William Peter Cartwright was born March 16, 1813 and died in Alabama, and died October 25, 1844 in Texas.  He was the son of Thomas Peter Cartwright, Jr. and Elizabeth Shaw.

William and his brother both fought in the Battle of San Jacinto under Captain William Ware’s 2nd Regiment Volunteers 2nd Infantry Company.  In 1936, the State of Texas erected a monument for him and his brother.