James Smith (Texas General)

James Smith (September 10, 1792 – December 25, 1855)[1] was a General in the Texas Revolutionary Army.

James Smith
Born(1792-09-10)September 10, 1792
South Carolina
DiedDecember 25, 1855(1855-12-25) (aged 63)
Place of burial
Smith Park, Henderson, Texas
Allegiance Texas
RankGeneral
Battles/warsCreek War, War of 1812
Battle of the Neches
Battle of San Jacinto

Biography

Smith was born in Spartanburg County, South Carolina, on September 10, 1792. He served in the War of 1812, the Creek Indian Wars, and served as a lieutenant under Andrew Jackson in the Battle of New Orleans. From 1819 until 1835, he fought in the Tennessee militia alongside Sam Houston, where he reached the rank of Colonel. In 1835, he moved to Texas, where he established a plantation in Nacogdoches, Texas. On April 11, 1836, Smith joined the revolutionary army as captain of the cavalry of the Nacogdoches Mounted Volunteers. After his victory at the Battle of San Jacinto, he received a promotion to inspector general by General Thomas J. Rusk.

Smith commanded the second battalion of Rusk's regiments at the Battle of the Neches. On March 7, 1840, he was promoted to brigadier general, where he took command of the Third Brigade on the northwest frontier of Mexico.

Smith represented Rusk County, Texas in the Texas House of Representatives from February 16, 1846, until December 13, 1847. He was instrumental in the establishment of Smith County, Texas, named in his honor. Smith also donated the land that Henderson, Texas was built on.[2]

Smith is buried at Smith Park, on the corner of S. Main St. and Jacksonville Dr., in Henderson, Texas.[3]

Family

With wife: Hannah Parker (1799–1864), children:

  1. Captain Henry Madison Smith (1817–1882)
  2. Sarah Elvina Smith (1818–1902)
  3. Unnamed Female? (~1820)
  4. Frances E. Smith (1823–1854)
  5. James Smith (Birth date unknown)
  6. Joseph Smith (1825–1860)
  7. Andrew Jackson Smith (1826–1880)
  8. Isaac Newton Smith (1828-?)
  9. William Jasper Smith (1830–1894)
  10. Francis Marion Smith (1833–1863)
  11. Barsheba H. Smith (1834–1904)
  12. Sam Houston Smith (Birth date unknown)
  13. Birt H. Smith (1837–1863)[4]
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References
  1. Betty Dooley-Awbrey; Stuart Awbrey (2013). Why Stop?: A Guide to Texas Roadside Historical Markers. Rowman & Littlefield. pp. 213–. ISBN 978-1-58979-789-5. Retrieved 29 September 2013.
  2. "SMITH, JAMES | The Handbook of Texas Online| Texas State Historical Association (TSHA)". Tshaonline.org. 1917-09-28. Retrieved 2013-09-29.
  3. "Henderson, TX - Official Website - Park Information". Hendersontx.us. Retrieved 2013-09-29.
  4. Archived July 10, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
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