A Register of the

William Physick Zuber Collection
1891-1912

Volume: 3 inches and 1 Oversize Folder
Number of items: 63

Location: GA 19, GO 2

Processed by: Mary Van Zandt and Shirel Spivey
Date Completed: November 17, 1983

CITATION: William Physcik Zuber Collection, GA19, GO2, box number, folder number, Special Collections Division, The University of Texas at Arlington Libraries.

Biographical Sketch
Bibliography
Scope and Contents
Provenance
Calendar
Folder 1 Correspondence, 1891
Folder 2 Correspondence, December 14, 1899
Folder 3 Correspondence, December 14, 1899
Folder 4 Correspondence, September 1907
Folder 5 Correspondence, October 3-11, 1907
Folder 6 Correspondence, October 14-December 25, 1907
Folder 7 Correspondence, 1908
Folder 8 Correspondence, 1909
Folder 9 Correspondence, 1912
Folder 10 Miscellany

William Physick Zuber, son of Abraham Zuber Jr. and Mary Ann Mann, was born on July 6, 1820 in Twiggs County, Georgia. In 1830 the Zuber family migrated to Texas and settled in what is now Grimes County. In March of 1836, at the age of fifteen, William P. Sober volunteered for service in Sam Houston's Texas Army. He served from March 1, 1836 until June 1, 1836. Zuber's duties while in the army consisted mainly of guarding the baggage, attending the sick and acting as rear guard. It was during his service in the army that Zuber began keeping a diary which became a major source for his publications later. Zuber claimed to have been the last survivor of the Battle of San Jacinto. On September 22, 1913, William Physick Zuber died at his home in Grimes County, Texas.

Bibliography

• Zuber, William Physick. Ancestry and Kindred of W. P. Zuber, Texas Veteran. [Iola? Texas, 1905].
• Zuber, William Physick. My Eighty Years in Texas. Austin: University of Texas Press [1971].
• Zuber, William Physick.The Escape of Rose from the Alamo. Houston: Union National Bank, 1928.

The William Physick Zuber Collection, 1891-1912, consists primarily of letters written by Zuber and received by Mrs. S. E. Murrelle, daughter of Captain James Gillaspie, captain of the 6th Company, 2nd Regiment of the Texas Volunteers an Sam Houston's army. This correspondence spans a period from 1891 to 1917 and details Zuber's day to day account of the Texas Revolution in which he participated. The material is arranged chronologically. Also included in the correspondence are letters to other members of Gillaspie's family, one letter from W. B. Gillaspie to his sister, Mary Gillaspie, and various newspaper clippings concerning the Battle of San Jacinto and its survivors. There is also a photograph of the last survivors of the Battle of San Jacinto taken at their last reunion at Goliad, April 21, 1906.

The William Physick Zuber Collection was given to the Division of Special Collections, The University of Texas at Arlington Library, by Mr. Jenkins Garrett, who purchased it from Mrs. Leo la Roark. This collection was part of the original Garrett gift in 1974.

GA 19
Folder 1. Correspondence: 1891.

1. 19.1.1 8/24/1891, ALS., 6pp., Iola, Grimes County, Texas. Miss Mary Gillespie to W. P. Zuber, requesting information about her father, Colonel James Gillaspie, Zuber's captain an the Battle of San Jacinto.
2. 19.1.2 9/15/[1891], ALS., lp. W. B. Gillaspie to Mary Gillespie answering some of the biographic questions asked by Zuber in his letter to Mary Gillespie.

Folder 2. Correspondence: December 14, 1899.

1. 19.2.1 12/14/1899, ALS., 11pp., Iola, Grimes County, Texas. W. P. Zuber to Mrs. J. L. Anderson, "Pioneer Reminiscences No. 1." Zuber tells of his family coming from Louisiana to Texas an 1830; describes their life until the Texas Revolution
2. 19.2.2 Envelope: Addressed to Mrs. J. L. Anderson, Orange, Texas, 2 postmarks: 1. Iota, Texas, Dec. 14, 1899, 2. Rec’d. Orange, Texas, Dec. 16, 1899, 10 a.m.

Folder 3. Correspondence: December 14, 1899.

