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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WELSH, JAMES -- Came to Texas at sometime between May 2, 1835 and March 2, 1836. In Headright Certificate No. 196 issued to him January 26, 1838 for one-third of a league of land by the Board of Land Commissioners for Brazoria County it is shown that he came to Texas before March 2, 1836. Had he arrived prior to May 2, 1835 it would have been so stated in the certificate.

Mr. Welsh was a member of Captain William Wood's Company at San Jacinto and on December 5, 1838 he received Donation Certificate No. 650 for 640 acres of land for having participated in the battle. On January 13, 1850 he was issued Bounty Certificate No. 602 for 960 acres of land for having served in the army from March 16, to December 17, 1836. On January 22, 1838 he was issued Bounty Certificate No. 2005 for 1280 acres of land for having served in a battalion of rangers from January 21, 1837 to _______. This he sold February 7, 1838 in Harrisburg County to Dudley Stark for $320.00.

On a muster roll in the archives of the State Library, Mr. Welsh is shown as having enlisted in Captain Nicholas M. Dawson's Company at Victoria, June 10, 1836. He is described as being 6 feet 8 inches in height; of fair complexion, with blue eyes and light hair. By occupation he was a blacksmith.

Mr. Welsh lived in Brazoria County until the year 1846 when he moved to Galveston. This is shown in Book F, page 553 of the Deed Records of Brazoria County. He was a notary public in Galveston in 1858.

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 Wood

Personal Statistics

  • Alternate Names: Welsh
  • Came to Texas: 1835?
  • Bounty Certificate: 602
  • Donation Certificate: 650
  • Profession: Blacksmith