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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WRIGHT, RUFUS--In applying for land in Austin's Colonies Mr. Wright stated that he arrived in Texas from New York July 11, 1834. He was issued a Headright Certificate for one-third of a league of land by the Harrisburg County Board February 3, 1838, and in the certificate it is also stated that he arrived in Texas in 1834.

At his home in Brazoria County on August 9, 1835, Mr. Wright was one of the signers to a petition requesting that the "Consultation" be held in San Felipe de Austin. On a muster roll in the General Land Office he is shown as having been drafted from the army at Lynchburg March 8, 1836. He was a member of Captain William S. Fisher's Company of VELASCO BLUES at San Jacinto and on June 8, 1838, was issued Donation Certificate No. 311 for 640 acres of land for having participated in the battle. On January 3, 1838, he was issued Bounty Certificate No. 1542 for 320 acres of land for having served in the Army from March 6 to June 17, 1836. On June 4, 1838, he received Bounty Certificate No. 3669 for 320 acres of land for his services from June 17 to September 17, 1836. In Service Record No. 5706 it is certified that he was elected First Sergeant of Captain Fisher's Company June 17, 1836.

In the Court of Claims Files in the General Land Office it is shown that Mr. Wright died prior to February 7, 1857. He had lost his Headright Certificate and a duplicate was issued to his heirs on February 7, 1857. The heirs also owned Bounty Certificate No. 1542. These heirs were Cornelius and wife, Abigail, of Upshur County, Virginia; David Hawley and wife Rachel of Hamilton County, Ohio; and Richard Hawley and wife Mazy, also of Hamilton County, Ohio.



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. William S. Fisher

Personal Statistics

  • Origin: New York
  • Came to Texas: 1834 July 11
  • Bounty Certificate: 1542
  • Donation Certificate: 311