Richardson A. Scurry facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Richardson A. Scurry
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Richardson A. Scurry, US Representative from Texas
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| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Texas's 1st district |
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| In office August 4, 1851 – March 3, 1853 |
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| Preceded by | David S. Kaufman |
| Succeeded by | George W. Smyth |
| 8th Speaker of the House (Republic of Texas) |
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| In office 1843–1844 |
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| Preceded by | Nicholas Henry Darnell |
| Succeeded by | John M. Lewis |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Richardson A. Scurry
November 11, 1811 Gallatin, Tennessee |
| Died | April 9, 1862 (aged 50) Hempstead, Texas |
| Resting place | Hempstead Cemetery, Hempstead, Texas |
| Political party | Democratic |
Richardson A. Scurry (born November 11, 1811 – died April 9, 1862) was an important politician from Texas. He was a member of the Democratic Party and served in the United States House of Representatives.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Richardson A. Scurry was born in Gallatin, Tennessee, on November 11, 1811. His parents were Thomas J. and Catherine Scurry. He was the oldest of five children. Richardson was taught by private teachers at home. Later, he studied law with a relative, Judge Josephus Conn Guild. In 1830, Scurry became a lawyer and started his practice in Covington, Tennessee.
Moving to Texas and Military Service
In early 1836, Scurry moved to Texas. He joined the army of the Republic of Texas. He fought in the famous Battle of San Jacinto as a first sergeant. This battle helped Texas win its independence. He later became a first lieutenant and served until October 1836. After leaving the army, Scurry settled in Clarksville, Texas. There, he started a successful law practice.
Political Career in Texas
When Texas formed its new government, Scurry became the secretary of the senate. This was during the first Texas Congress in 1836. In December 1836, President Sam Houston chose Scurry to be the district attorney for the First Judicial District.
In January 1840, the Texas Congress elected him as a judge. This also made him an associate justice of the Texas Supreme Court. He held this position until February 1841. He then became the district attorney for the Fifth Judicial District. During this time, he also practiced law in San Augustine, Texas. He worked with his brother William, Thomas Jefferson Rusk, and James Pinckney Henderson. While in San Augustine, Scurry joined a local militia. This group helped in the Texas–Indian wars.
Scurry was a member of the Texas House of Representatives from 1842 to 1844. During his time there, he served as the Speaker of the House. Texas became part of the United States in 1845.
Serving in the U.S. Congress
In 1851, Scurry was elected to the United States House of Representatives. He was a Democrat. He won a special election to fill a vacant seat after David S. Kaufman passed away. Scurry served the rest of Kaufman's term, from August 4, 1851, to March 3, 1853. He decided not to run for reelection. After his term, he went back to practicing law near Hempstead, Texas.
Later Life and Health
In August 1854, Scurry had an accident while hunting. He injured his foot, and a doctor had to perform a partial surgery. This injury left him mostly unable to move easily. He had health problems from the wound for the rest of his life.
Scurry supported the Confederacy during the American Civil War. In 1861, he was asked to become a colonel in the Confederate States Army. His job was to gather a new regiment of soldiers. However, his physical health prevented him from doing this. Instead, he contacted his friend, General Albert Sidney Johnston. General Johnston was a commander in the Confederate States Army. He appointed Scurry to his staff as an adjutant, which is a type of assistant.
Death and Burial
In 1862, Scurry had another surgery on his leg. He hoped it would help him move better with crutches so he could serve under General Johnston. Sadly, he died from problems related to the surgery. He passed away at his home in Hempstead on April 3, 1862. Richardson Scurry was buried at Hempstead Cemetery in Hempstead, Texas.
Family Life
In 1843, Richardson Scurry married Evantha Foster. They had nine children together, but only four lived to adulthood. Their son Thomas (1859–1911) later became the adjutant general of the Texas National Guard.
Richardson Scurry also had a brother named William Read Scurry (1821–1864). William became a general in the Confederate army.
