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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EDGAR, JOSEPH SMITH -- Born in Maury County, Tennessee, son of James and Selah Edgar, who were the parents of the following children: Joseph Smith, John, Henry, William, Joshua N. Hyman T., James D., Arthur S., B. F. W. and Paulina Edgar. In the Headright Certificate issued to his heirs January 10, 1838 for one-third of a league of land by the Gonzales County Board it is stated that Joseph S. Edgar came to Texas in November, 1835. In Service Record No. 6488 it is certified that he enlisted in Captain Peyton R. Splane's Company February 26, and was discharged at (Sylvanus) Hatch's on the east side of the Lavaca May 26, 1836. For this service his heirs on January 24, 1838 received Bounty Certificate No. 2063 for 320 acres of land. He was a member of Captain Robert S. Calder's company at San Jacinto and on January 15, 1838 his heirs received Donation Certificate No. 764 for 640 acres of land due him for having participated in the battle.

Mr. Edgar died at the home of James G. Swisher near Independence, Washington County, in 1837.

John Edgar, brother of Joseph, came to Texas in about 1840 and served in the United States Army under Benjamin McCullough in the Mexican War. He had no children.

Mr. and Mrs. James Edgar, parents of Joseph S. Edgar, with their children, came to Texas in 1853 and settled on the Joseph Smith Edgar headright in De Witt County.

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
  • Wounded in Battle: Slighly wounded
  • Rank: Private
  • Company: Capt. Robert J. Calder

Personal Statistics

  • Birthplace: Tennessee, Maury County
  • Came to Texas: 1835 Nov
  • Date of Death: 1837
  • Bounty Certificate: 2063
  • Donation Certificate: 764