Veteran Bio

Mr. Halderman was issued Bounty Certificate No. 4340 for 320 acres of land October 1, 1838 for having served in the army from February 28 to May 20, 1836. He was a member of Captain Jesse Billingsley's Company of Mina (Bastrop) Volunteers at San Jacinto and on November 8, 1851 Donation Certificate No. 389 for 640 acres of land was issued in his name for having participated in the battle.

The Probate Records of Bastrop County show that Mr. Halderman died in Bastrop County in 1850. He signed his will July 17, 1850, and Campbell Taylor was appointed administrator of his estate August 27, 1850. He left the bulk of his possessions to his widow, Mrs. Harriet Halderman, but left the rights to his San Jacinto Donation Certificate to his brother, David Halderman. The following affidavit made by Captain Jesse Billingsley is found in the Pension Papers in the Archives of the State Library in Austin:

The State of Texas
County of Bastrop

I, Jesse Billingsly of the aforesaid county and state, Capt. of the Colorado Company in the army of the revolution, which separated Texas from Mexico in 1835 -- &c,

Do certify that on or about the 20th day of February 1836 Spring campaign David Holderman, Thos. McGehee, Martin Walker, were sent out west on a Spy expedition towards San Antonio that as soon as they had performed said service they fell in with the regular army at Gonzales and enrolled in my Company all done under my instructions.

At this time Gen. Sam Houston arrived there and took command of the army. And called on Col Burleson to furnish him a man from his Regiment of Volunteers to bear dispatches to Major R. M. Williamson Comdr. of Rangers at Bastrop, Texas Col Ed Burleson detailed Said David Halderman from my Co. to bear Said dispatches and he performed said duty and rejoined the service in his proper place -- in my said Co. at Beeson crossing on the colorado river and remained in the Army till it arrived at St. Phelipe on the Brazos. There his brother Jesse Halderman joined the army and enrolled in my Co. and they being partners in trade, turned over to the Army two waggons & teams -- loaded with flour for the free use of the Govt. -- and at or near Grosses retreat -- at which place I gave him a furlough -- indefinite he being also very much afflicted with rheumatism So that he was unable to return to it -- certify that he was completely Identified with the Army in 1836 -- as aforesaid as a Volunteer and had he at any tine called on me for a discharge I would have given to him as a worthy Soldier without hesitation I was never called on by him for one, at that time it was deemed unimportant.

The bearer of this certificate was in 1836 a citizen of Bastrop County now of DeWitt County, Texas, now 65 years of age and is the Identical same man whom I have refered in my Certificate this 12th day of October 1874.

Sworn to and Subscribed before me this 12th day of October 1874."

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