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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DALE, ELIJAH VALENTINE -- Born in Jackson County, Georgia, February 14, 18O7. He arrived in Texas in February, 1836, and according to the information contained in Service Record No. 826 enrolled in Captain C. W. Vickery's Company at Matagorda, February 22, 1836, and was transferred to Captain William Wood's Company April 11th. Captain Vickery and most of his men of his company left Texas on their return to Mississippi March 3, 1836. This was the reason for Mr. Dale's transfer.

Mr. Dale was issued Donation Certificate No. 3944 for 1230 acres of land for serving in the army from February 22, 1836, to July 9, 1837. In Service Record No. 7826 it is stated that when discharged he was a member of Captain David Y. Pyron's Company. He was issued Donation Certificate No. 1218 for 640 acres of and November 14, 1845, for having participated in the battle of San Jacinto. He received a Headright Certificate for one-third of a league of land from the Brazoria County Board of Land Commissioners in 1838.

Mr. Dale was a member of the Somervell Expedition in 1842 and as a soldier in the United States Army in the Mexican War. The following is a copy of a petition signed at Pleasanton, Texas, December 5, 1859, by Mr. Dale. The original is in the files of the Memorials and Petitions, Archives, Texas State Library, Austin:

"To the Hon Legislature of the State of Texas.

The undersigned Your petitioner would state that he emigrated to this country in February 1836 since which time he has been a citizen of Texas. That he entered the Texas service in 1836 February under Captain Vickry and continued in the army of Texas; being present in the battle of San Jacinto; until the month of June or July, 1837, when he was discharged by the Sec of War Wm. S. Fisher. That he again in Sept 1839 entered the service under Col Neal and was discharged in December following. That he was again in the service in the famous Somerville Campaign in 1842. And again in 1846 went with the western regiment under Col. J. C. Hays and was present at the battle of Monterey Mexico. That he was a single man at the time of his emigration and as such received as his head right one third League of land. That he afterwards married in Texas and thinks he is entitled to an augmentation of his headright to a League and labor of land.

"Your petitioner would therefore humbly pray your Hon body to consider with kindness the justice of this his petition and if consistent with precedent and with the policy of our country grant to Your petitioner the desired relief and your petitioner as in duty bound will ever pray &c."

Mr. Dale was married to Jane Johnson at Seguin, Texas August 7, 1855. Mrs. Dale, born at Mount Healthy, Hamilton County, Ohio, August 3, 1821, died at Seguin, Texas, December 14, 189O. Mr. Dale died at Seguin June 17, 1896, while a member of the Texas Veterans Association.

Children of Mr. and Mrs. Dale were Samuel, Lillie and Jarvis.



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 Wood

Personal Statistics

  • Date of Birth: 1807 Feb 14
  • Birthplace: Georgia, Jackson County
  • Origin: Louisiana
  • Came to Texas: 1836 Feb
  • Date of Death: 1896 Jun 17
  • Comments: Somervell Expedition; U.S.-Mexican War
  • Bounty Certificate: 3944
  • Donation Certificate: 1218
  • Wife: Jane Johnson
  • Children: Samuel Dale; Lillie Dale; Jarvis Dale