Veteran Bio
The Kemp Sketch
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SECREST, WASHINGTON H. -- In the headright Certificate issued to him in 1838 by the Colorado County Board of Land Commissioners for one league and one labor of land it is stated that he came to Texas prior to May 2, 1835. This was lost and a duplicate was issued in conformity with an Act of Congress approved January 16, 1850. He came to Texas in 1835 with his brother Fielding Secrest.
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Mr. Secrest was a spy in Captain Henry W. Karnes' Cavalry Company and was issued Bounty Certificate No. 9827 for 640 acres of land for his services from March 12 to September 22, 1836. On November 9, 1838 he received Donation Certificate No. 590 for 640 acres of land for having participated in the Battle of San Jacinto. On June 26, 1836 he was appointed captain of the Washington Cavalry.
After statehood, Captain Secrest became a State Ranger. The Telegraph, Houston, August 29, 1851, reports the arrival of Mr. Secrest in town after a trip to Eagle Pass. His home at that time was in Washington County. He died in 1854. Mrs. Dilue Harris in her reminiscences printed in the Texas Historical Association Quarterly, Vol. 4 p. 175 said that he died at Columbus, Colorado County in 1859, but she was mistaken about the time of his death. His estate was probated in Colorado County February 23, 1854 (Book D, page 211). He left the following minor children: F. E. C., Elizabeth, C. George, Jacob W., and T. A. U. Secrest.
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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: Private
- Company: Capt. Henry Wax Karnes
Personal Statistics
- Alternate Names: Secretts
- Came to Texas: 1835
- Date of Death: 1854
- Other Battles: Burning San Felipe
- Bounty Certificate: 9827
- Donation Certificate: 590
- Children: F. E. C. Secrest; Elizabeth Secrest; C. George Secrest; Jacob W. Secrest; T. A. U. Secrest
- Family at San Jacinto: Brother Fielding G. Secrest at San Jacinto
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