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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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BANKS, REASON -- Born in Baldwin County, Georgia, a son of Soloman and Jane Banks. In the Court of Claims Files in the General Land Office is an affidavit made by Robert Micllejohn of Baldwin County, Georgia, in behalf of James B. Murphy whose heirs had applied for the land due him for his services in the army of Texas. He stated that in the year 1835 the following young men left Baldwin County for Mason, Bibb County, Georgia, where they were enlisted in the army of Texas by William Word: James. B. Murphy, John Spillers, Lewis Washington, Joseph T. Buchannan, Reason Banks, Robert Darnell, Green B. Buchannan and James Calk.

Mr. Banks arrived at Velasco December 20, 1835, as a member of Captain James C. Winn’s Company of the Georgia Battalion. His name appears on page 12 of the army rolls in the General Land Office as a former member of Captain Winn’s Company who had left on January 8, 1836, "with a public rifle." He joined Captain William S. Fisher’s Company of Velasco Blues and as a member of that organization fought at San Jacinto, for which on July 2, 1855, he received Donation Certificate No. 980 for 640 acres of land. On April 9, 1838, he received Bounty Certificate No. 2807 for 320 acres of land for having served in the army from March 3 to June 3, 1836.

In a Comptroller’s Military Service Record in the Archives of the Texas State Library, Richard Bach, Chief Clark of the War Department, wrote: I certify that it appears from the muster roll of Captain Winn’s Company, Georgia Volunteers, 1st. Regiment, Texas Volunteers, that he (Banks) served from 31st December to 8th January, 1836, when it appears he deserted, but the Secretary of War having reinstated him and he was returned through misapprehension. I certify that he was entitled to pay from December 29, 1835 to February 13, 1836."

Soloman B. Banks died in Baldwin County, Georgia, in 1849 and Mrs. Banks died there in 1861. Their children in order of birth were Elizabeth, who married John A. Robertson; Sarah, who married Claiborne Buckner; Reason, who never married; and Luraney Banks who married William Kelley.

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. William S. Fisher

Personal Statistics

  • Birthplace: Georgia, Baldwin County
  • Origin: Georgia
  • Came to Texas: 1835 Dec 20
  • Date of Death: 1885
  • Bounty Certificate: 2807
  • Donation Certificate: 980
  • Wife: none