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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PLEASANTS, JOHN--Name omitted from the San Jacinto rolls printed in 1836 and from the San Jacinto rolls in the General Land Office. On page 43, however, of the Land Office rolls there is a revised list of Captain William H. Logan's men and Mr. Pleasants name is shown on it. Following it is the notation: "In the battle." Comptroller's Military Service Record No. 1873 signed at Goliad, June 6, 1836, by Captain Logan and Countersigned by Colonel Sidney Sherman, reads: "This certified that John Pleasants joined my company of Volunteers on the 16th April last and from other circumstances I am inclined to believe that he has been three months in the services of Texas, he was in the battle of San Jacinto on the 21st, April & has been an ifficient & active soldier and is this day honorably discharged." In the Headright Certificate issued to Mr. Pleasants for one league and one labor of land by the Board of Land Commissioners for Liberty County February 2, 1838 it is stated that he came to Texas in February, 1836. On September 28, 1849 he received Donation Certificate No. 176 for 640 acres of land for having participated in the Battle of San Jacinto. He was living in Galveston, March 16, 1850, when he sold the certificate to M.B. Menard for $55.00. He could not write but affixed his mark to the deed for transfer.

Mr. Pleasants died at his home on Clear Creek in Galveston County near the Harris County line, probably in 1856.

Children of John and Mary C. Pleasants were Dozier, who never married; Lesine, who never married; Duplesier, who married and a child, Caroline, and another child who died in infancy; Major, who married Edgar Hargraves; Mary M., who married Clem Rivia; and Matilda Pleasants, who married a Mr. Rutledge. Matilda was six months old when her father died, but it has not been determined when he died.

On October 13, 1857 Mrs. Mary C. Pleasants, widow of John Pleasants, was married to Daniel D. Brown in Galveston County.



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. William M. Logan

Personal Statistics

  • Alternate Names: John H.
  • Came to Texas: 1836 Feb
  • Date of Death: 1856
  • Bounty Certificate: 9142
  • Donation Certificate: 176
  • Wife: Mary C. Pleasants Brown
  • Children: Dozier Pleasants; Lesine Pleasants; Duplesier Plesants; Major Pleasants Hargraves; Mary M. Pleasants Rivia; Matilda Pleasants Rutledge