Signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence. Sterling Robertson was born in Nashville, Tennessee to a family of firm believers in education; as such he was taught by the respected scholar John McNairy. He served under General William Carroll as deputy quartermaster general from late 1814 to mid 1815, fighting in the Battle of New Orleans. He returned to Tennessee in 1816 to tend his plantation, but by 1822 he developed a desire to travel, requesting permission from the Mexican government to settle in Texas, arriving there in late 1825. Enthusiastic about his new home, he left in August of 1826 to recruit new settlers in Tennessee and Kentucky. Unfortunately, by this time the Mexican government was clamping down on allowing new citizens and his venture failed. He kept trying, however, eventually bringing in over six hundred families. He persevered in his efforts to improve his new homeland, becoming a captain of Texas Rangers in January 1836. Elected to represent the Milam region for the Convention of 1836 to discuss the coming secession and war with Mexico, he became one of the signers of the Texas Declaration of Independence in March. He served in the Texian Army, most significantly as a guard of equipment during the Battle of San Jacinto. When Texas won its independence, Robertson was elected senator representing the Milam district in the Texas Congress from 1836 to 1838, retiring afterwards to his home where he bred Arabian horses. Sterling Robertson died at his home in Robertson County on March 4, 1842. He was buried at Old Nashville Cemetery, Milam County, Texas. On December 28, 1935, he was re-interred with full honors at the Texas State Cemetery in Austin, in gratitude of his service to the Republic of Texas. He was among many Texas heroes, whose burial place was relocated to the Texas State Cemetery, as part of the centennial observations. His grave in Nashville, Texas had, long before, fallen to inattention.