Kaufman County, Texas was named for David Spangler Kaufman, a man who came to the Republic of Texas at age twenty-four and became a respected attorney, orator, soldier and the first man from the new state of Texas to be elected to the U. S. Congress. David Kaufman was born 18 December 1813 at Boiling Springs, Cumberland Co PA, son of Abraham Kauffman and Mary Ann Spangler. He was called "Spangler" by his family, as shown in family records and his father's Will. After he became an adult David practiced the Jewish faith which was not of his heritage or lineage, nor the religion of his wife, and this fact has puzzled historians for more than a century. His parents were members of the Reformed Trinity Church of York Co PA. His EducationKaufman began his education at home and by the age of 15 was placed in an apprenticeship as a Merchant in the mercantile of Mr. David Niven in Shippensburg, PA. Within a year Mr. Niven saw that David took more interest in reading the books in his store than selling them and persuaded David's father to allow him to attend Dickinson College. He enrolled in 1829, but did not finish his collegiate studies there, quickly realizing his desire for a higher form of education. In 1830 he removed himself to New Jersey and in 1833 graduated from Nassau Hall at Princeton. After graduation he studied law in Natchez, Mississippi, serving an internship under John A Quitman, a man who later became governor of Mississippi. It is believed Quitman's adventuresome spirit, enthusiasm for exploring the frontier and zealousness for Texas independence from Mexico was a strong influence on his young apprentice's reasons for moving to Texas. In 1835 David Kaufman left Mississippi to begin his legal career in Natchitoches, Louisiana. Two years later, through the urgings of his old friend, Quitman, David Kaufman settled in Nacogdoches in the Republic of Texas. He was quickly recognized as a trust-worthy man, sought after to handle legal affairs of many of the men thought of as Texas' founding pioneers. It is apparent that Quitman trusted Kaufman with his own personal business dealings, as well. In early Nacogdoches records Kaufman is listed as the Agent of Record for Quitman, registering 1,070 acres of his land there on the Tax Rolls. D S Kaufman, EsquireWithin a year of his removal to Texas Kaufman's legal prowess and strong oratory skills had made him a very popular new comer to the Republic. He was elected, as a Democrat to the Congress of the Republic in 1838, representing Nacogdoches. However, the fiber of the young man soon proved to be made from more than just his intellect, as in 1837 David Kaufman was also serving the Republic as a soldier. From "Remembering Rusk County" the following is found: "William C. Davis, born 14 November 1811 in Craven County, North Carolina, enlisted in the Company of Lee C. Smith, Major William H. Smith's Battalion of Rangers under Col. David S. Kaufman on 1 April 1837 in Nacogdoches County, Texas." David S Kaufman was also a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. He also served as a charter member of the Philosophical Society of Texas, an organization founded December 5, 1837, in the Capitol of the Republic of Texas at Houston, that is still in existence today. **SEE INFO BELOW By 1837 Kaufman had removed to Sabinetown and had opened a law practice "Kaufman and Gould" with his partner, Charles M Gould. In 1837 David S Kaufman is listed on the Poll Tax List for Nacogdoches and in 1840 listed as a citizen in Nacogdoches listed as: "Kaufman D S arrived in Republic June 1837 - 2nd class headright - 640 acres in Nacogdoches on 5 Oct 1838" (certification 14 May 1841). Mentor & SoldierKaufman became an integral part in putting an end to the Regulator-Moderator War in Texas 1837-1844. The feud had proven a violent chapter in the Republic's history. In 1844 Sam Houston sent an entourage of militia to end the fighting and though ten men were arrested only a truce negotiated by Judge William B. Ochiltree, Isaac Van Zandt, and David S. Kaufman convinced the sides to quit fighting. That truce was tested several times within the next two years by men on both sides and ironically those same men fought side by side against Mexican troops in the Mexican-American War in 1846.  
