William Travis
William Barret Travis (August 1809 - March 6, 1836) was an early figure in Texas history. Born in South Carolina, Travis moved with his family to Sparta, Alabama in 1817, where he received much of his education. He then moved on to a school in Claiborne, Alabama, where he eventually worked as an assistant teacher.
Travis then became an attorney and, at age 19, married one of his students, Rosanna Cato, who was 16 years old. The couple had a son, Charles, within two years.
Because of serious financial problems, Travis fled Alabama in 1831, leaving his wife and son behind to start over in Texas, which was a part of Mexico at the time. He received land from Stephen F. Austin. The Texas Revolution started in October 1835, and in January 1836, Travis joined the Texas Army. He was ordered by the provisional government to go to the Alamo with volunteers to reinforce the 120 men already there. Travis arrived at The Alamo with 30 reinforcements. Within a short time, he had become the official commander of the Texian troops when Mexican General Antonio López de Santa Anna attacked the mission on February 23, 1836. William Travis was killed on March 6th with the other 188 defenders during the Battle of the Alamo after what many consider a heroic defense.
