Research: Sawmill Database

Alpha-Numeric Key: HR-41
Corporate Name: D. G. Burnett
Local Name:
Owner Name: David Gouverneur Burnet
Location: Buffalo Bayou and the San Jacinto River, near present-day Lynchburg
County: Harris
Years in Operation: 15 years
Start Year: 1831
End Year: 1845
Decades: 1840-1849
Period of Operation: 1831 to 1845
Town: Near Lynchburg
Company Town: 2
Peak Town Size: Unknown
Mill Pond:
Type of Mill: Lumber and boards
Sawmill Pine Sawmill Hardwood Sawmill Cypress Sawmill
Planer Planer Only Shingle Paper
Plywood Cotton Grist Unknown
Other
Power Source: Steam
Horse Mule Oxen Water
Water Overshot Water Turbine Diesel Unknown
Pit Steam Steam Circular Steam Band
Gas Electricity Other
Maximum Capacity: 
Capacity Comments: Unknown
Produced:
Rough Lumber Planed Lumber Crossties Timbers
Lathe Ceiling Unknown Beading
Flooring Paper Plywood Particle Board
Treated Other
Equipment: Sawmill
Company Tram:
Associated Railroads: None
Historicial Development: Secondary sources report that David G. Burnet had a mill established and running in 1831. Equipment had been shipped in on the “Call,” which ran aground in Galveston Bay. Burke's (1879) reported that although the ship nearly wrecked and the machinery was thrown overboard, the boiler floated in and was recovered at Edward's Point. With his partner, Norman Hurd, Burnett bought seventeen acres from Nathaniel Lynch in what is now Lynchburg. Gilbert Brooks, who arrived with the machinery, helped to build the sawmill. The mill and Lynch's dwellings were the only buildings in the area. Almonte mentions a mill running on the San Jacinto in 1834 and that this mill was used for cutting boards. Stephen F. Austin's report coincides with that of Almonte's. After the Battle of San Jacinto, Mexican prisoners supposedly worked in the mill. The mill ran until it burned on May 23, 1845.
Research Date: MCJ 05-06-96
Prepared By: M. Johnson