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

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KUYKENDALL, MATTHEW -- Came to Texas in 1831. This is shown in an unnumbered Headright certificate for one-third of a league of land issued to him March 30, 1838 by the Board of Land Commissioners of Austin County. In Comptroller's Military Service Record No. 7115 it is certified that he enlisted in Captain John York's company of "Brazos Guards", October 17, 1835 at San Jacinto and Donation Certificate No. 845, dated April 1, 1838 for 640 acres of land was issued to him for having participated in the battle. He sold the certificate September 6, 1849 to Simon Kuykendall, while living in Burleson County. He was issued Bounty Certificate No. 2935 for 320 acres of land April 18, 1838 for his services in the army from March 1 to May 29, 1836.

Mr. Kuykendall was living in Erath County January 5, 1859 when he sold a track of land situated in Erath County to G. B. Lofton. The Probate Records of Erath County, however, do not disclose that he died in that County. Mr. Kuykendall was married April 10, 1840 in Austin County to Mary H. Gentry.

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

  • Alternate Names: Kaykendall
  • Date of Birth: 1804
  • Origin: Arkansas
  • Came to Texas: 1831
  • Bounty Certificate: 2935
  • Donation Certificate: 845
  • Wife: Mary E. Gentry
  • Children: John Lamb Kuykendall
  • Family at San Jacinto: Second cousins once removed Adam, Brazilla, Gibson, James Hampton, John, and Thornton P. Kuykendall at Harrisburg