Beyond the Badge: The Work and Records of the Texas Rangers
In This Exhibit: Collections of Interest | Legal Authority | Family Ties | Supply and Demand | What's in a Name? | Work Detail | Reading About Rangers | HOME
Family Ties
Searching for ancestors who may have served as rangers means tracking down files that include individuals' names. Since the rangers were organized as military units for many years, men were listed on military rolls, pension applications, payrolls, oaths of service, and other required forms maintained by the adjutant general’s office. Physical details such as height, hair color, and other descriptions were sometimes included, helping descendants get a fuller picture of their ranger ancestors.
Military roll, John C. Hays Co. of Spies for Protection of Bexar County, September 1-October 1, 1841. Republic of Texas Militia Military Rolls, Texas Adjutant General's Department Republic of Texas military rolls, 401-718. Click or tap on image to view larger version.
Early rangers went by different names. Terms like “Rangers,” “Mounted Volunteers,” “Mounted Gunmen,” and “Spies” were used interchangeably. These units were charged with protecting the frontier.
Military roll, Company B, Frontier Battalion, Capt. W. J. McDonald, March 1-May 31, 1894. Frontier Battalion military rolls, Texas Adjutant General's Department Ranger military rolls, 401-748. Click or tap on image to view larger version.
The Frontier Battalion existed from 1874 to 1901 to protect the frontier. The Frontier Battalion was reorganized as the Ranger Force by an act of the 27th Texas Legislature on March 29, 1901.
Public Debt claim number 1484, Coy, Antonio, May 31, 1849. Public debt claims records, Texas Comptroller's Office claims records, 304-303. Click or tap on image to view larger version.
These documents are part of the public debt claim for Antonio Coy. The records relate to power of attorney and payment owed to Coy for military service in Hays Company.
Public Debt claim number 1484, Coy, Antonio, September 1, 1851. Public debt claims records, Texas Comptroller's Office claims records, 304-303.
Click or tap on links and images to view larger versions.
This is the 2nd class public debt certificate for Antonio Coy. Public debt claims were for services or goods provided between 1835 and 1846 that were not paid before Texas annexation in 1845. This claim is for military service in Hays Company.
Jones, A.H., February 28, 1894. Frontier Battalion service records, Texas Adjutant General's Department service records, 401-157. Click or tap on image to view larger version.
Service records are official service records created by the office of the Texas Adjutant General as well as files created by other agencies related to an individual’s military service. This record reflects payment owed to Jones for military service.
Jones, A.H., August 31, 1894. Frontier Battalion service records, Texas Adjutant General's Department service records, 401-157. Click or tap on image to view larger version.
Service records are official service records created by the office of the Texas Adjutant General as well as files created by other agencies related to an individual’s military service. This record reflects payment owed to Jones for military service.
Hamer, Frank A., February 2, 1927. Regular Rangers service records, Texas Adjutant General Service Records, 401-56. Click or tap on image to view larger version.
This Warrant of Authority and Descriptive List was like a paper version of the ranger badge and presented to prove membership in the Ranger Force. It certifies that at the time this document was written, Hamer was a captain.
Hamer, Frank A., October 1, 1918. Regular Rangers service records, Texas Adjutant General Service Records, 401-56. Click or tap on image to view larger version.
This document, like the Warrant of Authority, proved Hamer’s membership in the Ranger Force. At the time this document was certified, Hamer was a private in the Ranger Force. Hamer served as a Texas Ranger off and on throughout his adult life.
The Texas Rangers: A Century of Frontier Defense by Walter Prescott Webb. 976.404 W384T. Page 519, Page 520, Page 521 and Page 522. Click or tap on links and images to view larger versions.
The image shown in this publication is a reproduction of a painting made by Mrs. Lonnie Rees, San Antonio painter, illustrator, and teacher. On the right, the narrative about Hamer provides a brief genealogical background of his parents and the family’s settlement in Wilson and San Saba Counties.
Widow’s pension application of Gladys Johnson Hamer, widow of Frank A. Hamer, June 22, 1959. Texas Ranger pensions, Texas Comptroller's Office Claims Records, 1990/069-1. Click or tap on image to view larger version.
Approval letter for ranger pension for Gladys Johnson Hamer, widow of Frank A. Hamer, August 12, 1959. Texas Ranger pensions, Texas Comptroller's Office Claims Records, 1990/069-1. Click or tap on image to view larger version.
Ranger pension index card for Gladys Johnson Hamer, widow of Frank A. Hamer, undated. Texas Ranger pensions, Texas Comptroller's Office Claims Records, 1990/069-1. Click or tap on image to view larger version.
Pension applications can have rich genealogical information about life events and family members. Frank and Gladys were married while she was under indictment for killing her ex-husband, Ed Sims, over a custody dispute. Displeased with the portrayal of her husband in the 1967 film Bonnie and Clyde, Gladys sued Warner Brothers for defamation and settled out of court in 1971.