Winfield
Alford
This Page
Updated 29 Aug 2005
Winfield Alford, wife Eliza, and
two children were the first of the family in Texas, Austin Colonists
listed by Stephen F. Austin as arriving 15 Jun 1832 from State
of Illinois. They settled near San Felipe de Austin. That arrival
date was repeated in his Republic of Texas Pension application
but his land grant certificate gave the date of 1833. He was on
the Austin Co. tax list of 1833, made up in 1832.
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Wingfield was a maternal-line family name,
often spelled Winfield, and he dropped the G in all further Texas
records
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Winfield and wife Eliza Derrington
married in Perry Co., IL on 28 Feb 1829, as endorsed on their
marriage license.
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Perry Co., IL ~ 28 Feb 1829 ~ Issued
a marriage license to Winfield Alford and Eliza Derrington March
2nd 1829, the above mentioned licence was returned with the following
endorsement written thereon, "This is to certify that I
Joined together in marriage the within named persons on the 28th
day of February 1829."
John Wood Romine, B fr B C L
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Caney Creek Brasos River Texas
Oct 1836
I certify that Winfield Alford entered the Service of
Texas in Capt. Cleveland's Command now under my command 1st Regt
1st Brig Texas Army on the first day of July last and service
up to the 10th of Sept last and being absent on furlough it
expiring said date he could not return in consequence of sickness
he is hereby honorably discharged from his tour of three months.
B. F. Reavill, Capt
H. N. Clevland, Lieut. Col.
1st Regimt 1st Brg TA
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The above certificate was for Winfield's
regular Republic of Texas Army service. He was mustered out in
October 1836. He probably served several enlistments, as it was
common to serve three months, go home and plant or harvest a crop,
and reenlist for another three months. His League of Land is shown
here, in both Lavaca and DeWitt Counties, TX:
Prior to Texas independence, Winfield
served under Col. William B. Travis in San Antonio, fought in
the Battles of Old Mill and Concepcion, as proven in his Pension
application in 1870, when a law establishing Pensions for Republic
of Texas Veterans was enacted.
He applied and was granted a Pension:
Winfield (X) Alford, Gonzales Co., 14 Dec 1870,
approved 1874. Age 71 in 1874. In fall 1835 at his residence
near "San Phillippe" he joined a company commanded
by Randal Jones. When disbanded he joined Travis's
company at San Antonio and prior to San Jacinto he
was under Capt. McNutt. After San Jacinto he was
part of garrison at Victoria under Capt. H. N. Cleveland.
Received bounty warrant.
T. J. Allcorn, Washington Co., served with Alford under W.
B. Travis and was in battle of Old Mill and at Concepcion.
James F. Miller, Wm. B. Sayers, and T. S. Lee affirmed service.
Dr. Thomas Polk, Gonzales Co., served with the applicant under
Jones and Travis. John Burleson, Travis Co., served with the
applicant under Jones. A. F. Allbright, Newton Co., affirmed
identity Jan 1872.
Alford was born in Franklin Co., NC, and came to Texas in 1832. |
The first company Winfield Alford
joined was commanded by Randal Jones (1786-1873). Jones, an early
Texas soldier and public official, moved to Texas in 1814 or 1815,
opened a store at Nacogdoches as an Indian trader, and had dealings
with Jean Laffite the pirate. In 1820 he joined the Long expedition
and conducted Jane Wilkinson Long (known as "the Mother of
Texas") from LA to Texas to join her husband. The Long expedition
failed, but Jones and his brother returned to Texas in Jan 1821.
In 1822 they built a house for Mrs. Long on San Jacinto Bay iand
later escorted her to San Antonio.
As one of Austin's Old 300 colonists,
Jones was granted a league and a labor of land now in Wharton
and Fort Bend Cos. in 1824. He was captain of the Texas militia
organized to quell trouble with the Karankawa Indians and was
in command at the battle of Jones Creek in September 1824.
In December 1830 Jones was elected
regidor of Austin Municipality. On October 11, 1835, he was appointed
by Austin to appraise horses and equipment for the army. Jones
became blind and moved to Houston shortly before his death in
June 1873. He was buried on his land in Fort Bend County and reinterred
at the State Cemetery in 1934.
