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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GANT, WILLIAM W.--Born in Tennessee in January, 1809. He arrived in Texas, April 21, 1835, as is shown in the Headright Certificate issued to him for one third of a league of land by the Washington County Board, January 10, 1838.

Mr. Gant received Bounty Certificate No. 2066 for 320 acres of land for serving in the army from February 27 to May 29, 1836. He was a member of Captain Peyton R. Splane's Company but served in Captain Robert J. Calder's Company at San Jacinto. On May 22, 1838 he was issued Donation Certificate No. 190 for 640 acres of land for having participated in the battle.

Mr. Gant was a member of the House of Representatives from Washington County, of the First to Fourth Congresses, inclusive, of the Congress of the Republic. He died in what is now Grimes County in October 1840 and is buried in a marked grave in a cemetery in Navasota.

The Probate Records of Washington County contain an interesting letter to Mr. Gant from his friend Asa Walker who emigrated to Texas with him in 1835, from Columbia, Tennessee, Mr. Gant advancing $35.87 for Mr. Walker's expenses for which Mr. Walker gave his note, November 28, 1835. Later in the year Walker joined the Texas Army taking with him Mr. Gant's rifle and overcoat. He fell with Travis at the Alamo and Mr. Gant put a claim in against the 640 acres of land due Walker for being killed of $35.00 for the rifle and $20.00 for the overcoat. As evidence of the indebtedness he filed the following note with the Court, from Mr. Walker: "Mr. Gant - I take the responsibility of taking your overcoat and gun-your gun they would have any how and I might as well have it as any one else. If I live to return I will satisfy you for all -if I die I leave you my clothes to do the best you can with. You can sell them for something. If you overtake me you can take your rifle and I will trust to chance. The hurry of the moment and my want of means to do better are all the excuse I have to plea for fitting out at your expense. Forgive the presumption and remember your friend at heart. (Signed) "A. WALKER". Mr. Gant also produced the note from Mr. Walker for $35.871/2 for transportation from Tennessee to Texas, paid by Gant.



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. Robert J. Calder

Personal Statistics

  • Date of Birth: 1809 Jan
  • Birthplace: Tennessee
  • Came to Texas: 1835 Feb 21
  • Date of Death: 1840 Oct
  • Burial Place: Navasota, Texas
  • Bounty Certificate: 2066
  • Donation Certificate: 190
  • Wife: Harriet E. Hoke Gant Brown