Ward, Thomas, 1807-1873

Thomas William Peg Leg Ward (1807-1872), architect, veteran of the Texas Revolution and government official, was born in Ireland in 1807. Prior to emigration to Quebec in 1828, he was educated as an architect. Ward subsequently moved to New Orleans and became a member of the New Orleans Greys in 1835 when Texas called for aid against Mexico. His company served under Colonel Ben Milam at the Siege of San Antonio de Bexar, during which Ward’s right leg was severed by a cannon ball. A replacement wooden leg gave him the nickname Peg Leg Ward. He recruited a company of volunteers in New Orleans, which served under Thomas Jefferson Rusk. After San Jacinto, Ward settled in Houston and eventually contracted for the construction of the capitol there. In March 1841, he lost his right arm in a cannon accident during a Texas Independence celebration.

Ward served the Texas government in many capacities during the Republic, early statehood, Civil War, and Reconstruction periods. He became postmaster of the Republic, was made chief clerk of the House of Representatives during the Fourth Congress, and in 1840 was elected second Mayor of Austin. On January 4, 1841, Ward succeeded J.P. Borden to become the second commissioner of the General Land Office. He was a major figure in the Archives War, having been ordered directly by Sam Houston to remove the archives from Austin. Ward served as land commissioner until 1848, when he was defeated by George W. Smyth. On June 20, 1844, Ward married widow Susan L. Marston.

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