1. 19.3.1 12/14/1899, ALS., 5pp., Iola, Grimes County, Texas. W. P. Zuber to Mrs. J. L. Anderson, "Pioneer Reminiscences No. 2. The SteamBoat, YellowStone." Zuber tells of an attack by the Mexican troops on the steamboat Yellowstone on the Brazos River, April, 1836.
2. 19.3.2 Envelope: Addressed to Mrs. J. L. Anderson, Orange, Texas, 2 postmarks: 1. Iola, Texas, Dec. 14, 1899, 2. Rec'd. Orange, Texas, Dec. 16, 1899, 10 a.m.

Folder 4. Correspondence: September, 1907.

1. 19.4.1 9/13/1907, ALS., SET., Austin, Texas. W. P. Zuber to Mrs. S. E. Murrelle, giving details of the Battle of San Jacinto; discusses the paintings in the capitol in Austin depicting the Battle of San Jacinto and Santa Anna's surrender to Houston. #1 pencilled in upper left corner, page 1.
2. 19.4.2 Envelope: Addressed to Mrs. S. E. Murrelle, Orange, Texas, 2 postmarks: 1. Austin, Tex., Sept. 14, 1907, 10 p.m., 2. Rec’d. [Orange, Tex.], Sept. 15, 1907, 10:30 a.m.
3. 19.4.3 9/16/1907, ALS., 4pp., Austin, Texas. W. P. Zuber to Mrs. S. E. Murrelle, telling details of Gillaspie leading troops to join the Texas Revolution, their reaction to the news of the Alamo. #2 pencilled in upper left corner, page 1.
4. 19.4.4 Envelope: Addressed to Mrs. S. E. Murrelle, Orange, Texas, 2 postmarks: 1. Austin, Tex., Sept. 17, 1907, 10 p.m., 2.Rec’d. Orange, Tex., Sept. [?], 1907, 10:30 a.m.
5. 19.4.5 9/18/1907, ALS., 4pp., Austin, Texas. W. P. Zuber to Mrs. S. E. Murrelle, narrating movements of Houston's army from March 12 through March 19, 1836. #3 pencilled in upper left corner, page 1.
6. 19.4.6 Envelope: Addressed to Mrs. S. E. Murrelle, Orange, Texas, 2 postmarks: 1. Austin, Tex., Sept. 19, 1907, 3 p.m., 2. Rec’d. Orange, Tex., Sept. 20, 1907, 2 p.m.
7. 19.4.7 9/19/1907, ALS., 4pp., Austin, Texas. W. P. Zuber to Mrs. S. E. Murrelle, narrating troop movement from March 20 through March 24, 1836; notes dispute between Houston and Sherman over when and where to attack the Mexicans. #4 pencilled in upper left corner, page 1.
8. 19.4.8 Envelope: Addressed to Mrs. S. E. Murrelle, Orange, Texas, 2 postmarks: 1. Austin, Tex., Sept. 20, 1907, 5 p.m., 2.Rec’d. Orange, Tex., Sept. 21, 1907, 10:30 a.m.
9. 19.4.9 9/21/1907, ALS., 16pp., Austin, Texas. W. P. Zuber to Mrs. S. E. Murrelle, describing the kind of swords carried in the Texas Revolution; explains the demise of the Texas Veterans Association; tells why his biographies of the veterans of San Jacinto have been delayed.
10. 19.4.10 Envelope: Addressed to Mrs. S. E. Murrelle, Orange, Texas, 2 postmarks: 1. Austin [Tex.], Oct. [?], [1907], 2. Rec’d. [Oct.], [?], [1907], 10:30 a.m.
11. 19.4.11 9/21/1907, ALS., 4pp., Austin, Texas. W. P. Zuber to Mrs. S. E. Murrelle, relating how Peter Car [i.e. Kerr] brought the news of Fannin's defeat at Coliad, the Battle of Colitta [sic], and the army's reaction to the news; how the soldiers disliked the order to retreat, but some went home to move their families to safety; describes the retreat. #6 pencilled in upper left corner, page 1.
12. 19.4.12 Envelope: Addressed to Mrs. S. E. Murrelle, Orange, Texas, 2 postmarks: 1. Austin, Tex., Oct. 2, 1907, 3 p.m., 2. Rec’d. Orange, Tex., Oct. [?], [1907], 10:30 a.m. #6 pencilled and circled on front.

Folder 5. Correspondence: October 3-11, 1907.

