George C. Childress
Encyclopedia
George Campbell Childress (January 8, 1804 – October 6, 1841) was a lawyer
, statesman
and was a principal author of the Texas Declaration of Independence
.
, to John Childress and Elizabeth Robertson. In 1826 he attended, and graduated from, Davidson Academy
. Two years later, he was admitted to the Tennessee Bar. George C. Childress studied law for two years later he became chief editor for the Nashville Banner which he remained for 10 years. On June 12, 1828, he married Margaret Vance. Seven years later, Margaret gave birth to a son, but died from complications a few months afterward.
and is almost universally acknowledged as the primary author of the document. The other members of the committee were Edward Conrad,James Fannin, Bailey Hardeman
, and Collin McKinney
. The committee finished the drafting in only one day, leading many to believe that Childress already had gone to the convention with a draft already prepared.
The convention approved the document on March 2, 1836. The document is modeled closely on the United States Declaration of Independence
with its list of causes. Although the document is dated March 2, the actual signing took place on March 3, after errors were discovered when it was read. On March 19, 1836, Childress and Robert Hamilton were sent to the United States to gain recognition of the new Republic of Texas
. They were later replaced by James Collinsworth and Peter W. Grayson.
and committed suicide
by cutting open his abdomen.
was not returned to Texas until June 1896. William H. Wharton
had taken the original to the United States and dropped it off at the Department of State on May 28, 1836.
Lawyer
A lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person who is practicing law." Law is the system of rules of conduct established by the sovereign government of a society to correct wrongs, maintain the stability of political...
, statesman
Statesman
A statesman is usually a politician or other notable public figure who has had a long and respected career in politics or government at the national and international level. As a term of respect, it is usually left to supporters or commentators to use the term...
and was a principal author of the Texas Declaration of Independence
Texas Declaration of Independence
The Texas Declaration of Independence was the formal declaration of independence of the Republic of Texas from Mexico in the Texas Revolution. It was adopted at the Convention of 1836 at Washington-on-the-Brazos on March 2, 1836, and formally signed the following day after errors were noted in the...
.
Early life
Childress was born in Nashville, TennesseeNashville, Tennessee
Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home...
, to John Childress and Elizabeth Robertson. In 1826 he attended, and graduated from, Davidson Academy
Davidson Academy
For the Davidson Academy in Nevada, see Davidson Academy of Nevada.Davidson Academy is a private Christian school located in Nashville, Tennessee. It has students ranging from K-3 to 12th grade.-History:...
. Two years later, he was admitted to the Tennessee Bar. George C. Childress studied law for two years later he became chief editor for the Nashville Banner which he remained for 10 years. On June 12, 1828, he married Margaret Vance. Seven years later, Margaret gave birth to a son, but died from complications a few months afterward.
Texas
After spending some time raising money and volunteers in Tennessee for the Texas army, Childress left permanently for Texas. He arrived at the Red River on December 13, 1835, and reached Robertson's colony on January 9, 1836. The following February he and his uncle Sterling C. Robertson were elected to represent Milam Municipality (formerly known as Viesca) at the Convention of 1836. Childress called the convention to order and subsequently introduced a resolution authorizing a committee of five members to draft a declaration of independence. Upon adoption of the resolution, he was named chairman of the committee by Richard EllisRichard Ellis (politician)
Richard Ellis was an American plantation owner, politician, and judge on the Fourth Circuit Court of Alabama. He was president of the Convention of 1836 that declared Texas' independence from Mexico, signed the Texas Declaration of Independence, and later served in the Republic of Texas...
and is almost universally acknowledged as the primary author of the document. The other members of the committee were Edward Conrad,James Fannin, Bailey Hardeman
Bailey Hardeman
Bailey Hardeman was the first Secretary of the Treasury for the Republic of Texas.Bailey was a younger son of Thomas Hardeman and his first wife Mary Perkins. Both families were early settlers in Tidewater Virginia...
