Part of an old map of the San Jacinto area from the Texas Revolution

Veteran Bio

Texian Location:  Participant

The Kemp Sketch

(What is this?) | Download the original typescript

RECTOR, PENDLETON -- Born in Tennessee, November 8, 1807, son of Rev. Morgan and Amelia (Carter) Rector, who came to Texas in 1830. In Headright Certificate No. 146 for one-third of a league of land issued to Pendleton Rector in 1838 by the Board of Land Commissioners of Brazoria County it is merely stated that he arrived in Texas before May 2, 1835, but in the Certificate issued to his brother, Claiborne Rector, it is stated that he came to Texas in January, 1830. On page 104, vol. 1, Papers of Mirabeau Buonaparte Lamar it is shown that he participated in the Battle of Velasco in June, 1832. In the 1874 Year Book of the Texas Veterans Association, of which he was a member, it is stated that he participated in the campaign of 1835. In the Comptroller's Military Service Record No. 172 it is stated that he enlisted in the army March 1 and served until September 1, 1836, when he was discharged at Velasco. On October 26, 1848 he was issued Bounty Certificate No. 675 for 640 acres of land for his services from March 1 to May 29, 1836. He was a member of Captain William H. Patton's Columbia Company at San Jacinto and on October 26, 1838 he received Donation certificate No. 129 for 640 acres of land for having participated in the battle. On page 51 of the army rolls in the General Land Office, he is shown as a member of Captain Byrd Lockhart's Company on July 5, 1836. On page 232 it is stated that Colonel Jesse Benton, Jr. succeeded in command of Captain Patton's Company July 23, 1836 and that on a roll of the company prepared by Colonel Benton, Mr. Rector is listed as Second Lieutenant. Peter Harper left the army April 27th and Mr. Rector succeeded him as Second Lieutenant.

During the War between the States, Mr. Rector was Captain of the Cibolo Guards, 30th Brigade, Confederate army, stationed at Lavernia, Wilson County, in 1861.

Mr. Rector made his home for many years at Brazoria. On April 20, 1848 at Seguin, he was married to Mary Jane Bridges and to them were born two children, Margaret and Stephen C. The family moved to Prairie Lea, Caldwell County, where Mrs. Rector, who was born in Illinois, March 26, 1832, died October 6, 1875 and. Mr. Rector died March 10, 1888, while a member of the Texas Veterans Association. Mr. and Mrs. Rector are buried in marked graves in the Happle cemetery in Guadalupe County, eighteen miles east of Seguin.

Margaret Rector, daughter of Pendleton Rector, was married to Oliver H. Gregg. Their children were Eleanor, who married Calvin S. Tuttle; Charlotte, who married Will R. Williams; and A. Pendleton Gregg.

Mr. Stephen C. Rector was married to Martha R. Smith.

Children of Mr. and Mrs. Stephen C. Rector are Miss Mae O. Rector; Emily, who married Harrison M. Daugherty; and Robert P. Rector, who married Millo Shanklin.



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: Second Sergeant
  • Company: Capt. David Murphree

Personal Statistics

  • Date of Birth: 1807 Nov 8
  • Birthplace: Tennessee
  • Origin: Alabama
  • Came to Texas: 1830, Jan
  • Date of Death: 1888 Mar 10
  • Burial Place: Happle cemetery, Guadalupe County, Texas
  • Other Battles: Velasco
  • Comments: Civil War, Confederate Army
  • Bounty Certificate: 675
  • Donation Certificate: 129
  • Profession: Cattle raising, cotton farming
  • Wife: Mary Jane Bridges
  • Children: Margaret (Margarette) Rector Gregg; Stephen C. Rector
  • Family at San Jacinto: Brother Claiborne Rector, cousin Elbridge Rector fought at San Jacinto.