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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KORNEGAY, DAVID SMITH -- Born in Jones County, North Carolina in 1810, a son of Robert and Litihia Kornegay. In the Headright Certificate issued to him January 5, 1838 for one-third of a league of land by the Fayette County Board it is stated that he came to Texas in April, 1830. He lived for a time at the home of John H. Moore.

In Service Record No. 7091, signed by William M. Eastland, First Lieutenant of the First Division of Volunteers, and countersigned by John H. Moore, Colonel Commanding, it is certified that Mr. Kornegay served as a regular volunteer in the First Division in the campaign against the Waco and Tehuacana Indians from July 25 to September 15, 1835. Four divisions were under the command of Colonel Moore.

Mr. Kornegay was issued Bounty Certificate No. 9237 for 320 acres of land for having served in the army from September 28 to December 12, 1835. He received Bounty Certificate No. 3368 for 320 acres of land for his services from March 1 to May 30, 1836. He was issued Bounty Certificate No. 3366 for 320 acres of land May 15, 1838 for serving from July 1 to October 1, 1836. He was a member of Captain William W. Hill's Company at San Jacinto and on October 24, 1838 he was issued Donation Certificate No. 569 for 640 acres of land for having participated in the battle. On the original muster roll of Captain Hill's Company Mr. Kornegay is described as being five feet, six inches in height; of dark complexion with dark eyes and brown hair. He was a farmer. He was recruited March 15, 1836 on the Colorado by Captain Philip Coe.

Mr. Kornegay was County Clerk of Fayette County when he enlisted in the volunteer company hastily recruited by Captain Nicholas M. Dawson to repel the Mexicans under General Adrian Woll who had surprised, and captured San Antonio and were on their March toward Austin. He was among the few who escaped the "Dawson Massacre" of September 18, 1842. He was captured and imprisoned in Mexico and with Charles K. Reese and others escaped from Castle Perote, July 2, 1843. He made his way to Vera Cruz and there boarded the "Pretian" for New Orleans. Returning to Seguin he resumed his duties as County Clerk. On December 22, 1844 he was married to Elizabeth McGary by County Judge James S. Lester, a San Jacinto veteran. Mrs. Kornegay was born in Louisiana in June, 1826 and died in Lavaca County, September 27, 1880. Mr. Kornegay died in McLennan County April 5, 1856 and was buried in the cemetery at Bosqueville.

Children of Mr. and Mrs. Kornegay were Edward Dawson, who married Claudia Mary Peoples; Mary, who married Edward Locket, and after the death of Mr. Locket married William Rhodes; Liticia, who died at the age of eighteen; Sarah Eliza, who married Washington Hampton Secrest; and Annie Elizabeth Kornegay, who married John Henry Cook.



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: Lieut. Robert Stevenson

Personal Statistics

  • Alternate Names: Korneky
  • Date of Birth: 1810
  • Birthplace: North Carolina, Jones County
  • Came to Texas: 1830 Apr
  • Date of Death: 1856 Apr 5
  • Burial Place: Bosqueville, Texas
  • Comments: Escaped Dawson Massacre
  • Bounty Certificate: 3368
  • Donation Certificate: 569
  • Profession: Farmer
  • Wife: Elizabeth McGary
  • Children: Edward Dawson Kornegay; Mary Kornegay Locket Rhodes; Liticia Kornegay; Sarah Eliza Kornegay Secrest; Annie Elizabeth Kornegay Cook