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?) | Download the original typescript

LYFORD, JOHN -- Born at Canteberry, New Hampshire in 1803. In the Headright Certificate issued to him January 25, 1838 for one-third of a league of land by the Washington County Board it is stated that he came to Texas before May 2, 1835. He was issued Bounty Certificate No. 3590 for 320 acres of land May 26, 1838 for having served in the army from March 1 to June 1, 1836. He was a member of Captain William V. Hill's Company at San Jacinto and on August 7, 1838 was issued Donation Certificate No. 489 for 640 acres of land for having participated in the battle.

On an original roll of Captain Hill's Company, a photostatic copy of which is in the Texts State Library, the following information about Mr. Lyford is given: "He was born in Canteberry, New Hampshire in 1803 and was enlisted March 2, 1836 by Captain Joseph P. Lynch at the home of Asa Mitchell in Washington Municipality. He was five feet, ten and one-half inches in height; of light complexion; had blue eyes and fair hair."

In Service Record No. 843 it is certified that Mr. Lyford served in Captain Hill's Company from March 1 to May 30, 1836 and in Captain John C. Hunt's Company from May 31 to July 18, 1836.

Lyford had his Headright surveyed in Goliad County. He was living in Washington County April 16, 1852 when he sold it to R.W. Belvin.



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: Lieut. Robert Stevenson

Personal Statistics

  • Date of Birth: 1803
  • Birthplace: New Hampshire, Canteberry
  • Came to Texas: 1835?
  • Bounty Certificate: 3590
  • Donation Certificate: 489