Originally one of the five squares platted for public use in 1831 by J. Francisco Madero, General Land Commissioner appointed by the Mexican government to survey and grant long-awaited land titles to Texan colonists of the Atascosito area in accordance with the 1825 Law of Colonization. With Madero's agreement colonists were given rights of local self-government, including the location of the seat of government. By a narrow vote, Smith's Plantation (now Liberty) was chosen over Moss Bluff. From the first (1831) courthouse - a small hewn log building 22 feet square - Madero reported the results of elections of officers to the chief of the Department of Bexar. Documented congratulations were received from Mexican officials in Bejar, Nava, Villa de Rosa, and Abasolo. The town was renamed Villa de la Santísima Trinidad de la Libertad and became known as Liberty. Prominent Texans including Sam Houston practiced law in the Liberty courthouse. It has been the site of famous trials including a dual murder trial in which defendants were represented by David G. Burnet. Burnet's appeal of the verdict before the Convention of 1836 at Washington-on-the-Brazos led to his election as the ad interim and first President of the Republic of Texas prior to Texas gaining its independence. (1968, 2017)