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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CHAFFIN, JAMES A. -- In the Headright Certificate issued to Mr. Chaffin February 1, 1838 for one-third of a league of land by the Board of Land Commissioners for San Augustine County it is stated that he came to Texas in 1835. In Comptroller's Military Service Record No. 987 it is certified that he served in Captain Jacob Eberly's Company from September 28 to November 23, 1835. In Service Record No, 1442 it is stated that he served in the army from December 19, 1835 to September 6, 1836. He was a member of Captain William Kimbro's Company at San Jacinto and on December 4, 1839 was issued Donation Certificate No. 970 for 640 acres of land for having participated in the battle. On March 29, 1850 he was issued Bounty Certificate No. 633 for 320 acres of land for having served in the army from March 15, to June 15, 1836.

For a number of years Mr. Chaffin ran a saloon in San Augustine. He died in 1879 while a member of the Texas Veterans Association and was buried in the Parker Cemetery about five miles south of San Augustine.

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. William Kimbro

Personal Statistics

  • Came to Texas: 1835
  • Date of Death: 1879
  • Burial Place: Parker Cemetery, San Augustine, Texas
  • Bounty Certificate: 633
  • Donation Certificate: 970
  • Profession: Saloonkeeper