Who's Who in the Texas Revolution
George Childress
George Childress
George Childress was born on January 8, 1804 in Nashville, Tennessee. Childress and his son left for Texas in late 1835 after the death of his wife and settled in his uncle's colony. There he set up his law practice. In February, he and his uncle were chosen to attend the Convention of 1836 to discuss the pending conflict with Mexico. He and five others were chosen to draft the Declaration of Independence from Mexico. As chairman of the committee, he is acknowledged as being the principle author of the document. His life after the revolution was a struggle as he failed three times to establish a law practice successful enough to support his family. Distraught by his inability to earn a living, George Childress committed suicide at his home in Galveston on October 6, 1841. Five years later, Childress County was named after him in recognition of his service to the Republic of Texas