Jackson, Thomas (ca. 1799–1836)

Thomas Jackson, Alamo defender, was born around 1799 in Missouri. In 1826 Jackson married Louise Cottle in Missouri and became the father of four children. He arrived in Texas on July 6, 1829, and registered for land in Green DeWitt's colony on May 1, 1831. At the outbreak of the Texas Revolution he was one of the "Old Eighteen," the original defenders of the Gonzales cannon in the battle of Gonzales. He entered the Alamo with the Gonzales Ranging Company on March 1, 1836. Jackson rose to the rank of first lieutenant and died in the battle of the Alamo on March 6, 1836. He should not be confused with Thomas R. Jackson, the quartermaster officer of William B. Travis.