Nov 07 2009
Today in History: Lyne Barrett, November 7, 1832
Lyne T Barret was born in this date, Nov 7, 1832 in Appomattox, Virginia. Mr Barrett is recognized as the first person to hit oil in Texas. He first became interested in the oil industry before the Civil War; and in 1865 organized the Melrose Petroleum Oil Company along with several other investors. The first well was located at Oil Springs, with a depth of 106 feet, produced about 10 barrels a day.
Though Barret was best known for his contribution to the history of oil in the state of Texas, he was also the first secretary of the Ochiltree Masonic Lodge No. 143 of Melrose, when it was first founded and later became the Master. He was the secretary of the Melrose Methodist Church in 1865, served as Justice of the Peace in Melrose in 1862 and 1899. He was the father of 11 children. Mr. Barrett passed away in 1913 and after receiving little recognition for his accomplishments while still living; in 1966 a memorial marker was dedicated at his grave, in Melrose Providence Baptist Church Cemetery and at Stephen F. Austin State University to recognize the 100th anniversary of the drilling of the 1st oil producing well in Texas. In 1981 another marker was also dedicated at his home outside of Nacogdoches.
