First Texas Legislature
Encyclopedia
The First Texas Legislature convened from 16 February to 13 May 1846 in regular session. Members of the House of Representatives and Senate were elected in December 1845, after an election on 13 October 1845 that ratified the proposed state constitution.
, Democrat
President pro tempore: Edward Burleson
, Democrat
Speaker of the House pro tempore
Alyssa Petty Third Texas Senate
Senate
Lieutenant Governor: Albert Clinton HortonAlbert Clinton Horton
Albert Clinton Horton was a Texan politician, and the first Lieutenant Governor of Texas.-Early life:...
, Democrat
President pro tempore: Edward Burleson
Edward Burleson
Edward Burleson was a soldier, general, and statesman in the state of Missouri, the Republic of Texas, and later the U.S. state of Texas....
, Democrat
House of Representatives
Speaker of the House- William CrumpWilliam CrumpWilliam Edward Crump was the first Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives following statehood. A representative from Austin County, Crump was a novice in political circles, having held no previous public office in Texas either in the Republic or at the local level...
, Democrat, February 16–May 1, 1846 - William H. BourlandWilliam H. BourlandWilliam H. Bourland was a politician in the Republic of Texas and early statehood Texas who served briefly as Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives during the First Texas Legislature....
, Democrat, May 1–11, 1846 - Stephen W. PerkinsStephen W. PerkinsStephen W. Perkins was an American political figure in the Republic of Texas and early statehood Texas who, in 1846–47, served as Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives during the First Texas Legislature....
, Democrat, May 11–13, 1846
Speaker of the House pro tempore
- John BrownJohn Brown (Texas politician)John “Red” Brown was a politician in the Republic of Texas and early statehood Texas who served briefly as Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives during the First Texas Legislature. Brown was also one of the founders of the Democratic Party in Texas.Brown was probably born in Ireland on 30...
, Democrat, acting Speaker 3–9 March 1846 - Edward Thomas BranchEdward Thomas BranchEdward Thomas Branch was a Republic of Texas legislator and Judge, and after the annexation of Texas to the United States, served briefly as Speaker of the Texas House of RepresentativesBranch was born 6 December 1811 in Richmond, Virginia...
, Democrat, acting Speaker 9–16 March 1846
Senate
Members of the Texas Senate for the First Texas Legislature:| District | Senator | Party | Took office |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Texas Senate, District 1 District 1 of the Texas Senate is a senatorial district that serves all of Bowie, Camp, Cass, Franklin, Gregg, Harrison, Lamar, Marion, Morris, Panola, Red River, Rusk, Titus, Upshur and Wood counties and a portion of Smith county in the U.S. state of Texas... |
William M. “Buckskin” Williams | 1846 | |
| 2 Texas Senate, District 2 District 2 of the Texas Senate is a senatorial district that serves all of Delta, Fannin, Hopkins, Hunt, Kaufman, Rains, Rockwall and Van Zandt counties, and portions of Dallas and Smith counties in the U.S. state of Texas. The current Senator from District 2 is Robert F... |
Ballard C. Bagby | 1846 | |
| 3 Texas Senate, District 3 District 3 of the Texas Senate is a senatorial district that serves all of Anderson, Angelina, Cherokee, Hardin, Henderson, Jasper, Nacogdoches, Newton, Polk, Sabine, San Augustine, San Jacinto, Shelby and Tyler counties, and portions of Montgomery and Smith counties in the U.S. state of Texas... |
William Thomas Scott | 1846 | |
| 4 Texas Senate, District 4 District 4 of the Texas Senate is a senatorial district that serves all of Liberty and Orange counties, and portions of Chambers, Harris, Jefferson and Montgomery counties in the southeastern portion of the state of Texas... |
Joseph Lewis Hogg | 1846 | |
| 5 Texas Senate, District 5 District 5 of the Texas Senate is a senatorial district that serves Brazos, Burleson, Freestone, Grimes, Houston, Lee, Leon, Limestone, Madison, Milam, Robertson, Trinity, Walker and Williamson counties in the U.S. state of Texas... |
Benjamin Rush Wallace | 1846 | |
| 6 Texas Senate, District 6 District 6 of the Texas Senate is a senatorial district that serves a portion of Harris county in the U.S. state of Texas. The current Senator from District 6 is Mario Gallegos, Jr. who has served since 1995.-2004:-2002:-1998:... |
Jesse J. Robinson | 1846 | |
| 7 Texas Senate, District 7 District 7 of the Texas Senate is a senatorial district that serves a portion of Harris county in the U.S. state of Texas. The current Senator from District 7 is Dan Patrick.-2006:-2002:-2000:-1996:-1994:... |
George Tyler Wood George Tyler Wood George Tyler Wood was an American military officer and politician who served as the second Governor of Texas.-Background:... |
Democrat | 1846 |
| 8 Texas Senate, District 8 District 8 of the Texas Senate is a senatorial district that currently serves portions of Collin and Dallas counties in the U.S. state of Texas. The current Senator from District 8 is Florence Shapiro.-2006:-2002:-2000:-1996:... |
