Veteran Bio

Dr. William P. Smith was appointed administrator of the estate of Mr. Davis in Washington County December 12, 1836. The estate was issued a Headright Certificate for one-third of a league of land by the Washington County Board January 12, 1838.

On February 12, 1858, Mrs. Mary White, mother of Mr. Davis, living in Grayson County, Texas, was issued an un-numbered Donation Certificate for 640 acres of land due Mr. Davis for having participated in the battle of San Jacinto.

The following petition signed by Charles A. Warfield, attorney for Mrs. White, is in the files of Memorials and Petitions, Archives, Texas State Library:

"To the Honble. the Senate & House of Representatives of the State of Texas

Your petitioner, Mary White, a citizen of Grayson County, Texas, (formerly of Tennessee) respectfully represents that her son Abner C. Davis went from Tennessee to Texas in January 1836 and in the month of February of the same year enlisted in the Texas Army to serve during the war -- That he was a member of Capt: Woods company -- was in the battle of San Jacinto; was taken sick in camp during the summer of 1836, and died at Victoria whilst in service.

That in the year 1837 one Doct William P. Smith, at that time a citizen of Washington County Texas, obtained letters of administration on his estate and drew his (said Davis's) head right of 1/3 league and by order by the Probate Court of said Washington County sold the same, to pay a debt alleged to be due him by said Davis, for medical services rendered before his enlistment. That the appraisers of said Estate reported under oath, two hundred dollars as due from the Republic of Texas, to said Davis for services whilst in the Army -- and which amount nor any portion of the same was ever collected. That your petitioner, as sole heir to said estate, nor any other person, has ever received any other lands, either as bounty or donation--or pay of any kind for the services of said Davis.

That said Abner had a horse which she has reason to believe was used in the service.

That according to the Laws and usages of Texas, the heirs of said Davis are entitled, in addition to the head right of 1/3 league Bounty and donation land, and also pay for his services. That a Bill for Bounty and donation is now before the Legislature, and she prays your honorable Body, for a Bill granting pay, in land or money, to such amount as in your judgment may be due for service, and as in duty bound she will ever &c."

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