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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HARRIS, JAMES -- Arrived in Texas in 1835, as is shown in the Headright Certificate issued to him February 15, 1838 by the Matagorda County Board of Land Commissioners for a league of land. He was a member of Captain William H. Patton's Columbia Volunteers at San Jacinto and on November 12, 1838 was issued Bounty Certificate No. 676 for 640 acres of land for having participated in the battle. He enlisted in the army April 2, 1836 near the plantation of Leonard W. Grave in what is now Waller County, as is shown in the sketch of Thomas F. Corry. Mr. Harris and Mr. Corry enlisted at the same time. Mr. Corry was discharged at the camp about four miles from the San Jacinto battlefield, May 7, 1836 and perhaps Mr. Harris was discharged at the same time. If so, he was not entitled to receive bounty land, not having served in the army for a period of three months. His home was in Matagorda County.

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: 1799?
  • Birthplace: South Carolina?
  • Came to Texas: 1835
  • Date of Death: 1838 June 27
  • Burial Place: Goliad County, Texas
  • Comments: Brother Robert W. Harris was a Mier prisoner, drew a black bean and was shot.
  • Bounty Certificate: 676
  • Wife: Frances Woolridge
  • Children: Martha Melvina; Eleanor; Louisiana; Eliza Virginia