A native of North Carolina, John Prince Coles brought his family to Texas in 1821 with Stephen F. Austin's "Old Three Hundred" colonists. Arriving in present Washington County on New Year's Day in 1822, Coles received a Mexican land grant in 1824. He founded Coles Settlement, which was later renamed Independence. He was appointed alcalde of the municipality of Washington by the Mexican government in 1828. After service in the Republic of Texas Army in 1836, he held a number of public offices, including senator in the First Republic Congress, 1840-41.