Veteran Bio
The Kemp Sketch
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LESTER, JAMES SEATON -- Born in Virginia, April 1, 1799. In the Headright issued to him January 5, 1838 for one-third of a league of land by the Fayette County Board of Land Commissioners, it is stated that he came to Texas in February 1834. In 1835 he was a delegate from Mina Municipality to the Consultation held at San Felipe on November 18th of that year elected a supernumary member of the General Council of the Provisional Government of Texas. In 1835 he accompanied Colonel John H. Moore on an expedition against Indians, serving as Adjutant. Jacob Snively, Acting Secretary of War, in Comptroller's Military Service Record No. 2298 certifies that Mr. Lester was appointed Captain of Artillery, January 6, and served until April 1, 1836. In Record No. 1301, 1302, 1303, and 1304 it is stated that he enlisted April 1 and served to May 29. He was in Captain William J.E. Heard's Company at San Jacinto. On May 29 he enlisted in Captain James R. Cook's Company of Artillery and served until June 4. He entered Captain Miller's Company about July 1, and served until August 11. At San Jacinto Mr. Lester lost a large pistol valued at $10.00. This is shown in Service Record No. 1304. On May 24, 1838 he was issued Donation Certificate No. 31 for 640 acres of land for having participated in the Battle of San Jacinto. On January 3, 1838 he received Bounty Certificate No. 1616 for 320 acres of land for his services from January 6 to April 1, 1836 and on December 30, 1837 he was issued Bounty Certificate No. 1182 for 320 acres of land for having served in the army from April 1 to August 11, 1836.
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Captain Lester was a member of the House of Representatives from Fayette County in the Third Congress, November 5 to January 24, 1837, and of the Senate of the Fourth and Fifth Congresses, November 11, 1839 to February 1, 1841. He was a Charter Trustee of Rutersville College, incorporated at Rutersville, Fayette County February 4, 1840 and of Baylor University incorporated at Independence, Washington County, February 1, 1845. He was Chief Justice of Fayette County from 1844 to 1848.
Judge Lester died December 1, 1879 while visiting in Bastrop, but was buried in La Grange. His grave is marked. He was a member of the Texas Veterans Association.
Mr. J.P. Wroe of Houston, was a nephew of Judge Lester.
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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.
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Battle Statistics
- Died in Battle: No
- Rank: Private
- Company: Capt. William J. E. Heard
Personal Statistics
- Date of Birth: 1799 Apr 21
- Birthplace: Virginia
- Came to Texas: 1834 Feb
- Date of Death: 1879 Dec 1
- Burial Place: La Grange, Texas
- Bounty Certificate: 1182
- Donation Certificate: 31
- Profession: Attorney
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