Veteran Bio
The Kemp Sketch
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HARPER, BENJAMIN -- Born in Virginia in 1800. The year of his birth is given in a list of the names of all men available for military service in the Municipality of Liberty, July 20, 1836. In January, 1935, the original draft was in possession of R. W. Abbott of Beaumont. He came to Texas in 1834, as is stated in the Headright Certificate issued to him February 5, 1838 for one labor of land by the Jefferson County Board. He was elected captain of a small volunteer company at Beaumont which was merged with Captain William M. Logan's Company at Liberty, at which time Captain Harper was elected 2nd Lieutenant. On July 2nd he was again elected Captain of a company organized for three months' Service. He received Bounty Certificate No. 486, December 19, 1848 for 640 acres of land for having served in the army from March 6 to September 6, 1836. His San Jacinto Donation Certificate No. 140 for 640 acres of land was issued December 20, 1848. He was living in Houston County, January 8, 1849 when he sold it to William Howth for $75.00.
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A. Mrs. Elvina Harper on January 29, 1885 received a Veterans Donation Certificate for 1280 acres of land. It is not know whether or not Mrs. Harper was the widow of Captain Benjamin J. Harper.
Captain Harper was a private in Captain Andrew Briscoe's Company of Liberty Volunteers November 21, 1835.
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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: Second Lieutenant
- Company: Capt. William M. Logan
Personal Statistics
- Alternate Names: Benjamin I.
- Date of Birth: Father George W. Grimes at Harrisburg
- Birthplace: Virginia, Mecklenburg
- Came to Texas: 1834
- Date of Death: 1863
- Burial Place: Waller County, Texas
- Bounty Certificate: 486
- Donation Certificate: 140
- Wife: 1. Evelina Yocum; 2. Nancy Reynolds
- Children: Andrew Milam Harper
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