Erastus smith, better known as deaf smith, was the son of chiliab and mary smith, and was born in new york on the 19th of april 1787. Book describing deaf smith county including local history, photographs, illustrations, and biographies. It is an excellent resource for teaching or learning about texas history. Erastus smith deaf smith american sign language asl. A childhood disease caused him to lose his hearing. Reliable information about the coronavirus covid19 is available from the world health organization current situation, international travel. Erastus deaf smith april 19, 1787 november 30, 1837 was an american frontiersman noted for his part in the texas revolution and the army of the republic of texas. If interested to buy recently released book feb 2011. But mostly deaf smith is remembered as a hero from the storied battle of san jacinto and as one of the lone star republics greatest patriots. Smith moved with his parents to mississippi territory at the age of eleven. The deaf smith country cookbook natural foods for natural kitchens by mary f. Erastus smith one of the largest counties in texas is named for captain erastus deaf smith, a deaf man. He is probably the same with erastus who is again mentioned in the salutations to timothy.
Baldwin, 19852012, documents the research performed by dr. Austins success, dewitt petitioned the mexican government to become an empresario as. Smith, erastus deaf the handbook of texas online texas. Austin sent deaf to serve under general sam houston. The deaf smith oak tree, where smith spied on the mexican troops, is located on this property, also. He was shot on that day while on the rooftop of the veramendi palace.
Smith was born in new york state on april 19, 1787 and moved to mississippi in 1798. Travis, who considered smith the bravest of the brave in the cause of texas, carrying messages. Hence, history remembers erastus by the name of deaf smith. Our first american ancestor came from england to america in 1649. How was erastus deaf smith important to the alamo answers. I looked up all the pictures on safari and i got all my info from the handbook of texas online. Hereford, deaf smith county, hustlin heritage 75, 1973 by the hereford jubilee book. On page 3 under texas is a report datelined houston, december 9 stating in part. At the age of eleven years he emigrated with his parents to the mississippi territory, and settled near natchez. Texas patriot erastus deaf smith, was an american frontiersman noted for his part in the texas revolution and the army of the republic of texas.
For example, jeffrey dean morgans character erastus deaf smith was a real texas ranger who did in fact fight in the texas revolution and help. The smith family moved to mississippi when erastus was eleven years of age. Baldwin for more than 30 years on the figure of erastus deaf smith and his role in the texas revolution. Most local historians have theories about where this legendary texan is buried. Smith was one of sam houstons most trusted scouts and a respected war hero. He was born erastus smith in new york on april 19,1787. A guide to the erastus deaf smith collection of steve c. He fought in the grass fight and the battle of san jacinto. April 19, 1787, dutchess county, nysmith had health issues growing up that resulted in hearing loss. Erastus deaf smith western heritage from the texas. Smith first moved to texas in 1821 where he married a hispanictexan tejana named guadalupe ruiz.
Erastus deaf pronounced deef smith was an admirable person in texas rising and one in which the character of the individual may closely match the one portrayed in the miniseries. Smith, erastus deaf smith born in new york state april 19, 1787, the son of chiliab and mary smith. Smith first visited texas in 1817 but did not remain. Former deputy sheriff eddy craig right to travel traffic stop script washington state law duration. Erastus was a coworker of the apostle paul, a civil servant in corinth, and a believer in jesus christ. Moved to texas permenantly in 1821in 1822 smith married guadalupe ruiz dura. Later in life, smith retired to richmond and died here. Erastus deaf smith was born in duchess county, new york, on april 19, 1787, the son of chilaib and mary smith. On december 8, 1835, deaf smith guided the texas troops into san antonio. In 1836, guadalupe and erastus smith sold the lower portion of this grant, including the cibolo crossing to byrd lockhart. We have just received the intelligence of the death of deaf smith.
Named for famed scout in texas revolution, erastus deaf smith. After that war, he lead a company of texas rangers. At the age of eleven or twelve he moved with his parents to natchez, mississippi territory. Powtoon gives you everything you need to easily make professional videos and presentations that your clients, colleagues, and friends will love. Guide to deaf smith county texas ancestry, family history, and genealogy. He fought at the grass fight and the battle of san jacinto. Erastus smith was one in all the foremost celebrated patriots within the tx fight for independence. Scout, spy, and texas hero virginia marsh roeder on. The texian army had whet their appetite for battle in two skirmishes the previous day, and most had fallen asleep assuming that battle would not be long in coming the next day. Deaf smiths burial site is an intriguing mystery deaf. Unfortunately, for the man that proved to be two of texass most vital organs, her eyes and ears, he was both going blind and deaf. Deaf smith was one of the most celebrated patriots in the texas fight for independence.
The word is defined as the manager of household or of household affairs or, in this context, treasurer. Strickland, set out to select a site for the colonys capital. Erastus deaf smith 17871837 erastus smith was hearing impared. Alamo history comes alive for eastland county elementary students. In 1821, at age 34, he moved on to texas for health reasons. The county was named for erastus deaf smith4 17871837, a partially. Despite his significant hearing loss, smith made major contributions to his society. Shortly after joining the texans, smith became chief spy, and was given the title of eyes of the army.
Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that. Portrait of erastus deaf smith the portal to texas. Numerous and frequentlyupdated resource results are available from this search. Although his loyalties were apparently divided at the outbreak of the texas revolution, when a mexican sentry refused to allow him to enter san antonio to visit his family, smith joined stephen f. Oclcs webjunction has pulled together information and resources to assist library staff as they consider how to handle coronavirus. When smith11 he and his parents moved to the mississippi territory. Barbara jordan media awards past winners office of the texas. Despite this handicap, however, smith became one of sam houstons most reliable and most trusted scouts. Why does stryver continually criticize and belittle sydney carton for his social lapses from tales of two cities book 2 chapter 11. Smiths role in history was still far from done as it was he who escorted susanna dickenson and her daughter angelina back to the safety of houstons camp. After the war, deaf smith led a company of texas rangers.
In august they chose the junction of the guadalupe and san marcos rivers and built crude cabins on what later became kerr creek. Here is a complete, genuine historic newspaper with the following title, date and description. Today a county in texas is named for him as is, of all things, a brand of peanut butter from 1960 that was introduced in deaf smith county. His health apparently recovered except for a partial loss of hearing, hence the. In 1798, his family moved near natchez, mississippi. Dewitts colony, one of the major colonies in the settlement of texas, was established by green dewitt and james kerr in 1825.
Erastus deaf smith april 19, 1787 november 30, 1837 was an american frontiersman noted for his part in the texas revolution and the army of the. Deaf smith is famous for the important role he played in the texas revolution. Erastus deaf smith was born in duchess county, new york, on april 19, 1787, the son of chilaib and. Portrait of erastus deaf smith, displayed at the deaf smith county museum. Sketch of the life of erastus bingham and family page 4 erastus bingham the bingham name appears prominently in english history from the norman conquest of 1066 to the present day. This is a biographical book written for the elementary and middle school student, teacher, andor librarian. In the summer of 1825 kerr, along with erastus deaf smith, brazil durbin, geron hinds, john wightman, james musick, and a mr. Erastus smith was the son of chilab and mary smith. His greatest contribution in the war was his skill as a scout and spy that would influence the battles at conception, the grass fight and most importantly, the battle at san jacinto. He was a man of few words, but was well known for his coolness in the presence of danger.
Erastus deaf smith was known as the texas spy during the texas revolution. Nancy shugart prove them wrong be the one to make it happen. His hearing loss was not complete, but was significant after suffering an illness some years prior to the texas revolution. After deaf and six men burned down vinces bridge, santa anna and his men were trapped and beaten at san jacinto. Erastus deaf smith was born april 19, 1787 in dutchess county, new york and lost most of his hearing due to a childhood illness. The story of deaf smith a hero of the texas revolution. Deaf smith county, texas genealogy genealogy familysearch wiki. Ba in american history, ma in special education and phd in theater history, theory and criticism from the university of texas at austin, dr. As a scout, smith helped in guiding the texan armed forces across the land that he memorized from. Posts about erastus deaf smith written by le williams. Noon had passed on 21 april, yet nothing had happened. In 1825 he helped plan and build the town of gonzales, but there was not to be peace in texas. Erastus deaf smith little history via powerpoint converted into video.
His life as a scoutspy his life in texas in 1835, smith became a war hero. Although he was hearing impaired, he became one of sam houstons most reliable and most trusted scouts. There was already an old structure on the land, when byrd lockhart surveyed the property in 1833. Captain smith was the leader of general sam houstons scouts during the texas revolution, the war in which texas won its freedom from mexico. Why important 3 erastus deaf smith was born in duchess county, new york on apr. Erastus deaf smith 27 may smith was a hunter, rancher, texas scout and spy for sam houston during the texas revolution. Erastus smith, commonly known as deaf smith, is responsible for helping determine the history of texas.
Erastus deaf smith is so famous that deaf smith county, texas is named after him and his character has been portrayed in several movies and television shows the alamo 2004, two for texas 1998, houston. The fact that it was the county seat of deaf smith county was not of general interest. Deaf smith with his feet in both cultures really avoided picking a side in the conflict. Roll call of texas heroes erastus deaf smith 1787 1837 december, 20. In 1821, he moved to texas and helped fight for its independence. The legend of texas 1986, the adventures of jim bowie 1958, the first texan 1956, man of conquest 1939. Hull is the greatgreatgreatgreatgrandson of erastus deaf smith. Erastus smith 17871837 erastus smith was born april 19, 1787 in duchess county, new york. He was well known for his coolness in the presence of danger.
Smith has been acclaimed as both the eyes and ears of the texas army. Paul at ephesus, who with timothy was sent forward into macedonia. Erastus smith was born in dutchess county, new york in 1787. Read deafs love erastus deaf smith from the story imagine jeffrey dean morgan by maymay8507 jamie with 1,514 reads. In 1798 his parents moved to mississippi and settled near natchez. Had four childrensmith tried to stay neutral but as tensions between mexico and texas grew he eventually sided with texas. The words i read captured my attention and imagination, deaf smith, texas spy, died november 30, 1837. Consisting of papers, articles, clippings, photocopies, original writings, photographs, videos, maps, theater scripts and programs, mounted posters and music sheets, the erastus deaf smith collection of steve c. Richmond, texas ap for amateur sleuths, theres nothing like a. A spy during texass fight for independence against the mexicans, smith. Because of his steady source of information and his detailed reports, deaf smith soon became know as the number one spy for the texas army. Baldwin spent more than 30 years researching and writing about texas revolution hero erastus deaf smith. Following orders, deaf burned gonzales and scouted for general houston.
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