cuba. Barnard Bee retired from public life to Brazoria. Because of his expansionist view of Texas, he returned to South Carolina after the 1845 annexation, where he lived in Pendleton until his death. One of Col. Bee’s sons, Hamilton P. Bee, was instrumental in the naming of Bee County (est. 1857) after his father. Today, Barnard E. Bee, Sr.’s legacy continues to impact Texas through his diplomatic and military contributions. Both Bee County and Beeville, Texas honor him with their names.
Barnard Elliott Bee, Sr.
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Barnard Elliott Bee, Sr. is a historical marker in Beeville, Bee County, dedicated in 2010. It is one of 37 historical markers documented in Bee County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 91 historic sites cataloged across the county.
The site sits at 28.4019, -97.7482 near Beeville. The nearest cataloged historic site is Bee County Courthouse (historical marker), about under a tenth of a mile away. Others within a short drive include Beeville on the Poesta, Praeger Building, and Rialto Theater.
This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5507016421. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.
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