Blackwell, Thomas H. (ca. 1804–1851)

Thomas H. Blackwell, soldier and civil servant, was born in Kentucky around 1804. In a letter of introduction to Sam Houston dated January 2, 1836, J. S. Smith of Richmond, Kentucky, characterized "Major" Blackwell as a man who came to Texas "to do or die." At the battle of San Jacinto Blackwell served as a private in Capt. Henry W. Karnes's company of Mirabeau B. Lamar's "cavalry corps." After the Texas Revolution Blackwell served the Republic of Texas as recording clerk of the House of Representatives of the First Congress. He was also clerk of the board of land commissioners in Brazoria County and on December 15, 1837, was elected clerk of the Brazoria District Court by both houses of Congress. He was reelected on February 1, 1841. He was one of a committee of twenty-eight men from Brazoria County who, on April 14, 1845, drew up resolutions favoring the annexation of Texas. In 1850 he was listed as a merchant who owned $5,000 worth of property in Brazoria County. Blackwell never married. He died at his home in Brazoria County in March 1851, and Christopher Stringfellow was named administrator of his estate.