In December 1835, the Texas provisional government (The General Council) called for the Independence convention to meet at Washington-on-the-Brazos. Sixty-two delegates were elected from twenty-five Texas municipalities on February 1, 1836.
The convention was called to order on March 1, 1836 by George Childress. Forty-four delegates presented credentials the first day. Fifty-nine delegates ultimately attended the convention. Three delegates, James Kerr (Jackson), John Linn (Victoria), and Juan Antonio Padilla (Goliad) were unable to attend. (Photo - Statue of George Childress at Washington-on-the-Brazos)
Richard Ellis (Red River) was elected convention president. Ellis then appointed a Declaration of Independence committee. The committee consisted of five members - James Gaines (Sabine), Edward Conrad (Refugio), Collin McKinney (Red River), Bailey Hardeman (Matagorda), and was chaired by George Childress (Milam).
The Texas Declaration of Independence was written in one day. Most historians believe Childress arrived at the convention with an almost completed draft of the document. Childress is widely accepted as the author of the six page declaration.
The document was approved without debate. Delegates began signing the document on March 3, 1836, officially establishing the Republic of Texas.
Before the convention adjourned on March 17, 1836, due to the advancing Mexican Army, Childress also made motions for the prevention of slave trading in the Republic and that the state emblem be "a single star of five points . . . "
George Childress was one of only two delegates who did not arrive in Texas until 1836. The other was Sam P. Carson (Red River) . . . but that . . . well that's a whole 'nuther story . . .
Read more about George Campbell Childress at the Handbook of Texas Online
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Copyright 2009 Mike Kearby
