Veteran Bio

Mr. Gorham was a member of the Texas Veterans Association the records of which show that he claims to have participated in the campaign of 1835 and states that he was at Gonzales on October 2nd, and before Bexar December 5 to 10, 1835. He served for a time in Captain John J. Tumlinson’s company of rangers. In Comptroller’s Military was at Gonzales on October 2nd, and before Bexar December 5 to 10, 1835. He served Service Record No. 8548 it is certified that he served in Captain Jesse Billingsley’s Company of Mina Volunteers from February 29 to June 1, 1835; for this service he was, on March 6, 1838, issued Bounty Certificate No. 2564 for 320 acres of land. He was issued Donation Certificate No. 34 for 640 acres of land March 24, 1838 for having been detailed to guard the baggage at the camp opposite Harrisburg, April 21, 1836.

On page 228 of the army rolls in the General Land Office there is an affidavit signed December 22, 1855 by Captain Jesse Billingsley in which he states that at the instructions of Colonel Edward Burleson Mr. Gorham, as a clerk in the War Department, made up the list of the men of the First Regiment of Texas Volunteers who participated in the Battle of San Jacinto.

In 1840 he participated in the Council House Fight San Antonio, George W. Tuttle being his messmate.

Mr. Gorham, according to the marriage records of Fayette County was married to Mrs. Lucinda (Kinner) Berry-O’Daniel, March 19, 1848, by Rev. Jonothan Burleson. This was the third Marriage of his wife. Born Lucinda Kinner she had first married Thomas O. Berry in Tennessee and came to Texas with him in 1832. Mr. Berry died and on November 7, 1839 his widow married Joshiah O’Daniel in Fayette County.

Mr. Gorham died at Black Jack Springs, Fayette County, subsequent to 1883, and is buried in a marked grave in Pin Oak cemetery, his wife is also buried there.

STATE OF TEXAS}

FAYETTE COUNTY} TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: I, Lucinda Gorham, nee Lucinda Kenner, was born in Virginia, Scott county. My father moved to Tennessee when I was six months old. I was born the 8th day of August 1814. I came to Texas in 1832. I married Thomas O. Berry August 8, 1833. I married Josiah O’Daniel November 23, 1839. I married William Gorham March 19, 1848. I knew Noah Karnes and his wife Elizabeth Karnes: they came to Texas in 1833. We all lived close together on the Colorado river close to the J. D. Grove in Fayette County, Texas. Noah Karnes and Elizabeth Karnes were the grandparents of Mrs. George Willrich. I have been a close neighbor of Noah Karnes as long as he lived. The T. O. Berry and the Noah Karnes leagues of land in Fayette County, Texas, join. I now live on the T. O. Berry league. Noah Karnes was killed in (March) 1836, close to what is now known as the town of Round Top, not far from Cummins creek. At the time Noah Karnes was killed he was helping move his family and other families from the invading Mexican army. He was killed accidently by Wayne Barton. Noah Karnes was the first person I ever saw buried without a coffin. Noah Karnes and Elizabeth Karnes had six children. Mary Ann Karnes was the mother of Mrs. George Willrich. Mary Ann Karnes married George W. Tuttle, the father of Mrs. George Willrich. I don’t remember the first time I saw G. W. Tuttle; he was a regular soldier in the Republic of Texas. I was present when G. W. Tuttle and Mary Ann Karnes married; the same county Capt. Henry Karnes came from, the man who commanded the cavalry at San Jacinto, a connection of the Karnes family hereinbefore mentioned. While in the army of the Republic of Texas, G. W. Tuttle was in many engagements. Witness my hand this 21st day of June 1903.

Witness: T. O. Berry her

Geo. Willrich Lucinda Gorham

Mark

GORHAM, WILLIAM - The records of the Texas Veterans Association show that Mr. Gorham was living at Black Jack Springs in Fayette County in 1883. Descendants of Mr. Gorham are John Berry, La Grange and his (John’s) son Chris Franklin Berry, 4103 Woodleigh, Houston.

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