Henry J. Jewett | 1846 | |
| 9 Texas Senate, District 9 District 9 of the Texas Senate is a senatorial district that currently serves portions of Dallas, Denton and Tarrant counties in the U.S. state of Texas. The current Senator from District 9 is Chris Harris.-2004:-2002:-2000:... |
Jesse Grimes Jesse Grimes Jesse Grimes was a Texas pioneer and politician. Before moving to Texas, he fought in the War of 1812. He was a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence. He served as Senator in the Republic of Texas Congress and in the Texas State Legislature. Grimes County was named in his honor... |
1846 | |
| 10 Texas Senate, District 10 District 10 of the Texas Senate is a senatorial district that currently serves a portion of Tarrant county in the U.S. state of Texas. The current Senator from District 10 is Wendy Davis.-2008:-2004:-2002:-2000:... |
Isaac W. Brashear | 1846 | |
| 11 Texas Senate, District 11 District 11 of the Texas Senate is a senatorial district that currently serves portions of Brazoria, Galveston and Harris counties in the U.S. state of Texas. The current Senator from District 11 is Mike Jackson.-2004:-2002:-1998:... |
Thomas Freeman McKinney | 1846 | |
| 12 Texas Senate, District 12 District 12 of the Texas Senate is a senatorial district that currently serves portions of Denton and Tarrant counties in the U.S. state of Texas. The current Senator from District 12 is Jane Nelson.-2006:-2002:-2000:-1996:... |
John Greenville McNeill | 1846 | |
| 13 Texas Senate, District 13 District 13 of the Texas Senate is a senatorial district that currently serves portions of Fort Bend and Harris counties in the U.S. state of Texas. The current Senator from District 13 is Rodney Ellis.-2006:-2002:-1998:-1994:... |
Philip Minor Cuney | 1846 | |
| 14 Texas Senate, District 14 District 14 of the Texas Senate is a senatorial district that currently serves a portion of Travis county in the U.S. state of Texas. The current Senator from District 14 is Kirk Watson.-2006:-2002:-2000:-1996:-1994:... |
John F. Miller | 1846 | |
| 15 Texas Senate, District 15 District 15 of the Texas Senate is a senatorial district that currently serves a portion of Harris county in the U.S. state of Texas. The current Senator from District 15 is John Whitmire.-2006:-2002:-2000:-1996:... |
Edward Burleson Edward Burleson Edward Burleson was a soldier, general, and statesman in the state of Missouri, the Republic of Texas, and later the U.S. state of Texas.... |
1846 | |
| 16 Texas Senate, District 16 District 16 of the Texas Senate is a senatorial district that currently serves a portion of Dallas county in the U.S. state of Texas. The current Senator from District 16 is John J. Carona.-2008:-2004:-2004:-2002:-1998:... |
Robert McAlpin Williamson Robert McAlpin Williamson Robert McAlpin Williamson was a Republic of Texas Supreme Court Justice, state lawmaker and Texas Ranger. Williamson County, Texas is named for him.-Early life:... |
1846 | |
| 17 Texas Senate, District 17 District 17 of the Texas Senate is a senatorial district that currently serves portions of Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris and Jefferson counties in the U.S. state of Texas. Senator Kyle Janek announced his resignation on May 29, 2008. Governor Rick Perry called for a special... |
Alexander H. Phillips | 1846 | |
| 18 Texas Senate, District 18 District 18 of the Texas Senate is a senatorial district that currently serves all of Aransas, Austin, Bastrop, Caldwell, Calhoun, Colorado, DeWitt, Fayette, Goliad, Gonzales, Jackson, Lavaca, Matagorda, Refugio, Victoria, Waller, Washington and Wharton counties and a western portion of Fort Bend... |
José Antonio Navarro José Antonio Navarro José Antonio Navarro was a Texas statesman, revolutionary, politician, and merchant. The son of Ángel Navarro and Josefa María Ruiz y Pena, he was born into a distinguished noble family at San Antonio de Béxar in New Spain.... |
1846 | |
| 19 Texas Senate, District 19 District 19 of the Texas Senate is a senatorial district that currently serves all of Bandera, Brewster, Crockett, Culberson, Edwards, Hudspeth, Jeff Davis, Kinney, Loving, Maverick, Medina, Pecos, Presidio, Real, Reeves, Sutton, Terrell, Uvalde, Val Verde, Ward and Winkler counties, and portions... |
Henry Lawrence Kinney | 1846 | |
| F Texas Senate, District F District F of the Texas Senate is an obsolete Senate District. Though probably not known by the name District F, it was a “floating” senatorial district that served Bowie, Red River, Fannin, and Lamar counties. It was only active for the First and Second Texas Legislatures.-District officeholders:... |
James G. Bourland | 1846 |
House of Representatives
Members of the House of Representatives for the First Texas Legislature:- Adams
- Barry
- William H. BourlandWilliam H. BourlandWilliam H. Bourland was a politician in the Republic of Texas and early statehood Texas who served briefly as Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives during the First Texas Legislature....
