History can often be reduced to a dry collection of dates, names and facts. That is until you find one in your family tree. Today, as we observe Alamo Heroes Day, I am honoring on my ancestor, Micajah Autry.
Born in Sampson County, North Carolina, around 1793. Micajah had been a farmer, teacher, lawyer, and merchant. He was a veteran of the War of 1812.
The journey that defined him most was in 1835 when he decided to go to Texas. . After taking the Oath of Allegiance at Nacogdoches, he entered the Alamo with his squad under the command of Lt. Col. William B. Travis on February 23, 1836. He remained there through the siege until he was killed in action during the final battle on March 6.
The resolve of the men who stood at the Alamo is best captured in the private letters they sent home. On his journey west, Micajah wrote to his wife, Martha:
“I feel more energy than I ever did on anything I have undertaken. I am determined to provide for you a home or perish.” (December 7, 1835)
Micajah Autry was immortalized as a hero, and his portrait now hangs in the Alamo Chapel—a tribute dedicated by the Daughters of the Republic of Texas in 1950.
The Dee Zone 