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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FERRELL, WILLIAM L. -- In Headright Certificate No. 270 for one-third of a league of land issued to Mr. Ferrell February 1, 1838 by the Washington County Board of Land Commissioners it is stated that he came to Texas before March 2, 1836. He probably arrived in January, 1836. On page 116 of the army rolls in the General Land Office he is shown as having enrolled in the Volunteer Auxiliary Corps at Nacogdoches January 14, 1836. He is shown as having been born in Tennessee in about 1818. On June 27, 1853, Bounty Certificate No. 1317 was issued in his name for 320 acres of land for his services in the army for three months, but the enlistment period is not shown. It is not known whether or not he was alive at that time or whether the certificate was issued to his heirs. The land was surveyed in what is now Kendall County. He was a member of Captain James Gillaspie's Company and his San Jacinto Donation Certificate No. 964 was issued November 30, 1839.

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. James Gillaspie

Personal Statistics

  • Alternate Names: Ferrill
  • Date of Birth: 1818
  • Birthplace: Tennessee
  • Came to Texas: 1836 Jan
  • Bounty Certificate: 1317
  • Donation Certificate: 964