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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WINBURN, McHENRY -- On page 17, Book A of the list of applicants for land in Austin's Colonies it is shown that when Mr. Winburn on April 11, 1835 applied for land he stated that he was single and had arrived in Texas from Alabama December 15, 1834. That he arrived in 1834 is confirmed in the Headright Certificate issued to him June 5, 1838 for one-twelfth of a league of land by the Board of Land Commissioners for Austin County. On October 3, 1835 he had received title to one-fourth of a league of Austin's Fifth Colony situated in the present County of Washington.

Winburn was appointed Second Lieutenant of Infantry by the General Council of the Provisional Government of Texas November 29, 1835, but served as a private at San Jacinto, as a member of Captain Moseley Baker's SAN FELIPE COMPANY. He was issued Donation Certificate No. 490 for 640 acres of land for having served in the army from December 13, 1835 to October 22, 1836.

Mr. Winburn was sheriff of Austin County in 1839. He later moved to Fayette County where he formed a partnership with Isaac L. Hill, a San Jacinto veteran. As lawyers and real estate agents, the two amassed fortunes.

Mr. Winburn was married in Austin County to Lucy Ann Cochran, April 5, 1838, by the Rev. Martin Ruter. His wife was a sister of James Cochran who came to Texas in 1825 and settled at San Felipe de Austin. Mrs. Winburn was born in New Hampshire and came to Texas in 1835 with her two brothers Jeremiah D. and Robert Cochran. Robert fell at the Alamo.

Mr. Winburn was a member of Holland (Masonic) Lodge No. 36, Houston in 1837. He died at Round Top, Fayette County, October 26, 1847 and was probably buried in Academy Cemetery four miles northeast of Round Top. His grave is lost.

Children of Mr. and Mrs. Winburn were Jane; Mary Ann; James, who died October 9, 1862; Janet, who died in February, 1862; Martha Ann; and McHenry Winburn, Jr., who was born about two months after the death of his father. He was warrant clerk in the office of the State Comptroller, Austin.

Mary Ann Winburn, daughter of McHenry Winburn, Sr. was on November 8, 1850 married to A.D. Gaither. Their children were A.B., Jarred, Annie, N.G., McWinburn, and Burgene Gaither. Mr. and Mrs. A.D. Gaither lived in Chilton, Texas.

Martha Ann Winburn, daughter of McHenry Winburn, Sr. married Mr. Chase by whom there was one child, Elizabeth, married Mr. Hyeck. After the death of Mr. Chase, his widow on June 16, 1871, married Charles Vetter.

After the death of McHenry Winburn, Sr. his widow married Joseph R. Robison, nephew of Joel W. Robison. Their children were Joseph R., Jr., Floriad A., Fannie, Amanda, who died in 1866, Emily, who died in 1866, and Lucy Ann Robison, who was married twice. Her home was in Austin.



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. Moseley Baker

Personal Statistics

  • Origin: Alabama
  • Came to Texas: 1834 Dec 15
  • Date of Death: 1847 Oct 26
  • Donation Certificate: 490
  • Profession: Lawyer, real estate agent
  • Wife: Lucy Ann Cochran Winburn Robison
  • Children: Jane Winburn; Mary Ann Winburn Gaither; James Winburn; Janet Winburn; Martha Ann Winburn Chase Vetter; McHenry Winburn