The battle of Concepción
occurred on October 28, 1835, the opening engagement in the siege
of Bexar. After the skirmish at Gonzales on October 2, the Texas
army under Stephen F. Austin grew to 400 men as it advanced on
San Antonio. Gen. Martín Perfecto de Cos, with a Mexican
army that peaked in size at 750 men in late October, fortified
the plazas in San Antonio and the Alamo mission (San Antonio de
Valero) across the river.
On October 27 Austin ordered James
Bowie and James W. Fannin, Jr., to lead ninety men from San Francisco
de la Espada Mission to locate a protected position closer to
the town. The four companies of Andrew Briscoe, Robert M. Coleman,
Valentine Bennet, and Michael Goheen explored the other missions
and briefly engaged Mexican scouts before reaching Concepción.
There the officers decided to camp for the evening rather than
return to the main army as Austin had directed. The Texans occupied
a wooded bend in the San Antonio River protected by an embankment,
and sent out pickets to warn of a Mexican attack. A few cannon
shots from the town failed to inflict losses.
Cos seized the opportunity to attack
the separate force the next day sending out Col. Domingo de Ugartechea
with 275 men and two cannons before dawn. The 200 Mexican cavalry
drove in the Texan guards in early morning fog and formed on the
west side of the river. Lt. Col. José María Mendoza
led the smaller infantry and artillery forces across the stream
to attack from the east. Mexican volleys crashed through the trees
overhead, but inflicted no casualties among the Texans until Bowie
moved Coleman's company to meet the advance. Then one man fell
mortally wounded. The Texans responded with accurate rifle fire
that drove back three Mexican charges and killed or wounded most
of the infantry and artillerymen in about thirty minutes. Then
the Texans counterattacked and captured one of the cannons. Mexican
cavalry covered the retreat of the infantry and cannoneers who
survived.
Austin and his other troops rushed
to the field when they heard firing, but arrived too late to do
more than hurry the Mexican withdrawal. Austin urged an assault
on the town, but most of his officers believed San Antonio too
well fortified. Mexican losses included fourteen killed and thirty­nine
wounded, some of whom died later. Texas losses included one killed
and one wounded.
The Battle of Old Mill refers to
the old mill on the San Antonio River about one-half mile north
of the main plaza of San Antonio de Béxar which became
headquarters of the Texas troops under Stephen F. Austin after
the battle of Concepción on October 28, 1835.
Winfield Alford was one of many
gallant Gonzales men who served their country, before and after
Travis and the others died heroes in the Battle of the Alamo.
Prior to the Battle of the Alamo,
a group of men was sent back to Gonzales because they were sick
(there was a measles epidemic in Bexar that year) and could not
be cared for. The Alfords' neighbor S. Y. Reams escorted the group
and very likely Winfield was among them, or he would have died
at the Alamo.
Among the heroes who died there
were the "Immortal 35" who came from Gonzales into the
Alamo after Santa Ana's seige had begun.
Photo by
Doris Johnston 24 May 1995,
available
for purchase in Daughters of the Republic of Texas Library at
Alamo
Winfield said that prior to San
Jacinto he was serving under Col. McNutt. The Robert McNutt family
moved to Texas in 1834 and, after receiving two headrights in
Williamson and Austin Cos., settled near Bellville, Austin Co.
-- Winfield Alford was living near San Felipe de Austin in Austin
Co.
On March 1, 1836, McNutt assumed
the rank of captain and joined Lts. Gibson Kuykendall and John
Burleson in forming a company of Austin Co. volunteers to relieve
the Alamo. After the fall of the Alamo, McNutt and his company,
under the command of Gen. Sam Houston, joined in the retreat from
Gonzales. During the battle of San Jacinto, McNutt, who had recently
been promoted to major, was placed in command of the baggage guard
and ammunition. He was also responsible for the wounded and sick,
many of whom were suffering from measles. He was relieved from
further military duties in 1836 and for his service received two
grants totaling 960 acres in Bastrop and Lee Cos. He later served
as tax assessor and collector for Austin Co. until ill health
forced him to resign. In 1851 he settled near Georgetown, where
he lived until his death, on August 31, 1853. In 1963 a historical
marker was erected at McNutt's gravesite in Williamson Co. honoring
his military service at the battle of San Jacinto. His name is
also engraved on the historical plaque honoring the heroes of
the battle of San Jacinto at the San Jacinto Monument and Museum.
