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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PETTY, GEORGE WASHINGTON--Born April 7, 1812 in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. In the Headright Certificate issued to him February 20, 1838 for one-third of a league of land by the Washington County Board of Land Commissioners it is stated that he came to Texas in the fall of 1835. He located at Cole's Settlement (now Independence, Washington County). He was a member of Captain William W. Hill's Company at San Jacinto and on January 4, 1841 he was issued Donation Certificate No. 1107 for 640 acres of land for having participated in the battle. On May 24, 1838 he received 320 acres for having served in the army from March 1 to June 1, 1836. On an original roll of Captain Hill's Company it is stated that Mr. Petty was enlisted at the home of Asa Mitchell by Captain Joseph P. Lynch. He was described as being five feet, ten inches in height; of fair complexion, with grey eyes and black eyes.

Mr. Petty was twice married. He was first married to Marium Wood who was born in 1820 and died March 12, 1865. Their children were (1) John A. (2) Sophia, (3} Isham J., (4) Reuben, (5) Louisiana, and (6) Virginia Petty.

Mr. George W. Petty was married to Mrs. Lizzie Hamm White, daughter of Mansfield Hamm, January 31, 1872. Mr. Petty died during services at a revival meeting at Alexander Camp Grounds at Kenny, Austin County, July 27, 1901, and was buried in Prairie Lea Cemetery, Brenham, Texas. He was a member of the Texas Veterans Association. Mrs. Petty died January 11, 1914. The State of Texas had a monument erected at Mr. Petty's grave in 1936.

Children of Mr. and Mrs. Lizzie Petty were (7) Ida Lee and (8) Maggie I. Petty. (1) John A. lived in Hempstead; (2) Sophia, m. John Mills and lived in Hempstead, ISSUE: Nettie, m. Mr. Morgan and lived in Los Angles; (3) Isham T. Petty who lived in Colorado City, Texas. (6) Virginia Petty, m. Lynn Murray; (7) Ida Lee Petty, m. F.M. Skyes and lived in Brenham; (8) Miss Maggie I. Petty lived in Brenham.



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: 1812 Apr 7
  • Birthplace: Tennessee, Murfreesboro
  • Came to Texas: 1835 Fall
  • Date of Death: 1901 Jul 27
  • Burial Place: Prairie Lea Cemetery, Brenham, Texas
  • Donation Certificate: 1107
  • Wife: 1. Marium Wood; 2. Lizzie Hamm White
  • Children: John A. Petty; Sophia Petty Mills; Isham J. Petty; Reuben Petty; Louisiana Petty; Virginia Petty Murray; Ida Lee Petty Skyes; Maggie I. Petty