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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RICHARDSON, WILLIAM -- A member of Captain Richard Roman's Company at San Jacinto. Most of the men in Captain Roman's Company arrived at Velasco, January 28, 1836 on the schooner Pennsylvania from New Orleans, and their names are listed on page 17 of the army rolls in the General Land Office. Mr. Richardson's name is not among them. The compiler does not know when he came to Texas. He did not apply for a Headright Certificate.

On February 7, 1860, Mr. Richardson was issued Bounty Certificate No. 268 for 640 acres of land for having served in the army from January 29 to September 25, 1836. He did not receive a Donation Certificate for land for having participated in the battle.

In Fannin County Bounty File No. 1494 in the General Land Office, there is an affidavit signed April 5, 1909 by Mrs. Sophia Forest, a grandchild of Mr. Richardson's. Forest stated that Mr. Richardson had fought at San Jacinto, that he died in Galveston in 1577, and that his widow had later died there. She stated that Mr. Richardson had four children, one of whom, a son, died in infancy. The others were (1) Rebecca, (2) Elizabeth and (3) Margaret Richardson.

(1) Rebecca Richardson was married to Edward Richardson and was living in Galveston, April 5, 1909.

(2) Elizabeth Richardson was married to Charles Newman and had the following children: (a) Maggie, (b) Sophie, (c) Elizabeth, (d) Olive, and (e) Josephine Newman.

(a) Maggie Newman was married to Marlin Swenson and died leaving children, all alive in 1909, Charlotte, Earl and Clarence Swenson.

(b) Sophie Newman was married to Herman Forest and was residing in Galveston in 1909.

(c) Elizabeth Newman married Homer Romaine.

(d) Olive Newman married Fred Pettibone.

(e) Josephine Newman married William Ritter

(3) Margaret Richardson was married to H. Forest. Their children, both alive in 1909, were Milford and Hazel Forest.



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. Richard Roman

Personal Statistics

  • Date of Death: 1877
  • Bounty Certificate: 268
  • Wife: Yes
  • Children: Rebecca Richardson Richardson; Elizabeth Richardson Newman; Margaret Richardson Forest; a son died in infancy