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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DAVIS, JESSE KENCHELOE -- Born in Alabama, January 11, 1802. He arrived in Texas in December, 1830, as is stated in the Headright Certificate issued to him March 29, 1838, by the Fort Bend County Board for three-fourths of a league and one labor of land. On May 15, 1832 he had received title to one-fourth of a league of land in DeWitt's colony. He was a member of Captain William H. Patton's "Columbia Company" at San Jacinto and on July 5, 1838, he was issued Donation Certificate No. 410 for 640 acres of land for having participated in the battle. In Service Record No. 7895 it is certified that he served in the army from March 17 to June 26, 1836.

Mr. Davis and Mary Elisha Davis were married by bond at Brazoria May 5, 1835. They were remarried by David T. Fetchett at Brazoria, August 5, 1839. Mr. Davis died at Gonzales November 28, 1869. Mrs. Davis, born in Alabama May 12, 1819, died January 11, 1875. Husband and wife are buried in the Masonic cemetery at Gonzales.

Children of Mr. and Mrs. Davis were Thomas Jefferson; Kencheloe Comptar; Frances Maria; Warren; Steven Tippitt, who married Sarah J. Hodges; William; Adaline; Plina; George Tennell, who married Mrs. Ada B. Edwards; Henry Carrol, who married Addie Boulding and John B. Davis.

DAVIS, JESSE K. - Following is a copy of a letter written at Cost, Texas, May 25, 1932 by Mrs. B. B. Hindman to L. W. Kemp, Houston:

"Dear Mr. Kemp:-

Here is the tale as it was told to me,

During the battle father, Jesse K. Davis, had some trouble with his gun. He sat down on a fallen log to repair it. There was fighting every where and much noise and confusion. As he was hurriedly working with his gun Deaf Smith yelled, "Look out Davis, that Mexican will get you" Father whirled around grasping the barrel of his rifle. A Mexican officer was advancing on him with a drawn sword. He hit the Mexican a terrific blow on the side of the head and left him as he fell. He took the sword since it was better than a broken gun and - on with the battle."

This sword is still in our family. My elders in telling this tale always remarked, "Deaf Smith, although he had married a Mexican woman was a mighty good soldier."

Jesse K. Davis fought in the Mexican war and was also a Confederate Veteran, though I do not know whether he ever left Texas, during the Civil War.

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. David Murphree

Personal Statistics

  • Date of Birth: 1802 Jan 11
  • Birthplace: Alabama
  • Came to Texas: 1830 Dec
  • Date of Death: 1869 Nov 28
  • Burial Place: Masonic Cemetery, Gonzales, Texas
  • Comments: U.S.-Mexican War; Civil War, Confederate Army
  • Donation Certificate: 410
  • Wife: Mary Elizha Davis
  • Children: Thomas Jefferson; Kencheloe Comptar; Frances Maria; Warren; Steven Tipett; William; Louisa Adaline; Plina; George Tennell; Henry Carrol; John B. Davis