Arlington is the home of the newly formed Captain Jack Brinson Chapter of the Military Order of Stars and Bars.  Named for the commander of the first company of Confederate troops to leave Arlington's precursor community, Johnson's Station, the chapter is dedicated to fulfilling the mission of the MOS&B as well preserving the local history of Arlington and it's pioneer citizens. 

Membership Requirements

Membership in the Captain Jack Brinson Chapter is limited to male descendants, either lineal or collateral, of the Confederate Officer Corps, members of the Confederate Congress, or any elected or appointed member of the Executive Branch of the Confederate Government. All members must be at least twelve years old. Ancestral documentation must accompany all applications for membership.   Note:  Although the National Organization will process membership applications  for applicants who are NOT members in good standing of the SCV, the Captain Jack Brinson Chapter requires SCV Membership.  If you do not wish to become a member of the MOS&B, we encourage you to locate another chapter that does not have this requirement.

Dues of the national organization include a membership card, a lapel pin, and a large color certificate of membership suitable for framing.  

Interested in Joining the Captain Jack Brinson Chapter?  You will need to fill out a complete application.  The easiest way to do that is at the MOS&B Forms Online website.  Fill out the forms on your computer, and then print them out!

For more information about the Jack Brinson Chapter, email the Chapter Commander at webmaster@arlingtonscv.org

Biography of Matthew Jackson Brinson

Biographical sketch on Matthew Brinson in "Old Fort Worth" by Mack Williams :

BRINSON, M. J. - Son- in-law of Col. Middleton Tate Johnson, he came to Tarrant County in 1847 from Shelby County, East Texas.  Brinson and his partner, JA Slaughter, had a general store, housed in Fort Worth's first two-story building, a brick structure on the southwest corner of the Court House Square. A leading citizen, in 1856 Brinson served on the board of trustees of the Male and Female school, the first established by citizens after parents became dissatisfied with the services of wandering tutors who stayed first in one home and then another. Brinson was prominent in the battle to bring the county seat from Birdville to Fort Worth, signing a bond to guarantee that a court house would be built in Fort Worth at no expense to the taxpayers.

Brinson also was Fort Worth's first postmaster, appointed in 1857. In the Civil War he commanded Company D of the Ninth Texas Cavalry, Sul Ross Brigade. It was the second company of troops raised in Tarrant County, the first being Company A of the 9th Cavalry, raised and commanded by William Quayle of Grapevine, Tarrant's district clerk.

Brinson's outfit fought in Indian Territory ( now Oklahoma), in Kansas, Arkansas and the bloody battle of Corinth, Mississippi. " Another interesting sketch of Brinson was found in the "Historical Edition of the Fort Worth Mail Telegram" dated May 14, 1896 - - M. J. Brinson: "Jack" Brinson was born in Alabama nearly 70 years ago; came to Shelby County, this state, when a boy. Here he joined Col. MT Johnson's Company and served with that officer in the Mexican war, coming with him to Johnson Station in *1849*. He moved to Fort Worth in 1853 and engaged in business, first going into partnership with Henry Daggett. We find him a member of the firm of Brinson and Terrell with Col. Ed Terrell as his partner. in 1858 another change was made and he took in a partner, Tom Johnson, returning the next year to Arlington where he lived ever since. Ever since the organization of the County, Captain Brinson had been one of the most active and influential citizens. He was Justice of the Peace in Arlington Precinct from 1878 to 1884 and Mayor of Arlington for four years. He married Louisa H, daughter of Col M. T. Johnson and their first born, Matt T was the first white child born in what was properly the village of Fort Worth that event occurring November 23, 1853. Matt is now living in Arlington."

Obituary of Matthew Jackson Brinson

GONE TO HIS REWARD DEATH OF CAPT M. J. BRINSON, AN OLD PIONEER OF THIS COUNTY One by one the old landmarks are passing away-- passing to that great beyond from whence no traveler ever returneth. This week, we are called upon to chronicle the death of one of Tarrant county's oldest and most respected citizens, Capt M. J. Brinson, aged 75 years, who laid down the habiliments of life and passed peacefully away last Tuesday night, death resulting from heart disease. Captain Brinson, as he was known, was one of the oldest settlers in this section of the state and was living in Tarrant county while Birdville was the county site. He built the first business house in Fort Worth and has been closely identified with the counties progress and advancement. The funeral services were conducted at the Cumberland Presbyterian Church this morning at 10 o'clock, the same being conducted under the auspices of the local Masonic order, of which he had long been a member, and, we are informed, was next to the oldest Mason in Tarrant County. Besides a wife several grown children survive to whom the journal extends sincere sympathy and condolence.