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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NEALIS, FRANCIS -- Arrived at Velasco, January 28, 1836, on the schooner, Pennsylvania, having been recruited for the army of Texas by Captain Amasa Turner, in whose company he served at San Jacinto. At the promotion of Captain Turner to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel the command of his company fell to Captain John Smith. On page 170 of the army muster rolls in the General Land Office, Mr. Nealis is shown as First Corporal in Captain Smith's Company at a muster of the company on Galveston Island, December 31, 1836. On the roll it is stated that he was promoted to Corporal November 15, 1836. His name also appears as First Corporal of Captain Smith's Company at muster February 28, 1837. He is shown as having enlisted in the army February 13, 1836, the day Captain Turner's Company was organized.

Like many of the soldiers of the regular army, Mr. Nealis left Texas without applying for his headright or for the land due him for his services in the army.



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. Amasa Turner

Personal Statistics

  • Alternate Names: Nirlas
  • Origin: Louisiana
  • Came to Texas: 1836 Jan 28