Andrew Jackson Kent was born on February 25, 1791 in Green, Kentucky to Isaac Kent. His mother passed away and his father remarried to Lucy Hopkins. About 1810 his parents moved to the St. Charles District of the Louisiana District of the Indiana Territory near Jacob Zumwalt’s Fort (1).
Andrew married Elizabeth Zumwalt (born in 1798) in St. Charles Co., MO on April 30, 1816.
They had ten children, four of which are: Bosman Clifton Kent, David Boyd Kent, Mary Ann Kent, and Louisa Naomi Kent (3).
Lousia Kent, her daughter Rebecca Benson, and her grandchild.
Andrew was a close friend of Daniel Boone.
"In order to lay claim to his homestead, Andrew converted to the Catholic Church, became a Mexican citizen, took title to his league and labor of land, and settled in with his family to work the land. We know from written records that Andrew was an accomplished carpenter. He built his home in the standard "Texas Dog Run" style consisting of two separate areas of living quarters (each with fireplace) and an open space in between. He raised cattle, and split shingles for his neighbors.
Like many other Mexican/Anglo citizens, Andrew Kent became convinced over time that Texas must become independant and free of the oppresive Mexican rule. Andrew fought in at least two skirmishes with the Mexican army prior to the siege of the Alamo. In both of these battles the Texans were victorious.
Andrew Kent and his 18 year old son, David Boyd Kent, had been at the Alamo several times prior to the final siege. It seems they had been coming and going in order to help defend the makeshift fortress, take care of business back at home, and forage for food for the Alamo defenders.
When the call came from Colonel Travis for additional volunteers, both Andrew and David were at home. It seems they had quite a bitter argument about whether David would accompany Andrew back to the Alamo. Andrew felt David was needed at home to assist the family and David wanted to be at the Alamo where the action was. Andrew probably realized that whoever went into the Alamo this time would not return.
Andrew prevailed and David reluctantly went home while Andrew returned to the Alamo as one of the 32 brave men from Gonzalez who answered the call of Colonel Travis. Andrew re-joined the small rag tag army headquartered in the Mission San Antonio de Bejar (the Alamo) who were already engaged in the fiercest battle to date with General Santa Ana.
David didn't remain home for long, however, and soon began operating as a courier between Colonel Travis and Colonel Fannin in Gonzalez. He stealthily ventured back and forth many times carrying messages. During one of David's trips away from the Alamo the final battle was fought and Andrew Kent lost his life along with Davy Crockett, Jim Bowie, Colonel Travis, and many other heroes in pursuit of freedom and liberty" (by Stan Delk)
Andrew, age 35, was killed on March 6, 1836 in San Antonio, Bexar Co., Texas during the Battle of the Alamo.
A memorial in front of the Alamo
A Texas Historical Marker in Lavaca/DeWitt County
How we are related:
(1) Andrew Jackson Kent & Elizabeth Zumwalt
(2) ---Lousia Kent & James Billings
(3) ------John Billings & Rebecca Benson
(4) ---------Elizabeth Lucretia Billings & Leonidis Polk Tatum
(5) ------------Charles Edward Tatum, Sr. & Muriel Lorraine Covington
(6) ---------------George Howard Tatum & Marjorie Ann Raley
(7) ------------------G. Tatum & A. Pipes
(8) ---------------------L. Ducommun & M. Ducommun
