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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BELL, THOMAS HENRY -- Born in Hardeman County, Tennessee, eldest of the nine children of William and Julia (Johnson) Bell, who settled near New Ulm, Austin County. In the Headright Certificate issued to him January 19, 1838 for one-third of a league of land by the Austin County Board of Land Commissioners, it is stated that he came to Texas in January, 1834. He was issued Bounty Certificate No. 4035 for 320 acres of land for having served in the army from March 1 to June 1, 1836. He was a member of Captain Moseley Baker's San Felipe Company at San Jacinto and on July 10, 1838 he received Donation Certificate No. 445 for 640 acres of land for having participated in the battle.

Mr. Bell was married to Abagail Grimes. Mr. Bell died January 10, 1857 and is buried in an unknown grave in the old Bell family cemetery, two miles north of Bellville, Austin County. The cemetery is now being used as the burial place for Negroes.

The children of Mr. and Mrs. Bell were John G. and James M. Bell. James M. Bell was never married.

John G. Bell, son of Thomas H. Bell, was married to Penelope Green. Two of their children were Leander P. and Annie Bell.



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

  • Birthplace: Tennessee, Hardeman County
  • Came to Texas: 1834 Jan
  • Date of Death: 1857 Jan 10
  • Burial Place: Bell family cemetery, Austin Co., Texas
  • Bounty Certificate: 4035
  • Donation Certificate: 445
  • Wife: Abagail Grimes
  • Children: John G. Bell; James M. Bell
  • Family at San Jacinto: Brother James Madison Bell at San Jacinto