Noah Smithwick

Noah Smithwick (January 01, 1808–October 21, 1899) was a colonist who lived in Texas from 1827 and until the Civil War began.

Late in life he dictated his recollections of this early Texas period to his daughter, relaying colorful and humorous accounts, which included legendary Texans Stephen F. Austin, James Bowie, William B. Travis, Thomas Jefferson Rusk, and Sam Houston, who he knew personally.

In 1836 he joined a ranger company to defend the Bastrop area from Indians, then went to San Jacinto arriving after the battle.

[3] After receiving threats for his Unionist views in 1861, he moved to what is now Kern County, California.In his later years he lost his eyesight.

Before his death in Santa Ana, California, he dictated accounts of Texas experiences to his daughter, Anna (Nanna) Smithwick Donaldson, which she published.