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Note: b Snively's unit, Dept of Matamoros, Camp Johnson (Jackson County) on the Labbaca River (Lavaca). He signed up for the duration of the war (D.W.) or 2 years. Snively enlisted this unit in Nacogdoches Texas. That unit was transferred to Colonel Henry Millard under General Sam Houston. James' unit was under Captain Henry Teal. At the time of the Battle of San Jacinto. Teal got the measles and the now Company A was trasferred to Captain Andrew Briscoe. Afterwards, Teal took over and James again signed up under him since the war was over. DRT Muster Rolls, pages 137 and 148. James was regular army not a volunteer. He had to be there or he would have been a deserter. We think as J.W.F Elliott he signed up under Capt Tarrants' Rifleman and Gunmen that extended to January of 1839.
There are several sources that have James at the Battle of San Jacinto. The Texas Almanac in 1959, Sons of DeWitt Colony website, another muster website by Joan Renfro and the 1932 version of "Heroes of San Jacinto" by Sam Houston Dixon and Louis Wiltz Kemp. But the Herzstein Library at the battle grounds has chosen Peter S. Elliott to replace him since the roster reads ____ Elliott.. He separated from this unit on May 31, 1837. We think James again signed up as J.W.F. Elliott under Captain Tarrant's Company of Mounted Riflemen and Gunmen. Sept 6, 1838 to January 7, 1839.
I remember after my grandfather, James William, died in December of 1947 that my father was insistant on taking the family to the San Jacinto Battlegrounds near Pasadena. It was a trip back in those days. I remember the live oak lined road leading to it. There was nothing but pastures on either side. He never went to any other historical place nor did my uncle. But my Uncle Oscar, his brother, and wife met us there later. I was about 6 years old and did not understand what the fuss was about. They were standing around talking about something important. I was too young to understand and kept wandering around the reflection pool, going up and down the steps and examining the shell impressions in the monument.. I think I know now what the subject was.
From 1839 to Sept 21, 1848 we dont know know where James is until he married Elizabeth McMillan on that date. They seemed to settle in to family life in either DeSoto Parish or Panola County. In 1840 a boundry was established on the 32* parallel between Louisiana and Texas so we cant be sure that the DeSoto records are not really in Texas. Their marriage, their property, and their sons birth read DeSoto but it may have really been in Panola County since east of the Sabine River was generally accepted to be Louisiana. Although many records say Flatwoods, or other surrounding communities the closest one to the homestead is present day Deadwood.
James could read and write and was instrumental as administrator of estates, buying and selling property, establishing a church and school along with William McDaniel and Andrew J. LaGrone. He died at age 44 during the Civil War but there has not been any connections to that we that we have been able to find. His homestead was confiscated by his in- laws after his death in a court case and he was buried on it in 1875.
Addendum: I have now seen the DeSoto, LA 1850 Census. It lists James as 35 and born in South Carolina.
Note: +James first appeared in Texas by joining the Texas Army in Company A, Jan 1836, Captain Jaco
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