In 1839, despite treaties made with Sam Houston and the Republic, the Cherokee Indians under the leadership of Chief Bowl began depredations against the growing number of settlers in east central Texas. Kaufman, who was a Major at the time, served as an Aide to Gen. Kelsey H Douglass. On July 15th and 16th, he was fighting in the Battle of the Neches, part of the Cherokee War, south of Tyler. During the fight, the one in which Chief Bowl ( also known as Chief Duwali ) was killed, Kaufman was wounded in the face. At first it was thought the wound may prove fatal as a ball entered his mouth and exited in front of his left ear. However, Kaufman did recover though was scarred the remainder of his life. The Battle of the Neches resulted in the expulsion of hostile Indians from East Texas and brought an end to Indian troubles in the north east portion of the state. David had kindled a warm friendship with Sam Houston, who was close friends with Chief Bowl and it was Kaufman who was sent to inform Houston of the outcome of the battle and Bowl's demise. Not long after that time a man named S. Rhodes Fisher, who was Secretary of the Navy, committed some unlawful acts at sea against the Republic. Sam Houston wanted him removed from office, but doing so required an act of the Senate. Fisher hired a prominent law firm to represent him, while Houston employed David Kaufman to represent the Republic. Kaufman proved triumphant. Kaufman's argument was so profound a copy of it was published in the Texas Chronicle. His Political CareerAlthough no record exists showing the Kauffman family owned slaves, his father-in-law, Daniel Long Richardson, was a slave owner and David Kaufman was Pro-Slavery. He quickly made his presence known in Washington with a speech attacking the Wilmot Proviso, which sought to ban slavery in new territories acquired by the United States. He had strong opinions concerning free persons of color within the US and the Republic of Texas as seen in "The Ashworth Law", an Act he co-authored and signed. The law made it unlawful for a free person of color to emigrate to the Republic of Texas, required free persons of color to leave the Republic within two years unless those free persons who wished to remain post a bond, permitted county officials to evict free persons of color from the Republic who do not post a bond and permitted the sale into slavery of any free persons of color who do not obey the law. The law also gave immunity to the above for certain persons of color whom were deemed pioneers in the Republic. The law reads: For the Relief of certain Free persons of Color.
 David Spangler Kaufman circa 1850 The first elected office held by David Kaufman was that of District Attorney of San Augustine. As well as serving in the House of the Third Congress of the Republic he served as Speaker of the House in the Fourth and Fifth congresses through 1843. From December 1843 through June 1845 he represented Shelby, Sabine, and Harrison counties in the Senate of the Republic. In 1844 he presented a report in favor of annexation, and took an active part in its realization. While in Congress, Kaufman argued unsuccessfully that Texas owned lands that are now parts of New Mexico, Colorado, Kansas, Wyoming, and Oklahoma. He strongly encouraged Gov. P H Bell have Texas troops seize Santa Fe as part of it's territory. Meanwhile in February 1845 Texas Republic President Anson Jones named him Chargé d'Affaires to the United States. The following is a letter from Anson Jones, President of the Republic of Texas, at Washington-on-the-Brazos, Texas, addressed to James K. Polk, President of the United States, Washington, D.C. Washington, on the Brazos, July 12, 1845. Kaufman's newest position was not well-received by the U S Government as evident in his own words. In a letter to a friend on October 5, 1845, he wrote: He also played a role in the Compromise of 1850, whereby the national government assumed the debts of Texas. Though well-liked and respected by most during his legal and political career, Kaufman was not without his adversaries and enemies. One man, James S Mayfield (1808 - 1852), was Kaufman's shadow and nemesis from his earliest days in Texas. Mayfield moved to Nacogdoches at about the same time Kaufman did, and was also a lawyer. He also served as a Captain with Kaufman during the Cherokee Wars under the command of H K Douglass. From Feb. 8, to Sep. 7, 1841 Mayfield was Secretary of State for the Republic of Texas, and although he was elected to the Texas' Fifth & Sixth Congresses from Nacogdoches County there is proof he had higher political aspirations and ran for U S Congress the same year Kaufman won the election, which may have left a bitter side to him. He was known as a scoundrel, and a definitely a man who craved attention. In history there is recorded several instances where he shot, killed or sought to duel men in the Republic. On January 4th, 1842, during a session of the Texas House of Representatives, Mayfield, while speaking on a bill, spoke about fellow congressman Kaufman in an unsavory manner. Later, after the session adjourned, Kaufman waited for Mayfield and called out to him. An argument ensued, with threats made by both men. Shots were exchanged and Kaufman was wounded in the abdomen. (For newspaper articles concerning this gunfight, click here.) According to records that wound never healed completely and some say it probably attributed to his death. Strange as it seems the encounter