LEUDERS, FERDINAND
Born in Mecklenburg, Germany. Arrived at Velasco, January 28, 1836 on the schooner Pennsylvania. He was recruited in New Orleans for the Army of Texas by Captain Amasa Turner, in whose company he served at San Jacinto. The surname "Ludas" with-out initials of given name, is shown on the San Jacinto rolls as printed in 1836. On a muster roll in the General Land Office, "Henry Luders" is shown as having enlisted in Captain Turner's Company February 13, 1836. On another roll he is shown as having died on Galveston Island, August 1, 1836, while a member of Captain John Smith's Company.
The heirs of "Ferdinand" Leuders on March 25, 1851 were issued a Headright Certificate March 25, 1851 for one-third of a league of land by the Harrisburg County Board. On November 13, 1852 they were issued three certificates, Donation Certificate No. 457 for 640 acres of land due Mr. Leuders for having participated in the Battle of San Jacinto; Bounty Certificate No. 1166 for 1280 acres of land and Bounty Certificate No. 1167 for 640 acres of land. The latter two certificates were for land due the heirs on account of Mr. Leuders having died in the service, August 1, 1836. Land on Donation Certificate No. 457 was surveyed in Burnet County and the Deed Records of that county show that on August 25, 1855, Adolphus Fuchs was the sole heir of Mr. Leuders.
From the facts stated above it appears that Mr. Leuders enlisted in the Army under the name of Henry, while his true name was Ferdinand Leuders.
Christopher C. Howth was appointed administrator of the estate. In his petition he stated that the name was sometimes spelled "LUDAS". Said he was born in Mecklenburg, Germany and had arrived in Texas in January 1836 and had died on Galveston Island on about September 1, 1837 while in the army. He said he had participated in the Battle of San Jacinto. Mr. Howth said he was a first cousin of Mr. Leuders on his mother's side. Mr. Leuders had no relatives in Texas or in the United States.
