William Jarvis Cannan
Freeport, Brazoria County, Texas
Marker Inscription
(December 23, 1808 - September 24, 1881) A Republic of Texas soldier during War for Independence. Born in Edgefield, S. C.; came to Texas in 1835. Entering army, he fought in famed victory of San Jacinto, April 21, 1836. He received headright and bounty lands in Brazoria, San Patricio, Coleman, and Limestone counties. He had 11 children by his two marriages: first, to Martha Jane Lonis (who died in 1851), then to Mrs. Permelia Rowena Wilcox. Recorded - 1970
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Born in Edgefield, South Carolina in 1808, William Jarvis Cannan came to Texas in 1835 and joined the army in time to fight in the decisive victory at San Jacinto in April 1836. For his service he received headright and bounty lands across several Texas counties, and he raised eleven children by his two marriages before his death in 1881.
Why it matters
Veterans like Cannan, rewarded with frontier land grants, became the settler backbone of the young Republic of Texas and its westward expansion.
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Related people
- · William Jarvis Cannan
Themes & tags
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