1841

n.d.: An investment group called Peters Colony is formed to encourage settlement of North Central Texas. It is named for William Smalling Peters, a British-born businessman who lived in Louisville, Kentucky.

1844

n.d.: The Benjamin Prigmore family arrrives and settles in the vicinity of present-day Richardson.

1845

December 29: The Republic of Texas joins the Union as the State of Texas.

1846

March 30: An act of new Texas state legislature creates Dallas County; Dallas made temporary county seat.

May 13: U.S. Congress declares war on Mexico.

June: A company of volunteers from Dallas and neighboring counties is mustered into federal service in Austin. After being sent to San Antonio, they participate in an abortive invasion of Mexico led by Col. Wm. S. Harney. Two Dallas County men are killed in the raid.

July 13: First county election held in Dallas.

n.d.: Jackson family arrrives and settles in the vicininty of present-day Richardson.

1847

June: A second company of Dallas County Volunteers, led by Capt. Preston Witt, mustered into federal service under Colonel Jack Hays and sent to Mexico. The company includes Benjamin Prigmore and the Jackson brothers.

1848

n.d.: Witt's company participates in skirmishes against Mexican guerillas in highlands near Mexico City.

Feb. 2: U.S.-Mexican War comes to an end with the signing of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.