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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KENNARD, WILLIAM STEPHENS -- The compiler is responsible for Mr. Kennard's name being omitted from the bronze plaque in the San Jacinto memorial monument on which are inscribed the names of the Texans who participated in the battle of San Jacinto. He now (March 28, 1941) believes that Mr. Kennard's name should be added to the list. He believes that legally, at least, Mr. Menard was a San Jacinto veteran.

The name Wm. S. Kinnard appears on page 45 of the army rolls in the General Land Office as a member of Captain Hayden Arnold's company when mustered May 5, 1836. On page 125 of the rolls the name is shown as Wm. S. Rinard and he is shown as having enlisted in Captain Arnold's company March 6, 1836. The name does not appear on the San Jacinto rolls printed in 1836 and it is not shown on the rolls of those who were detailed to guard the baggage at the camp opposite Harrisburg, April 21, 1836.

On February 7, 1856 Governor E. M. Pease signed the following Act of the Legislature:

"Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Texas, That the Commissioner of the General Land Office, be, and he is hereby authorized and required to issue to the heirs at law, of William Stephens Kennard, a Donation Certificate for six hundred and forty acres of land, for having served in the battle of San Jacinto, to be located and surveyed, and patented according to law, and that this Act be in force from its passage". (H. P. N. Gammel's Laws of Texas, Vol. IV, p.396). In Compliance with this act Donation Certificate No. 4125 was issued in Mr. Kennard's name February 13, 1856, due him for having participated in the battle of San Jacinto.

On July 6, 1835 William Kennard received title to one league of land in Burnet's colony, situated in the present counties of Sabine and Newton. He did not apply for the one labor of land due him from the Republic of Texas.

According to the 1835 census of San Augustine municipality William Kennard was in that year twenty-nine years of age and his wife, Elizabeth, was twenty-six. Their children were Mary, aged two; and Cobell Kennard, aged one year.



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. Hayden S. Arnold

Personal Statistics

  • Alternate Names: Rinard
  • Date of Birth: 1806
  • Donation Certificate: 4125
  • Wife: Elizabeth
  • Children: Mary Kennard; Cobell Kennard