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Mrs. Charles P. McGuire research material on William B. Travis

 Collection
Identifier: W-0029
  • No requestable containers

Scope and Contents

This collection largely consists of compiled by Mrs. C.P. McGuire of Birmingham, Alabama, in her attempts to trace the genealogy of William B. Travis, who died defending the Alamo in 1836. These letters, written between 1921 and 1958, identify potential descendants of Travis and discuss McGuire's research relating to the lives of Alabamians who fought at the Alamo. Some letters include quotations from historical records such as divorce proceedings filed by Travis. The collection also includes a copy of McGuire's writings, including a twenty-eight page biography of Travis and other genealogical and biographical information related to Travis and other Alabama figures. While some biographical information of other individuals is included, the majority of this collection relates solely to Travis and his descendants.

Dates

  • Creation: 1921-1958

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

None

Biographical / Historical

Born in South Carolina in August 1809, William B. Travis is best known for his role in defending the Alamo. Travis and his family moved to Conecuh County, Alabama, in 1818, where Travis would begin a brief career as an attorney and the publisher of the Clairborne Herald. In 1828, Travis married Rosanna Cato and started a family. However, a few years later he abandoned his wife and two children, moving alone to Texas in 1831. Travis soon became involved in the fight for Texas independence, clashing with Mexican forces in Anahuac in 1832. Travis was appointed Lieutenant Colonel of Cavalry and oversaw the reinforcement of the Alamo's defenses. After the siege of the Alamo began, Travis penned a letter to Sam Houston asking for additional military support. This support never materialized and Travis and the other Alamo defenders were killed in battle on March 6, 1836.

Source: The Handbook of Texas Online.

Mrs. Charles P. (Fannie) McGuire lived in Birmingham, Alabama, and published several histories of Pickens and St. Clair Counties in Alabama. There was no known publication of the research found in this collection.

Extent

0.4 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

Correspondence compiled by Mrs. C. P. McGuire in her attempts to trace the genealogy of William B. Travis, who died defending the Alamo in 1836.

Physical Location

The A. S. Williams III Americana Collection, Amelia Gayle Gorgas Library, The University of Alabama

Provenance

Gift of A. S. Williams III, 2010

Related Materials

There is other material by Mrs. Charles P. McGuire in the A. S. Williams III Americana Collection. Contact the staff of the Williams Collection for further information.

General

Title on phase box spine: McGuire's Manuscript History & Genealogy of William B. Travis.

Processed by

Haley Aaron and Martha Bace, 2013

Source

Subject

Title
Guide to the Mrs. Charles P. McGuire research material on William B. Travis
Status
Completed
Date
September 2013
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
English

Repository Details

Part of the The University of Alabama Libraries Special Collections Repository

Contact:
Box 870266
Tuscaloosa AL 35487-0266
205.348.0513