, and Collin McKinney
Collin McKinney
Collin McKinney was a land surveyor, merchant, politician, and lay preacher. He is best known as an important figure in the Texas Revolution as being one of the five individuals who drafted the Texas Declaration of Independence and the oldest person to sign it.-Biography:McKinney was born in...
. The committee finished the drafting in only one day, leading many to believe that Childress already had gone to the convention with a draft already prepared.
The convention approved the document on March 2, 1836. The document is modeled closely on the United States Declaration of Independence
Declaration of independence
A declaration of independence is an assertion of the independence of an aspiring state or states. Such places are usually declared from part or all of the territory of another nation or failed nation, or are breakaway territories from within the larger state...
with its list of causes. Although the document is dated March 2, the actual signing took place on March 3, after errors were discovered when it was read. On March 19, 1836, Childress and Robert Hamilton were sent to the United States to gain recognition of the new Republic of Texas
Republic of Texas
The Republic of Texas was an independent nation in North America, bordering the United States and Mexico, that existed from 1836 to 1846.Formed as a break-away republic from Mexico by the Texas Revolution, the state claimed borders that encompassed an area that included all of the present U.S...
. They were later replaced by James Collinsworth and Peter W. Grayson.
Later life
On December 12, 1836, Childress married Rebecca Jennings and they had two daughters. Childress attempted three times, in 1837, 1839 and 1841, to start his own law practice, but each attempt failed. In despair at his fortunes, on October 6, 1841, Childress took a Bowie knifeBowie knife
A Bowie knife is a pattern of fixed-blade fighting knife first popularized by Colonel James "Jim" Bowie in the early 19th Century. Since the first incarnation was created by James Black, the Bowie knife has come to incorporate several recognizable and characteristic design features, although its...
and committed suicide
Suicide
Suicide is the act of intentionally causing one's own death. Suicide is often committed out of despair or attributed to some underlying mental disorder, such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, alcoholism, or drug abuse...
by cutting open his abdomen.
Side Note
The original Texas Declaration of IndependenceTexas Declaration of Independence
The Texas Declaration of Independence was the formal declaration of independence of the Republic of Texas from Mexico in the Texas Revolution. It was adopted at the Convention of 1836 at Washington-on-the-Brazos on March 2, 1836, and formally signed the following day after errors were noted in the...
was not returned to Texas until June 1896. William H. Wharton
William H. Wharton
William Harris Wharton was an early colonist, political leader and orator in Texas.Wharton was born in Virginia and was raised by an uncle following the deaths of his parents. He graduated from the University of Nashville and was admitted to the Tennessee bar in 1826...
had taken the original to the United States and dropped it off at the Department of State on May 28, 1836.
Childress Factoids
- Childress County, located on the edge of the Texas PanhandleTexas PanhandleThe Texas Panhandle is a region of the U.S. state of Texas consisting of the northernmost 26 counties in the state. The panhandle is a rectangular area bordered by New Mexico to the west and Oklahoma to the north and east...
, was named for him on August 21, 1876. In addition, its county seat (Childress, TexasChildress, TexasChildress is a city in Childress County, Texas, United States. The population was 6,778 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Childress County. Like the county, the city is named for George Campbell Childress, a native of Nashville, Tennessee, who was the principal author of the Texas...
) was also named for him. - Is buried at the Trinity Episcopal Church Cemetery in Galveston
- Is one of four 'founding fathers' of Texas to commit suicide: Anson JonesAnson JonesAnson Jones was a doctor, businessman, congressman, the fourth and last President of the Republic of Texas, sometimes called the "Architect of Annexation."- Early life :...
and Thomas Jefferson RuskThomas Jefferson RuskThomas Jefferson Rusk was an early political and military leader of the Republic of Texas, serving as its first Secretary of War as well as a general at the Battle of San Jacinto. He was later a U.S. politician and served as a Senator from Texas from 1846 until his suicide...
both died from self-inflicted gunshot wounds, and James Collinsworth drowned when he jumped off a boat.