William Barret Travis was one of the most important figures of the Alamo, yet who really was he?

Travis's story begins outside of Texas. In August of 1809, he was born in Saluda, South Carolina to his father, Mark, and his mother, Jemima. He was the eldest of eleven children.

Travis often spent time in his childhood, as any child would, playing with all the other children. Eventually, his family would move from South Carolina all the way to Alabama.

While in Alabama, Travis accomplished many things. He went to school, apprenticed as an attorney, and got married to Rosanna Cato when he was twenty, just to name a few.

To the right: Stephen F. Austin

"The Father of Texas,"

Aside from those, Travis eventually joined a local militia in Alabama, becoming an adjutant. Yet, despite having all of these things in Alabama, in 1831, Travis moved to Texas alone. His move to Texas was after the Law of April 6th, 1830. This law was used to stop Texas immigration. Travis obtained land from Stephen F. Austin on May 21st and established legal practices near Anahuac, Texas.

While establishing himself in Anahuac, Travis eventually joined with a group who opposed the Law of April 6th. This group would become known as "The War Party," raising tensions in Texas among the American settlers and the Mexican government.

These rising tensions would lead to Travis getting arrested, released, and moving his practices of law to San Felipe.