must have been considered as a fair fight for apparently no charges were filed against either man. David Kaufman was described as a great orator whose forceful campaign speeches brought him notoriety. He was in demand throughout Texas at colleges, political gatherings and Masonic lodges. His filibusters and lobbying tactics in both the Texas and U S Houses are infamous. While in Congress Kaufman argued unsuccessfully that Texas owned lands that are now parts of New Mexico, Colorado, Kansas, Wyoming, and Oklahoma. He encouraged Governor Peter H. Bell to have Texas troops seize Santa Fe. He also played a role in the Compromise of 1850, whereby the national government assumed the debts of Texas. The compromise was ratified in December 1850, only one month prior to his death. Although David Kaufman was living more than a thousand miles from his family in Cumberland Co PA, he was still help in high esteem there. The following is from the June 29, 1848 edition of the American Volunteer, a Carlisle PA publication, after Sam Houston wrote to the local officials announcing he and David Kaufman would celebrate Independence Day in Carlisle. Celebration of the 4th at Carlisle The July 13th edition of the same publication offered the following "A toast to the Hon. David S Kaufman - born and reared amongst us, we know his exalted worth....a few years since he was but a quiet and unobtrusive youth living in our midst - now he is the popular and talented representative of the new State of Texas in the Congress of the Union. His destiny is onward and upward, and yet higher honors await him at the hands of the people. Kaufman died 18 January 1851 in Washington, D. C. It will never be known to what greatness David Kaufman might have achieved if he had not died. His death was ultimately attributed to the wound he received when shot by Mayfield in 1842, as it never properly healed and in most likeliness caused an aneurysm. Medical experts described his death as being within an hour of the onset of him collapsing, believing the cause of death to be from massive internal bleeding. The National Intelligencer, February 1, 1851:It is our painful duty to announce the decease of the Hon. David S. Kaufman, a Representative in Congress from the State of Texas. About two o'clock yesterday he was in his seat in the House of Representatives, but, feeling a painful sensation about the region of the heart, he returned in a carriage to his lodgings at the United States Hotel. He there lay upon his bed for some time, in apparent tranquil repose, in the presence of his wife. About sunset he spoke, in reply to an observation from his child, and suddenly expired. His disease was an affection of the heart. Mr. Kaufman was a gentleman who had won general esteem by the amiableness of his disposition, and his death will be deeply regretted by his brother members, and be a loss to his State, in the National Councils, which few of her citizens can supply. The funeral for David Kaufman was held February 4, 1851, in Washington DC and his remains interred in the Congressional Cemetery there. In 1932 his remains were moved from Washington, DC to the Texas State Cemetery In Austin, TX. 
His tombstone in the Texas State Cemetery reads:David Spangler Kaufman
Member of the House of the 3rd, 4th and 5th Congress of the Texas Republic Family of David S KaufmanWIFE & CHILDREN On 21 April 1841 David Kaufman married Jane Baxter Richardson in San Augustine TX. She was the daughter of Daniel Long Richardson, a soldier for the Republic at the Battle of San Jacinto, and his wife, Jane Baxter. To David and Jane the following children were born:
*Because of a marked grave in the Sabinetown Cemetery, Sabine Co TX, some researchers believe this child was born to the couple in 1851. The tombstone is inscribed with only one date which at the time reflected that the interred person was born and had died on the same date. The grave is located next to that of Jane Richardson Kaufman in that graveyard. The date being only three days from the death date of Sam Kaufman leads researchers to believe there may have been an epidemic of some type in August 1851. Kaufman and his family were enumerated on the 1850 Sabine Co TX census in household 36 / 36. He is listed as age 35, Lawyer, with assets valued at $3,177.00, along with wife Jane R age 35 born Georgia. With them are their children, Anna age 6, David age 3 and Daniel age 6 months - all born in Texas, and Jane's sister Eliza S Richardson age 16 born Florida and her youngest brother David K Richardson age 6 born Texas. Sabinetown Cemetery, Sabine Co TXJane Baxter Richardson Kaufman (Wife of D S Kaufman) Samuel Houston Kaufman Daniel Long Richardson** (Father-in-law of D S Kaufman) **NOTE: The inventory of D L Richardson's estate included thousands of acres of land in as many as twenty-one counties, fifty-two slaves, a dwelling, a gin house, a black smith shop, a gristmill, a kitchen, stables, corn cribs, farm goods, cattle, oxen, wagons, and other implements. Cash divided among four heirs amounted to approximately $120,000. Upon the death of Jane Kaufman in 1852, her three surviving children were placed in the home of J J Nash in Washington Co TX, as reflected on the 1860 census (see below). That same year daughter Anna Kaufman had resided in San Augustine County with Jane's sister, Elizabeth Richardson Sexton (1833 - 1894) and her husband, Franklin B Sexton (1828 - 1900 ) and was enumerated in that household, as well.
