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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BERNARDI, PROSPERO -- Born in Italy In 1794. He arrived at Velasco, January 28, 1836 on the schooner Pennsylvania, having been recruited for the army of Texas by Captain Amasa Turner in New Orleans. The fact that he arrived in Texas in January, 1836 is confirmed in the Headright Certificate issued in his name for one-third of a league of land by the Harrisburg County Board, February 10, 1838. The certificate had been assigned to Joseph E. Plummer. He was issued Bounty Certificate No. 3066 for 1280 acres of land, January 14, 1837. The certificate had been assigned to Morris Emanual.

In Comptroller's Military service Record No. 562 it is certified that Mr. Bernardi had participated in the battle of San Jacinto as a member of Captain Amasa Turner's Company and had been discharged from Captain John Smith's Company on Galveston Island, January 14, 1837.

On page 181 of the army rolls in the General Land Office the following information regarding Mr. Bernardi is given: He was born in Italy in 1794 and was 5 feet 8 1/2 inches in height; of dark complexion with dark eyes and black hair. He was a notary by trade. He is shown as having enlisted in the army February 13, 1836 and as having been discharged from Captain John Smith's Company on Galveston Island January 17, 1837 for disability. He probably died shortly afterward.

On February 8, 1838 Joseph E. Plummer appeared before the Board of Land Commissioners for Harrisburg County, claimed and was given, the Headright Certificate due Mr. Bernardi. The following was copied from page 14 of the "Lost Book of Harris County":

"Prosspero Bernardi by his atty. Joseph E. Plummer claims one third of a League of land. W. W. Summers and W. E. Miller being duly Sworn deposeth and say (:) Summers states that he Knew sd. applicant in the Same Camp with him (.) Witnesseth arrived in Velasco in Jany 1836 Knew him to serve in the Army (.) do not know that he is dead have only understood that he was (.) Millen concurs in the above statement."



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. Amasa Turner

Personal Statistics

  • Date of Birth: 1794
  • Birthplace: Italy
  • Origin: Louisiana
  • Came to Texas: 1836 Jan 28
  • Date of Death: 1837 ?
  • Bounty Certificate: 3066
  • Profession: Notary