He qualified for a Headright grant
of one League and one Labor of land (4,605.5 acres) for arriving
in Texas prior to March 1836, and was eligible for a Bounty grant
for military service. He applied for and took an oath before the
Board of Land Commissioners in Austin County on 11 January 1838
to get the grant he laid down in Gonzales County: He applied for
a Republic of Texas Veterans Pension in 1874.
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No.
9: Winfield ALFORD presents himself before the Board, claiming
a head-right of one league and labor of land and took and subscribed
the oath prescribed by law (viz): I do solemnly swear that I
was a resident Citizen of Texas at the date of the declaration
of Independence, that I did not leave the Country during the
Campaign of the Spring of 1836 to avoid a participation
in the Struggle, that I did not refuse to participate in the
war, and that I did not aid or assist the enemy, and that I have
not personally received a title to my quantum of land and that
I conceive myself justly entitled under the Constitution and
Laws to the quantity of land for which I now apply.
signed WINFIELD ALFORD
John Tobby EDWARDS and J. Hampton
KUYKENDALL witness for the applicant, depose that they have known
said applicant ever since the year 1833. That he participated
in the war in behalf of Texas, was a citizen at the date of the
declaration of Independence, and has ever since continued so,
and that he is a married man. Whereupon the Board after hearing
the testimony of the witnesses and considering the claims of
the said Alford and conceiving him justly entitled under the
Constitution and Laws to the quantity of one league and labor
of land issued to the said Alford the corresponding certificate
as required by law.
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The grant was recorded in Gonzales
County:
REPUBLIC OF TEXAS
AUSTIN COUNTY. Know all men by these presents, That Winfield
Alford having presented to the Board of Land Commissioners for
said County his claim for One League and Labor of Land, and the
said Board having investigated said claim by the oath of said
claimant and the evidence of two good and creditable witnesses
in the terms prescribed by law, Do hereby Certify that the said
Winfield Alford is entitled to One League and One Labor of Land
as his Headright; And that the said Winfield Alford immigrated
to Texas in the year 1833.
For which this is his certificate.
San Felipe de Austin, January 11th, 1838
By the Board of Commissioners
Robt. McNutt
Robt. Vilebery
File 282
Gonzales Co.
Headright certified
Winfield Alford - 1 League & 1 Labor
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After Texas independence was achieved,
Winfield sent for his father Isaac and siblings. Apparently
Isaac arrived by December 1838, for he was on the 1839 Austin
Co. tax list. He received a 1st class grant for a League and Labor
of land in 1839. Soon Winfield's brothers Wright and Hatch,
and sisters Chloe and Sallie Whitley and their husbands
joined them. They received Headright land grants. According to
Hatch Olford's 1860 Burleson County, Texas, census -- the only
record we have of his birthdate -- he was born ca 1815 in NC.
Living in the vicinity was Kemp Alford who applied for
his land grant at the same time Hatch did, and was probably another
son of Isaac who died without heirs before his father.
Winfield and Hatch Alford's a daughters
Amanda Eliza and Mary Jane, 1st cousins, married brothers,
William M. and John Marion Green, sons of James Green and
Sarah Kitchell of Thompsonville, Gonzales Co., TX. Hatch's son
John Posey Alford married Sarah's niece, Jane Borrer, making Alfords
and Greens double cousins, two says. See
ALFORD PHOTOS.
Winfield and Eliza's children
were LeRoy (1834), Julius (1839), Abraham "A. J." (1839),
Eliza Amanda (1852), and Eboline.
Hatch Alford and wife Martha Jane
(Longley) bought land in Burleson Co., TX. They had four children,
Mary Jane, John Posey, George Washington, and Caroline "Callie."
Hatch was in the Gonzales Co. Home Guard during the Civil War
and saw service fighting Indians and the Union Army in Oklahoma.
He was wounded in the leg. While he was gone, he got word that
his wife Martha Jane had died (date unknown). He returned home
to care for the children, and before Jan 1878, he had hit the
wounded leg when he hit a stump while plowing a new field, took
blood poisoning, and died. The four children were taken it by
their Uncle Winfield for a while, but his wife Eliza suffered
from mental illness and had died in 8 Feb 1867. So Hatch's children
were put in foster homes.
Winfield was a prosperous man until
he spent all he had over the years trying to get help for his
wife's condition. Eliza (1809-1867) died, Hatch's two sons came
back to live with him and worked the fields, barefoot, "out
in the wet" even in cold or rainy conditions.
