Fannin, James Walker, 1804?-1836

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Texas revolutionary James Walker Fannin, Jr. (1804-1836), was an illegitimate son born to Dr. Isham Fannin (b. 1778) in Morgan County, Georgia. Raised by his maternal grandfather, James W. Walker, on a plantation near Marion, Fannin entered West Point military academy in 1819. His time at West Point proved short-lived, however, and in 1821 he resigned after dueling with a fellow cadet. Fannin returned to Georgia and married Minerva Fort (b. ca. 1811), with whom he had two daughters. A merchant by profession, Fannin moved his family to Velasco, Texas, in 1834. He also engaged in the slave trade and owned a plantation.

On August 20, 1835, the Committee of Public Safety and Correspondence, a congregation of Texans seeking independence from Mexico, appointed Fannin to use his influence to solicit financial aid from sympathizers in Georgia and at West Point. Shortly after, he joined the volunteer army and became captain of the Brazos Guards. Fannin participated in the battles of Gonzalez and Concepción and was discharged from the army on November 22. Upon his advice to create a larger regular army, the General Council established an auxiliary volunteer corps, with Fannin as colonel. On February 12, 1836, Fannin marched with his regiment to Goliad. Sam Houston ordered him to withdraw on March 14, but Fannin delayed retreating until March 19. Having unsuccessfully engaged the Mexican army during the battle of Coleto, Fannin and his men were subsequently captured. Antonio López de Santa Anna had the men, including Fannin, killed on March 27, during the Goliad Massacre.

Sources:

Diamond, Beryl I. James Walker Fannin Jr. (1804-1836). The New Georgia Encyclopedia . Accessed November 30, 2010. http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/nge/Article.jsp?id=h-846 .

Hartmann, Clinton P. Fannin, James Walker, Jr. Handbook of Texas Online . Accessed November 30, 2010. http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/ffa02 .

From the guide to the Fannin, James Walker, Jr. Papers, 1835-1856, 1932-1933 [bulk 1836], (Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, The University of Texas at Austin)

Texas revolutionary James Walker Fannin, Jr. (1804-1836), was an illegitimate son born to Dr. Isham Fannin (b. 1778) in Morgan County, Georgia.

Raised by his maternal grandfather, James W. Walker, on a plantation near Marion, Fannin entered West Point military academy in 1819. His time at West Point proved short-lived, however, and in 1821 he resigned after dueling with a fellow cadet. Fannin returned to Georgia and married Minerva Fort (b. ca. 1811), with whom he had two daughters. A merchant by profession, Fannin moved his family to Velasco, Texas, in 1834. He also engaged in the slave trade and owned a plantation.

On August 20, 1835, the Committee of Public Safety and Correspondence, a congregation of Texans seeking independence from Mexico, appointed Fannin to use his influence to solicit financial aid from sympathizers in Georgia and at West Point.

Shortly after, he joined the volunteer army and became captain of the Brazos Guards. Fannin participated in the battles of Gonzalez and Concepción and was discharged from the army on November 22. Upon his advice to create a larger regular army, the General Council established an auxiliary volunteer corps, with Fannin as colonel. On February 12, 1836, Fannin marched with his regiment to Goliad. Sam Houston ordered him to withdraw on March 14, but Fannin delayed retreating until March 19. Having unsuccessfully engaged the Mexican army during the battle of Coleto, Fannin and his men were subsequently captured. Antonio López de Santa Anna had the men, including Fannin, killed on March 27, during the Goliad Massacre.

From the description of Fannin, James Walker, Jr., Papers, 1835-1856, 1932-1933 [bulk 1836] (University of Texas Libraries). WorldCat record id: 775601566

