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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HOWELL, ROBERT F. -- Born in Bristol, England, in 1817. He came to Texas in 1834, as is shown in the Headright Certificate issued to him February 13, 1838, for one-third of a league of land by the Harrisburg County Board. The land was surveyed in Harrisburg County in 1838. Mr. Howell was a member of Captain William Wood's company at San Jacinto and on June 21, 1838 Donation Certificate No. 558 for 640 acres of land was issued to him for having participated in the battle. He received Bounty Certificate No. 746, on December 4, 1837 for 1280 acres for his services in the army from February 22, 1836 to December 2, 1836. This he sold December 4, 1837 to Nathaniel Watrous for $1,000. In Comptroller's Military Service Record No. 5550 it is stated that he enlisted in the army February 22, 1836 and was a member of Captain David T. Pyron's Company when discharged December 2, 1837.

Mr. Howell enrolled in Captain Nicholas M. Dawson's Company at Velasco August 17, 1836, for the duration of the war. The following information concerning him is found on a muster roll of Captain Dawson's company in the Archives of the State Library: He was born in Bristol, England, in 1817. He was 5 feet, 10 inches tall; of light complexion, with blue eyes and dark hair, and was a clerk by occupation. He had been issued the following articles by the commissary: 1 pair of shoes, 1 pair of stockings, 2 pairs of pantaloons, 1 vest, and one jacket, of a total value of $17.62. In addition to this he had been paid $80.00.

Mr. Howell was living in Harris County November 6, 1849 when he sold Donation Certificate No. 558 to M. B. Irwin for $85. The Deed Records of Harris County, Book P, page 705, show him and his wife, Mary, living in Harris County December 31, 1856.



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. William Wood

Personal Statistics

  • Date of Birth: 1817
  • Birthplace: England, Bristol
  • Came to Texas: 1834
  • Bounty Certificate: 746
  • Donation Certificate: 558
  • Profession: Clerk
  • Wife: Mary Howell