Starting October 7, the San Jacinto Monument's Observation Floor will close for renovation, open on weekends, with discounted museum admission during this time.

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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BROOKFIELD, FRANCIS E. -- Born a son of William and Lalliet Brookfield, who came to Texas from New York in 1831. William Brookfield received title to a league of land in Austin's Second Colony, situated in the present County of Fayette, August 20, 1831.

On page 28 of the "Lost (Headright) Book of Harris County" in the General Land Office it is shown that William Brookfield applied to the Harrisburg County Board of Land Commissioners February 10, 1838 for the headright due Francis E. Brookfield who had "been sent to Beardstown in the United States to receive his education." Mr. Brookfield stated that Francis E. was eighteen years of age. Colonel James C. Neill testified that Francis E. had participated in the battle of Gonzales, October 2, 1835.

In Comptroller's Military Service Record No. 681 it is stated that Mr. Brookfield served in the army from March 16 to April 27, 1836. He was a member of Captain William J. E. Heard's Company of Citizen Soldiers at San Jacinto and on January 9, 1840 was issued Donation Certificate No. 995 for 640 acres of land for having participated in the battle. He is shown on page __ of the army rolls in the General Land Office as having served in Captain William Scurlock's Company from July 4 to October 4, 1836.

Mr. Brookfield was a member of Captain Nicholas M. Dawson's Company and was killed on Salado Creek in Bexar County September 18, 1842. His remains and those of his comrades were later placed in a single vault at the top of a hill, since called Monument Hill, over- looking the town of La Grange.

The children of William Brookfield were Charles, Francis E., Walter Edward, Amelia, who married Charles Fordtram; and Emma Brookfield who married Vincent Evans. William Brookfield died in 1847.



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 J. E. Heard

Personal Statistics

  • Alternate Names: Brockfield
  • Date of Birth: 1820?
  • Origin: New York
  • Came to Texas: 1831
  • Date of Death: 1842 Sep 18
  • Burial Place: Monument Hill, La Grange, Texas
  • Other Battles: Gonzales
  • Donation Certificate: 995