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

SMITH, WILLIAM A. - The compiler is responsible for having the name William A. Smith placed on the bronze plaque in the San Jacinto memorial monument on which are inscribed the names of the Texans who participated in the battle of San Jacinto. He now (March 28, 1941) believes that the name should be removed and added to the list on the plaque on which are shown the names of Texans who were detailed to guard the baggage at the camp opposite Harrisburg, April 21, 1836.

The name W. A. Smyth appears on page 16 of the San Jacinto rolls printed in 1836 and on page 37 of the San Jacinto rolls in the General Land Office as a member of Captain William Logan’s company. The name Wm. A. Smith is on page 43 of the army rolls in the Land Office as one of the men of Captain Logan’s company who was left at Harrisburg on April 21, 1836. Following his name is the notation: “taking care of the sick”.

On December 1, 1841 Wm. A. Smith was issued Bounty Certificate No. 9899 for 320 acres of land for having served in the army from March 6, to June 6, 1836. It was not until November 19, 1852 that he received Donation Certificate No. 459 for 640 acres for having participated in the battle of San Jacinto. By that time the terms “having participated in the battle of San Jacinto” and “having been detailed to guard the baggage at the camp opposite Harrisburg” had become synonymous.

Mr. Smith came to Texas in 1831, as is stated in Headright Certificate No. 206 issued to him, March 1, 1838 for one-third of a league of land by the Liberty County Board. The land was surveyed in what is now Chambers County.

SMITH, WILLIAM A. - Came to Texas in 1831 as is stated in the Headright Certificate issued to him, March 1, 1838 for one-third of a league of land by the Liberty County Board. The land was surveyed in what is now Chambers County.

Mr. Smith was a member of Captain William M. Logan’s Company at San Jacinto and on November 19, 1852 he was issued Donation Certificate No. 459 for having participated in the battle. He received Bounty Certificate No. 9899, December 1, 1841 for 320 acres of land for having served in the army from March 6, to June 6, 1836.

SMITH, WILLIAM -- The compiler is responsible, through oversight, for causing the name of William Smith to be omitted from the bronze plaque in the San Jacinto memorial monument on which are inscribed the names of the Texans who participated in the battle of San Jacinto. He thinks that the name should be added.

The name Wm. Smith appears on page 16 of the San Jacinto rolls printed in 1836 and on page 37 of the San Jacinto rolls in the General Land Office, as a member of Captain William M. Logan's Company.

Mr. Smith came to Texas in March, 1835 as is stated in Headright Certificate No. 29 for one-third of a league of land issued to him by the Liberty County Board of Land Commissioners in 1838. He was issued Donation Certificate No. 740 for 640 acres of land for having participated in the Storming and Capture of Bexar, December 5 to 10, 1835. On April 8, 1838 he received Bounty Certificate No. 2936 for 320 acres of land for having served in the army from October 13 to December 13, 1835. The land was surveyed in the Gonzales County. On page ____ of the army rolls in the General Land Office he is shown as having enlisted in Captain S. C. Hirom's Company, December 8, 1835 for a period of three months.

In Comptroller's Military Service Record No. 596 it is stated that Mr. Smith entered the service as a substitute for Thomas Cavill, March 6 and was discharged May 22, 1836. He was a member of Captain William M. Logan's company of Liberty Volunteers at San Jacinto, but having received one Donation Certificate he was not entitled to one for having participated in the battle. On page ______ of the army rolls in the General Land Office it is shown that Mr. Smith served in Captain Franklin Hardin's company from July 7 to October 7, 1836.

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

  • Date of Birth: 1784 Oct 1
  • Birthplace: North Carolina, Burke County
  • Came to Texas: 1835 Mar
  • Date of Death: 1840
  • Other Battles: Bexar
  • Wife: Sarah Carson
  • Children: John C.; Leander; Andrew Jackson; Daniel R.; Mary Moffett; Rachael Rebecca
  • Family at San Jacinto: Son Leander Smith at San Jacinto