Veteran Bio
The Kemp Sketch
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NELSON, DAVID S. -- The compiler is responsible for Mr. Nelson's name being left off the plaque in the San Jacinto memorial monument on which are inscribed the names of the Texans who participated in the battle of San Jacinto. The name should be added to the list.
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Mr. Nelson's name appears on page 10 of the official San Jacinto rolls printed in 1836 as second sergeant of Captain Henry Teal's company, regular army, which was commanded at San Jacinto by Captain Andrew Briscoe. On page 30 of the San Jacinto rolls in the General Land Office, Mr. Nelson is listed as second sergeant of Captain Briscoe's company.
In Comptrollers' Military Service Record No. 2010, it is certified that David S. Nelson served as Orderly Sergeant, Duty Sergeant, Sergeant Major, Second Lieutenant and Captain of a company, First Regiment of Infantry, from January 9, 1836 to January 1, 1837. He enlisted January 9, 1836, for the duration of the war in Captain Henry Teal's company; was promoted to corporal March 4; and was second sergeant at the time the battle was fought. He was promoted to Second Lieutenant of Captain Jacob Snively's company.
It is shown on the army rolls that on October 31, and again on December 31, 1836, at Camp Independence, Captain Snively was on furlough and Nelson was in Command of the company.
Captain Nelson was issued Bounty Certificate No. 9557 for 640 acres of land for having served in the army from January 9 to December 5, 1836. He evidently came to Texas in 1836 and returned to the United States after receiving his discharge from the army. The records in the Land Office do not disclose that he received any land from the Mexican Government or headright or donation land from the Republic of Texas.
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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.
Gallery
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Battle Statistics
- Died in Battle: No
- Rank: Second Sergeant
- Company: Capt. Andrew Briscoe
Personal Statistics
- Came to Texas: 1836
- Bounty Certificate: 9557
Related Artifacts
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