Smith, John W. (John William), 1792-1845

Mayor of San Antonio and Texas legislator.

From the description of John W. Smith papers, 1822-1934. (Daughters of the Republic of Texas Library). WorldCat record id: 70959032

Born in Virginia in 1792, John William Smith moved when young to Missouri where he married and fathered three children.

He became interested in Texas and accompanied empresario Green DeWitt to his colony in 1826, but his wife refused to accompany him and later obtained a divorce. Settling in San Antonio, where he married a second time, Smith became active in business, land acquisition, and local government. He participated in the Texas Revolution, leading reinforcements to the Alamo and taking the last message from the fort before its fall. He resumed his business and public service activities after the revolution. He died in Washington-on-the-Brazos in 1845 while serving in the Senate of the Republic of Texas.

From the description of John W. Smith papers, 1822-1934. (Daughters of the Republic of Texas Library). WorldCat record id: 310365652