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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BIRT, SAMUEL PEARCE -- In applying to the Board of Land Commissioners of Fort Bend County, March 1, 1838 for one-third of a league of land, Mr. Birt stated that he came to Texas in February 1836. He was a member of Captain William S. Fisher's Company at San Jacinto and in Service Record No. 202 it is shown that he was discharged from the army at Columbia April 7, 1837. San Jacinto Donation Certificate No. 783 was issued to him January 26, 1839.

Mr. Birt was married to Rebecca Gilliland, daughter of James and Diannah Gilliland. Noah Smithwick in his "Evolution of a State," describes the wedding. Mr. Gilliland died in 1843. The Deed Records of Travis County, Book K, page 275, show that on February 7, 1856 Mr. Birt, living in California made claim, through his attorney, James A. Pogue, for a part of the land owned Mr. Gilliland at his death. Mrs. Gilliland was alive at that time.

Mr. Birt died in California about 1859. The Deed Records of Burleson County mention his will filed in Burleson County May 28, 1860 but it cannot be located in the files of County Clerk. He left considerable property in Texas and his estate was probated in several counties. William Birt was the administrator May 10, 1860 in Robertson County and J. O. Rice the administrator of the estate in Travis County, February 28, 1860. Travis records examined

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 S. Fisher

Personal Statistics

  • Alternate Names: Burt
  • Came to Texas: 1836 Feb
  • Date of Death: 1859?
  • Burial Place: California?
  • Bounty Certificate: 287
  • Donation Certificate: 783
  • Wife: Rebecca Gilliland