Matthew Nolan
Corpus Christi, Nueces County, Texas
Marker Inscription
After the death of their parents, Mary Nolan arrived in Corpus Christi in 1845 at the age of sixteen along with her two brothers, Matt, eleven, and Tom, nine. Mary became a nurse in the United States Army, allowing Matt to serve as a bugler and Tom as a drummer boy. The siblings were attached to the 2nd Dragoons throughout the Mexican-American War in all major engagements from Palo Alto to Mexico City. After the war, the three returned to Corpus Christi where Mary, shortly after, married a soldier and moved to Galveston. In 1850, Matt joined the Texas Rangers under "Rip" Ford. While still connected with the Rangers, Matt became Sheriff of Nueces County in 1858. Tragedy struck in August 1860, when Tom, Matt's deputy, died of a gunshot wound he suffered while making an arrest. On September 14, 1861, at Fort Brown in Brownsville, Matt mustered into the 2nd Regiment Texas Mounted Cavalry commanded by "Rip" Ford. Nolan returned to Corpus Christi in May of 1862, to marry Margaret McMahan. Soon after, Nolan headed east for Galveston and participated in the capture of the Federal vessel Morning Light. Following the Union capture of Fort Semmes which guarded Aransas Pass, Nolan commanded one of two companies stationed outside of Corpus Christi. In 1864, now a major in the Confederate Army, Nolan entered a second stint as Nueces County Sheriff. While he was escorting John C. McDonald, brothers Frank and Charles Gravis murdered Nolan and McDonald in broad daylight on December 22, 1864. Matthew Nolan played a conspicuous role in Texas during turbulent years and is buried here at Old Bayview Cemetery next to his beloved brother. (2018)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Orphaned and brought to Corpus Christi as a boy in 1845, Matthew Nolan served as a bugler through the Mexican-American War, rode with the Texas Rangers under 'Rip' Ford, and became Nueces County sheriff in 1858. He fought for the Confederacy along the Texas coast, returned to the sheriff's office as a major, and was murdered in 1864; he lies in Old Bayview Cemetery beside the brother who died as his deputy.
Why it matters
His turbulent career threads through the Mexican-American War, frontier law, and the Civil War, mirroring the violent making of South Texas.
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Related people
- · Matthew Nolan
- · John S. "Rip" Ford
Themes & tags
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