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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ISBELL, WILLIAM -- Born in Tennessee, October 25, 1800, the son of James R. Isbell. He came to Texas in 1835, as is shown in the Headright Certificate issued to him February 2, 1838 for one-third of a league of land by the Harrisburg County Board of Land Commissioners. In 1835 he was a member of Captain Mark B. Lewis' Company. At San Jacinto he was in Captain Moseley Baker's San Felipe Company, and on September 17, 1849 he received Donation Certificate No. 167 for 640 acres of land for having participated in the battle. He was issued Bounty Certificate No. 545 for 320 acres of land, September 17, 1849 for having served in the army from March 1 to June 1, 1836.

Mr. Isbell was married to Oliva Jackson, February 15, 1843. Mrs. Isbell was born in New York State, October 16, 1828 and died in Washington County, Texas, April 1, 1865. Mr. Isbell became blind in 1856 and died in Burleson County, December 2, 1877. His grave is lost. He was a member of the Texas Veterans Association.

Children of Mr. and Mrs. Isbell were Martha Jane; Emily Cemantha; James Reed; Euphemia Catherine; John Isaac, who married Lucy E. Bayett; Julia Cemantha; and Alexander Marens Isbell.



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. Moseley Baker

Personal Statistics

  • Date of Birth: 1800 Oct 25? 1816 June 15?
  • Birthplace: Tennessee
  • Origin: Virginia
  • Came to Texas: 1835? 1834?
  • Date of Death: 1877 Dec 2? 11?
  • Other Battles: Bexar
  • Bounty Certificate: 545
  • Donation Certificate: 167
  • Profession: Farmer, bartender, ranger
  • Wife: 1. Olivia Elvira Jackson; 2. Mary Jane Woods Franklin
  • Children: Martha Jane Isbell; Emily Cemantha Isbell; James Reed Isbell; Euphemia Catherine Isbell; John Isaac Isbell; Julia Cemantha Isbell; Alexander Marens Isbell