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, NELSON -- Born in Franklin County, Tennessee, a son of John M. Box. He came to Texas in 1834, as is stated in the Headright Certificate issued to him March 29, 1838 for two-thirds of a league and one labor of land by the Board of Land Commissioners for Houston County. He was issued title to one-fourth of a league of land in Vehlein's Colony, situated in the present county of Houston, March 15, 1835. In Service Record No. 6542 it is certified that Mr. Box served in Captain Hayden Arnold's Company from March 6 to May 30, 1836.

On December 10, 1842 he was issued Bounty Certificate No. 1099 for 320 acres of land for having served in the army for a period of three months. He was issued Donation Certificate No. 1099, December 10, 1840 for 640 acres of land for having participated in the battle of San Jacinto.

In the Probate Records of Houston County, Book F, page 219, it is shown that Mr. Box died in Houston County, prior to January 1, 1858. Thomas C. Box was the administrator of his estate. The records giving the exact date of his death were destroyed when the courthouse was burned.

Mr. Box is buried in an unknown grave in the Box family cemetery three miles south of Crockett.

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: 1808 Mar 10
  • Birthplace: Tennessee, Franklin County
  • Came to Texas: 1834
  • Date of Death: 1849?
  • Burial Place: Box Beeson Cemetery, Houston Co., Texas
  • Donation Certificate: 1099
  • Wife: Elizabeth Garner
  • Family at San Jacinto: Brothers John Andrew and James Edward, and Thomas Griffin Box at San Jacinto; brother Stilwell Box at Harrisburg