Erastus deaf smith biography

  • Erastus deaf smith family
  • How did erastus deaf smith communicate
  • How did deaf smith die

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    Erastus &#;Deaf&#; (pronounced &#;Deef&#;) Smith was an admirable person in &#;Texas Rising&#; and one in which the character of the individual may closely match the one portrayed in the miniseries.  His hearing loss was not complete, but was significant after suffering an illness some years prior to the Texas Revolution.  In some accounts, it was referred to as &#;consumption&#; (most likely, tuberculosis) which may have contributed to his death, though contemporary accounts were not specific as to the actual cause of death.  One newspaper account simply read, &#;His iron frame has sunk under the severe fatigues and exposures to which he has too willingly subjected himself.&#;

    Smith was born in New York in  His parents, Chiliab and Mary Smith, moved to Mississippi when he was a boy.  He first came to Texas on his own in , but returned home for a time.  He came to Texas permanently in and settled in Bexar (San Antonio), possibly near Mission San José.  In the old parish church th

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    Erastus Smith was hearing impared. Despite this handicap, however, Smith became one of Sam Houston&#;s most reliable and most trusted scouts. He was a man of few words, but was well known for his coolness in the presence of danger.

    Born April 19, in Dutchess County, New York, Smith moved with his parents to Mississippi Territory at the age of eleven. He first came to Texas in but stayed only a short time. He returned permanently in , however, to help restore his health.


    Smith adapted well to his new home. He soon learned the nature and customs of the Mexican settlers, and easily made friends among both his American and his Mexican neighbors. He attempted to remain neutral as tensions grew between Texas and Mexico, but was soon persuaded on the side of the Texans.

    Already known as a superior scout, he was quickly recruited by the Texans. He was in the scouting party at the Battle of Concepcion and discovered the mule train that led to the Grass Fight. After the fall of the Alamo,

  • erastus deaf smith biography

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    Deaf Smith

    Texan soldier

    For the county named after him, see Deaf Smith County, Texas.

    Erastus "Deaf" Smith (April 19, – November 30, ), who earned his nickname due to hearing loss in childhood, was an American frontiersman noted for his part in the Texas Revolution and the Army of the Republic of Texas. He fought in the Grass kamp and the Battle of San Jacinto. After the war, Deaf Smith led a company of Texas Rangers.[1][2][3][4][5][6]

    Smith died in Richmond, Texas, aged 50, at the home of Randall Jones. The Episcopal churchyard has a modest marker, "Deaf Smith, the Texas Spy, Died Nov. 30, ", but his exact burial site is unknown.[7]

    Posthumous legacy

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    Deaf Smith County, Texas, is named in his honor.[8] Unlike his nickname, which was pronounced "Deef", the county name fryst vatten pronounced bygd most residents as DEF. Likewise, a brand of peanut butter known as Deaf Smith was manufactured