Historical Marker
General James Davis
Coldspring, San Jacinto County · Texas
Erected 1965
James Davis was among the wealthiest men in East Texas. The Handbook of Texas traces his Alabama offices: sheriff in 1818, county judge in 1823, solicitor in 1827 and major general of militia in 1833. It says he was named United States consul at Santa Fe in November 1831 and moved to Texas about 1834. From Lake Creek Plantation on the Trinity he represented Liberty County in the Congress of the Republic in 1843 and 1844. The 1850 census listed $50,000 in real property in Polk County and forty-seven enslaved people in Liberty and Polk counties.
What the plaque says
General James Davis Born Va., July 17, 1790. As U.S. Army officer in War of 1812, was in Battle of New Orleans. Married Anne Eliza Hill, of N.C. Had 7 children. Came to Texas in 1834. Served Republic of Texas on staff of Gen. Sam Houston, 1836; adjutant-general, 1842; member of Congress, 1843-1844; member of Constitutional Convention, 1845. Gave site, 1848, for Laurel Hill Baptist Church (now First Baptist Church of Coldspring). D. Feb. 10, 1859. Recorded - 1965
Where it stands
30.59689, -95.12567 · Directions
More markers nearby
- Laurel Hill Cemetery — steps away
- San Jacinto County Jail — steps away
- Governor George Tyler Wood — 0.4 mi
- Townsite of Coldspring — 0.4 mi