The San Jacinto Museum will close early at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, November 8, 2024, to prepare for Member Appreciation Night.

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

BOOKER, DR. SHIELDS -- Arrived in Texas at sometime between May 2, 1835 and March 2, 1836. In the Headright Certificate issued to him June 7, 1838 for one-third of a league of land by the board of Land Commissioners for Brazoria County it is stated that he came to Texas prior to May 2, 1835. Had he arrived prior to May 2, 1835 it would have been so stated in the certificate. He was Assistant Surgeon on the Medical Staff at San Jacinto and on May 18, 1838 was issued Donation Certificate No. 70 for 640 acres of land for having participated in the battle. He received Bounty Certificate No. 1611 for 640 acres of land, dated May 18, 1838, for having served in the army from March 22 to December 22, 1836.

On page 136 of the Secret Journals of the Senate of the Congress of the Republic of Texas it is shown that Dr. Booker was appointed a surgeon on the Medical Staff of the army July 30, 1839 by President Lamar.

Dr. Booker was among those captured at San Antonio, September 11,1842 by the Mexican Army commanded by General Adrian Woll and was imprisoned in Castel Perote near Mexico City. There on April 1, 1843, a drunken Mexican shot at a Mexican officer. The bullet missed its mark and struck Dr. Booker, killing him instantly.

See Republic of Rio Grande

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
  • Company: Assistant Surgeon, Second Regiment Texas Volunteers

Personal Statistics

  • Birthplace: South Carolina
  • Came to Texas: 1835? 1836?
  • Date of Death: 1843 Mar 21
  • Burial Place: Perote Prison, Mexico
  • Comments: Killed while prisoner in Perote, Woll raid.
  • Bounty Certificate: 1611
  • Donation Certificate: 70
  • Profession: Doctor