SHACKELFORD COUNTY TEXAS – TEXAS REVOLUTION PENSION: JOSE ALAMEDA Contributed by: Joan Renfrow ******************************************************************************** USGENWEB ARCHIVES(tm) NOTICE All documents placed in the USGenWeb Archives remain the property of the contributors, who retain publication rights in accordance with US Copyright Laws and Regulations. In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, these documents may be used by anyone for their personal research. They may be used by non-commercial entities so long as all notices and submitter information is included. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit. Any other use, including copying files to other sites, requires permission from the contributors PRIOR to uploading to the other sites. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net ******************************************************************************** TEXAS REVOLUTION PENSION APPLICATION FILE JOSE ALAMEDA State of Texas County of Bexar On this 3d day of September A.D. One Thousand Eight Hundred and Seventy Four before me Sam S. Smith, Clerk of the District Court of said county personally appeared Jose Alemeda ...(unreadable)... about 66 years and came to this county in the year 1808 in the city of San Antonio, Texas. That he is the identical Jose Alemeda who participated in the struggle of Texas against the Republic of Mexico ___ Independence and that he was a member of Captain Juan N. Seguin’s Company, and enlisted on the 23d day of October A.D. 1835, and was at the taking of Bexar which engagement took place between the 5th day of December 1835, and the 10th day of December 1835, in the morning, said expedition was under the command of Genl. Burleson and Col. Milam, and actually assisted in the seduction of that place, and remainded there until the surrender of Genl. Coss, and that he war honorably discharged from the service on the 25th day of October A.D. 1836, also that he was under the command who was sent back from Gonzales under Lieut. S. Flores. In proof of his service he refers to the Public Archives in the City of Austin. He makes this Declaration for the purpose of obtaining the benifit of the act of the Legislature of the State of Texas granting Pensions to the Veterans of Texas. He appoints Edward Miles of the city of San Antonio to represent him. His home is Bexar County and his Post Office San Antonio Jose Alameda Witnesses M. L. Meruk Sam S. Smith Sworn to and subscribed before me this 3d day of September A.D. 1874 Sam S. Smith Clk D.C.B.Co. Also personally appeared Francisco Valdez and Mateo Cassillas credible witnesses residents of Bexar County and to me well known, who being duly sworn, depose and say that they are well acquainted with the above named applicant Jose Alemeda who was at the attack on Bexar December 1835, that were in the same expedition same company and know him to be the identical Jose Alemeda, he represents himself to be and that they have no interest what ever in this claim Francisco Valdez (his X mark) Mateo Cassillas (his X mark) Sworn to and subscribed, the said Francisco Valdez and Mateo Casillas, making their marks within their names for signature, each declaring his inability to write, before me this 3d day of September A.D. 1874. To certify to which I have hereunto signed my name and affixed the Seal of the District Court of Bexar County, at office in San Antonio the day and year last above written. Sam S. Smith Clk D.C.B.Co. ********************************** General Land Office Austin 18th Sept. /74 This is to certify that it appears from Bounty Warrant No. 2075 now on file in this office issued by Jas. S. Gillete Adjutant General to Jose Alameda on the Seventeenth day of September 1855 for 320 acres of land, that the said Jose Alameda served faithfully and honorably in the Army of the Republic of Texas from the first day of October 1835 until the 21st day of February 1836 and that he was honorably discharged from the service. In testimony where I have hereunto signed my name and affixed my official Seal the date first above written. J. Gross Commissioner ********************************** San Antonio, Texas September 21, 1874 Edward Miles Esqr. Dear Sir, Your two letters of Sept. 19/74 were received this morning. I proceeded at once to hunt in your draw upstairs for the list, as you failed to enclose one, then I proceeded to find witnesses, Frank Paschal and Higgenbotham who know them all were both absent, but I found M.G. Anderson who has been our District Attorney several times, and Henry L. Radaz who was our Post Master and held many other offices here and Lorenz Castro who has been County Commissioner before the war, Custom House Office, U.S. Depy Marshal and they each know personally all the parties whose names are in the list. I do not believe that there is a single American living in Bexar County now, who participated in the storming of Bexar in 1835 so I believe upon the whole that the three gentlemen who have signed the affidavit are the very best that you could have selected if you had been here. There are quite a large number of old Mexican citizens, men and women, who say that those parties were all with the Americans. I am well satisfied in my own mind and have been for many years, that they did perform, not only those services which they state, but many others for which they got no pay or credit. I having been living among them thirty odd