1. 19.5.1 10/3/1907, ALS., 8pp., Austin, Texas. W. P. Zuber to Mrs. S. E. Murrelle, narrating the army's movements from March 28 to April 13, 1836; tells of the growing disenchantment with Houston's leadership because of his refusal to attack the Mexicans. #7 pencilled m upper left corner, page 1.
2. 19.5.2 Envelope: Addressed to Mrs. S. E. Murrelle, Orange, Texas, 2 postmarks: 1. Austin, Tax., Oct. 5, 1907, 5 p.m., 2. Rec’d. Orange, Tex., Oct. 6, 1907, 10:30 a.m. #7 pencilled on front.
3. 19.5.3 1 0/7/1907, ALS., 8pp., Austin, Texas. W. P. Zuber to Mrs. S. E. Murrelle, explaining the mounting confusion of the army from April 13 to April 15, 1836; tells of Houston receiving advice from U.S. President Jackson and aid from U.S. Army General Games.
4. 19.5.4 Envelope: Addressed to Mrs. S. E. Murrelle, Orange, Texas, 2 postmarks: 1. [Austin], Tex., Oct. 8, 1907, 10 p.m., 2. Rec’d [Orange, Tex.], Oct. 9, 1907, 10:30 a.m. #8 pencilled on front.
5. 19.5.5 10/9/1907, ALS., 8pp., Austin, Texas. W. P. Zuber to Mrs. S. E. Murrelle, describing events from April 16 to April 20, 1836; how Houston gave a speech to regain the confidence of the Texan Army; describes some brief skirmishes between the Mexican and Texan Armies. He also notes a speech presented by Thomas J. Rusk who was Secretary o? War of the Republic at the time.
6. 19.5.6 Envelope: Addressed to Mrs. S. E. Murrelle, Orange, Texas, 2 postmarks: 1. [Austin, Tex.], Oct. 10, [1907], 2. [Rec'd.] Orange, Tex., Oct. 12, 1907, 7:30 a.m. #9 pencilled on front.
7. 19.5.7 1 0/11/1907, ALS., 4pp., Austin, Texas. W. P. Zuber to Mrs. S. E. Murrelle, relating briefly the events from April 21 to June 1, 1836; the Battle of San Jacinto; notes the casualties in Captain Gillaspie's company; tells of the honorable discharge of the company.
8. 19.5.8 Envelope: Addressed to Mrs. S. E. Murrelle, Orange, Texas, 2 postmarks: 1. [Austin, Tex.], Oct. 12, 1907, 4 p.m., 2. Rec’d. [Orange, Tex.], Oct. [?], 1907, 10:30 a.m. #10 pencilled on front.

Folder 6. Correspondence: October 14 - December 25, 1907.

1. 19.6.1 10/14/1907, ALS., 4pp., Austin, Texas. W. P. Zuber to Mrs. S. E. Murrelle, telling about involvement of members of Captain Gillaspie's company in the Mier Expedition. He tells of the organization of an army to invade Mexico in retaliation for a recent invasion of Texas by a group of Mexicans under the direction of General Adrian Wall.
2. 19.6.7 Envelope: Addressed to Mrs. S, E, Murrelle, Orange, Texas, 2 postmarks: 1. (illegible], 2. Rec’d. Orange, Tex., Oct. 15, 1907, 10 a.m. #11 pencilled on front.
3. 19.6.3 10/15/1907, ALS., 6pp., Austin; Texas. W. P. Zuber to Mrs. S. E. Murrelle, giving a resume of Captain Gillaspie's life after the Mier Expedition up to his death from yellow fever in 1867; describes briefly the yellow fever epidemic in Huntsville.
4. 19.6.4 Envelope: Addressed to Mrs. S. E. Murrelle, Orange, Texas, 2 postmarks: 1. [illegible], 2. [Rec’d] Orange, [Tex.], Oct. 17, 1907, 7:30 a.m. #12 pencilled on front.
5. 19.6.5 10/24/1907, ALS., 3pp., Austin, Texas. W, P. Zuber to Mrs. S. E. Murrelle, personal letter discussing family items and possible publication of Zuber's work.
6. 19.6.6 Envelope: Addressed Lo Mrs. S. E. Murrelle, Orange, Texas, 2 postmarks: 1. Austin, Tex,, Oct. 24, 1907, [?], 2. Rec’d. Orange, Tex., Oct. Z5, 1907, 10;30 a.m. #13 pencilled on front.
7. 19.6.7 1 2/25/1907, ALS., 1p., Austin, Texas. W. P. Zuber to Mrs. J. L. Anderson, Mrs. Roscoe Cornell, and Mrs. S. E. Mnrrelle. Personal letter thanking them for his Christmas present; notes that he has also received a present from Mrs. Anne [sic.] J. H. Pennybacker.
8. 19.6.8 Envelope: Addressed to Mrs. J. L. Anderson, Mrs. Roscoe Cornell, and Mrs. S. E. Murrelle, Orange, Texas, 2 postmarks: 1. [Austin] Tex., Dec. 26, 1907, 3 p.m., 2. Rec’d. [Orange], Tex., Dec. 27, 1907, 2 p. m. #14 pencilled on front.

