Henry Mordorff

(Dr. Gazley’s Neighbow Just To The East After The War)

“The Mordorff Mystery”

All alone, on a gently rising pristine hillside, nestled inside an overgrowth of native flora, and reasonably shaded from the sun’s rays, there is an almost unknown and forgotten grave.   

Henry Mordorff
A San Jacinto Veteran
Born 1817
Died March 20, 1870

Upon closer inspection, those who disturb the serenity and solemnity of the site find that the grave marker has been desecrated. The last “R” on Henry Mordorff’s 1936 commemorative tombstone has been partially obliterated.  
The reason for this act is unknown.
 

HENRY MORDORFF:  The Untold Story

When Henry Mordorff stepped ashore at the Port of New Orleans in December 
of 1835, having just completed a lengthy transoceanic sailing from his mother 
country of Germany, there was no way that he could have fathomed 
the future which laid in store for him.    

In the months leading up to Mordorff’s arrival, the new settlers 
who had been introduced into Texas by Stephen F. Austin, 
had been forced to undergo misfortunes and abuses 
caused by the ruling Mexican government. 
Reaching a point of intolerance, the young Texans chose to stand up for themselves,
 so they formed the fledgling Texas Army to take on Santa Anna’s Mexican army 
and fight for their freedom and independence. The War for Independence 
was not going well for the undermanned and poorly equipped Texas Army. 
The Alamo in San Antonio had fallen to Santa Anna’s troops. Fannin’s troops had been captured at Goliad and cruelly and systematically massacred.    Settlers were in flight to the East, and General Sam Houston was planning the Texas Army’s consolidated, and perhaps last, battle against the Mexican Army near Harrisburg. Seeking to bolster his remaining forces, General Houston, had sent Lieutenant Amasa Turner to several gulf coast ports to recruit immigrant volunteers to join with the Texans in their fight for life and freedom in the new frontier.   

Henry Mordorff arrived alone in America with no specific plans as to how he would proceed.  He was almost immediately comforted by the friendly greeting he received from Amasa Turner who approached him on the New Orleans pier.     During this fortuitous meeting, the two men formed a common bond that was to be shared by numerous other new immigrants arriving at other southern ports at this time in history.  

As a recruiter, Turner presented the Texas situation, explaining that the Texans were prepared to fight to the death of the last man in their endeavor for freedom. He also explained the rewards of Texas freedom and independence that would come to any newly recruited combatants, mainly through land grants and new opportunities in the emerging Republic of Texas. Readily grasping the seriousness of the matter and evaluating the potential rewards, Mordorff and numerous others volunteered to enter the Texas Army on the spot and returned with Turner to fight in the fateful battle which was soon to come at San Jacinto.

These stalwart and venturesome individuals had collectively embarked on yet another adventurous, yet seemingly predestined, course to seek out individual but common goals; Amasa , who sought out the freedom of the new frontier republic,    and Henry and the others, who sought out the rewards for joining into the fight.

The volunteer group numbered over one hundred men, roughly ten percent of Houston’s total army force. Arriving in Texas at Velasco aboard the schooner Pennsylvania on January 28, 1836, they moved overland to begin training with, then Captain Amasa Turner’s Company of the First Regiment of the Texas Volunteers. The final battle of the war was rapidly approaching as Santa Anna continued his punitive march across Texas.

General Houston’s preparations and planning, when executed, produced a successful eighteen minute battle with the Mexican Army during which the Mexican Army was soundly defeated, Santa Anna was captured, and Texas freedom and independence was not only achieved in battle but also ascertained by Santa Anna’s surrender. Had it not been for Amassa Turner’s efforts in bringing Henry Mordorff and the other one hundred volunteers into the final battle, the outcome of the war might have been quite different.   

After successfully completing his fateful military detour to Texas, Henry was granted a Headright Land Grant by the Harrisburg County Land Board for one-third of a league of land (1476 acres) on February 5, 1838. For having served in the military from February 13, 1836, until October 21, 1837, he was awarded Bounty Certificate Number 2249 for 1280 acres of land, and for participating in the Battle of San Jacinto, he was awarded Donation Certificate Number 143 for 640 acres of land. He initially chose land in Bell County and lived there until about October 1851. Subsequently, he moved to Bastrop County and purchased a farm about one-half mile South of Smithville 
where he spent the remainder of his days.

During his time in the Smithville area, Henry lived alone. There is no record that he ever married. He engaged in horse breeding and farming, and earned a reputation of being a responsible horse trader. He was remembered as a man who devoted much of his time and efforts to performing needed chores to help women and children who were left behind while their husbands and fathers were away working or fighting in a war.

Henry expired on March 20, 1870.  In his Last Will and Testament, he left the bulk of his estate to his Sister Eliza, yet he also left a gift of 676 acres of land in Coryell County to help support the Bayland Orphan Home in Harris County so that other children would not be left alone.  His sister was never located.

At the end of Henry’s time on Earth,      
he was buried on his farm just south of town,      
resting on a gently rising hillside,     
nestled inside an overgrowth of lush native flora.        
Pristine and undisturbed are good descriptors for his gravesite.       
A presence of Honor and Dignity greets and surrounds the uninvited visitor.   

Henry Mordorff came to America,  alone,   
Henry lived in Texas,  alone,    
and now Henry rests near Smithville,  alone.  
 He was and is a true Texas hero who should be respected and remembered.

 “I thank you Mr. Mordorff for all that you have done for 
Smithville, Bastrop County, Texas, and Texans.”

David L. Herrington

2011