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

(What is this?) | Download the original typescript

WILDY, SAMUEL--Born in the State of(unknown). He came to Texas in 1833, as is stated in an unnumbered Headright Certificate issued to him March 29, 1838 by the Jackson County Board of Land Commissioners for one-third of a league of land. He was a member of Captain George M. Collinsworth's Company at the capture of Goliad, October 9, 1836. In Comptroller's Service Record No. 1367 it is certified that he served in the army from March 30 to May 30, 1836. The files of the General Land Office do not show that bounty land was applied for this service. He is listed (spelled SAM WILEY) on the official San Jacinto rolls printed in 1836, as a member of Captain James Gillaspie's Company at San Jacinto but he apparently did not apply for the 640 acres of donation land due him for having participated in the battle. On April 30, 1838 he received Bounty Certificate No. 3094 for 320 acres of land for having served in the army from June 7 to September 25, 1836. The Deed Records of Jackson disclose that on June 5, 1850 Mr. Wildy deeded Ruthersville College 320 acres of land. This indicates that he was a member of the Methodist Church. He died in Jackson County in December, 1853, survived by his widow, Mrs. Amanda Wildy, a son, Samuel H. Wildy, and a daughter, Minnie Wildy. Mrs. Wildy was on May 15, 1855 married to George R. Billups and on March 25, 1904 was living in Bexar County.

The following information regarding Mr. Wildy was contained in a letter from Mr. E.T. Rose, Edna, Texas to the compiler, February 14, 1936: "Captain Samuel Wildy died in Jackson County and was buried in an old cemetery on West Caranchua Creek, but have not been able to ascertain whether or not his grave can be located. I have learned that he was survived by his widow and one son, Samuel H., who was a lawyer and died in Port Townsend, Washington, February 28, 1890, and by a daughter, Minnie; who married Judge Oceola Archer of Austin. I am advised that Judge Archer died many years ago survived by his widow and four children, and that his widow now lives in New York, but I cannot give you her address."

Mr. Wildy was married to Amanda _______ . The postmaster of Port Townsend, Washington wrote to the compiler that he was unable to learn of any of the descendants of Mr. Wildy living in or near Port Townsend.



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. James Gillaspie

Personal Statistics

  • Alternate Names: Wyley, Wiley, Wilie
  • Came to Texas: 1833
  • Date of Death: 1853 Dec
  • Bounty Certificate: 3094
  • Wife: Amanda Wildy Billups
  • Children: Samuel H. Wildy; Minnie Wildy Archer