San Augustine University was incorporated on June 5, 1837, granted four leagues of land for its support, and opened on September 5, 1842. Marcus A. Montrose served as president from 1842 to 1845, and James Russell, M. A. University of Edinburgh, served as president from 1845 to 1847. Bitter sectarianism brought about its downfall, and in 1847 it merged with Wesleyan College into the University of Eastern Texas. It was succeeded by the San Augustine Masonic Institute.