Byrd Lockhart
Encyclopedia
Byrd Lockhart was a 19th-century Texas surveyer, Alamo defender, courier, and Texian officer during the Texas Revolution.
's colony on March 20, 1826.
on December 12, 1826, and surveyed the lands of DeWitt Colony around Gonzales. In January, he headed a meeting denouncing the Fredonian Rebellion and pledging loyalty to the Mexican government. In April he was put in charge of defense in Gonzales, utilizing a row of blockhouses that served as protection against Indians. Later in 1827 he pioneered construction of roads from Bexar to Gonzales and from the Lavaca River right bank to the Matagorda Bay. In 1830 he was paid four leagues of land on Plum Creek for his construction work. In April 1831 he was appointed official surveyor to DeWitt's colony by José Antonio Navarro
. It was during this time that he and Land Commissioner Navarro laid out the official plans for the town of Gonzales
. Byrd Lockhart became the municipal surveyor of District three in September.
's forces in San Antonio and served with James W. Fannin as a scout. Private Lockhart recruited his son, Byrd Lockhart, Jr. and they participated in the siege of Bexar
in Captain John York
's company. On the following 17th of January, Colonel James C. Neill
, José Francisco Ruiz, and John William Smith
, together with Lockhart were selected as commissioners by James W. Robinson
to parley with the hostile Comanche Indians, endangering Bexar.
Lockhart was named along with Mathew Caldwell
and William A. Mathews commissioners to raise a group of volunteers in Gonzales for a ranging company on February 4. Though serving at Bexar, he and Andrew Jackson Sowell were sent from the Alamo a short time before the battle to obtain supplies for the garrison. They were delayed foraging livestock and supplies and were blocked by Mexican troops upon their return. They promptly headed for Gonzales and on February 23, the Gonzales Ranging Company of Mounted Volunteers
were mustered into service by Lockhart. He, Sowell and others would ride back with the 32 Rangers, into the Alamo, on the morning of March 1 and later depart again, at night, as other couriers left.
Lockhart later served the Texan army as the captain of a spy company. He died in 1839.
Early life and family
Lockhart was born in Virginia in 1782. At age 32, Byrd Lockhart was known to be a surveyor in Madison County, Illinois. He moved to Texas from Missouri with his mother, sister, and two children. He was already a widower when he settled in Green DeWittGreen DeWitt
Green DeWitt was an empresario in Mexican Texas. He founded the DeWitt Colony, one of the most successful.-Early years:...
's colony on March 20, 1826.
Career in Texas
Lockhart was appointed deputy surveyor to James KerrJames Kerr
James or Jim Kerr may refer to:* James Kerr , American soldier and statesman who was prominent in the Republic of Texas* James Kerr , American politician, U.S. congressman and Clerk of U.S...
on December 12, 1826, and surveyed the lands of DeWitt Colony around Gonzales. In January, he headed a meeting denouncing the Fredonian Rebellion and pledging loyalty to the Mexican government. In April he was put in charge of defense in Gonzales, utilizing a row of blockhouses that served as protection against Indians. Later in 1827 he pioneered construction of roads from Bexar to Gonzales and from the Lavaca River right bank to the Matagorda Bay. In 1830 he was paid four leagues of land on Plum Creek for his construction work. In April 1831 he was appointed official surveyor to DeWitt's colony by José Antonio Navarro
José Antonio Navarro
José Antonio Navarro was a Texas statesman, revolutionary, politician, and merchant. The son of Ángel Navarro and Josefa María Ruiz y Pena, he was born into a distinguished noble family at San Antonio de Béxar in New Spain....
. It was during this time that he and Land Commissioner Navarro laid out the official plans for the town of Gonzales
Gonzales
Gonzales is a variant spelling of the common Spanish González . It may refer to:-People:*Alberto Gonzales, former U.S. Attorney General...
. Byrd Lockhart became the municipal surveyor of District three in September.
Texas Revolution
In late 1835, he joined with Commander Stephen F. AustinStephen F. Austin
Stephen Fuller Austin was born in Virginia and raised in southeastern Missouri. He was known as the Father of Texas, led the second, but first legal and ultimately successful colonization of the region by bringing 300 families from the United States. The capital of Texas, Austin in Travis County,...
's forces in San Antonio and served with James W. Fannin as a scout. Private Lockhart recruited his son, Byrd Lockhart, Jr. and they participated in the siege of Bexar
Siege of Bexar
The Siege of Béxar was an early campaign of the Texas Revolution in which a volunteer Texan army successfully defeated Mexican forces at San Antonio de Béxar . Texians had become disillusioned with the Mexican government as President Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna's tenure became increasingly...
in Captain John York
John York
John C. York is a retired American cancer research pathologist, married to Marie Denise DeBartolo York, and former co-owner and current co-chairman of the San Francisco 49ers. The Yorks have four children: sons Jed and Tony, and daughters Jenna and Mara.York was born in Muskogee, Oklahoma...
's company. On the following 17th of January, Colonel James C. Neill
James C. Neill
↔James Clinton Neill was a 19th-century American soldier and politician, most noted for his role in the Texas Revolution and the early defense of the Alamo. He was born in North Carolina.-Early life and career:...
, José Francisco Ruiz, and John William Smith
John William Smith
John William Smith was a Texas political figure and the first mayor of San Antonio, Texas. He supported and served Texas during the struggle for Texas Independence.-Early life:...
, together with Lockhart were selected as commissioners by James W. Robinson
James W. Robinson
James W. Robinson was a politician in what became the U.S. states of Texas and California.-Early years:J. W. Robinson was born in what is now Hamilton County, Indiana in c. 1791. He was a lawyer and partnered with William Henry Harrison. He married Mary Isdell in 1820, but abandoned his first...
to parley with the hostile Comanche Indians, endangering Bexar.
Lockhart was named along with Mathew Caldwell
Mathew Caldwell
Mathew Caldwell, , also spelled Matthew Caldwell was a 19th century Texas settler, military figure, Captain of the Gonzales - Seguin Rangers and a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence...
and William A. Mathews commissioners to raise a group of volunteers in Gonzales for a ranging company on February 4. Though serving at Bexar, he and Andrew Jackson Sowell were sent from the Alamo a short time before the battle to obtain supplies for the garrison. They were delayed foraging livestock and supplies and were blocked by Mexican troops upon their return. They promptly headed for Gonzales and on February 23, the Gonzales Ranging Company of Mounted Volunteers
Gonzales Ranging Company of Mounted Volunteers
The Immortal 32, the Gonzales Ranging Company of Mounted Volunteers were a group of Texian militia organized as a relief force for the besieged men of the Alamo in early 1836, during the Texas Revolution.-Background:...
were mustered into service by Lockhart. He, Sowell and others would ride back with the 32 Rangers, into the Alamo, on the morning of March 1 and later depart again, at night, as other couriers left.
Lockhart later served the Texan army as the captain of a spy company. He died in 1839.