06/09/2025
Blessing, Texas—a small town located in northwest Matagorda County—was very nearly given the name "Thank God, Texas." The town was founded by Jonathan Edwards Pierce, the brother of the well-known cattleman Shanghai Pierce, on land owned by Jonathan himself. For years, Jonathan had hoped to establish a railroad depot on his property to facilitate the transport of cattle to market. In 1903, he finally succeeded in convincing the Galveston, Harrisburg and San Antonio Railway to build a line through his land by granting them a right-of-way.
In gratitude, Pierce wanted to name the new town "Thank God," but the United States Postal Department declined the name. As a compromise, the town was named Blessing, and the local post office soon opened under that name. Personally, though I think "Blessing" is a lovely name—I really think "Thank God" might have been just a bit more memorable.
The photo shows Jonathan E. Pierce, who was born in 1839 and passed away in 1915. He is buried in Hawley Cemetery, about three miles northeast of Blessing, alongside his more famous brother, Shanghai.
