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

Veteran Bio

Texian Location:  Participant

The Kemp Sketch

(What is this?) | Download the original typescript

CRISWELL, WILLIAM VANOY -- Born in Kentucky, April 16, 1815. He came to Texas in February, 1830, as is stated in the Headright Certificate issued to him January 5, 1838 for one-third of a league of land by the Fayette County Board. He was a member of Captain Jesse Billingsley's company of "Mina Volunteers" at San Jacinto and on February 7, 1840 was issued Donation Certificate No. 1019 for 640 acres of land for having participated in the battle. He received Bounty Certificate No. 9818 for 3250 acres of land for having served in the army from September 28 to December 13, 1835, and Bounty Certificate No. 3408 for 320 acres of land for his services from March 27 to June 27, 1836.

Mr. Criswell was married to Mary E. Michin at La Grange, February 3, 1842. Mr. Criswell died January 19, 1858 and is buried on the Kubena farm one mile southeast of Praha, Fayette County, in a marked grave.

Children of Mr. and Mrs. Criswell were: Bettie, who married Calvin Jones; Sallie E., who married Simmie Lee; Mollie, who married James Lyons; John H., who married Josie Jones; James Yancy, who married Aedelie Burks and Lillie Criswell, who married John Waddell.

Member Lyons (Masonic) Lodge No. 195.



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. Jesse Billingsley

Personal Statistics

  • Alternate Names: Crisswell
  • Date of Birth: 1815 Apr 16
  • Birthplace: Kentucky
  • Came to Texas: 1830 Feb
  • Date of Death: 1858 Jan 19
  • Burial Place: Fayette Co., Texas
  • Bounty Certificate: 3408
  • Donation Certificate: 1019
  • Wife: Mary E. Mickin
  • Children: Bettie Criswell Jones; Sallie E. Criswell Lee; Mollie Criswell Lyons; John H. Criswell; James Yancy Criswell; Lillie Criswell Waddell