, Democrat - Edward Thomas BranchEdward Thomas BranchEdward Thomas Branch was a Republic of Texas legislator and Judge, and after the annexation of Texas to the United States, served briefly as Speaker of the Texas House of RepresentativesBranch was born 6 December 1811 in Richmond, Virginia...
, Democrat - John BrownJohn Brown (Texas politician)John “Red” Brown was a politician in the Republic of Texas and early statehood Texas who served briefly as Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives during the First Texas Legislature. Brown was also one of the founders of the Democratic Party in Texas.Brown was probably born in Ireland on 30...
, Democrat - James M. Burroughs
- William Leslie CazneauWilliam Leslie CazneauWilliam Leslie Cazneau was a Texas pioneer and is credited with having buried the Alamo Heroes with full military honors.Cazneau was born in Boston and came to Texas in 1830. He was the older son of ship master William L. Cazneau . In the late 1840s, he married Jane McManus Storms Cazneau .His...
- Charleton
- Edward ClarkEdward Clark (governor)Edward Clark was the eighth Governor of Texas. His term coincided with the beginning of the American Civil War.-Biography:...
, Democrat - Wilds K. Cook, Democrat
- James Cronican
- William E. CrumpWilliam CrumpWilliam Edward Crump was the first Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives following statehood. A representative from Austin County, Crump was a novice in political circles, having held no previous public office in Texas either in the Republic or at the local level...
, Democrat - Echols
- Nicholas Henry DarnellNicholas Henry DarnellNicholas Henry Darnell was an American politician in Tennessee and Texas. He was the only person to serve as Speaker of the House of the Republic of Texas House of Representatives and the State of Texas House of Representatives...
- David Catchings DicksonDavid Catchings DicksonDavid Catchings Dickson was an American politician and physician in early Texas who served as Lieutenant Governor of Texas and as Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives. He was also a State Senator and unsuccessfully ran for governor of Texas....
, Democrat - Dupree
- Durham
- Echols
- Eddy
- Haden Harrison EdwardsHaden Harrison EdwardsHaden Edwards was a Texas settler and land speculator. Edwards County, Texas on the Edwards Plateau is named for him. In 1825, Edwards received a land grant from the Mexican government, allowing him to settle families in East Texas...
- George Bernard Erath
- James Shackleford Gillett
- Gilliam
- Benjamin Gooch
- Peter W. GrayPeter W. GrayPeter W. Gray was an American lawyer, judge, and legislator from Texas. He represented Texas in the Confederate House of Representatives....
- James Wilson HendersonJ. W. HendersonJames Wilson Henderson was the fourth Governor of Texas from November 23, 1853 to December 21, 1853.Born on August 15, 1817 in Sumner County, Tennessee, Henderson moved to Texas when he was 19 to join the struggle for independence, but he arrived too late to participate. He settled in Harris...
, Democrat - Spearman Holland
- Volney E. HowardVolney E. HowardVolney Erskine Howard was an American lawyer, statesman, and jurist.-Career:Howard commenced law practice in Brandon, Mississippi...
