Ludovic Colquhoun

Early life

Ludovic Colquhoun was born in 1804 in Virginia and moved to Texas in 1837, where he ventured in real estate and mercantile. In Texas he gained vast land holdings, so much so, that it was necessary to hire a manager to assist him.

Texas Senator

He was appointed as a Senator of the Texas Republic from the District of Bexar in 1842. His term was cut short when San Antonio was taken by surprise by the Mexican Army in September of that year. At the time, Colquhoun was involved in a dispute with Samuel Maverick over ownership of land on the Cibolo Creek. The case was being tried in San Antonio, when the Mexican Army appeared there on the 11th.

POW

Due to the critical situation, Colquhoun became a soldier in Captain Chauncey Johnson's resistance forces in San Antonio. A battle began but the Texans were badly outnumbered and overwhelmed. Many were taken prisoner during this invasion of the Republic of Texas by Adrian Woll during September, 1842. Colquhoun was among the members of this group. He was marched to Mexico and imprisoned at Perote Prison from 1842-1844.

While in prison, being knowledgeable of the lands from his vast dealings, he fashioned several maps to aid in the escape of Thomas Jefferson Green and several other of the imprisoned Texans.

Colquhoun was eventually released by request of Andrew Jackson through intervention by diplomat Waddy Thompson.

Later years

He was married to an English-born wife, Frances. By 1850, he had reestablished himself as a merchant and citizen of San Antonio. During the 1860s, when the American Civil War broke out, he was appointed an official Confederate States Depositary.

He died December 4, 1882 and was buried at City Cemetery Number 1, in San Antonio, Texas.