William B Harrison (1811 - 1836)

Born 1811 in Ohio, United States

Died 6 Mar 1836 at about age 25 in The Alamo, San Antonio, Bexar, Texas

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Biography

William B Harrison was born 1811 in Ohio. . ^[1]He was in Tennessee when he learned of the plight of Texas settlers and Mexico. William commanded the Tennessee Mounted Volunteers accompanying Davy Crockett to Texas.^[2]

It was in Nacogdoches, Texas where Capt. William B Harrison gathered the recruits for the Tennessee Mounted volunteers. After forming the volunteer company in Nacogdoches, colony, known as VAC they set off for Washington-on-the Brazos. ^[3] Jan 14, 1836. ^[1]Washington-on-the Brazos was the center of command and for politics of early Texas. It is also where the constitution for the Republic of Texas Independence was drawn up, then signed.

From Washington-on-the Brazos, William and his company of Tennessee Volunteers traveled on westward and arrived in San Antonio, Bexar, Texas, Feb 9, 1836. ^[2]They hardly had time to get settled, as the Mexican army began the 13 day siege of the Alamo on Feb 23, 1836..

March 6, 1836, prior to dawn and still dark (about 4:30 A.M,), the final assault began by Santa Anna's army. Trumpets blared the "Deguello", the Mexican warning of "no quarter" at 5 a.m. on March 6, 1836 the thirteen-day siege ended with a overwhelming numbers of Mexican army, and cannon swarming the Alamo. Trumpets continued to blare the "Deguello", the Mexican warning of "no quarter".

Captain Harrison's company (Tennessee Mounted Volunteers) were in charge of the defense of area in front of the Alamo mission building. Davy Crockett had requested that he be given a "high Private" position. ( He was formally called a Colonel). Thus Crockett and his men were stationed in the most vulnerable spot.^{[4] [5]}Crockett felt they were worthy of that vulnerable position.

William and his company were the defense for the wooden palisade that was between the barracks and the Alamo chapel. ^[2]Eventually ammunition ran out, and the high numbers of the Mexican army overwhelmed the Defenders. Capt. William Harrison was killed March 6, 1836 along with all other Defenders of the Alamo. The bodies were burned. A memorial is in San Fernando Cathedral.^[6], ^[7]

Capt. William B Harrison Heirs were awarded Land bounty by the Republic of Texas and Donation lands also.

Bexar Bounty 1920 Acres

Heirs of William B Harrison were awarded the following: Austin Bounty 320 Acres, and donation Bexar Bounty 1476 Acres, patent 124 in Bexar co., Fannin Bounty-320 Acres in Fannin Co., Houston donation 396 Acres and 320 Acres and 1/3 League Bounty (1476 Acres) in Anderson County. See GLO: https://s3.glo.texas.gov/history/archives/land-grants/index.cfm

• Houston 1st Headright 1/3 League
• 1476 Acres Headright
• Austin Bunty 320 Acres
• Houston Donation 320 Acres
• Houston Donation 396 Acres
• Robertson Donation 320 Acres

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} Bill Groneman, "HARRISON, WILLIAM B.," Handbook of Texas Online (http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/fhaex), accessed September 09, 2015. Uploaded on June 15, 2010. Published by the Texas State Historical Association.
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2} http://www.thealamo.org/remember/history/defenders/index.html
3. ↑ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Alamo_defenders
4. ↑ http://www.tamu.edu/faculty/ccbn/dewitt/adp/archives/feature/gone2texas.html
5. ↑ https://www.facebook.com/ThisDayInGoodloveHistory/posts/637218056313883
6. ↑ "BillionGraves Index", index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/QVJR-8PB2 : accessed 1 March 2015), William B Harrison
7. ↑ http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=8443102&ref=acom

• http://www.glo.texas.gov/history/archives/land-grants/LandGrantsWorklist.cfm

See also:

• Daughters of the Republic of Texas
• Muster Rolls of the Texas Revolution (Austin, 1986)
• http://www.glo.texas.gov/history/archives/land-grants/index.cfm