PVT James Nowlan
Born 1809 in St. Anthonys, Liverpool, Lancashire, England
Son of Martin Nowland and Catherine Nowland]
Sibling(s) Brother John Nowlan b: 1811 d:1843
Sister Catherine Nowlan b: 1813 d: ?
Spouse(s) Mary Elizabeth Roberts 1816 d:1870
Children Susan Nowlan b:1835 d:1870
Almarinda Nowlan b: 1836 d:1912
Died March 6, 1836 in The Alamo, San Antonio, Bexar, Texas
Biography James Nowlan was born 1809 in England, (one reference listed place of birth as Ireland). Once grown he heard about the availability of land in the new colony, Texas. Land grants could be obtained if an emigrant filed for a land grant in one of the Empressario colonies of Texas.
Immigration record,
ARRIVAL YEAR: 1835, ARRIVAL PLACE: San Antonio, Texas. SOURCE PUBLICATION CODE: 1494,PRIMARY IMMIGRANT: Nowlan, James. SOURCE BIBLIOGRAPHY: DEFENDERS OF THE ALAMO. In Georgia Genealogical Magazine, vol. 37:2 & 3 (Spring/Summer 1997), pp. 84-88.P: 87 Source Citation: Place: San Antonio, Texas; Year: 1836; P87
James Nowlan immigrated to America, intending to go settle and or offer his services to the Texas army. It is possible he disembarked from a ship in New Orleans (New Orleans may have been the closest area for a larger ship to port. He disembarking in New Orleans. James Nowlin encountered the company of men who told him about problems of settlers with the Mexican Government,
PVT James Nowlan enlisted in the New Orleans Greys, commanded by Capt. William Gordon Cooke. PVT James traveled to Texas as member of the New Orleans Greys.
The company arrived in Bexar colony in time for the Siege of Bexar in latter 1835 and was classed as a marksman serving in Cook's New Oleans Greys. During that war (Siege of Bexar), poor PVT James Nowlan was severely wounded in the siege of Bexar.
Following the Siege of Bexar, PVT James Nowlan remained with the Garrison, most likely in the Alamo Garrison hospital. PVT James Nowlan had a brother, John Nowlin in Texas, thus he had left a will leaving any benefits to his brother. It seems his brother John went on home as he resided in Austin, TX as did many of the men due to their having families to tend to. John Nolan was killed in a dual on the streets of Austin, TX, on Pecan St.(now named 6th street) and Congress . This info regarding John Nowlan was in a newspaper in Austin, TX around 1843 as it seems John & the other man had an ongoing disagreement regarding where the capitol of TX should be ..Austin or Houston. John Nowlan wanted it to be in Austin, TX and it is noted Sam Houston wanted it to be in Houston.
When the Siege of the Alamo started Feb 23, 1836, Pvt. Nowlan had not recovered, thus he was likely not able to give much assistance during the Battle of the Alamo. Pvt. Nowlan was killed in the Battle of the Alamo March 6, 1836. The remains were buried in San Fernando Cathedral.
Austin Genealogy states Republic of Texas An Act of the Republic of Texas, approved 30 Dec 1840, required the Secretary of War to issue "320-acre bounty warrants to those who had entered Bexar between Dec 5-10, 1835, and present till a surrender or death by Thomas Lloyd Miller's "Bounty and Donation Land Grants of Texas, 1835-1888, p. 27). This was "known as "special bounty" and gave 320 acres for less than usual 3 months' service in the army.
In 1837 the Republic granted donations of 640 acres to the participants in Revolution: the Siege of Bexar and the Fall of the Alamo. PVT James Nowlan had a brother in Texas, he willed his estate to his brother, John. NOTE 2: Nowlan, James to - John Noland - Donation Certificate - 640 Acres, 21 May 1838 for Siege of Bexar - 640 ACRES- Smith County patented to heirs 10 Jan 1882.. to John Nolan. Bounty Warrant -320 Acres, 19 Jan, 1852 - service 17 Oct to 13 Dec 1835 -Siege of Bexar. 200 Acres Newton County patented to him 1 Nov 1859; balance same 14 Apr 1862, for fall of Alamo.
NOTE: In 1969 while on a day leave from Lackland AFB I visited the Alamo. There on the statue honoring those who died defending the Alamo (pictured above) was the name James Nowlan. I remember what my father had told me long ago, if there is a "W" in the spelling of the last name then that person is related in some form or matter. This visit started my quest to document the Nowlan family and after over 50 years on and off I am still working to to complete my goal. ~ Daniel Lee Nowlan (January 2020)
