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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GRAVES, THOMAS A.-- Received title to one-fourth of a league of land in Robertson's Colony situated in Milam County, November 10, 1835. In the Headright Certificate issued to him February 4, 1838 for three-fourths of a league and one labor of land by the Board of Land Commissioners for Milam County it is stated that he came to Texas in 1831. It is also stated that he had married in April, 1837. The land was surveyed in Milam County.

On the army rolls in the General Land Office, Mr. Graves is shown as having enlisted in Captain Sterling C. Robertson's Company of Rangers, January 14, 1836. This company shortly afterward disbanded. He was a member of Captain Jesse Billingsley's Company of Mina Volunteers at San Jacinto and on November 20, 1851 was issued Donation Certificate No. 337 for 640 acres of land for having participated in the battle. He received Bounty Certificate No. 337 for 320 acres of land for his services in the army from April 8 to July 8, 1836.

Mr. Graves was a surveyor in Mina (Bastrop) Municipality in 1835. He was elected the first County Surveyor of Milam County December 15, 1837.

The Probate Records of Washington County show that Mr. Graves died in Washington County in 1861. George W. Graves was appointed administrator of his estate March 9, 1861.



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. Jesse Billingsley

Personal Statistics

  • Came to Texas: 1831
  • Date of Death: 1861
  • Bounty Certificate: 337
  • Donation Certificate: 386; 30/155
  • Profession: Surveyor