Born into the Delaware (Lenape) tribe in what is now the state of Indiana, Captain John Connor was adventurous and fluent in numerous languages. After the Delaware were forced out of Indiana, Captain Connor traveled to the Republic of Texas.
It was here he met Sam Houston, president of the Republic of Texas. Pursuing a policy of peaceful coexistence with indigenous tribes, Houston appointed Captain Connor to negotiate treaties that had the potential of providing a truce between the colliding cultures of Native Americans and white settlers. Conner possessed diplomatic expertise, geographical knowledge, and command of languages that enhanced his relevance with Texas lawmakers.
Dr. Jody Edward Ginn will discuss the life and legacy of Captain John Connor and share a facsimile copy of a letter penned by Ebenezer Allen at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23 at Allen Christian Church, 450 E. St. Mary Dr.
Currently serving as director of development for the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame & Museum in Waco, TX. A U.S. Army veteran and former law enforcement investigator/administrator, Dr. Ginn is an adjunct professor of history at Austin Community College. Notably, he worked as a publicity consultant to the 2019 blockbuster Netflix film The Highwaymen, starring Kevin Costner and Woody Harrelson.
Dr. Ginn has authored numerous refereed publications on Texas history topics. His scholarly works include “Texas Rangers in Myth and Memory” in the anthology Texan Identities: Moving Beyond Myth, Memory, And Fallacy in Texas History. (UNT Press, 2016). Ginn’s second refereed publication was also an anthology chapter, “American Indians in the Republic of Texas: A Case Study for Moving Beyond Traditional Perspectives,” in Single Star of the West: The Republic of Texas, 1836-1845. (UNT Press, 2017)
Dr. Ginn’s first refereed book-length publication was Palmito Ranch: From Civil War Battlefield to National Historic Landmark (TAMU Press, 2018), co-authored with former Texas Historical Commission Military Sites Coordinator William McWhorter. An account of the earlier battle was first published in the journal of the West Texas Historical Association in 2014. Ginn's most recent book is East Texas Troubles: The Allred Rangers Cleanup of San Augustine (OU Press, 2019).
Call 214-509-4911 for additional information.