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn Texas history -- Revolution, 1835-1836 -- Goliad Massacre. Daughters of the Republic of Texas Library
creatorOf Fannin, James Walker, 1804?-1836. Articles of surrender [manuscript], 1836 March 20. Daughters of the Republic of Texas Library
creatorOf Fannin, James Walker, Jr., 1804-1836. Fannin, James Walker, Jr., Papers, 1835-1856, 1932-1933 [bulk 1836] University of Texas Libraries
referencedIn Reams, Sherwood Y. Letter, 1836 Dolph Briscoe Center for American History
referencedIn Department of State records of legislative and executive bodies prior to the Republic, 1835-1836, undated Texas State Archives
referencedIn Ramsdell, Charles William, Jr., 1909-1973. Ramsdell, Charles William, Jr., Papers, [ca. 1938] University of Texas Libraries
referencedIn Ehrenberg, Herman. Ehrenberg, Herman, Narrative, 1845 University of Texas Libraries
referencedIn Barker, Eugene C. (Eugene Campbell), 1874-1956. Barker, Eugene Campbell, papers, 1785-1895, 1812-1895. University of Texas Libraries
referencedIn DuVal, Thomas Howard Papers 1937; 1940., 1857-1879 Dolph Briscoe Center for American History
creatorOf Fannin, James Walker, Jr. Papers, 1835-1856, 1932-1933 [bulk 1836] Dolph Briscoe Center for American History
referencedIn Davenport, Harbert Papers 1952; 61-039; 62-071; 63-037; 71-099., 1800, 1835-1836, 1923 Dolph Briscoe Center for American History
referencedIn Ed Kilman Collection MSS 0080., 1905-1989 Houston Metropolitan Research Center, Houston Public Libary
referencedIn Darden (Fannie A. D. Baker) Narrative, 1870 Dolph Briscoe Center for American History
referencedIn Ehrenberg, Herman, Narrative, 1845 Dolph Briscoe Center for American History
referencedIn Old Vault Collection MSS 113., 1796-1890's Houston Metropolitan Research Center, Houston Public Libary
referencedIn Army papers, 1835-1846 University of Texas at Austin. General Libraries
referencedIn Ramsdell, Charles William, Jr. Papers, [ca. 1938] Dolph Briscoe Center for American History
creatorOf Texas. Dept. of State. Department of State records of legislative and executive bodies prior to the Republic, 1835-1836, undated. Texas State Library & Archives Commission
referencedIn DuVal, Thomas Howard, 1813-1880. DuVal, Thomas Howard, papers, 1857-1879. University of Texas Libraries
referencedIn José Enrique de la Peña Collection, 1835-1840, 1857 Dolph Briscoe Center for American History
referencedIn Brooks, John Sowers, Letters, 1834-1856 Dolph Briscoe Center for American History
referencedIn Sam Houston papers Woodson Research Center, Fondren Library, Rice University
referencedIn Eugene Campbell Barker Papers, 1785 (1812-1959) Dolph Briscoe Center for American History
referencedIn Texas Revolution Scrapbook. Texas Revolution Scrapbook, [ca. 1930-1941] University of Texas Libraries
referencedIn Davenport, Harbert, 1882-1957. Davenport, Harbert, papers, 1800, 1835-1836, 1923 University of Texas Libraries
referencedIn Eberstadt Collection AR 76-62., 1699-1959 Dolph Briscoe Center for American History
referencedIn Inventory of the Samuel Erson Asbury Papers Texas MSS 00044., 1872-1960 Cushing Memorial Library,
referencedIn Brooks, John Sowers, 1814-1836. Brooks, John Sowers, Letters, 1834-1856 University of Texas Libraries
referencedIn Davis, Robert Scott, 1954-. Robert Scott Davis collection, 1844-2009.
referencedIn Texas Revolution Scrapbook, [ca. 1930-1941] Dolph Briscoe Center for American History
referencedIn Biography -- Fannin, James. Daughters of the Republic of Texas Library
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Asbury, Samuel Erson, 1872-1962 person
associatedWith Austin, Stephen F. (Stephen Fuller), 1793-1836 person
associatedWith Barker, Eugene Campbell, 1874-1956 person
associatedWith Bowie, James, 1796-1836 person
associatedWith Brooks, John Sowers, 1814-1836 person
associatedWith Darden, Fannie A. D. Baker person
associatedWith Davenport, Harbert person
associatedWith Davenport, Harbert, 1882-1957. person
associatedWith DuVal, Thomas Howard person
associatedWith DuVal, Thomas Howard, 1813-1880. person
associatedWith Eberstadt, Edward, 1883-1958 person
associatedWith Ehrenberg, Herman person
associatedWith Ehrenberg, Herman person
associatedWith Houston Public Library corporateBody
associatedWith Houston, Sam, 1793-1863 person
associatedWith Peña, José Enrique de la person
associatedWith Ramsdell, Charles William, Jr., 1909-1973 person
associatedWith Reams, Sherwood Y., 1812-1887 person
associatedWith Texas. Adjutant General's Dept. corporateBody
associatedWith Texas. Army corporateBody
associatedWith Texas. Dept. of State. corporateBody
associatedWith Texas (Republic). Dept. of State. corporateBody
associatedWith Texas Revolution Scrapbook corporateBody
associatedWith Urrea, José de, 1797-1849 person
Place Name Admin Code Country
Goliad Massacre, Goliad, Tex., 1836
Texas
Coleto, Battle of, 1836
Texas
Goliad Massacre, Goliad, Tex., 1836
Coleto, Battle of, 1836
Texas
Subject
Occupation
Activity

Person

Birth 1804-01-01

Death 1836-03-27

English,

Spanish; Castilian

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