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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MERWIN, JOSEPH -- Came to Texas in January, 1836, as is stated in the Headright Certificate for one-third of a league of land issued to him by the Board of Land Commissioners for Harrisburg County, February 5, 1838. As a matter of fact he was recruited in New Orleans by Captain Amasa Turner and arrived at Velasco, January 28, 1836 on the schooner PENNSYLVANIA.

Merwin was a member of Captain Turner's Company but served in Captain Isaac N. Westmoreland's artillery company at San Jacinto. He received Bounty Certificate No. 1001 for 1280 acres of land for having served in the army from February 13, 1836 to October 14, 1837. He was issued Donation Certificate No. 177 for 640 acres of land October 5, 1849 for having participated in the Battle of San Jacinto, Mr. Merwin was living in New Orleans October 18, 1849 when he sold the certificate to Daniel Clark Osborn of New Orleans for $64.00.

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. Isaac N. Moreland

Personal Statistics

  • Alternate Names: Mcrwin
  • Origin: Louisiana
  • Came to Texas: 1836 Jan 28
  • Bounty Certificate: 1001
  • Donation Certificate: 177