Mother-daughter duo played important role in Gonzales’, Texas’ push for independence

American historian Laurel Thatcher Ulrich in 1976 wrote what is a now often-overused quote: “Well-behaved women seldom make history.”

Ulrich’s intent was to show how history often overlooks the lives of “virtuous women” who don’t fit into the conventional narrative of what historical figures looked like and instead adhered to societal roles. However, those women who live “hidden lives” still can have an impact.

This could be said of the mother and daughter duo of Sarah and Evaline DeWitt, who would turn a white wedding dress into a symbol of defiance that would stand the test of time over the course of 190 years — the “Come and Take It” flag that waved at the Battle of Gonzales on Oct. 2, 1835. The two women — as the wife and daughter of DeWitt Colony founder Green DeWitt — would also take part in the historic Runaway Scrape and the eventual rebuilding of Gonzales following the Texas Revolution.

Peggy Schott is playing the role of Sarah DeWitt and Samantha Plumb is playing the role of Evaline in “Texas Legacy in Lights,” which will have its grand premiere on Thursday, Oct. 2 at the Gonzales Bicentennial Bash at the Gonzales Memorial Museum. They spoke with the Inquirer about the making of the film and the important roles they get to portray.

Tell me about some of your experiences and what you've experienced so far in doing this movie, and what you've enjoyed about it?

Plumb: “I don't have a lot to compare it to, honestly, but it's been really cool seeing people who have been doing this a long time and studying their methods. It's been cool just watching everybody. I like seeing all the behind the scenes stuff as well and how much goes into a shot or two. It's been cool to be in costume and to be out inthe brush, doing all sorts of stuff. It's cool to be in character and see a bunch of really talented people do their thing.”

Schott: “I am very much enjoying this experience. Actually, I had been to see a play recently that Sam was in. She did “Arsenic and Old Lace,” and when I found out, I was like, ‘Oh, I don't know her but I just saw her on stage, and she was fantastic.’ I am thrilled to have this opportunity to work with her on her first film set. I've done theater, and I think some of the biggest differences between doing stage and doing film, and what you're getting to experience, as you said, when you're in your wardrobe, you're in the space, you're out in nature. On stage, you have to recreate all that just on that stage. But in film, you have the opportunity to actually be in those locations. And I love to be able to really get into a character, being in the space where they are.”

Tell me about the bonding that's had to take place between the two of you, because you're playing mother and daughter, so what kind of things do you do to help increase that bond so it shows through on film?

Plumb: “I think just being in close proximity and talking on here, we didn't really have a lot of time to meet before, but …”

Schott: “That's the way it is. Oftentimes you show up on set, and I've walked on the sets and say, ‘Hello, I'm your wife and let's go do a scene,’ and that's how you do it. But I think we did have some really good time just being in wardrobe and hair and makeup together, getting that time to bond as Peggy and Sam, so that once we heard action and came into the room, we were able to just jump right in.”

Plumb: “So far, my favorite experience is the first night that we were filming, just being behind that door waiting to come in and (Peggy’s) getting us into character. I think Peggy really brought us into this scene before we were even on set. It was really cool to watch. She's incredible.”

Talk about the costuming. A lot of attention to detail has been paid by (lead costume designer) Alison (Freer) in making these costumes for you. You're also filming in June in South Texas and it's hot. What's it like wearing these costumes, the feel of them — does it make you feel like you're back in that time? Also, how are you dealing with the modern day consequences of something like that, where you're having to deal with filming in such conditions.

Plumb: “I think they've been doing a really good job, at least keeping us hydrated and paying attention. reading our cues before we read them ourselves, you know. But on top of that, I think the best part about being in period accurate clothing is when you're acting, you're doing it exactly how they would have had to do it, right? I was getting my petticoat caught on brush and picking up twigs and leaves, and I was complaining at first. Then I was like, ‘Well, this would have been every day, you know, it would have been nothing for them.’ It adds, like, a level of awareness of what (Evaline) would have been dealing with.”

Schott: “Oh yeah, because we are wearing corsets and you move differently. Your posture is one thing, but simply just the way you stand and the way you move — I found myself going to put my arms on my hips, but no, you can't do that and they wouldn't have done that back in that time. I guess I never realized that … because of the way that they dressed, it had a lot to do with just how they carried themselves. The costume adds so much to being able to get into character.”

Plumb: “And our bonnets we wear are so cute. I love them ...”

Schott: “It’s protection from the sun. You know, people didn't get sunburned then because none of their skin showed …”

Plumb: “I was prepared to be covered in bug bites. I'm noticing a severe lack of bug bites, which is not normal for me, except for, like, on my hands, or like, any area that's been exposed. So it's aun protection, bug protection — they kind of knew what they were doing.”

What is it about this project that really attracted you to it?

Schott: “I love history. I've done a lot of family history research, and I have family in Texas who were here before the Texas Revolution. They were in Jasper in a different colony. Once I saw the casting call for this, I sent a note to my agent: ‘This is just so right up my alley, something I really want to do.’ It's historical, but it's also my history. My family went through this. They were part of the Runaway Scrape and some of the battles, so to be able to portray our history is so powerful, and it's so important for people to know. Texas is growing so fast, and there are people coming in from all over the country. They don't know the history, but they need to know it and I love the fact that this project is going to help so many people know why Texans are the way we are. That Texas spirit — it goes all the way back to the beginning.”

Plumb: “For me, the coolest part about this project, and potentially the saddest part, is when I was doing research on Evaline after I'd been cast — there's really not much out there about her. They weren't really documenting certain things, and they lost so much in the fires and the Scrape. She comes back to Gonzales, I think, twice. I'm pretty sure, from what I read, she remarried and brought people back. She changed her name. There's all sorts of things that have been kind of lost in this history of her, and so there's not a lot about her. This is an opportunity to bring her to life, to give her personality, to give people a reason to know who she is, because she was super influential. Sarah and Evaline were pivotal in this and it highlights a portion of our history that isn't discussed as much. You hear a lot about the Alamo and the Battle of Bexar and the Battle of Gonzales, but you don't hear a lot about the Scrape. At least when I was growing up, I didn't, so I think it's a cool way to bring light to a part of history that maybe gets pushed to the side for other things. I think it's another story of strong women throughout history that I love being a part of. I think we need as much of that as possible. There wasn't a lot that they were allowed to do so, for them to choose to take initiative, to do something powerful, to carry their community through hard times … Sarah was the staple of the town right after Green DeWitt dies. She carried the town. I feel like there's a lot to discuss there that maybe isn't often looked at. But (Sarah and Evaline) came back because of the effort of the community to come back. It's this tough Texas spirit that was led by Sarah.

Schott: “To burn down everything you own and leave and then come back to it and start all over again when you've lost so much. It was a lot of the women who did it, because a lot of the men were lost.

Plumb: “They had to step up and take action. It's courageous and it's everything we would honor anyone else for, so this is our opportunity to do that for them.”