Veteran Bio

LEE, THEODORE STAUNT0N – The compiler, in error, he now (March 24, 1941) thinks, caused the name Theodore S. Lee to be placed on the bronze plaque in the San Jacinto monument on which are inscribed the names of the Texans who participated in the battle of San Jacinto. Additional evidence found has convinced the compiler that Mr. Lee was among those who were detailed to guard the baggage at the camp opposite Harrisburg, April 21, 1836.

Mr. Lee was born in Rutland, Vermont in 1799. In Headright Certificate No. 4 issued to him February 2, 1838 for one third of a league of land by the Board of Land Commissioners for Gonzales County it is stated that he came to Texas in April, 1835. He later received Headright Certificate No. 10 for two-thirds of a league and one labor from the Brazoria county board.

The following is a copy of a Comptroller’s Military Service signed by Colonel John H. Moore at Mina, September 13, 1835:

“I hereby certify that Theodore S. Lee served under my command as a volunteer in the first Division of Troops on the campaign recently conducted against the Whaco (sic) and Touwakana (sic) Indians commencing on the 25th day of July last and ending on the 13th day of September and that he had discharged all the duties of a private in said division, honorably to himself and beneficial to the cause in which he embarked--------.”

Mr. Lee’s name is not on the San Jacinto rolls printed in 1836 or on the San Jacinto rolls in the General Land Office. It appears on page 42 of the rolls as a member of Captain Joseph B. Chance’s Washington Company who was detailed to guard the baggage at the camp opposite Harrisburg, April 21, 1836. Yet, on July 31, 1839 he was issued Donation certificate No. 930 for 640 acres of land for having participated in the battle of San Jacinto.

The following was extracted from Mr. Lee’s petition for a pension signed in Gonzales county October 10, 1870 and now in the Pension Papers of the Archives of the Texas State Library:

Mr. Lee said “that he was a soldier in the army of Texas from 25th day of July AD 1835, to the 13th day of September A. D. 1835, in Captain William M. Eastland’s company and Colonel J. H. Moore’s Regiment; that he served afterwards in different capacities in said Army, was a Q. M. during the year 1836; that he participated in the Battle of Gonzales, Grass Fight, Battle of Concepcion and was at the siege and taking of San Jacinto on 21st April, 1836, being then detached from any command, under special orders of Gen. Sam Houston at which battle he was wounded by receiving a Sword cut in the left hand, having said hand seriously injured and disabled thereby, and that he received said wound while in the military service of the Republic of Texas and while she was engaged in the war with Mexico which separated Texas from Mexico, and that he continued in said service until he resigned as Quarter Master of said army, which resignation was accepted by William S. Fisher, Secretary of War for said Republic, on January 12th, 1837.”

Altho there were several veterans of the battle of San Jacinto living in Gonzales county when Mr. Lee asked for a pension he selected for his witnesses Winfield Alford, James L. Mills and Everett Lewis, neither of whom was in the battle. Mr. Alford stated that Mr. Lee was in the army in 1835 but did not say that he had participated in the battle of San Jacinto. Mr. Mills testified that Mr. Lee was wounded at San Jacinto, and Everett Lewis testified that Mr. Lee had told him that he has wounded at the battle of San Jacinto and that he believed that this was true.

Mr. Lee was twice married. After the death of his wife he was married to Hester Sessions. Mr. Lee died in December, 1884 while a member of the Texas Veterans Association. Mrs. Lee was born in Rutland, Vermont and died in Texas in 1888. The State of Texas had a joint monument erected in 1936 at the graves of Mr. & Mrs. Lee in the Harwood cemetery, Gonzales county.

Mr. Lee was the father of nineteen children but the compiler has been unable to ascertain the names of but one Julia, who married Martin Alonzo Marcee.

Mrs. L. L. Ollre, Gonzales is a daughter of Martin Alonzo and Julia (Lee) Marcee.

State of Texas )

)

County of Gonzales) Personally appeared before the undersigned authority, Theodore S. Lee a resident citizen of said county & state the above applicant for Pension to me well known who after being by me duly sworn on his oath says—that he was a soldier in the army of Texas from 25th day of July A. D. 1835, to the 13th day of September A. D. 1835, in Captain Eastland’s Company and Colonel J. H. Moore’s Regiment; that he served afterwards in different capacities in said Army, with a Q. M. during the year 1836; that he participated in the Battles of Gonzales, Grass Fight, Battle of Conception & was at the seige & taking of San Antonio by Col. Milam. That he also participated in Battle of San Jacinto on 21st April, 1836, being then detached from any command, under special orders of Gen Sam Houston at which Battle he was wounded by receiving a Sword cut in the left hand, having said hand seriously injured & disabled thereby, and that he received said wound while in the military service of the Republic of Texas and while she was engaged in the war with Mexico which separated Texas from Mexico, and that he continued in said service until he resigned as Quarter Master of said Army, which resignation was accepted by William S. Fisher, Secretary of War for said Republic, on January 12th, 1837. And I hereby authorize Harwood & Conway, Attys, to demand & receive my Pension certificate for said services.

