Grumpy,
It is good to know of another Texan with a long heritage in this great state.
You are living close to a special place to me too,Washington-on-the-Brazos.
There is a man buried there in the State Park, on a knoll,that has quite a history.
John William Smith 11/4/1792 - 1/12/1845 52 years old
10/2/1835 He was in the first battle in the fight for independence."The Affair at Gonzales"
10/27/1835 He was in "The Battle at Conception" with Bowie & Fanin.
12/5-10/1835 He was in "The Storming of Bexar".
Santa Anna's brother-in-law General Cos had control of San Antonio de Bexar
with 1,100 troops.The Texian Army had 300.After 5 days of intense street
fighting General Cos was captured in The Alamo.He & his surviving troops
were allowed to live & leave Texas on the promise they would never return.
2/23/1836 Col. Travis sent John and Dr. Sutherland out to scout.They spotted Santa
Anna's army.After they informed the garrison,Col. Travis sent them out with
the 1st message to Gonzales for help.
3/1/1836 John Smith returned with 32 men.
3/4/1836 Left friday night with Col. Travis' last message & the last letters of many of
the defenders.Took the message to "The Convention" 200 miles away.
3/6/1836 John arrived at The Convention at 9 a.m. sunday. The same day that Samuel
Maverick arrived to sign "The Declaration of Independence".
He left with 25 more volunteers.
3/8/1836 They reached the outskirts of Bexar.
2 days after the Alamo fell.
4/21/1836 He was in "The Battle of San Jacinto"
He was the first Mayor of San Antonio,during the Republic of Texas.
Served 3 terms.
9/11/1842 Mexico invaded Texas/San Antonio.
9/17/1842 He was in "The Battle of San Antonio". Still Mayor.
9/1843 Was elected Republic of Texas Senator representing Bexar County.
Served in the 7th,8th and 9th.The last regular Congress of The Republic.
He also held 11 different commissions under Presidents Houston and Lamar.
John W. Smith died 1/12/1845 at Washington-on-the-Brazos at 52 years old.
The entire Congress attended his funeral on 1/13/1845.
The reason he means so much to me is because he is my Great Great Great Grandfather on my mother's side.
http://www.tamu.edu/ccbn/dewitt/smithjohnwilliam.htm
I hope this isn't too boring.
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