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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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CANNAN, WILLIAM JARVIS -- Born in Edgefield District, South Carolina December 23, 1808. In Headright Certificate No. 178 issued to him January 25, 1838 for a league and labor of land by the Brazoria County Board of Land Commissioners it is stated that he arrived in Texas prior to March 2, 1836. The records of his family show that he came in 1835.

Mr. Cannan was a member of Captain William W. Hill's Company at San Jacinto. On January 16, 1838 he was issued Bounty Certificate No. 1884 for 640 acres of land for having served in the army from March 1 to November 1, 1838.

Mr. Cannan was married to Matilda Jane Lonis, January 1, 1838. Mrs. Cannan died in 1850 and the following year Mr. Cannan was married to Permalia A. Wilcox. Mr. Cannan died September 24, 1881 while a member of the Texas Veteran's association. Mrs. Cannan died in 1890 and her remains were placed beside those of her husband's in a cemetery on Oyster Creek, three miles east of Velasco, Brazoria County.

Children of Mr. Cannan by his first wife were John H., who was never married; William W., who was never married; Edward Burleson; Elizabeth Jane, who was never married; James Wylie, who married Anna Wells; Samuel Houston, who was never married, and Sarah Ann Cannan who was never married.

Children of Mr. Cannan by his second marriage were Benjamin E., who never married; Martha Adaline, who married Timothy Bonham; Rowena Isabel, who married to Edward W. Brown; and Jefferson Davis Cannan, who married Lizzie E. Elkins.

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: Lieut. Robert Stevenson

Personal Statistics

  • Alternate Names: Cannon, J. W.
  • Date of Birth: 1808 Dec 23
  • Birthplace: South Carolina, Edgefield
  • Came to Texas: 1835
  • Date of Death: 1881 Sep 24
  • Bounty Certificate: 1884
  • Wife: 1. Matilda Jane Lonis; 2. Permalia A. Wilcox
  • Children: William W.; Edward Burleson; Elizabeth Jane; James Wylie; Samuel Houston; Sarah Ann; Martha Adaline Cannan Bonham; Rowena Isabel Cannan Brown