Born in Tennessee and a friend of David Crockett, Jesse Billingsley came to Texas in 1834 and, known as a fearless Indian fighter, was elected captain of the Mina Volunteers, Company C, of the Republic of Texas Army. At the Battle of San Jacinto, he and his men were the first into Santa Anna's camp and suffered the most casualties, and historian J. Frank Dobie called Billingsley "The Old Rock" of San Jacinto and credited him with first shouting "Remember the Alamo! Remember Goliad!" Although crippled in his left hand by a gunshot wound at San Jacinto, he continued to take part in almost every major skirmish on the Texas frontier, and being known as one of "Billingsley's Men" was considered a mark of distinction. He later served in the Republic of Texas Congress and as a senator in the 5th and 8th Legislatures of the State, sleeping on the Capitol floor in a buckskin suit. His vote against secession and his fair treatment of African-Americans cost him reelection, but not his spirit. He died on his farm at McDade in 1880 and was buried in the front yard at his request beside his favorite horse, and his body was later reinterred in the Texas State Cemetery, one of the state's highest honors.