In 1838, Thomas J. Pilgrim received the Republic of Texas' land grant in Gonzales County, Texas.[4] This land includes a lake and a settlement called "Pilgrim."[2] In addition, there were three schools that were part of the Pilgrim Creek School District in the 1880s: 1) Burnett School (established in 1875 and named from another family which had come to the area); Salt Creek School (established in 1878, named for the salt flats in the area); and Lake Grove, (a school then only for blacks established in 1883).[2] The Pilgrim Presbyterian Church and the Pilgrim Cemetery were also named in honor of Thomas J. Pilgrim. A Recorded Texas Historic Landmark was placed on the road attesting to the history of Pilgrim.[5]