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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HARVEY, DAVID -- Born in England in 1795. In the Headright Certificate issued to him February 2, 1838 for one-third of a league of land by the Montgomery County Board it is stated that he arrived in Texas in April, 1834. He sold the certificate April 10, 1834 to Griffin Bayne for $100.00. He could not sign his name.

The following information concerning Mr. Harvey is contained in Service Record No. 4304, signed by Captain Robert Oliver, commanding Company A, and countersigned by Amasa Turner, Colonel of Infantry:

He was born in England in 1795 and enlisted in the army April 9, 1836 to serve two years. He was discharged from Captain Oliver's Company at Post Galveston, July 2, 1837 by reason of a surgeon's certificate of disability. He was five feet, six inches in height, of light complexion and had grey eyes and light hair. By vocation he was a farmer.

Mr. Harvey was issued Bounty Certificate No 3840 for 1280 acres of land June 9, 1838 for serving the army from April 9, 1836 to July 2, 1837. The land was surveyed in the Bexar Land District, in what is now Bandera County in 1840.

For an unknown reason Mr. Harvey received two Donation Certificates for 640 acres each for having participated in the battle of San Jacinto. On July 7, 1838 Certificate No. 426 was issued in his name but assigned to J. C. Perry, who had the land surveyed in Coryell County. On August 5, 1840 he was issued Certificate No. 1055. The land was surveyed in what is now Bandera County in May, 1841.

In the Deed Records of Bexar County, Book I, Page 78, it is stated that Mr. Harvey died at Galveston in 1848. Arthur T. Lyman was appointed administrator of his estate in January, 1849. His land in Bandera County was sold at auction March 4, 1849 and was purchased by Oscar Farrish of Galveston at twenty cents per acre.



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. Amasa Turner

Personal Statistics

  • Date of Birth: 1795
  • Birthplace: England
  • Came to Texas: 1834 Apr
  • Date of Death: 1848
  • Bounty Certificate: 3840
  • Donation Certificate: 1055
  • Profession: Farmer