- Hudson
- Robert Anderson IrionRobert Anderson IrionRobert Anderson Irion was a physician, surveyor and Secretary of State of Texas under Sam Houston's first presidency of the Republic of Texas.-Early life:...
- Jones
- Charles G. KeenanCharles G. KeenanCharles Gradison Keenan was a politician and physician in early statehood Texas who served as Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives during the Third Texas Legislature....
, Democrat - Evans Mabry
- John N. McClarty
- McCown
- Benjamin McCullochBenjamin McCullochBenjamin McCulloch was a soldier in the Texas Revolution, a Texas Ranger, a U.S. marshal, and a brigadier general in the army of the Confederate States during the American Civil War.-Early life:...
- Thomas Stuart McFarland
- McNeill
- Elliott McNeil Millican
- Steward Alexander Miller
- Muckleroy
- Mullens
- Noble
- Duncan Campbell Ogden
- George A. Pattillo
- Elisha M. PeaseElisha M. PeaseElisha Marshall Pease was a U.S. politician from the 1830s through the 1870s. He served as the fifth and 13th Governor of Texas .A native of Enfield, Connecticut, Pease moved to Mexican Texas in 1835...
- Stephen W. PerkinsStephen W. PerkinsStephen W. Perkins was an American political figure in the Republic of Texas and early statehood Texas who, in 1846–47, served as Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives during the First Texas Legislature....
, Democrat - Perry
- Railey
- Rayner
- Samuel Redgate, Democrat
- John Washington Rose
- Alexander J. Russell
- Ryburn
- William Turner Sadler
- Savage
- Ashbel SmithAshbel SmithAshbel Smith was a pioneer physician, diplomat and official of the Republic of Texas, Confederate officer and first President of the Board of Regents of the University of Texas.-Early life:...
- James Smith
- Charles Bellinger Tate Stewart, Democrat
- Henry Williams Sublett, Democrat
- Arthur SwiftArthur SwiftArthur Swift was a 19th-century Texas merchant, political and military figure. He along with Rangers Mathew Caldwell and James Campbell were founders of Seguin, Texas and a member of Callahan's Gonzales-Seguin Rangers and a participant in the Texas–Indian wars...
- B. F. Tankersly
- James A. Truitt, Democrat
- White
- Williams
- James Willie
Senate
| District | Outgoing Senator |
Reason for Vacancy | Successor | Date of Successor's Installation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| District 3 Texas Senate, District 3 District 3 of the Texas Senate is a senatorial district that serves all of Anderson, Angelina, Cherokee, Hardin, Henderson, Jasper, Nacogdoches, Newton, Polk, Sabine, San Augustine, San Jacinto, Shelby and Tyler counties, and portions of Montgomery and Smith counties in the U.S. state of Texas... |
William Thomas Scott | Scott resigned 5 June 1847 due to an eye disease. | Edward Clark Edward Clark (governor) Edward Clark was the eighth Governor of Texas. His term coincided with the beginning of the American Civil War.-Biography:... |
13 December 1847 |
| District 4 Texas Senate, District 4 District 4 of the Texas Senate is a senatorial district that serves all of Liberty and Orange counties, and portions of Chambers, Harris, Jefferson and Montgomery counties in the southeastern portion of the state of Texas... |
Joseph Lewis Hogg | Hogg was granted a leave of absence 4 May 1846 to join the Second Regiment of the Texas Mounted Volunteers for the Mexican-American War, and resigned some time after that. | Isaac Parker | after 4 May 1846 |
| District 7 Texas Senate, District 7 District 7 of the Texas Senate is a senatorial district that serves a portion of Harris county in the U.S. state of Texas. The current Senator from District 7 is Dan Patrick.-2006:-2002:-2000:-1996:-1994:... |
George Tyler Wood George Tyler Wood George Tyler Wood was an American military officer and politician who served as the second Governor of Texas.-Background:... |
Wood was granted a leave of absence 4 May 1846 to join the Second Regiment of the Texas Mounted Volunteers for the Mexican-American War, and resigned before 4 September 1847. | William C. Abbott | 13 December 1847 |
| District 11 Texas Senate, District 11 District 11 of the Texas Senate is a senatorial district that currently serves portions of Brazoria, Galveston and Harris counties in the U.S. state of Texas. The current Senator from District 11 is Mike Jackson.-2004:-2002:-1998:... |
Thomas Freeman McKinney | McKinney resigned after the end of the session (13 May 1846). | Richard Bache | 13 December 1847 |
Alyssa Petty Third Texas Senate