Descendants of the Fearless Fifty-Nine, James Collinsworth

“Descendants of the Fearless Fifty-Nine”

JAMES COLLINSWORTH by James B. Collinsworth, Jr.

James Collinsworth was born to Revolutionary War Veteran, Edward Collinsworth who served at Valley Forge, Monmouth Courthouse, the Creek Indian War, and The Battle of New Orleans. In 1823, James Collinsworth was admitted to the bar in Tennessee and began practicing law with John Bell. James was a Manager for the Inaugural Ball of newly elected President Andrew Jackson, 1829. A few months later, James petitioned President Jackson for the position of District Attorney of the Western District of Tennessee which he was appointed. In 1835, James Collinsworth resigned his position as District Attorney and moved his law practice to the Brazoria District of Texas. James was one of three delegates from the Brazoria District to the Convention at Washington on the Brazos on March 1, 1836. It was James Collinsworth who struck the gavel that opened the Convention and it was James Collinsworth who nominated his old friend Sam Houston as Commander and Chief of the Texian Army. James Collinsworth’s brother, Lt. John T Collinsworth graduated from West Point in 1830 and was appointed Inspector General of the Texian Army in 1836 by Sam Houston. George M Collinsworth, who led the attack at Goliad, October 9, 1835 was James’ cousin.

Photo above is of (L-R) Ty Collinsworth, James B (Jim) Collinsworth Jr, Chris Collinsworth, and Christopher Collinsworth.

A copy of a portrait of James Collinsworth when he was District Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee from 1829-1835.