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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ROBBINS, THOMAS -- Came to Texas in 1819, as is stated in Headright Certificate No. 321, issued in his name but delivered to his heirs in 1838 by the Board of Land Commissioners of Montgomery County for one-third of a league of land. He was probably a brother of John Robbins. He was appointed Second Lieutenant of a corps of Rangers November 28, 1835 by the General Council of the Provisional Government. He was a member of Captain William H. Smith's Company of Cavalry at San Jacinto and succeeded Captain Smith in command of the company December 7, 1836.

Captain Robbins died in 1837 in that part of Washington County now embraced in Montgomery County, as is shown in the Probate Minutes of Washington County, Book A, Page 110. His heirs received Bounty Certificate No. 2917 for 320 acres of land for his services in the army from April 19 to August 29, 1836. They received Donation Certificate No. 553, dated February 9, 1854, for 640 acres of land due Captain Robbins for having participated in the Battle of San Jacinto. A duplicate Headright Certificate was issued to his heirs February 6, 1857.

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 H. Smith

Personal Statistics

  • Came to Texas: 1819
  • Date of Death: 1837
  • Bounty Certificate: 2917
  • Donation Certificate: 553
  • Family at San Jacinto: Brother John Robbins, brother-in-law Elisha Clapp at San Jacinto