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In May 1837 the Congress of the Republic of Texasqv passed an act incorporating nineteen towns, including Richmond. Robert Eden Handyqv of Pennsylvania and William Lusk of Richmond, Virginia, both of whom had arrived in Texas shortly before the war for independence from Mexico, founded and named the town with eight other proprietors, including Branch T. Archer, Thomas Freeman McKinney, and Samuel May Williams.qqv An act establishing Fort Bend County and fixing its boundaries was passed on December 29, 1837; Wyly Martinqv was appointed the first chief justice. On January 13, 1838, the citizens voted to make Richmond the county seat. The county was taken from portions of Austin, Brazoria, and Harris counties. Its irregular shape was, in part, the result of using waterways to form the west and segments of the south and east boundaries. Several efforts have been made to change the lines but with little success.
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