Part of an old map of the San Jacinto area from the Texas Revolution

Veteran Bio

Texian Location:  Participant

The Kemp Sketch

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MCCRABB, JOHN -- Born in Ireland in 1798 and lived there until young manhood when he came to America and settled in Tennessee. In the Headright Certificate issued to him February 2, 1838 for 3,498 acres of land by the Victoria County Board, it is stated that he came to Texas in 1835. He made a trip to Texas in 1830, arriving at Gonzales March 20 of that year. On July 15, 1831 he was issued title to one-fourth of a league of land in De Witt's Colony, situated in what is now De Witt County. He returned to Tennessee and was married to Mary Miller. With his wife he returned to Texas in 1835 and settled at Victoria.

At the outbreak of hostilities in 1836, leaving his wife at Texanna, Mr. McCrabb enlisted in Captain William J.E. Heard's Company of "Citizen Soldiers" and was with this organization at San Jacinto. On May 1, 1838 he was issued Donation Certificate No. 133 for 640 acres of land for having participated in the battle. On 1838 he received Bounty Certificate No. 613 for 320 acres of land for having served in the army from April 1 to July 23, 1836.

Mr. McCrabb served as the first County Treasurer of Victoria County and was Tax Assessor and Collector of DeWitt County at the time of his death at his home near Clinton in 1848, Mrs. McCrabb died February 27, 1895. They are buried in (marked) (unmarked) graves.

Children of Mr. and Mrs. McCrabb were: (1) Joseph Alexander, (2) Elizabeth, (3) Mary Jane, and (4) John Frederick McCrabb, all deceased.

(1) Joseph McCrabb was married to Sarah Jane McDonald. Their children were: Mary Jane, Annie Lola, John William, Joseph Alexander, James Amanda, and Lucy McCrabb.

(a) Mary Jane McCrabb was married to W. E. Pridgen. (b) Annie Lola McCrabb was married to Tom Tyson. (c) John William McCrabb was married to Annie Lee Brown. (d) Joseph Alexander McCrabb died. He was never married. (e) James, Amanda, and Lucy McCrabb died in infancy. (2) Elizabeth McCrabb was married to John Andrews. There were no children. (3) Mary Jane McCrabb was never married. (4) John Frederick McCrabb was married to Cora B. Augustine, daughter of Dave Augustine. Their children were (a) Mary, and (b) John Samuel McCrabb. (a) Mary McCrabb was married to J. B. Atkinson. Mr. and Mrs. Atkinson lived in Coleman, Texas. (b) John Samuel McCrabb was married to Gladys Brown. Mr. and Mrs. McCrabb lived in Thomaston, DeWitt County, Texas.

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.


Battle Statistics

  • Died in Battle: No
  • Rank: Private
  • Company: Capt. William J. E. Heard

Personal Statistics

  • Alternate Names: John M.
  • Date of Birth: 1798
  • Birthplace: Ireland
  • Origin: Tennessee
  • Came to Texas: 1830
  • Date of Death: 1848
  • Bounty Certificate: 613
  • Donation Certificate: 133
  • Wife: Mary Miller
  • Children: Joseph Alexander McCrabb; Elizabeth McCrabb Andrews; Mary Jane McCrabb; John Frederick McCrabb