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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BOX, JAMES EDWARD -- Born in Tennessee, January 5, 1814, a son of John M. Box. In the Headright Certificate issued to him by the Houston County Board for one-third of a league of land, January 19, 1834, it is stated that he came to Texas in January, 1834. On July 30, 1835 he received title to a league of land in Vehlein's Colony situated in the present County of Houston. The brothers of Mr. Box, Rolen W., John A., Samuel C., and William S. Box, also came to Texas with their father.

On a muster roll at the land office, Mr. Box is shown as having enlisted in the army, March 6, 1836. He was a member of Captain Hayden Arnold's Company at San Jacinto and on May 11, 1841 was issued Donation Certificate No. 1148 for 640 acres of land for having participated in the battle.

On October 14, 1838 Mr. Box was elected Captain of a volunteer company. On November 15 and 16, 1839 he commanded a company in the battle with the Cherokees in which Chief Bowls was killed.

Captain Box moved from Houston County to Anderson County, being one of the first to settle there. In 1840 he was married to Mary Douthet. To them were born the following children: William, December 16, 1840; J. J. W., December 15, 1842; James Knox Polk, in 1845; Robert D. in 1847, and Margaret Ann Box in 1851.

Captain Box died January 15, 1851. Mrs. Box, born in Tennessee in 1816, died February 21, 1872. Mr. and Mrs. Box are buried in marked graves in the old cemetery in Palestine.

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. Hayden S. Arnold

Personal Statistics

  • Date of Birth: 1814 Jan 5
  • Birthplace: Tennessee
  • Came to Texas: 1834 Jan
  • Date of Death: 1851 Jan 15
  • Burial Place: Palestine, Texas
  • Bounty Certificate: 2161
  • Donation Certificate: 1148
  • Profession: Minister, farmer
  • Wife: Mary Douthet / Douthitt
  • Children: William Box; J.J. W. Box; James Knox Polk Box; Robert D. Box; Margaret Ann Box
  • Family at San Jacinto: Brothers John Andrew, Nelson, and Thomas Griffin Box at San Jacinto; brother Stilwell Box at Harrisburg