T. S. Lee

Sworn to and subscribed before me this 10th day of October 1870

To which I certify under my hand & Notarial Seal

[SEAL] W. V. Collins

Notary Public in & for

Gonzales County Texas

The State of Texas )

)

County of Gonzales ) Personally appeared before the undersigned authority, James L. Mill and credible citizens of said State, to me well known, who after being by me duly sworn on thier Oaths say—that they know of their own knowledge that the said Theodore S. Lee was a soldier in the army of Texas in the year 1836; that he is about seventy-two years old, and a resident of Gonzales County, in said State, that he was wounded at the Battle of San Jacinto by receiving a sword-cut in the left hand & said Lee was at that time a regularly entlisted soldier in the army of the Republic of Texas & received said wound while discharging the duties of a soldier in said Battles and believes the claimant to be justly entitled to a Pension for service & wound under the Pension Act approved August 13th 1870.

James L. Mills

Sworn to and subscribed before me this 10th day of October 1870

To which I certify under my hand & Notarial seal

W. V. Collins

Notary Public in & for Gonzles

County, Texas

The State of Texas )

)

County of Gonzales ) Personally appeared before the undersigned authority Winfield Alford a credible citizen of said State & County, to me well known, who after being by me duly sworn on his Oath says, that he knows of his own knowledge, that the said Theodore S. Lee was a soldier in the army of Texas in the year 1835, that he is about seventy-two years old, and a resident of Gonzales County, in said State, & affiant says that said Lee in the year aforesaid (1835) was a regularly enlisted soldier in the Army of the Republic of Texas, and as such performed his duties in a commendable manner. And affiant further says that the said Lee was regularly enlisted in said Army as a soldier in the year 1836.

his

Winfield X Alford

mark

Sworn to and subscribed Before me this 3rd Decr 1870

W. V. Collins

J. P. G. C. P No [?]

And Notary Public in & for

Gonzales County

I, do hereby certify &, under oath say – that I have known Major T. S. Lee, about 15 years – he being a resident citizen of the county of Gonzales Texas during that period and have seen a cut in the left hand of said Lee, which he has several years since told me, was received in warding off a cut made at him with a sabre, by a mounted Mexican Soldier at San Jacinto, wearing the uniform of an officer, who was afterward killed and recognised to be the “Colonel”, brohter of Genl Cos – and from the character which said Lee bears with his acquaintances as a truthful man & my knowledge of the man, I believe that said T. S. Lee was so wounded at the battle of San Jacinto – and do so believe for the further reason, that I do not think he would have recd the appointment of Wuarter Master, unless he had been in said battle, & rendered meritorious services appreciated at the time by his contemporaries, the said T. S. Lee, not being a man of any extraordinary, but rather mediocre capacity & ability –

Everett Lewis

The State of Texas )

County of Gonzales ) Before me W. V. Collins a Justice of Peace

& Notary Public in & for said county – this

day came Everett Lewis, and swore to and subscribed the foregoing thereto attached affidavit, or statement in reference to the Pension claim of T. S. Lee

[SEAL] To certify which I hereto place my name &

seal of office this the 5th day of December

A D 1870 W. V. Collins

J. P. G. C. & Notary Public in & for said Co.

[Source:] Pension Papers, Archives, Texas State Library.

This certificate entitles Theodore S. Lee to twenty four dollars pay for three mos. services ending 1st. day of June 1836 as private in Captn. Chanceys company and in Captn Woods company Texas Volunteers

James D Owen paymastr

Volunteers Texas

[Source:] Comptroller’s Military Service Records, Archives, Texas State Library.

No. 2089 THIS CERTIFLICATE $451. 60

Entitles Theodoe S Lee to Four Hundred Fifty One 60/100 Dollars for Four Months’ services, from 14 June until 14 Octr 1836 in Texian Service as Qrt M astr.

Countersigned at Columbia this 13 day of Jany 1837

J W Cruger Geo. W Poe

Act Paymaster. Paymaster General.

[Source:] Comptroller’s Military Service Records, Archives, Texas State Library.

I hereby certify that Theodore S Lee served under my command as a volunteer in the first Division of Troops on the campaign recently conducted against the Whaco & Touwakana Indians commencing on the 2th day of July last and ending on the 13th day of September and that he has discharged all the duties of a Private in said division, honorably to himself and beneficial to the cause in which he embarked and I do further certify that the said Lee expended four dollars in his outfit on the said expedition and he is now honorably Discharged

Dated at Mina J. H. Moore

13th Sept 1835 Colo commd.

[Source:] Comptroller’s Military Service Records, Archives, Texas State Library.

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