Part of an old map of the San Jacinto area from the Texas Revolution

Veteran Bio

Texian Location:  Harrisburg

The Kemp Sketch

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CHILDRESS, JAMES R. - Born in Tennessee. He was a brother of George C. Childress, who signed the Texas Declaration of Independence. In Headright Certificate No. 120 issued to him May 14, 1838 by the Board of Land Commissioners for Milam County for one-third of a league. Mr. Childress stated that he came to Texas in 1835. In the Spanish Archives, General Land Office, he is shown as having applied for land in Robertson’s Colony, January 12, 1836. He was a member of Captain Sterling C. Robertson’s Company which was mustered into service January 17, 1836.

On page 43, Army Rolls in the Land Office, Mr. Childress is shown as having been detailed to guard the baggage at the camp opposite Harrisburg, April 21, 1836, while a member of Captain J. B. Chance’s Company.

The only land claimed by Mr. Childress for his services in army was 320 acres on Bounty Certificate No. 9046 issued April 15, 1839 and due him for having served in the army from June 12 to September 12, 1836. The certificate had been assigned to Charles B. Babcock.

Mr. Childress was living in Washington County March 5, 1840, when he appointed F. H. Smiley his agent to secure a patent on his headright land. The land was surveyed in Falls County by George B. Erath in 1838 about fifteen miles from Milam.

Written by Louis W. Kemp, between 1930 and 1952. Please note that typographical and factual errors have not been corrected from the original sketches. The biographies have been scanned from the original typescripts, a process that sometimes allows for mistakes in the new text. Researchers should verify the accuracy of the texts' contents through other sources before quoting in publications. Additional information on the veteran may be available in the Herzstein Library.


Battle Statistics

  • Died in Battle: No
  • Rank: Private
  • Company: Capt. Joseph Bell Chance

Personal Statistics

  • Date of Birth: 1801
  • Birthplace: Tennessee, Davidson County, Nashville
  • Came to Texas: 1835
  • Date of Death: 1840 Dec
  • Burial Place: Milam County, Texas
  • Wife: none