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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FORRESTER, CHARLES -- Born December 20, 1810 in Gibson County, Tennessee and came to Texas in 1835. He was a member of Captain Peyton R. Splane's Company but fought in Captain Robert J. Calder's Brazoria Company at San Jacinto. On July 22, 1874 Donation Certificate No. 14-25 for 640 acres of land was issued in his name, but delivered to his heirs, for having participated in the battle. Bounty Certificate No. 1195 for 320 acres was issued in his name January 13, 1853, due him for his service in the army from March 13 to June 13, 1836.

Isaac Sellers of Fayette County, Texas, was appointed attorney of the heirs of Mr. Forrester to secure the land Mr. Forrester was entitled to receive as a headright. As a result Headright Certificate No. 14-26 for one-third of a league of land was issued in Mr. Forrester's name in 1873 in compliance with an Act of the Legislature approved May 6, 1873. Information concerning Mr. Forrester may be found in Bexar County First Class Headright File No. 1592 in the General Land Office.

Mr. Forrester was married to Kessie Sellers who was born in North Carolina. At her death she was buried in a marked grave in Hollow Springs Cemetery near Dyer, Tennessee. Mr. Forrester died October 20, 1851 and is buried in a marked grave in the Forrester family Cemetery four miles southwest of Dyer, Tennessee.

Children of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Forrester were: Elizabeth Forrester, who married W. A. Fletcher; W. L. Forrester, who married Anna Hunt; and C. B. Forrester, who married Bettie Arnold.



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. Robert J. Calder

Personal Statistics

  • Alternate Names: Forrister
  • Date of Birth: 1810 Dec 20
  • Birthplace: Tennessee, Gibson County
  • Came to Texas: 1835
  • Date of Death: 1851 Oct 20
  • Burial Place: Forrester family cemetery, Dyer, Tennessee
  • Bounty Certificate: 1195
  • Donation Certificate: 14-25
  • Wife: Kessie Sellers
  • Children: Elizabeth Forrester Fletcher; W. L. Forrester; C. B. Forrester