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

(What is this?)

JOHNSON, JOHN R. -- Arrived in Texas January 28, 1836, on the schooner Pennsylvania, having been recruited in New Orleans for the army of Texas by Captain Amasa Turner. He was a member of Captain Turner's Company at San Jacinto and on August 11, 1848 Donation Certificate No. 119 was issued to John R. Johnson for 640 acres of land for having participated in the battle. Bounty Certificate No. 389 for 1280 acres of land was issued to John R. Johnson November 17, 1838 for having served in the army from February 13, 1836 to October 27, 1837. He sold the certificate to George Fisher at Houston on October 27, 1838 for $200.00. He was referred to in the deed of transfer as "John R. Johnson, late a soldier in the Army of Texas."

In the Headright Certificate issued to Mr. Johnson in 1838 for one-third of a league of land by the Board of Land Commissioners for Harrisburg County it is stated that he came to Texas in January, 1836. The certificate had been assigned to John Beldon.

On page 170 of the army rolls in the General Land Office Mr. Johnson is listed as a member of Company A, Captain John Smith, December 31, 1836. He is shown as having enlisted in the army in 1836 and as having been promoted to Third Sergeant, November 15, 1836. On page 227 he is shown as a member of Captain Smith's Company, February 27, 1837.

The following was copied from Comptroller's Military Service Record No. 4452:

War Department
Houston October 24th, 1857

I certify the bearer John R. Johnson private in Comp. B. 1st Regt. Right Infty enlisted on the 13th day of Feb. 1836 is entitled to pay as duty Sergt. from the 13th. day of June to 17th of August 1837 from 17th August to 27th Sept as First Sergt. and as private from 29th Sept. 1837 to date.

BARNARD E. BEE

War Department
Houston Oct. 24, 1837

DISCHARGE

To all whom it may concern

Know ye that the bearer John R. Johnson, private in Company B first Regt. Reglr. Inf. enlisted on the 13th day of Febry 1836 and afterwards was engaged in the battle of San Jacinto having performed the duty of a good and faithful soldier, he is honorably discharged from the Army of Texas.

BARNARD E. BEE



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

  • Origin: Louisiana
  • Came to Texas: 1836 Jan 28
  • Bounty Certificate: 389
  • Donation Certificate: 119