[Henry Durham.FTW]
[Henry Durham.FTW]
Declaration in order obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress
passed June 7th
1832
State of Tennessee)
Bedford County )
On this sixteenth day of August, appeared in open Court before
Samuel Phillips, John B. Armstrong and John L. Neill, Justices
of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions of the County of
Bedford in the State of Tennessee aforesaid John Rainey, a
resident of said County, aged eighty two years, two months
seven days, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth
on his oath state the following declaration in order to obtain
the benefit of the Act of Congress passes 7th June 1832.
[Henry Durham.FTW]
Came to TX about 1831 with wife & children. Was well-known for
his leadership abilities. Was in charge of artillery at
Gonzales, TX in Oct 1835 & fired the cannon shot that began the
Texas Revolution. He was put in command of the Alamo after
Seige of Bejar (Dec 1835). There are many published references
to letters written by J. C. Neill to the Acting Governor & to
Gen. Sam Houston, asking for funds, food, clothing, ammo & more
men to help defend the Alamo. J. C. Neill turned over command of
the Alamo to Col William B. Travis in mid-Feb 1836, officially
leaving because of illness in his family. It was probably true
because we have found no further record of J.C.'s wife,
Margaret Harriet after Feb 1836. She had probably stayed behind
when J.C. left for the fight in San Antonio & may have even
died during the "Runaway Scrape" when all the remaining
families were ordered to leave their homes & head for the
safety of the U.S. Many historians believe the true reason J.C.
left the Alamo was to raise money for his troops, which he did
but unfortunately the Alamo had already fallen before he could
get the money to them. He went on to join the Army at the
Battle of San Jacinto; was again in charge of the artillery.
Was wounded by a cannonball hit to his hip area during the 1st
skirmish the day before the actual battle. Was taken to
neighoring house to recup and was not present during the famous
battle which gave Texas
her freedom from Mexico. J.C. was awarded several land grants as
payment for his services. Served as an Indian agent in the
Navarro Co, TX area. Was a land surveyor with two partners &
was responsible for surveying much of the Central Texas area.
He & partners donated land to build the first Navarro Co.
courthouse. (Don't know whether it is the current courthouse or
another earlier location.) JAMES CLINTON NEILL died 31 Mar 1838
at his Spring Creek home in Navarro Co, TX. (In 1838, Navarro Co
was much bigger than it is now & could possibly be in current
Grimes Co., TX. Haven't found his grave yet.)
James C. Neill is talked about by John Holland Jenkins in his
book "Recollections of Early Texas". He states that in early
1833 " Col. James Neill, an old Soldier under Jackson, came
from Alabama and settled where old Hugh King McDonald now lives
( Hills Prairie, Bastrop County) His bravery and experience won
for him a hearty welcome in our midst, and he was of great
service to us in subsequent years." Jenkins further writes
"Another family who ranked among the bravest and best of our
Texas Soldiers and pioneers was that of the Neills. Colonel
James Neill came to Texas in a time of war, but he already bore
the scars of wounds received in service under General Jackson
in 1812, he was wounded in the Battle of Horseshoe Bend, and in
the taking of San Antonio, and was also in the Battle of San
Jacinto. It is not recorded, but is neverthless a fact that
Colonel Neill fired the first gun for Texas at the
beginning of the revolution, the famous little brass cannon at
Gonzales. Jenkins then goes on to talk about George Neill and
the famous fight with the Commanches at Plum Creek. There is
also a whole Chapter on Colonel Neill in the Book Exploring the
Alamo Legends. Colonel Neill was the only one there with true
military training and he was the one who fortified the Alamo,
and was out seeking provisions when it fell.