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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McLAUGHLIN, STEPHEN -- Came to Texas sometime between May 2, 1835 and March 2, 1836. In the Headright Certificate issued to him May 11, 1838 for one-third of a league of land by the Board of Land Commissioners for Bexar County it is simply stated that he arrived in Texas before March 2, 1836. But had he arrived prior to May 2, 1835 this would have been stated.

The General Council of the Provisional Government of Texas on December 2, 1835 passed the following resolution: "Resolved that there be twenty-five dollars appropriated to Stephen McLaughlin for the purpose of defraying his expenses, on his return from bearing an express from Nacogdoches to the army now in the field."

Later he, Stephen F. Sparks, Thomas D. Brooks and others were ordered to go to Harrisburg to impress horses and guns for the army. Mr. Sparks in his published reminiscences refers to Mr. McLaughlin as "SAMUEL McGLOTHIN." They accompanied Captain A.H. Wyly's to Groce's where the main army was encamped and were assigned to Captain Hayden Arnold's NACOGDOCHES COMPANY. Mr. McLaughlin did not apply for the donation land due him for having participated in the Battle of San Jacinto. It appears from the information contained in Service Record No. 157 that after the battle Mr. McLaughlin was transferred to Captain William H. Smith's Company and promoted to First Sergeant.

Mr. McLaughlin was issued Bounty Certificate No. 9614 for 320 acres of land October 26, 1840 for having served in the army from April 12, to July 12, 1836. He was appointed Second Lieutenant of the Fifth Company of Mounted Riflemen and his appointment was confirmed by the Senate of the Congress of the Republic, December 7, 1836.

Mr. McLaughlin was living in Cooke County, Texas, July 18, 1881, when he received a Veteran's Donation Certificate for 1280 acres of land. He was involved in a law suit tried in Limestone County in 1882 {SEE Stephen McLaughlin vs E.B. Durham, et al, District Court of Limstone County, August 30, 1882} Note: Captain Thomas J. Rusk's Company in 1835.

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: McLin, McGlothin
  • Came to Texas: 1835?
  • Bounty Certificate: 9614