Veteran Bio
The Kemp Sketch
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WILKINSON, FREEMAN--In the Headright Certificate issued to Mr. Wilkinson in 1838 for one league and one labor of land by the Board of Land Commissioners for Harrisburg County it is stated that he came to Texas in 1835. In Comptroller's Military Service Record No. 67 it is stated that he served in the army from March 5 to June 5, 1836. He was a member of Captain Thomas H. McIntire's Company at San Jacinto but joined Captain Peter B. Dexter's Company within a few days after the battle. Bounty Certificate No. 1665 was issued in his name, and delivered to his heirs, for 320 acres of land July 28, 1854 for his services in the army for a period of three months. His heirs on the same day received Donation Certificate No. 599 for 640 acres of land, due Mr. Wilkinson for having participated in the Battle of San Jacinto.
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The marriage records of Harris County show that Mr. Wilkinson and Miss Delia Catherine Semore were married in Harrisburg County January 23, 1839. Mr. Wilkinson died later in the year at his home in Lynchburg. His widow was married to General John S. Besser. General Ashbel Smith was a cousin of General Besser and on April 4, 1882 at her home at Huntsville Mrs. Besser wrote the letter given below to General Smith. It is among the Ashbel Smith Papers, University of Texas, Austin: "Dear Cozin. As soon as I recovered sufficiently from an illness I sent for Miss Josephine and will take pleasure in making her sojourn in Huntsville pleasant as far as lies in my power--Do you think of coming to Huntsville the 21st to the exercises of the Normal Institute. Will be glad to see you and have you in our home. Temple Houston is one of the attractions--I should like to hear his speech. On the 21st suppose there will be a great time on the battlefield. My first husband Freeman Wilkinson fought in that battle--died of yellow fever at Lynchburg in '39 and was buried by the side of those that fell in the battle-- Be pleased to hear from you any time. Gen. Besser wishes to be remembered to you-- D.C. Besser."
The State of Texas erected a monument at the grave of Mr. Wilkinson on the San Jacinto Battlefield in 1936
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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. Thomas H. McIntire
Personal Statistics
- Came to Texas: 1835
- Date of Death: 1839
- Burial Place: San Jacinto Battleground, Texas
- Bounty Certificate: 1665
- Donation Certificate: 599
- Wife: Delia Catherine Semore Wilkinson Besser
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