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

Veteran Bio

Texian Location:  Participant

The Kemp Sketch

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BUST, LUKE W. -- Born in Illinois. He enlisted in Captain Sidney Sherman' S Company in Kentucky, December 18, 1835 and arrived in Texas in January, 1836. In the Headright Certificate issued to his heirs by the Harrisburg County Board for one third of a league of land March 19, 1838 it is stated that Mr. Bust came to Texas in January, 1836.

Mr. Bust was one of the musicians in Captain William Wood's Company at San Jacinto, Captain Wood having succeeded Captain Sherman in the command of the company. His heirs were issued Donation Certificate No. 54, May 19, 1838 for 640 acres of land due Mr. Bust for having participated in the battle.

Mr. Bust died at Velasco June 1, 1836 while in the army. His heirs were issued Bounty Certificate No. 3089 for 1920 acres of land for his services in the army from December 18, 1835 to the time of his death, June 1, 1836.

Dana Sherman in his petition to the Probate Court of Harrisburg County to be appointed administrator of Mr. Bust's estate, wrote in part:

"Dana Sherman late of the State of Illinois in the United States of America, now of this country respectfully showeth that some time in the month of May 1836 Luke Bust, a musician in Captain Wood's Company of Permanent Volunteers, and a citizen of the State of Kentucky previous to his enlistment in the Army of Texas, departed this life at Velasco in the County of Brazoria, leaving but little property besides his claim against the government of Texas for pay and bounty land for his services, and his headright as a citizen of the Republic, none of which have been obtained, and as your petitioner would further represent that the said Luke Bust, deceased in the service of Texas, having no fixed residence in this Republic and no heirs in this country; that his wife Mary Bust and his children, to wit: Elizabeth, Sarah, Harriet, Ann, William E. and Luke and Henry Bust minors are all residents of Caldwell County in the State of Kentucky."



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; musician
  • Company: Capt. William Wood

Personal Statistics

  • Birthplace: Illinois
  • Origin: Kentucky
  • Came to Texas: 1836 Jan
  • Date of Death: 1836 June 1
  • Comments: Musician
  • Bounty Certificate: 3089
  • Donation Certificate: 54
  • Wife: Mary Bust
  • Children: Elizabeth Bust; Sarah Bust; Harriet Bust; Ann Bust; William E. Bust; Luke Bust; Heny Bust