General James Davis

Duane's take

Here's my telling of what the official marker says about General James Davis, up in San Jacinto County. Now, some men's lives read like a list of the biggest moments in American history, and James Davis had a knack for showing up right in the thick of things. Born in Virginia, July 17, 1790, he came into a young country still finding its legs.

By the time the War of 1812 rolled around, Davis was a U.S. Army officer, and he was there at the Battle of New Orleans. Think about that.

The Battle of New Orleans. He didn't just read about it in a gazette somewhere. He was in it.

After the war, he married Anne Eliza Hill, of North Carolina, and together they had seven children. A full house, by any count. But James Davis was not the kind of man to stay put.

In 1834, he came to Texas, and Texas, as Texas tends to do, put him straight to work. In 1836, he served the Republic of Texas on the staff of General Sam Houston himself. That's not a footnote, friends, that's the main event.

And he kept going. Adjutant-general in 1842. Member of Congress in 1843 and 1844.

Then a member of the Constitutional Convention in 1845, helping shape the very framework of what Texas would become as a state. In 1848, he gave the site for Laurel Hill Baptist Church, which stands today as the First Baptist Church of Coldspring. A gift to the community that's still in use, still standing.

James Davis died February 10, 1859. Virginia-born, New Orleans-tested, Texas-made, and generous to the end.

What the marker says

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