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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BERRYHILL, WILLIAM M. -- Was issued Bounty Certificate No. 4288 for 960 acres of land, September 13, 1838 for having served in the army from November 23, 1836. The Certificate had been assigned to B. N. Hobbs. Donation Certificate No. 178 for 640 acres of land for having participated in the battle of San Jacinto was issued October 26, 1849 and the land was surveyed for Wilson Stone, Bounty Certificate No. 2133 for 640 acres of land was issued January 26, 1838, due him for having served in the army from December 18, 1835 to September 11, 1836. The certificate had been assigned to J. R. Rice.

A member of Captain William Wood’s Company at San Jacinto. In Comptroller's Military Service Record No. 533 it is certified that he enrolled in Captain Sidney Sherman's Company in Kentucky, December 18, 1835. This company arrived in Texas in January, 1836.

A William Berryhill died in Nacogdoches County in 1842 survived by his widow Eliza Ann Berryhill, who later married Williamson Brownley but he was not the San Jacinto veteran.

Mr. R. B. Blake, Nacogdoches, has found the following information about Mr. Berryhill in the Deed and Probate Records of Nacogdoches County:

William M. Berryhill, on September 10, 1844, leased for a period of 99 years, to John C. Morrison, his 640 acres of San Jacinto Donation land, and that document is signed "William M. Berryhill," he writing his own name, whereas Wm. Berryhill, who died in 1842, signed his will by mark.

Power of Attorney and Deed were given by William Berryhill (signed by himself and not by mark) to Moses Wood; the documents being dated June 30, 1837. This transfer was for 320 acres and was given for three months tour of duty in the army in 1836, as shown by discharge of said Berryhill, signed by William S. Blount, captain of cavalry, and countersigned by E. Morehouse, Colonel First Regiment of Volunteers and dated at headquarters on the Coleta, 4th of September, 1836. This power of attorney also empowered Wood to collect the pay for such services. These were all executed in Nacogdoches. (Recorded in Deed Records Vol. A, pages 305 and 306)

Deed Records Vol. G, p. 380, records a deed given by Wm. Berryhill of Shelby County, signed by himself and not by mark, conveying one-fourth of his league and labor, granted be Certificate No. 542, issued by the Board of Land Commissioners of Shelby County, Texas, October 6, 1838, while this deed to Abram H. Scott is dated October 12, 1838.

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 Wood

Personal Statistics

  • Alternate Names: William H.
  • Date of Birth: 1806?
  • Origin: Kentucky
  • Came to Texas: 1836 Jan
  • Comments: May have served in U.S.-Mexican War.
  • Bounty Certificate: 4288
  • Donation Certificate: 178