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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MORELAND, ISAAC N. -- A charter member of the first Independent Order of Odd Fellows Lodge of Texas, organized at Houston, July 25, 1838. MORELAND, ISAAC N. --In the Certificate of Character issued to him December 26, 1834 by Judge William Hardin it is stated that Mr. Moreland was born in Georgia and had arrived in Texas in 1834. On June 19, 1835 he received title to one-fourth of a league of land in Vehlein's Colony situated in the present county of Polk. On February 19, 1838 he received a Headright certificate for one-twelfth of a league of land from the Board of Land Commissioners for Harrisburg County in which it is stated that he came to Texas in 1834. He participated in the Siege of Bexar and on December 7, 1835 was appointed Captain of Artillery by the General Council of the Provisional Government.

Captain Moreland returned to his home after the capture of Bexar had been effected and was at a meeting in Liberty in the latter part of February 1836 when it was decided that a company of volunteers would be raised in that vicinity for the Texas army. Dr. Labadie was also present at the meeting and in writing of it in the Texas Almanac of 1859 he tells of Captain Moreland's presence: "at this meeting," he wrote, "I. N. Moreland, one among the leading spirits of the day, related the thrilling events of the campaign of San Antonio, the Grass Fight, etc., that had transpired but a few weeks before, and the recital inspired increased enthusiasm among all." Later the company was formed and William M. Logan was elected as its captain.

At the arrival of the Twin Sisters cannon in the main army an artillery company was organized composed of men selected from the various companies and Captain Moreland placed in command. Comptroller's Military Service Record No. 864 stated that Major Moreland was Captain and Major of Artillery from December 28, 1835 to September 1, 1836 and Major of artillery from July 20, 1836 to April 27, 1837. He was in charge of the Post of Galveston in 1836-37 until relieved February 27, 1837 by Colonel Amasa Turner. On page 170 of the army rolls in the General Land Office Major Moreland is shown as Major of the First Regiment of Regular Army station on Galveston Island, December 31, 1836 and on page 180 he is shown in the same capacity February 28, 1837.

Major Moreland was issued Donation Certificate No. 117 for 640 acres of land, May 19, 1838 for having participated in the Battle of San Jacinto. On April 4, 1838 he received Bounty Certificate No. 2762 for 1280 acres of land for his services in the army from December 16, 1835 to April 27, 1837. He sold the certificate to W.M. Shepherd for $200.

Major Moreland and former President David G. Burnet announced in the Telegraph and Texas Register of June 20, 1837 that they had associated themselves in the practice of their professions, attorneys and counselors at law and would "attend the superior courts in this judicial district, and the county courts of Liberty and Harrisburg."

On January 30, 1840 Major Moreland was elected chief justice of Harris County and was holding that office at the time of his death June 9, 1842. The Telegraph and Texas Register, Houston of June 15, 1842 carried the following notice regarding his death:

Another Hero of San Jacinto gone -- The Hon. Isaac N. Moreland, late Chief Justice of Harris County, and the commander of the Artillery Company in the Battle of San Jacinto, died in this city Thursday morning (June 9). His remains were followed to the grave by a very large and respectable concourse of citizens, including the Masonic and other fraternities, and the independent military companies of the city; and many of his companions in arms, who had stood by him in the field of battle, assembled around his grave, to pay the last tribute of respect to their beloved comrade.

Major Moreland is buried in the city cemetery on West Dallas Avenue, Houston.

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: Captain
  • Company: Artillery

Personal Statistics

  • Alternate Names: J. N. Moreland
  • Birthplace: Georgia
  • Came to Texas: 1834
  • Date of Death: 1842 Jun 9
  • Burial Place: Houston, Texas
  • Other Battles: Bexar
  • Comments: Twin Sisters
  • Bounty Certificate: 2762
  • Donation Certificate: 117