Part of an old map of the San Jacinto area from the Texas Revolution

Veteran Bio

Texian Location:  Harrisburg

The Kemp Sketch

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CAMPBELL, RUFUS EASTON - Born in Raleigh, Wake County, North Carolina, August 15, 1814. He came to Texas between 1828 and 1832 with his brothers, Hill Otem and John Campbell. On April 7, 1845 he was living in Austin County when he appointed David Ayers his agent to sell his headright certificate.

In 1836 Mr. Campbell was a member of Captain Gibson Kuykendall’s Company. On February 10, 1847 he was issued Bounty Certificate No. 214 for 640 acres of land for having served in the army from March 9to September 9, 1836. On an army roll in the General Land Office, Austin he is shown as having been detailed to guard the baggage at the camp opposite Harrisburg, April 21, 1836.

Mr. Campbell was married to Caroline Ayers, daughter of David Ayers, October 28, 1842. Mr. Campbell was a member of the Texas Veterans Association. He died October 27, 1878 is buried in a marked grave in the Catlin Cemetery three miles from Kinney, Austin County. Mrs. Campbell was born October 28, 1824 and died July 15, 1897. (Note: Texas before May 2, 1835 H. R. No. 37 Brazoria 1/3 L Jan. 25, 1838)

Children of Mr. and Mrs. Campbell were Bessie, who married George A. Manley and resides at Cotulla, Rachel, who married Hinton B. Manley and resides at Abilene; Hulda, who married Ira E. Collins and resides at Utica, New York; John Herbert, who died in infancy; Robert, who was never married; Joseph Easton who died in infancy; Theodore, who married Mollie Williamson; David, who married Mary Jackson; Mack, who married Mary Early; Guy Bryan, who died young: Caroline, who married Benjamin Drake and later John Cahill; Ann Elizabeth, who married John Dixon and Mary Smith, who married J. T. Shelby.

Mrs. Eva Shelby Buster, 3747 Jardine Street, Houston is a granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Rufus E. Campbell. She is a daughter of J. T. and Mary Smith Campbell Shelby.

(Note: On page 233, Army rolls in the General Land Office Mr. Campbell is shown as having been a member of Captain William H. Patton’s Company when discharged.)

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. Gibson Kuykendall

Personal Statistics

  • Date of Birth: 1815 Aug 15
  • Birthplace: Arkansas
  • Came to Texas: 1827 Mar 22
  • Date of Death: 1878 Oct 27
  • Burial Place: Texas State Cemetery, Austin, Texas
  • Bounty Certificate: 214
  • Profession: Blacksmith, farmer
  • Wife: Caroline Moshell King Drake Ayers
  • Children: Caroline Moshell Campbell; Sarah Jane Campbell; Ann Eliza Campbell; David Chambers; Rufus Maxwell; Theodore Heil; Mary Smith Campbell; Cyrus Francis; Rachel Orton Campbell; Elizabeth Medford Campbell; Huldah Ayers; Joseph E; John H.; Robert A.; Guy B.
  • Family at San Jacinto: Brothers Heil and John Campbell at Harrisburg