texas revolution – Page 2 – Texas History Notebook

Margaret “Peggy” McCormick

Peggy McCormick was the owner of the land where the Battle of San Jacinto took place. Her husband was Arthur McCormick. Peggy’s maiden name is unknown. Arthur was born in Ireland in the late 1780s and Peggy is believed to have been about the same age, also born in Ireland. Arthur and his young family had first settled in Louisiana in 1818 before coming to Texas around 1822 as part of the Austin Colony’s “Old 300” group of settlers. Arthur had been trained as a lawyer, but tried to establish himself as a stock raiser after he received his land grant in 1824. He was the head of his family unit and his was one of three Old 300 family groups with the same last name, though the three families do not appear to be closely related. All three families were farmers. Arthur and Peggy had two sons, Michael (1818 -1874) and John (1820 – 1839).

Manuel Fernández Castrillón

Manuel Fernández Castrillón is believed to have been born in Havana, Cuba although his date of birth and the exact details of his ancestry, marital status, descendants (if any) are currently unknown. He served the Mexican Army under Gen. Antonio López de Santa Anna for many years, at least since around 1820. He is remembered as having been a loyal soldier and combatant on behalf of the Mexican Army during the Texas Revolution. Castrillón is also mentioned as having recommended clemency on behalf of prisoners of the Mexican Army, specifically after the battles of the Alamo and Goliad. In both cases, Castrillón was overruled by Santa Anna and the prisoners were executed.

Goliad Massacre

The Goliad Massacre occurred March 27, 1836 and is considered to be one of the pivotal events in the Texas Revolution. After the battle at the Alamo, Colonel James W. Fannin and around 350 men were surrounded by Mexican forces under Santa Anna at the presidio at Goliad. One week earlier, after the battle at Coleto Creek, Colonel Fannin had surrendered to General José de Urrea of the Mexican Army with the understanding that they would eventually be released.

The Immortal 32

The Immortal 32 is a name given to a group of men who responded to an appeal from Colonel William Barrett Travis for help in defending the Alamo. These men were from Gonzales and they arrived March 1, 1836. Travis had sent letters to several other settlements but Gonzales was the closest to the location. All of the Gonzales contingent died in the battle.

José Francisco Ruiz

José Francisco Ruiz was one of the Signers of the Texas Declaration of Independence. He was one of three Mexicans to do so, with the others being José Antonio Navarro, his uncle, and Lorenzo de Zavala. A total of seven were invited but only these three were able to attend. Navarro and Ruiz were born in what is now Texas whereas de Zavala was born in Mexico. His date of birth is sometime said to be September 1,1780. However, his actual date of birth is not known but he other accounts hold that he was likely born in San Antonio de Bejar around the middle of January, 1783 because he was baptized shortly thereafter. His parents were Juan Manuel Ruiz and María Manuela de la Peña. His family was engaged in ranching. This was during the period in which that area was governed by Spain and José was sent to Spain for his education. Upon his return to the area shortly after 1800, he served as a school teacher. The school was organized in the family home.