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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ROBBINS, JOHN -- On page 6 of Wavell's Register, Spanish Archives in the General Land Office, it is shown that when Mr. Robbins took oath November 24, 1830 he stated that he was thirty-five years of age and that his wife, Cinthiana Humfrey, was twenty-six. He said that he had two children, Rebecca, aged five, and Lucinda, aged three. He stated that he had arrived in Texas from Arkansas, August 17, 1817. In Headright Certificate No. 319, issued to him March 29, 1836 for a league and labor of land by the Board of Land Commissioners for Montgomery County, it is stated that he came to Texas in 1819.

In Comptroller's Military Service Record No. 1580, it is certified that Mr. Robbins had served in the army from April 6 to September 4, 1836 and was a member of Captain William H. Smith's Company of Cavalry at San Jacinto where he lost his horse, bridle and saddle during the engagement. He did not apply for the Bounty land due him. On February 10, 1854 Donation Certificate No. 552 for 640 acres of land was issued in Mr. Robbin's name, due him for having participated in the Battle of San Jacinto.

The first Mrs. Robbins evidently died before October 12, 1837, for the marriage records of Washington County show that Mr. Robbins was married to Eliza Crane, October 12, 1837. Mr. and Mrs. Robbins died prior to the year 1847 in what is now Leon 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 H. Smith

Personal Statistics

  • Alternate Names: Robins
  • Came to Texas: 1819
  • Date of Death: 1845
  • Comments: Some confusion between John Robbins of Red River (son of Rebecca) and John Robbins (son of Nathaniel of Washington County, both had brothers named Thomas.
  • Donation Certificate: 552
  • Wife: 1. Eliza Crane; 2. Penelope Hale
  • Family at San Jacinto: Brother Thomas, brother-in-law Elisha Clapp at San Jacinto