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Local genealogist reads San Jacinto eyewitness account as court proclaims anniversary
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Summary
At its April 21 meeting, the Henderson County Commissioner’s Court heard a reading of an eyewitness account of the Battle of San Jacinto and received a proclamation recognizing the battle’s April 21, 1836 anniversary, presented by local genealogist Bill Sockle.
The Henderson County Commissioner’s Court on April 21, 2026, heard a reading of an eyewitness account of the Battle of San Jacinto and received a proclamation recognizing the battle’s April 21, 1836 anniversary.
Bill Sockle, a member of local genealogical groups and the Sons of the Republic of Texas, told the court he was presenting historical material and read excerpts attributed to James Washington Winters, an eyewitness. Sockle said the engagement “was won in 15 or 18 minutes,” and described scenes after the battle, including the capture of Mexican general Antonio López de Santa Anna. Sockle also connected the account to local family histories, noting several surnames that appear in area cemeteries.
After his remarks, Sockle read a proclamation noting that the Battle of San Jacinto commenced at about 4:30 p.m. on April 21, 1836, and that remembering the date helps remind Texas citizens of that chapter of state history. The court introduced the proclamation as agenda item 2 and invited Sockle to speak and read the text.
The presentation was given after the meeting opened with an invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance, and followed the court’s approval of minutes for April 14. No questions, debate, or formal board vote on the proclamation were recorded in the meeting transcript.
