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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PETERSON, JOHN -- In Book A, page 43 of the list of applicants for land in Austin's colonies it is shown that when Mr. Peterson filed his application December 1, 1824 he stated that he was 23 years of age and had arrived in Texas from Louisiana in November, 1824. He received title to a league of land in Austin's Second Colony situated in what is now Grimes County, April 2, 1831. He was a brother of William Peterson.

Mr. Peterson was issued Bounty Certificate No. 658 for 320 acres of land June 21, 1850 having served in the army for a month April 7, to May 7, 1836. He was a member of Captain James Gillaspie's Company at San Jacinto and on June 24, 1850 received Donation Certificate No. 211 for 640 acres of land for having participated in the battle. In the Headright Certificate issued to him for one labor of land by the Montgomery County Board of Land Commissioners it is stated that he came to Texas in 1822, but this is evidently an error.

Mr. Peterson and wife, Susan Peterson, moved from what is now Grimes County to Leon County. They were living in Leon County July 5, 1850 when they sold Bounty Certificate No. 658 to Alexander Patrick for $25.00. The Probate Records of Leon County show that Mr. Peterson died in that county in 1855. His widow, Mrs. Susan Peterson, was appointed administratrix of his estate February 27, 1855.



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. James Gillaspie

Personal Statistics

  • Date of Birth: 1801
  • Origin: Louisiana
  • Came to Texas: 1824 Nov
  • Date of Death: 1855
  • Bounty Certificate: 658
  • Donation Certificate: 211
  • Wife: Susan
  • Family at San Jacinto: Brother William Peterson