CAPTAIN JAMES CHESSHER
Born about 1796 in Georgia
Died 27 February 1873 in Jefferson County, Texas
 

James Chessher was born around Savannah, Georgia.  He went to Mississippi before coming to Texas with his family in 1824.  There were eight in the family and he settled in what is now Jasper County on Sandy Creek.
 

When the talk of war was heard, James was commissioned to organize a militia in Jasper County as a Captain by James Roberson, acting Governor in the town of Washington.  The group was called company "G" Texas Foot Riflemen.  He entered the army and was in a command of a company of General Stephen F. Austin and Edward Burleson.  His son, Daniel, was also in this company.  His company was in the grass fight outside the city of San Antonio de Bexar on November 16, 1835.  During the Siege of Bexar, James was shot in the leg and slightly wounded in the face.

On 23 March 1836, three days before the massacre at Goliad, James raised another company in Jasper County to try and join Sam Houston which was in full retreat from Santa Anna.  Before he could get started he was ordered to Nacogdoches to investigate a rumor that the Indians and Mexicans in the vicinity were arming against the Anglo-Americans.  His company was to remain and aid in the protection of Nacogdoches.  James was honorably discharged in 1837 and received 1280 acres of land. 
 

James married a second time to Thriza Morgan about 1827 and lived in Jefferson County, Texas.  He owned a lot of land and gave each child from 100 to 2000 acres.  He farmed until 1849 when he purchased a ferry over Pine Island Bayou for $1000 near his home.  He purchased land on each side of the ferry landing and ran the ferry until his death in 1873.
 

Othodell Smith, Descendant