When the prospects of a Civil War
loomed, many Texans who fought to gain Texas Independence and
Statehood were opposed, like Sam Houston, to seceding from the
Union, and some even left the state. But most, regardless of their
feelings, served to protect their homes and loved ones. Winfield
Alford served in the Home Guard, as did his brother Hatch; the
latter was sent to Indian Territory (now Oklahoma) to defend against
Indian uprisings and Union forces.
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The
name cut off the 14 yr. old first enlistment above may have been
Isaac Alford, son of Winfield's brother Wright Alford; next enlistment
was 55 yr. old Winfield Alford, both in Sandy Creek, Gonzales
Co., Home Guard. The third enlistment, Pvt. H. M. Alford was
not in Gonzales Co. and may or may not be Winfield's brother
Hatch; for this man served in Georgia; while my ancestor Hatch
was said to be in the Home Guard.
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Winfield remarried twice, to Mrs.
Catherine Garner on 24 July 1868, and Mrs. Elizabeth Blackburn
21 April 1872, both in Gonzales Co.
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Solemnized 30 Jul
1868 by P. W. Roberts, J.P.
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Solemnized 21 Apr 1872
by P. W. Medford, M.G.
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Winfield Alford, Austin Colonist,
patriot, and soldier, died intestate in Gonzales Co. in 1878.
Children
of Winfield Alford and wife Eliza Derrington:
1. Eboline ALFORD was born between
1832 and 1833 at TX. She married Lewis BOREN on 10 Aug 1848 at
Washington Co., TX (1st husb). She married Jesse H. PILAND, son
of Mills PILAND and Penelope HARRELL, on 31 Jul 1854 at Gonzales
Co., TX (2nd husb). She and Jesse H. PILAND appeared on the census
of 1860 at Gonzales Co., TX (Jesse Piland age 37 farmer $2000
$3000 b. TX, wife Eboline 27 TX, children D. W. Piland 7 male
TX, M. Piland 2 female TX, Leroy Piland 1 male TX). She died circa
1880 at Austin, Travis Co., TX (Texas State Asylum).
2. LeRoy ALFORD was born in 1834.
He died between 1850 and 1854 at Gonzales, Gonzales Co., TX.
Whose son was the following
Leroy R. Alford, born 1834-37, birthplace LA 1834-1837 according
to the 1860, 1870, and 1880 census. He came to Bowie Co., TX,
in 1847, lived near Maud, died there 1899, and is buried in Creed
Ceme., Bowie Co.? On Winfield Alford's 1850 census, his son LeRoy
was 16, born in TX, and I have marked years ago, "[died at
16]".
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Leroy
Alford d. 1899, Bowie Co. A family gathering at his plantation
at Bowie Branch, Maud, Bowie Co., TX, 1902 |
3. Abraham J. "A.J." ALFORD
was born circa 1839 at TX. He married M. E. HOLCOMB on 28 Dec
1869 (1st wife). He married Johnnie GAINES, daughter of James
GAINES, on 15 Nov 1871 (2nd wife, 2nd husb). He died on 30 Apr
1876 at TX.
4. Julius ALFORD was born in 1839
and died young.
5. Eliza Amanda ALFORD was born
in 1851 at Gonzales Co., TX. She married William M. GREEN, son
of James GREEN and Sarah KITCHELL, in 1869 at Gonzales Co., TX.
She died on 9 Feb 1930 at Green farm, Georgetown, Williamson Co.,
TX. William M. Green's brother John Marion Green married Eliza
Amanda's 1st cousin, Mary Jane Alford, daughter of Hatch.
Partial
Bibliography
Villamae Williams,
Stephen F. Austin's Register of Families (Nacogdoches,
Texas: Ericson, 1984).
Alwyn Barr, Texans
in Revolt: The Battle for San Antonio, 1835 (Austin: University
of Texas Press, 1990).
Eugene C. Barker, "The
San Jacinto Campaign," Quarterly of the Texas State Historical
Association 4 (April 1901).
J. H. Kuykendall, "Reminiscences
of Early Texans," Quarterly of the Texas State Historical
Association 6-7 (January, April, July 1903).
Grant Files of the General
Land Office, Austin, TX.
Republic of Texas Military
Records & Pension Files, Texas State Archives, Austin.
