Prior to Dec. 16, 1837, the area that is now Kendall County was part of Bexar County.
Over the next 25 years, as new counties were formed and boundaries shifted, portions of what is now Kendall County were at various times included in Bastrop, Travis, Guadalupe, Comal, Kerr, and Blanco counties.
In 1847, the first permanent non-native families began settling near what is now Sisterdale. Soon after, the towns of Bon Ton (now Welfare), Boerne and Comfort were established, bringing more families to the area. Land was acquired and sold, which required residents to travel to the county seat to record deeds.
But there was a problem: Most of the area fell within Comal County, whose county seat was New Braunfels — a difficult trip by horse or wagon.
Many residents wanted the state to create a new county with a more accessible county seat. Over the next few years, petitions both for and against the creation of a new county were sent to the state.
Those in favor prevailed, and in 1862 Kendall County was formed, with Boerne designated as the county seat.
The early settlers worked hard to make Kendall County a desirable place to live. Indians were still a serious threat, and the Civil War brought many tragic episodes.
It is difficult for us today to fully grasp the hardships and realities of life at that time.
Many descendants of those first residents still have family stories, pictures and documents that allow us to experience — if only vicariously — the tragedies, struggles and joys of those hardy individuals who lived here in the 1800s.
But such treasures are easily lost. In 1999, several dedicated members of the Genealogical Society of Kendall County launched the Kendall County First Families Project.
The goals of the First Families Project were to honor the descendants of the first families who settled in present-day Kendall County and to preserve the histories of both the people and the county.
They established that those who settled in the area in 1862 or earlier would be recognized as “Founders,” while those who settled between 1863 and 1900 would be called “Early Settlers.”
Each year since, the Genealogical Society has hosted a First Families Celebration, awarding certificates to descendants of Founders or Early Settlers.
Applicants must submit documentation proving their family line to someone who lived in Kendall County in the 1800s.
This year, the First Families Celebration will be held on Sept. 1 in the Family Life Center of St. John Lutheran Church, 315 Rosewood Ave.
For information, email: [email protected]
SHARING THE PAST
HAL HARWELL
HISTORICAL COMMISSION MEMBER
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