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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YORK, JAMES ALLISON -- Born in Kentucky, July 4, 1800. His father was James York and his mother, before her marriage, was a Miss Allison.

Children of Mr. and Mrs. James York in order of birth were John, James Allison, Sarah, Phoebe, Patsy, and Mary York.

James York and most of his family came to Texas in 1821 and settled in what is now Austin County. In Headright Certificate No. 29 issued to James Allison York January 13, 1838 for one-third of a league of land by the Austin County Board, it is stated that he arrived in Texas in 1829.

In Service Record No. 1570 it is certified that Mr. York enlisted in Captain John York's (his brother) company of Brazos Guards as second sergeant, October 7, 1835 and was one of the members who entered Bexar on the morning of December 5th. He was discharged December 13, 1835 and allowed ten days in which to reach his home. He enlisted in Captain Moseley Baker's San Felipe Company March 30, participated in the battle of San Jacinto, and was discharged May 29, 1836. On June 9, 1838 he received Donation Certificate No. 315 for 640 acres of land for having participated in the Storming and Capture of Bexar, December 5 to 10, 1835. He was issued Bounty Certificate No. 2696 for 320 acres of land for having served in the army from October 7 to December 23, 1835.

On the army rolls in the General Land Office Mr. York is shown as a member of Captain George W. Jewell's Company, September 19, 1836.

The compiler has been unable to learn the names of Mr. York's wife or of all of their children. One child is reported to have been named Ida. Ida is said to have married but the name of her husband cannot be learned.

Mr. York was a member of Murchinson (Masonic) Lodge No. 80, Hallettsville. He died February 6, 1869 and was buried in the cemetery near Sweet Home, Lavaca County. At his grave there stood a small headstone on which was the Masonic insignia over which was inscribed "Gone but not Forgotten". Below this were the names, J. A. York, E. M. York, and S. M. York. The compiler does not know who E. M. and S. M. York were. One of them was probably the wife of James A. York and the other a child. E. M. York died April 11, 1869 and S. M. York died May 17, 1872.

The cemetery in which Mr. York was buried was abandoned and sadly neglected, and the State of Texas decided to remove Mr. York's remains to the beautiful State Cemetery at Austin. This was done July 31, 1937 and a beautiful monument was erected at his new grave.



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. Moseley Baker

Personal Statistics

  • Alternate Names: Ellison
  • Date of Birth: 1800 Jul 4
  • Birthplace: Kentucky
  • Came to Texas: 1821
  • Date of Death: 1869 Feb 6
  • Burial Place: Texas State Cemetery, Austin, Texas
  • Other Battles: Bexar
  • Children: Ida York
  • Family at San Jacinto: Future brother-in-law John Freeman Pettus.