The Fearless Fifty-Nine, James Collinsworth

James Collinsworth was the 30 year old Brazoria representative. Collinsworth was a lawyer in Tennessee before moving to Matagorda in 1835 where he continued practicing law. Besides physically signing the Declaration, he introduced and guided to adoption a resolution making Sam Houston commander in chief of the Texas army, became chairman of the military affairs committee and served on the committee appointed to draft a constitution for the Republic. He was appointed Houston’s aide-de-camp as well with the rank of major. Post war, Collinsworth was appointed the first chief justice of the Republic. Between 1836 and 1838, he helped organize the Texas Railroad, Navigation, and Banking Company, founded the city of Richmond and was a charter member of the Philosophical Society of Texas.