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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SNYDER, ASBERRY McKENDREE -- Born in Alexander, Virginia in 1816, a son of Mathias Snyder, a native of Lancaster of Pennsylvania, a coppersmith. Asberry M., a carpenter, arrived at Velasco, January 28, 1836 on the schooner Pennsylvania, having been recruited in New Orleans for the army of Texas by Captain Amasa Turner. On page 10 of the San Jacinto rolls printed in 1836 he is listed as M. Snyder, a corporal in Captain Turner's Company of Regulars.

Mr. Snyder left Texas shortly after being discharged from the army without applying for the land due him. On October 8, 1850, he was issued Donation Certificate No. 229 for 640 acres of land for having participated in the battle of San Jacinto. On November 20, 1850, he was issued Bounty Certificate No. 713 for 1280 acres of land for having served in the army for a period of one year or more. The date of enlistment or discharge is not shown in the certificate. He did not apply for the land due him as a headright.

In the Deed Records of Bexar County it is shown that Mr. Snyder and his wife Mary Ann Snyder were living in Baltimore, Maryland, January 1, 1852, when they sold their land in Texas.

At the promotion of Captain Turner to Lieutenant Colonel, the men of his company were transferred to Company A, First Regiment of Regulars commanded by Captain John Smith. On page 171 of the muster rolls in the General Land Office Mr. Snyder is shown as a member of Captain Smith's Company December 31, 1836, stationed on Galveston Island. He is shown as having enlisted in the army February 1, 1836, for a term of two years. He was promoted to Corporal March 17, to Sergeant June 9 and resigned as Sergeant November 13th. On December 31, 1836, he was on detached service on board the schooner Apollo. At the muster of the Company February 28, 1837 Mr. Snyder is again, on page 181 shown on detached service on board the Apollo.

Mr. Snyder returned to Texas and died somewhere in the state two or three years after the Civil War. A daughter of his, Mrs. Lizzie Burditt, and a brother-in-law, C. V. Emick, were living in Baltimore, Maryland, November 2, 1899.

The following notes were made by Dr. V. O. King:

"On page 18 of this report Dr. King makes a note to the name of Corporal M. Snyder saying: "His full name was Asbury McKendree Snyder, according to his daughter, Mrs. Lizzie Burditt, and his brother-in-law C. V. Emick, Baltimore, Maryland, who writes me Nov. 1899. See his letter Hist. Arch. No. 66. He says Snyder's father was Mathias Snyder, was born in Alexandria, Va., 1816, was a carpenter, came to Texas in 1835-36. Returned to Baltimore after the Texas War; and again went to Texas, where he died 2 or 3 years after the Civil War."

San Antonio, Texas April 16, 1860

Hon. Sam Houston

Dear Sir

Being in a tight place I have concluded, my only chance is to call on you to ask your assistance by some kind of appointment, by which I can support my family. I am a Carpenter and cant get work sufficient to do it. I am an old Texan and I supported Texas when she was unable to support herself. Now I am in the situation she then was, and I ask her through you to do the same by me -- I belonged to Turners Co. at San Jacinto and have been with you in sentiment ever since.

I refer you to Thomas Howard, John C. French, Col. John A. Wilcox, James R. Sweet citizens of this place.

Please answer this immediately whether you confer the favor or not. Yours truly, A. M. Snyder

[Endorsed:] A W Snyder San Antonio April 16/60 Asking appointment [Source:] Governor's Letters, Texas State Library



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: Corporal
  • Company: Capt. Amasa Turner

Personal Statistics

  • Alternate Names: Snyder, M.; Asbury
  • Date of Birth: 1816
  • Birthplace: Virginia, Alexandria
  • Origin: Louisiana
  • Came to Texas: 1836 Jan 28
  • Date of Death: 1866/1867
  • Bounty Certificate: 713
  • Donation Certificate: 229
  • Profession: Carpenter
  • Wife: Mary Ann Snyder
  • Children: Lizzie Snyder Burditt