years, and have always found our Bexar Mexicans, of the older class, to be truthful. And certainly you well know that if they were not with the Texans in their troubles in 1835, there are, and have been plenty of their own nation who would have exposed them. Sam A. Maverick, who was a guide to one of the columns that entered Bexar in Dec. 1835, always in his lifetime recognized them all as fellow soldiers to my knowledge. The late Judge, Judge John D. McLeod who was a member of the N. O. Greys, always done the same thing, as you yourself must recollect. If you get the Bonds for Clemente Bustillo soon, please send over some of them to me for him as he needs money very badly. If you need anything do not fail to send immediately, write to me and keep me advised so that I can inform the parties if the certificate is sufficient. Telegraph the fact and oblige Sam S. Smith ********************************** Contributor’s Note: Other documents included within the file are: Jose Alameda received an initial pension payment of $250.00 on Sept. 3d, 1874 Power of Attorney to Edward Miles – Bexar County, dtd: 9/3/1874 Affidavit of Identity: Sam S. Smith – Bexar County, dtd: 9/3/1874 Antonio Hernandez – Bexar County, dtd: 9/15/1874 Francisco Dias – Bexar County, dtd: 9/18/1874 R. H. Jeffrey – Bexar County, dtd: 9/18/1874 Clemente Bustillo – Bexar County, dtd: 9/18/1874 M. G. Anderson – Bexar County, dtd: 9/21/1874 Henry L. Radaz – Bexar County, dtd: 9/21/1874 Along with the letter from Sam S. Smith (transcribed above), is this listing of persons of Jose Alameda acquaintance and have all filed applications for pensions as members of Capt. Juan N. Seguins Company in the taking of Bexar in December 1835: dtd: 9/21/1874 Juan Jose Palacios On the Medina River, Bexar Co. Clemente Bustillo San Antonio (over 60 yrs of age and that he was born in Bexar Co. and has always been a citizen, that he now lives on Soledad Street) Juan Gimenes San Antonio (69 yrs of age, he was born in San Antonio in 1805, he has always been a citizen of Bexar Co., that he now lives with his family on the corner of North 6th Street and Laredo Street) Pablo Salinas San Antonio (over 60 yrs of age and that he was born in Coahila Texas, that he immigrated to San Antonio in 1820 and has been a citizen ever since. He lives with his daughter and grand children on North Street W.S. Pedro) Ygnacio Espinosa San Antonio (over 62 yrs of age, he was born in San Antonio and has been a citizen all his life and now lives on West 3rd Street W.S. Pedro) Justo Travieso San Antonio (was in San Antonio in 1808, is 66 yrs of age and a citizen of San Antonio all his life. He lives on Laredo Street) Jesus Gomes Calavares Creek, Bexar Co. Francisco Miranda San Antonio Pablo Cassillas at Mission of Espada Julian Contes San Antonio Mateo Cassillas San Antonio Graviel Gonzales San Antonio Grancisco Dias on the Medina River Jose Alemeda San Antonio Francisco Valdez San Antonio Antonio Hernandez on the Leon Creek Carlos Chacon San Antonio River Fernando Curbier Atascosa County Pedro Gaona San Antonio (was born in San Antonio, about 68 yrs of age and has always been a citizen of Bexar Co., he lives on Laredo Street) Frank L. Paschal San Antonio (Resident of Bexar County since 1838) Palcido Olibare (Born in San Antonio in 1815) Capt. Antonio Menchaca (Born in San Antonio de Bexar in 1800) ********************************** The State of Texas County of Bexar Before me Sam S. Smith Clerk of the District Court of Bexar County, personally came and appeared at my office on this Second day of October A.D. 1874 Colonel Juan Nepomuceno Seguin, to me well and personally known to be the identical person he represents himself to be, who being by me duly sworn upon his oath saith that he was a Captain of a Company of Mounted Volunteers in the service of Texas in the years of 1835 and 1836. And that he was in command of said Company at the storming of San Antonio de Bexar in December 5th-10th 1835. And at the battle of San Jacinto in April 1836. That the following named men were soldiers in his Company and participated in the taking of Bexar and entered into the City of San Antonio de Bexar between the 5th and the morning of the 10th of December 1835 and each of them actually remained therein until after the surrender of General Cos “towit”: Antonio Hernandez, Justo Travieso, Juan Gimenes, Ygnacio Espinosa, Pedro Gaona, Clemente Bustillo, Pablo Salinas, Gabriel Gonzales, Mateo Cassillas, Pablo Cassillas, Francisco Valdez, Jose Alemada, Jesus Gomes, Francisco Miranda, Juan Jose Palacios, Fernando Cubier, Julian Contes, Carlos Chacon, Francisco Dias. That he, deponent, has known all of said persons that they are all now living in the County of Bexar, except Fernando Curbier, who now lives in the edge of Atascosa County. That he know them each to be the identical persons who were soldiers in his Company in the storming of Bexar in December A.D. 1835. Having been intimately acquainted with them all of their lives. That they are the identical persons (as he has been informed by them and which be believes) who have made their applications for pensions from the State of Texas under the laws of the State of Texas, granting pensions to the veterans of Texas, and whose powers of Attorney are in the hands of Edward Miles of the County Bexar, who is now in Austin. And further deponant declares that he has no interest in the claims of the above named persons or either one of