Starting October 7, the San Jacinto Monument's Observation Floor will close for renovation, open on weekends, with discounted museum admission during this time.

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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BOOM, GARRET E. -- Emigrated to Texas in 1832, as is stated in Headright Certificate No. 181 issued to him, January 20, 1838 by the Board of Land Commissioners for Matagorda county for one third of a league of land, which was surveyed in Bastrop and Travis Counties. Later, after having married, he was issued Headright No. 66 for two-thirds of a league and one labor of land by the Fayette county board.

On Page 19 of the Land Office rolls, Mr. Boom is shown as a member of Captain A. C. Horton's company, under Fannin. In Comptroller's Military Service Record No. 1539 it is stated that he enlisted in Captain Jesse Billingsley's "Mina Volunteers" March 27, 1836. This was the day of the massacre at La Bahia. The following additional information is contained in the service record: He participated in the battle of San Jacinto and was discharged June 27, 1836. He entered the corps of Mounted Riflemen under Captain John G. McGehee July 1 and was discharged on the Colorado November 1, 1836. He was issued Donation Certificate No. 461, July 12, 1838 for 640 acres of land for having participated in the battle of San Jacinto. On December 7, 1838 he was issued Bounty Certificate No. 5035 for 320 acres of land for having served in the army from March 1 to June 1, 1836. On July 12, 1838 he received Bounty Certificate for 640 acres of land for his services from May 10 to November 1, 1836.

Mr. Boom's home in April, 1838 was in what was then Wards, Fayette County. There he ran a store and saloon. He served in Captain William M. Eastland's company from January 31 to February 25, 1839 in the expedition against Indians commanded by Colonel John H. Moore.

In the Deed Records of Fayette and Lee Counties, it is learned that Mr. Boom and his wife, Mrs. Nancy Lee Boom, were living in Fayette County until at least April 17, 1849.

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. Jesse Billingsley

Personal Statistics

  • Alternate Names: Boome; Brown; Boone; Gerrit, Garrett, Gerret, Gerrett
  • Date of Birth: 1809, 07
  • Birthplace: Dutch West Indies, Curacao
  • Came to Texas: 1832
  • Comments: U.S.-Mexican War.
  • Bounty Certificate: 5035
  • Donation Certificate: 461
  • Profession: Storekeeper, saloonkeeper
  • Wife: Nancy Lee Boom
  • Children: Mary Virginia Boone