Veteran Bio

In a Comptroller's Military Service Record signed by Captain Andrew Briscoe at Lynchburg, July 29, 1836, it is certified that Mr. Ruddell "served in the army of the people of Texas in the campaign against Bexar in the autumn of the year, one thousand eight hundred & thirty-five, about the term of four weeks ending on the 25th day of November, being till that time, one of the Liberty Volunteers under my command, as captain of the same.

In Comptroller's Military Service Record No. 989, signed by Wm. M. Logan at Headquarters on the Colorado and countersigned by Thomas J. Rusk, Brigadier General, Commanding, it is Certified that Mr. Ruddell served in Captain William M. Logan's Company from March 6 to May 22, 1836, when he was discharged on account of ill health.

(Margin note) Texas before March 2, 1836 H. R. No. 58 1/3 Liberty Ok

In the summer of 1836, a Regiment of volunteers from Kentucky passed through San Augustine and there on July 20, Mr. Ruddell enlisted in Captain Benjamin S. Read's Company. The following Comptroller's Military Service Record is signed at Camp Johnston on the Lavaca, October 9, 1836 by Benjamin S. Read, Captain and James L. Holmes, Major, Commanding First Regiment of Kentucky Volunteers:

"Know ye that John Ruddull a corporal of Benj S Reads company 1st regt Ky Vol. aged 22 years of age 6 feet high dark complexion blue eyes dark hair and by profession a blacksmith born in the State of Louisiana volunteered at San Augustine in Texas on 20th of July 1836 to serve for the term of three months is hereby permitted to go to the east part of Texas he having a Furlough from the 9th of Oct. to the 20th of the same month at which permitted his term of service will expire."

Mr. Ruddell received Donation Certificate No. 906, dated June 4, 1839, for 640 acres of land for having participated in the Battle of San Jacinto. The land was surveyed in what is now Polk County in 1839. He was issued Bounty Certificate No. 9191 for 320 acres of land June 5, 1839 for having served in the army from March 6 to May 22, 1836. Bounty Certificate No. 273 for 320 acres of land was issued to him May 27, 1847 for his services from July 20, to October 20, 1836.

It appears that Mr. Ruddell received 320 acres of Bounty land than he was entitled to receive. His name appears on Page 57 of the Army Rolls in the General Land Office as a member of Captain Franklin Hardin's Company to join Captain Read's Company at San Augustine on July 20. Yet on January 29, 1838, he received Bounty Certificate No. 2168 for 320 acres of land for his services from July 7 to October 7, 1836.

Mr. Ruddell was living in Sabine County September 6, 1847 when he sold Bounty Certificate No. 273 to Matthew Caldwell.

In the Deed Records of Polk County, Book A, Page 22, it is shown that Mr. Ruddell was living In Polk County, January 1, 1845, when he sold his Headright Certificate to William Hooks. He was living in Liberty County October 24, 1854 when he sold land situated in Polk County. This is also shown in the Deed Records of Polk County, Book E, Page 418.

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