Part of an old map of the San Jacinto area from the Texas Revolution

Veteran Bio

Texian Location:  Harrisburg

The Kemp Sketch

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KENNARD, WILLIAM EVERETT - Born in Williamson County, Tennessee, July 16, 1815, a son of Anthony Drew and Sallie Moore Kennard. He came to Texas in May, 1830, as is stated in the headright certificate issued to him February 19, 1838 by the Montgomery County Board of Land Commissioners.

On April 18, 1838 William Kennard was issued bounty Certificate No. 2944 for 320 acres of land for having served in the army from March 1 to May 30, 1836. He was issued Donation Certificate No. 524, August 27, 1838 for 640 acres of land for having been detailed to guard the baggage at the camp opposite Harrisburg, April 21, 1836. He was living in Grimes County December 1, 1848 when he sold the certificate to Charlette Evans for $45.00. Mr. Kennard was a member of Captain James Gillaspie’s Company. Mr. W. P. Zuber stated confirmed the statement that he was left at the Harrisburg Camp. (Brown’s History of Texas, Vol. 2, p. 30)

Mr. Kennard was married to Sarah Ann Mildred Robinson, who was born November 13, 1822 and died in about 1888. She is buried in a marked grave in Oakland Cemetery near Grand View, Texas. Children of this union were John, who was never married; Rachel Virginia, who married Thomas Smith; Dolly, who married William Moore; and William E. Kennard, Jr., who married Lizzie Pierson.

After the death of Mrs. Kennard, Mr. Kennard was married to a Mrs. Watts, of whom the compiler has no information. Mr. Kennard died February 14, 1899 and is buried in an unmarked grave in the San Flt near Cleburne, Johnson County. He was a member of the Texas Veterans Association.

Children of Mr. Kennard by his second marriage were John D., deceased; Michael, deceased; and Mrs. Kate Patterson, Robert Lee, Texas.

Some of the surviving grandchildren of William E. Kennard are Mrs. Clyd Smith, 420 Rencher Street, Clovis, New Mexico; A. D. Smith, Farwell; T. E. Smith, Los Angeles, California; Gillie McLea n, Cleburne, Via Parker, Texas; Jerry, William, Art and Heck Moore of Rio Vista, Texas and Homer Kennard, Clyde Texas.

Written by Louis W. Kemp, between 1930 and 1952. Please note that typographical and factual errors have not been corrected from the original sketches. The biographies have been scanned from the original typescripts, a process that sometimes allows for mistakes in the new text. Researchers should verify the accuracy of the texts' contents through other sources before quoting in publications. Additional information on the veteran may be available in the Herzstein Library.


Battle Statistics

  • Died in Battle: No
  • Rank: Private
  • Company: [Capt. James Gillaspie] detailed to guard baggage

Personal Statistics

  • Date of Birth: 1815 Jul 16
  • Birthplace: Tennessee, Williamson County, Murfreesboro
  • Came to Texas: 1830 May
  • Date of Death: 1899 Feb 14
  • Burial Place: Johnson County, Texas
  • Comments: Mexican War, Civil War, Confederate Army
  • Bounty Certificate: 2944
  • Donation Certificate: 524
  • Wife: 1. Sarah Ann Mildred Robinson; 2. Sarah De Number Williams
  • Children: John Kennard; Rachel Virginia Kennard Smith; Dolly Kennard Moore; William E. Kennard; John De Number Kennard; Michael Kennard; Kate Kennard Patterson