February 24? That is my birthday. And I had a cousin at the Alamo, Isaac Ryan. He died on the north wall near the canon, one of the first to die during the battle. His name is on a plaque inside the mission.
Me too, except mine is a great-great-great-great(?) grandpa -- George Kimbell --- from NY, not PA, as often misreported. He was a hatmaker. Left two daughters behind.
We still have a hat he made and his hat-making tools. He also left a note to them, which my grandmother keeps, "I love you both. I may not return. But I have things that I have to do. Be good."
He, and many of the other men who died there were Freemasons, BTW.
I'm just curious 'cause that happened in the 1830's so that would put your cousin at being a few times removed right?
For those that don't know Texas history the Mexican Army captured some of the men at Goliad following a brief battle when the Texans attempted to retreat to the east as ordered by Sam Houston.
The agreed terms of surrender called for the men to be disarmed and "paroled" with a promise to return home.
Then Santa Anna overruled the agreement and reordered that all prisoners be taken out and summarily shot at traitors.
Fortunately for ole Joe Taylor and his brother-in-law (Wingate)the Mexicans were armed with a type of blunderbuss shotgun that was difficult to aim and fire with any accuracy.
After the first volley from the firing squads ole Joe and Wingate played possum and then jumped in the river and escaped.