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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WELLS, JAMES A.-- Name not shown on the San Jacinto rolls printed in 1836. He arrived in Texas in November, 1835, as is stated in Headright Certificate No. 32 for one league and one labor of land issued to him January 19, 1838 by the Board of Land Commissioners for Fayette County.

Mr. Wells received Donation Certificate No. 689 for 640 acres of land December 13, 1838 for "having been at San Jacinto with team and wagon. It is assumed that it was the ammunition wagon. He was issued Bounty Certificate No. 5072 for 320 acres of land December 13, 1838, having served in the army from March 15, to April 29, 1836.

In a Comptroller's Service Record in the Archives of the Texas State Library Captain William M. Eastland on February 7, 1838, certified that the Government of Texas owed Mr. Wells thirty-six dollars "For provisions furnished part of my company on their route after cattle and ammunition."

The following is a copy of another Service Record signed December 21, 1837, by Mr. Wells: "Before me, A Rabb, Chief Justice of the county of Mina, republic of Texas, personally came James A. Wells, and after being duly sworn says, that he contracted with Col. A. Houston, Quartermaster General of Texas, for four dollars per day, for the time he should continue in the public service--That in addition to the time mentioned in the annexed discharge, he served twenty days more with his wagon and team; having received said discharge at San Jacinto twenty days more, after the date of said discharge, having been given him to return home to San Augustine, at which place he joined the service. That he has applied to Col. Houston for an official certificate of these facts, but has not received it. - That the statements made in the annexed certificates, with regard to a horse which died in consequence of having been in the public service are just and true."

Mr. Wells lived for a long time in Fayette County but eventually moved to Travis County where he died in 1867. John L. Haynie was appointed administrator of his estate April 6, 1867.

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. Henry Wax Karnes

Personal Statistics

  • Came to Texas: 1835 Nov
  • Date of Death: 1867
  • Bounty Certificate: 5072
  • Donation Certificate: 689