Folder 7. Correspondence: 1908.

1. 19.7.1 10/9/1908, ALS., 4pp., Austin, Texas. W. P. Zuber to Mrs. S. E. Murrelle. A personal letter; Zuber still hopes to resume work on his biographies.
2. 19.7.2 Envelope: Addressed to Mrs. S. E. Murrelle, Orange, Texas, 2 postmarks: 1, Huntsville, Tex., Oct, 13, 6 p.m., 2. Rec’d. Orange, Tex., Oct. 14, [1908], 10:30 a.m,

Folder 8. Correspondence: 1909.

1. 19.8.1 1/1/1909, ALS., 2pp., Austin, Texas. W. P. Zuber to Mrs. Mary A. Anderson and Mrs, Susan Murrelle. Personal letter; he wishes them a Happy New Year.
2. 19.8.2 Envelope: Addressed to Mrs. Mary A. Anderson and Mrs. Susan Murrelle, Orange, Texas, 2 postmarks: 1. Austin, Texas, Jan. 2, 1909, 3:30 p.m., 2. Rec’d. Orange, Tex., Jan. 8, 1909,
3. 11:30 a.m. #16 pencilled an front.
4. 19.8.3 1/19/1909, ALS., 3pp., Austin. Texas. W. P. Zuber to Mrs. Mary A. Anderson and Mrs. S. E. Murrelle. A personal letter; explains errors in a picture of a group of Texas veterans.
5. 19.8.4 Envelope: Addressed Lo Mrs. Mary A. Anderson and Mrs. S. E. Murrelle, Orange, Texas, 2 postmarks: 1. Austin, Texas, Jan. 19, 1909, [?] p.m., 2'. Rec’d. Orange, Tex., Jan. 20, 1909, 10:30 a.m. #17 pencilled on front.
6. 19.8.5 2/18/1909, ALS., 2pp., Austin, Texas. W. P. Zuber to Mrs. S. E. Murrelle. Personal letter with a few remarks about the troops of the Battle of San Jacinto.
7. 19.8.6 Envelope: Addressed to Mrs. S. E. Murrelle, Orange, Texas, 7 postmarks: 1. Austin, Texas, Feb. 18, 1909, 9 p.m., 2. Rec’d. Orange, Tex., Feb. 19, 1909, 10:30 a.m. #18 pencilled on front.
8. 19.8.7 3/13/1909, ALS., 2pp., Austin, Texas. W. P. Zuber to Mrs. Mary A. Anderson and Mrs. S. E. Murrelle. Personal letter with family news items.
9. 19.8.8 Envelope: Addressed to Mrs. Mary A. Anderson, Mrs. S. E. Murrelle, Orange, Texas, 2 postmarks: 1. [illegible], 2. [Rec’d.] Orange, Tex., Mar. 14, [1909], 11 a.m. #19 pencilled on front.
10. 19.8.9 10/8/1909, ALS., 3pp., Austin, Texas. W. P. Zuber to Mrs. S. E. Murrelle. Personal letter repeating some of the details of the Texas Revolution.
11. 19.8.10 Envelope: Addressed to Mrs. 5. E. Murrelle, Orange, Texas, 2 postmarks: 1. Austin, Texas, Oct. 9, 1909, 9 p.m., 2. Rec’d. Orange, Tex., Oct. 10, 1909, 10:30 a.m. #20 pencilled on front. [missing 11/15/83]
12. 19.8.11 11/18/1909, ALS., 3pp., Austin, Texas. W. P. Zuber to Mrs. S. E. Murrelle. Personal letter; Zuber comments on his advancing age and increasing physical infirmities.
13. 19.8.12 Envelope: Addressed to Mrs. S. E. Murrelle, Orange, Texas, 2 postmarks: 1. Austin, Texas, Nov. 18, 1909, 9 p.m., 2. Rec’d. Orange, Tex., Nov. 19, 1909, 11 a.m. #21 pencilled on front.
14. 19.8.13 12/26/1909, ALS., 2pp., Austin, Texas. W. P. Zuber to Mrs. M. A. Anderson, Mrs. S. E. Murrelle, and Mrs. Elizabeth Cornelle. Personal letter thanking them for a Christmas present, a muffler.
15. 19.8.14 Envelope: Addressed to Mrs. M. A. Anderson, Mrs. S. E. Murrelle, and Mrs. Elizabeth Cornelis, Orange, Texas, 2 postmarks: 1. Austin, Texas, Dec. 27, 1909, 9 p.m., 2. [illegible). #22 pencilled on front.

