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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LIGHTFOOT, WILLIAM W. -- The compiler has been unable to learn when Mr. Lightfoot came to Texas. On September 13, 1835 a certificate for ten leagues of land was issued to William Lightfoot by Samuel M. Williams, Francis W. Johnson and Robert Peebles, who had a contract with the Mexican Government to distribute 400 leagues of land to men who would serve in the army of Coahuila and Texas for a period of one year. The title was probably never given. He did not receive a Headright Certificate.

In Comptroller's Military Service Record No. 4319 it is certified that William W. Lightfoot served under Captain George M. Collinsworth at the capture of Goliad October 9, 1835. As a member of Captain John York's Company he participated in the Storming and Capture of Bexar, December 5 to 10, 1835. On December 10, 1840 he was issued Bounty Certificate No. 9667 for 640 acres of land for having served in the army from November 13, 1835 to May 30, 1836. He was a member of Captain William J.E. Heard's Company of Citizen Soldiers at San Jacinto and on October 19, 1840 he was issued Donation Certificate No. 1077 for 640 acres of land for having participated in the battle. He was living in Clark County, Arkansas, August 17, 1849 when he sold the Certificate to Richard Wilson.



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. William J. E. Heard

Personal Statistics

    • Other Battles: Goliad, Bexar
    • Bounty Certificate: 9667
    • Donation Certificate: 1077