Dallas History Timeline: The 1840s

1841 - John Neely Bryan settles on the East Bank of the Trinity River.

1842 - The Gilbert and Beeman families leave Bird's Fort to join Bryan's settlement.

1843 - Bryan marries Margaret Beeman.

1844 - Bryan is appointed Postmaster.

1845 - William and Mary Hord settle west of the Trinity, at Hord's Ridge, which will become Oak Cliff. Methodists at Farmers Branch organize the area's first religious congregation. Dallas Citizens vote 29 to 3 for annexation of Texas to the United States.

1846 - Dallas County is organized and the town of Dallas is names the temporary county seat. Bryan begins operating a ferry across the Trinity.

1849 - James W. Latimer publishes first newspaper, The Cedar Snag, later renamed The Dallas Herald. Lucy Jordan Latimer brings first piano to Dallas and offers music lessons.

1850 - Dallas County voters select town of Dallas as permanent county seat. Population of Dallas is 163.