Folder 9. Correspondence: 1912.

1. 19.9.1 1/1/1912, ALS., 2pp., Austin, Texas. W. P. Zuber to Mrs. Mary A. Anderson and Mrs. Murrell [sic.]. Personal letter thanking them fox a Christmas present, a muffler.
2. 19.9.2 Envelope: Addressed to Mrs. Mary A. Anderson and Mrs. Murrell [sic.], Orange, Texas, 2 postmarks: 1. Austin, Texas, Jan. 2, 1912, 9 p.m., 2. Orange, Texas, Jan. 3, 1912, 2 p.m. #23 pencilled on front.
3. 19.9.3 2/1/1912, ALS., 1p., Austin, Texas. W. P. Zuber to Mrs. Mary A. Anderson and Mrs. Sue E. Murrelle. Personal letter.
4. 19.9.4 Envelope: Addressed to Mrs. Mary A. Anderson and Mrs. Sue E. Murrelle, Orange, Texas, 2 postmarks: 1. Austin, Texas, Feb. 1, 1912, 9 p.m., 2. Orange, Texas, Feb. 2, 1912, 12:30 p.m. #24 pencilled on front.
5. 19.9.5 5/9/1912, ALS., 2pp., Austin, Texas. W. P. Zuber to Mrs. S. E. Murrelle and Mrs. M. A. Anderson. Personal letter.
6. 19.9.6 Envelope: Addressed to Mrs. S. E. Murrelle and Mrs. M. A. Anderson, Orange, Texas, 2 postmarks: 1. Austin, Tex., May 10, 1912, 3 p.m., 2. Orange, Texas, May 11, 1912, 10 a.m. #25 pencilled on front, grocery list on back.
7. 19.9.7 Xmas 1912, ALS., 2pp., Austin, Texas. W. P. Zuber to Mesdames Mary A. Anderson and Sue E. Murrelle. A personal letter thanking them for a Christmas present, a muffler. Zuber states that hismind is not clear.
8. 19.9.8 Envelope: Addressed to Mesdames Mary A. Anderson and Sue E. Murrelle, Orange, Texas, 1 postmark: 1. Austin, Texas, Dec. 28, 1912, 3 p.m. #26 pencilled on front.

Folder 10. Miscellany.

1. 19.10.1 Newspaper clipping from the Austin Statesman, Friday, March 5, 1909, describing the presentation of medals to the survivors of the Battle of San Jacinto, W. P. Zuber and Alphonso Steele.
2. 19.10.2 Newspaper clipping from the Houston Daily Post, Friday, April 22, 1910, describing the events of San Jacinto Day including write-ups on W. P. Zuber and Alphonso Steele, (2 pieces)
3. 19.10.3 Unidentified newspaper clipping [1908] about the 72nd anniversary of the Battle of San Jacinto.
4. 19.10.4 Unidentified newspaper clippings, n.d., which appear to be about San Augustine, Texas. On reverse side is unidentified handwritten fragments. (2 pieces)
5. 19.10.5 1906 photograph of the only living members of General Sam Houston's army at the Battle of San Jacinto: W. P. Zuber, J. W. Darlington, S. F. Sparks, L. T. Lawlor, and Alphonso Steele. The photograph was taken at their last reunion at Coiled on April 21, 1906. Also included are photographs of W. C. Crawford, the last survivor of the signers of the Declaration of Texas Independence, General Sam Houston, and Stephen F. Austin.

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