Veteran Bio

DAY, WILLIAM -- The surname Day, minus initials or Christian name, appears on page eleven of the booklet published in 1836 containing the names of the men of the Texan army who participated in the battle of San Jacinto. Mr. Day is listed as a member of Captain William S. Fisher's Company of Velasco Blues. The name Day also appears on Page 22 of the San Jacinto rolls in the General Land Office.

No one the name of Day received a Donation Certificate for by 640 acres of land for having participated in the battle of San Jacinto. Bounty Certificate No. 2809 for 320 acres of land was issued April 9, 1838 in the name of William Day, due him for having served in the army from March 16 to June 16, 1836. Since many of the men of Captain Fisher's Company enlisted March 16 and were discharged June 16 it seems safe to assume that it was William Day who fought at San Jacinto.

That Mr. Day left Texas shortly after the revolution is indicated by the fact that he assigned his rights to his Bounty Certificates prior to the time they were issued. He re-enlisted in the army, company not known, June 26 and served until September 26. Bounty Certificate No. 3668 for 320 acres of land due him for his services was issued in Mr. Day's name June 4, 1848. He had assigned his rights to the certificate to James D. Owen. The rights to Bounty Certificate No. 2809 had been assigned to S. Rhoades Fisher.

Mr. Day was entitled to receive a Donation Certificate for 640 acres of land for having participated in the battle of San Jacinto. If he left Texas shortly after the revolution he could not have assigned his rights for his Donation Certificate, unlike Bounty Certificates, were non transferable.

Mr. Day was entitled to receive a Headright Certificate which apparently he did not claim. A married man who came to Texas before March 2, 1836 was entitled to receive a headright of 4,428 acres (one league) of land. If single, he could receive 1,476 acres (one-third league). Headright Certificates were transferable. It is possible that Mr. Day assigned his Headright Certificate to someone who for some reasons did not claim the land.

Rev. W. L. Day, minister of the First Baptist Church of Pascagoula, Mississippi wrote to the compiler August 9, 1940 as follows:

"I am of the opinion that William Day, whose name appears on the bronze plaque in the San Jacinto monument as one who fought in the battle at San Jacinto under General Sam Houston, April 21, 1836, is a great uncle of mine. My father is one of the same opinion. Will you kindly provide us with what information you have regarding him? This favor would be very much appreciated.

On October 16 he sent the following information about Mr. Day: He was born in Franklinton, Louisiana, May 9, 1809, a son of Jesse and Dicy (Estus or Estop) Day. He died in Mexico City December 12, 1848. He was never married.

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