Veteran Bio
The Kemp Sketch
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FITCH, BENJAMIN FRANKLIN -- In applying for land in Austin's colonies Mr. Fitch stated that he was born in 1810 and had arrived in Texas from Tennessee in October, 1835. The following information regarding him is contained in Service Record No. 3157: He was a member of Captain Peyton F. Splane's company but served in Captain Robert J. Calder's company at San Jacinto. He served in the army from March 6, 1836 to June 6, 1836, when he was discharged. This was certified by M. H. Durham, first lieutenant in Captain Peyton R. Splane's company. On July 24, 1836, Captain Peter B. Dexter at Victoria recommended that Fitch, who had been in service of the country nearly five months and was almost destitute for clothing, be granted a furlough for 30 days. This was granted by Brigadier General Thomas J. Rusk. Fitch joined Captain Sterling C. Robertson's Ranger Company August 3, and was discharged September 1, 1836. This was certified by Captain Robertson. Captain Thomas H. Barron at headquarters at Nashville, July 17, 1837, certified that Mr. Fitch enlisted in Company "A" Battalion of Rangers September 11, 1836, for one year and served to July 17, 1837. President Houston on May 31, 1837, appointed him Second Lieutenant of a company of Mounted Gun Men for duty in Milam County, in a regiment to be raised for the defense of the frontier. Captain James A. Wilkerson was on the same date appointed captain of the company.
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Bounty Certificate No. 9848 for 320 acres of land was issued in Mr. Fitch's name September 30, 1841 for 320 acres of land for having served in the army from March 6 to June 6, 1836. The certificate had been assigned at the same time he received Bounty Certificate No. 9849 for 1280 acres of land for his services from August 3, 1836 to July 20, 1837. The land was surveyed in Grayson County in 1845. On September 30, 1841 he also received Donation Certificate No. 1168 for 640 acres of land for having participated in the battle of San Jacinto. He received a Headright Certificate in 1838 for one-third of a league of land from the Milam County Board of Land Commissioners.
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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.
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Battle Statistics
- Died in Battle: No
- Rank: Private
- Company: Capt. Robert J. Calder
Personal Statistics
- Date of Birth: 1810
- Origin: Tennessee
- Came to Texas: 1835 Oct
- Bounty Certificate: 9848
- Donation Certificate: 1168
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