them, but he makes these declarations of facts, to strengthen their claims before the State Officers in the procuring the pension which he knows each of said applicants to be justly entitled to under the law. Juan N. Seguin Sworn to and subscribed before me this Second day of October A.D. 1874 To certify to which I have hereunto signed my name and affixed the Seal of the District Court of Bexar County, at office in San Antonio this 2nd day of October A.D. 1874. Sam S. Smith Clk D.C.B.Co. ********************************** Enclosed is a two page, Spanish language letter penned and signed by Juan N. Seguin dated Dec. 5, 1984 The following is a translation of this letter: To the Hon. the Comptroller of the State San Antonio Decb. 5, 1874 My dear Sir: In the year 1856, if my memory serves me right I was called upon be several of my comrades in arms to make up a list of those individuals who with me, had aided proclaimed and sustained the Texas cause from the beginning of the year 1835, up to 1838, when the few who had remained in the service up to that time, withdrew to their homes, their services being no longer needed. Recognizing the justice of their request I concluded to make out a list (or roll) embracing the names of those members of my company who were with me at the battle of San Jacinto, of those who at that time made the request , and of some of those whom I could then remember. You will admit Mr. Comptroller that they long lapse of twenty some years intervening between 1835 and 1856 when the request was made by those who had served the cause, rendered it impossible to retain in my memory the names of all of the participants, therefore the names of many were omitted in the list. Now that the surviving veterans have been pensioned the information has gone abroad and they came from a great distance to prove up their services and perfect their claims, by presenting themselves in person and proving their identity by the testimony of two of their comrades. No muster rolls were made while we were beseiging Bexar. My company, was made up of men from this city, and as this was their home, it was the largest and being acquainted with the country, details were made from it to accompany the expeditions made by american companies that were being constantly sent out. You should not think it strange that of so large a company, containing as it did over one hundred men, only some twenty odd participated at the battle of San Jacinto, because General Sam Houston sent Lieutenant Salvador Flores from Gonzales with more than forty men to escort the families that were on the farms exposed to be sacrificed by the savages and whom Santa Ana considered as enemies, and that many had received furloughs from both Bowie and Travis, previously to me being surrounded at the Alamo, to look after their families who were exposed to the same dangers. When I submitted the list referred to above, to Generals Houston, Rusk and Austin they certified that while they could not identify the names of the persons contained on the list, they were satisfied that it did not contain the names of all those that made up the company because when it was being formed at Gonzales it was the largest one in the entire army. An escort was also detailed from my company and left this city in charge of the mexican families that went to Nacogdoches, fleeing before Santa Ana. I make this statement Mr. Comptroller in behalf of my comrades, believing their claims in this case to be just. You can however attach to it such weight as you may see proper. I am Very Respectfully Your Obedient Servant Juan N. Seguin ********************************** The State of Texas County of Bexar Be it Remembered that on this 2nd day of January A.D. One Thousand Eight Hundred and Seventy Nine, before me Sam S. Smith County Clerk Bexar Co., personally appeared Juan E Barrera and J. Wilson Cooke, citizens of said Bexar County and credible witnesses to me well known who having been by me duly sworn on oath deposed and say that they are well acquainted with the following named persons all residents of said Bexar Co. and to whom Pension Certificates have been issued by the Honb. County Court of said Bexar County viz Ygnacio Espinosa Bruno Almance Jose Alameda Y P Alsbury’s widow (Maria Rodriguez) unmarried Clemente Bustillo Antoline Basquez Mateo Casillas Carlos Chucon’s widow (Anta Rodriguez) unmarried Julian Corbambie Cayotano Castillo Julian Conti Renijie Casanova Antonio Cruz’s widow (Jesusa Arochado Pena) unmarried Leandro Chaves Pablo Cassillas widow (AntoniaGortanes) unmarried Antonio Hernandez Juan Jose Flores Roque Flores Pedro Gaona Diojo Gonzales Jesus Goomez Graviel Gonzales Juan Gimenes widow (Todora Rodriguez) unmarried Antonio Gonzales widow (Rita Alemeda) unmarried Brijido Gueuero Sofaino Huizar Antonio Hernando’s widow (Manuela Canales) unmarried Lucio Herriguez widow (Ascencion Martinez) unmarried Manuel Lopezs Widow (Sierna) unmarried Francisco Miranda Sam McCulloch Nepr Navarro’s widow (Jesusa Uron) unmarried Demarcios de los Reyes Leandro de los Reyes Juan Reyes Ramos Reyna Cayehaus Rivas Juan Rodriguez Pablo Salinas Estevan Uron Jose Simon Garza Pedro Tejeda and they, the said persons above named were on the 1st day of January A.D. 1879, still alive and indigent circumstances Juan E. Barrera J. Wilson Cooke Sworn to and subscribed before me this 2nd day of January A.D. 1879 Sam S. Smith, C. Clk Bex. of Tex. by Thad. W. Smith, Deputy