Eight Generations of Texans: Immigration, Liberty, and the Land of Promise

Charles and Diana Karren’s Texas roots embodies 200 years of Texans and 200 years of Texas immigrants

Our story is a testament to the enduring allure of this land of promise. From the original Austin's Colony to Fredericksburg, this is a chronicle of eight generations of Texans, interwoven with immigration, resilience, and an unwavering belief in liberty.

It began in 1824, Michael Early, born in Ireland, his wife, Mary Ann Kennedy and his son John crossed the Red River, seeking a new life in Austin's Colony at San Felipe.  Though Michael passed away in 1827, Mary Ann persevered, receiving land near Washington-on-the-Brazos as a widow. Later, John Early served in the Army of the Republic of Texas as part of the Company of Washington County Volunteers, guarding the Brazos River in 1836.

In 1834, Benjamin Franklin Bryant, son of Revolutionary War veteran Nathan Bryant, left Georgia for Nacogdoches, Texas.  Bryant was also seeking a new life, but as Santa Anna's forces threatened Texas, Bryant raised a company of “Redlanders” (named for the East Texas soil) cavalry volunteers in March 1836, joining the Texian Army at Bernardo near Sealy.  General Sam Houston met with Bryant and appointed him a Captain. After a day of rest, the Texian Army, now 900 men strong marched toward Harrisburg with their rendezvous of destiny.

On April 21, 1836, at San Jacinto, Captain Bryant, under the command of General Houston and Colonel Sidney Sherman, led the 7th Infantry Company, Second Regiment. His company was among the first to engage the Mexican army, their cries of "Remember the Alamo! Remember Goliad!" echoing across the battlefield. The decisive eighteen-minute battle secured Texas's independence, paving the way for future westward expansion all the way to California. Few military engagements in history have had more far-reaching ultimate influence than the battle of San Jacinto.

For his valor and service, Bryant received 640 acres of land. In 1836, under now President Houston, he became a Texas Ranger and established Bryant Station, a frontier fort on the Little River in Milam County, where he lived until his death in 1857.  For his contributions to Texas Independence and the Republic of Texas, Captain Bryant was buried with honors in the Texas State Cemetery in Austin.

After statehood in 1845, the descendants of these early Texas pioneers, the Earlys and Bryants, united in marriage in 1858. Captain Bryant's daughter, Louisa, married John Early's son, Thomas, our family’s first native Texan as he was born in 1835 in the original Austin’s Colony.

The mid and late 19th century began a tradition of successive generations drawn to the Lone Star State: the Reeds (1850s) from Missouri to Bell County, the Adoues (1860s) from France and the Parkers (1870s) from New England to Calvert in Robertson County, the Davissons (1880s) of Indiana to Galveston, and the Karrens (1890s) from the Baltics to Corpus Christi.

These families contributed significantly to Texas's growth. The Adoues became prominent business leaders in Calvert, Dallas, and Galveston. Jacques Adoue owned numerous enterprises, including banking interests that helped finance the Hotel Galvez.

Dr. Daniel Parker, a descendant of Mayflower passenger John Alden (8th generation), embarked on a remarkable journey from his Vermont roots to the heart of Texas. After studying medicine at Tulane University in New Orleans in the 1850s, he served as a doctor during the Civil War, enduring capture at Gettysburg. Following the war, Dr. Parker established his practice in Calvert, Texas, where he raised six children and later served in the Texas Legislature. His son, Richard Denny Parker, an 1898 University of Texas graduate and part of the very first Longhorn Football teams in the 1890s, became Chief Oil & Gas Engineer for the Texas Railroad Commission in Austin.  His implementation of prorationing during the Depression saved the Texas oil industry. Richard married Jacques Adoue’s daughter Lucy in 1908 and they had a son named, Jacques Adoue Parker.

The Davissons, with ancestors who served in George Washington's army at Valley Forge, became prominent citizens of Eastland, Texas. In 1905, George Davisson married Belva Reed, the granddaughter of Thomas and Louisa Bryant Early. In 1907, George was appointed by the Theodore Roosevelt Administration to a position overseeing a federal territory that had been part of the Republic of Texas, but before it became the state of New Mexico.  The 45-star American flag that flew under his authority is now a treasured family heirloom in the Flag Room at Land of Promise in Fredericksburg.

George and Belva’s daughter Marjorie Davisson, who married Jacques Adoue Parker, a fellow 1934 University of Texas graduate, became one of the first female professors at the University of Texas. Professor Parker as she was known, taught a generation of UT students in communications till her retirement in 1972.

Howard Karren of Corpus Christi, a first generation American as the son of immigrants, Charles Henry and Jenny Karren, was the first in his family to graduate from college, earning his geology degree from Texas A&M in 1951. In Houston in the early 1960s, he met Margaret “Peggy” Parker of Austin, daughter of Marjorie and Jacques Adoue Parker and a University of Texas graduate. They married in 1965 and had a son, Charles, who grew up in Houston.

In the 1990s, Diana became the latest and the eighth generation to immigrate to Texas.  A Tatar born in the Soviet Union, she navigated the tumultuous era of its collapse, earning a degree and working for Western oil companies.  Her achievements led her to the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Business.  Drawn by the Texas energy industry, she arrived in Houston in 1998.  In 2003, Diana’s sister Alina followed her and she graduated in 2007 from the University of Texas in Austin.

In 2000, Charles and Diana got married and they left Texas to plant a vineyard Sonoma County.  That vineyard, Terra de Promissio became of one of the leading vineyards in California winning awards accolades including the Wine Spectator’s Wine of the Year. Now, after 25 years, they have returned home to Fredericksburg to help make Texas the land of promise for wine.

Our family history embodies 200 years of Texans and 200 years of Texas immigrants. Whether our family's roots lie overseas or here in the United States, Texas has embraced each generation. This spirit of welcome and liberty inspired our Texas wine, Lux Libertas.  Echoing Stephen F. Austin's vision of Texas as the "Light of Liberty," we celebrate our family’s eight generations who have embraced the Texas spirit. This Land of Promise Lux Libertas wine, crafted from grapes in the Hill Country, is a tribute to every Texan who cherishes freedom and liberty.

Visit us in Fredericksburg

We invite you to make a reservation and join us at our Fredericksburg Ranch House, located at 4800 RR 965, seven minutes north of main street and next door to Boot Ranch. Our 25 year story at Land of Promise is grounded in our vineyards, and it is here where we share our wines with our guests at our newest property here in Texas, which includes a restored ranch house and thoughtful outdoor spaces.