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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DALLAS, WALTER RIDDLE -- Born in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, in 1816, a son of James Loraine and Elizabeth (Reid) Dallas. The Dallas and Clemmons families came to Texas in 1833 in covered wagons and settled in what is now Washington County. In the headright Certificate issued to W. R. Dallas February 1, 1838 for one-third of a league of land by the Board of Land Commissioners for Washington County it is simply stated that he had arrived in Texas prior to May 2, 1835. He was a member of Captain William W. Hill's Company at San Jacinto and on September 26, 1838, he was issued Donation certificate No. 558 for 640 acres of land for having participated in the battle. On May 17, 1838, he received Bounty Certificate No. 3417 for 320 acres of land for having served in the army from March 1 to June 1, 1836. On an original muster roll of Captain Hill's Company, Mr. Dallas is described as being five feet, eight inches in height; of dark complexion, with black hair and black eyes. He was recruited as Asa Mitchell's by Captain Joseph P. Lynch.

Mrs. William E. Dyer, Houston, daughter of James Loraine Dallas, brother of Walter R. Dallas, stated that James L. and Walter R. Dallas were half cousins of George Mifflin Dallas. Their paternal ancestor James Dallas of St. Martins Scotland was married twice. His first wife was Elizabeth Riddle. James Loraine, Sr. father of Walter Riddle and James Loraine, Jr. was a son of this marriage. The second wife of James Dallas was Barbara Cockburn, and Alexander James Dallas was a son of this union. George Mifflin Dallas was a son of Alexander James Dallas.

Mr. Walter R. Dallas was married to Mary Ann Pitts January 15, 1855. Mr. Dallas died near William Penn, Washington, County in 1847. His widow was appointed administratrix of his estate on September 27, 1847.

James Lorraine Dallas, a brother of Walter R. Dallas, was married to Mary Virginia Cooper on October 16, 1841.

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: Dallis
  • Date of Birth: 1816
  • Birthplace: Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh
  • Came to Texas: 1833
  • Date of Death: 1847
  • Bounty Certificate: 3417
  • Donation Certificate: 558
  • Wife: Mary Ann Pitts