*bracketed around the Kaufman names was a notation made by the Enumerator: The next time David S Kaufman, Jr is seen on any census records is in 1870, living in Brenham, Washington Co, TX, near his sister Anna Allen and her family.
In 1880 neither David S nor Daniel L Kaufman can be found on any Texas County Census. Daniel Kaufman is found on the 1900 Census of Walker County. He is an inmate in the Huntsville Texas State Prison on the Penitentiary Food & Tobacco Farm, listed as age 56, Single, born March 1844 in TX with father born PA and mother born TX. Lists normal occupation prior to incarceration as a Painter. There is no sign of Daniel in the 1910 nor 1920 census records. He may have died in prison. Also, records have been found that show David S Kaufman Jr served in Co B of Col. David B Terry's Regiment of Texas Cavalry during the Civil War as a Private in the Confederate States Army. The regiment was assembled in Montgomery County, Texas, during the spring of 1864. Attached to the Trans-Mississippi brigade, they were ordered to Calcasieu Pass, Louisiana, then were active in numerous conflicts in Arkansas. Later the regiment moved to Texas and was placed on commissary duty and was disbanded in the spring of 1865 after the surrender. In 1880 we find Anna a widow living in Brazos Co TX with her three surviving children:
**If you are a Descendant of this Kaufman / Allen / Richardson Family and have information to update this page, please contact: kkhunt@mycvc.net DAVID KAUFMAN'S PARENTSFATHER MOTHER Abraham and Mary had 9 known children - 5 sons and 4 daughters. All were born in Pennsylvania.
David S. Kaufman's SiblingsIn the 1840's David's two eldest brothers John and Joseph moved from PA to Macon Co IL. Joseph was a farmer with mild political aspirations, serving as a Justice of the Peace, and John was a miller, a widower when he moved. He remarried in IL. Both men had large families. Abraham, David's next eldest brother, started his career as a hardware salesman but like David was of a scholarly mind which led him to become a reverend of two different religions. He graduated from Dickinson College in Carlisle, PA and from Andover Theological Seminary. He was a noted scholar of translating the German, Hebrew and Latin languages and was an early professor of Metaphysics. In the year 1830 he was ordained a minister of the Presbyterian church, but grew weary of that religion and was determined to enter the Episcopalian church while residing in Boston. On 7 Oct 1837 he was ordained a priest of the Episcopalian church and was sent to work at St. Philips Church in Charleston SC, where he died 2 years later from yellow fever. He had one son. The Story of Daniel KaufmanDavid Kaufman's younger brother, Daniel, was born 21 Apr 1818 and died 26 Jul 1902. He remained in Cumberland County PA all his life. Daniel was an Abolitionist and his home was a stop on the Underground Railroad. In the early 1800's more than half of Pennsylvania's total slave population was in Cumberland County, and the Kaufman family lived among people who owned slaves. The issue of slavery was strongly debated among Cumberland County residents and conflicting convictions on the subject divided the populace, and families. Some of these residents helped runaway slaves escape to freedom. They hid them from their owners and transported them to safety in what became known as the Underground Railroad. At the age of 17 Daniel was of a strong will and even greater mind, and he became involved with the "Underground Railroad", hiding runaway slaves on a densely overgrown place called Island Grove which was about a mile from his family's home on Yellow Breeches River. He also hid slaves in his family's barn, and later in his home, and was assisted in these endeavors by two of his brothers-in-law, Mode Griffith and Stephen Weakley. Island Grove, located on the Yellow Breeches Creek near Boiling Springs, still exists today. In the times of the Underground Railroad it was a small island that was almost completely covered with tall trees, low vines and shrubbery that made it nearly impassable, and a formidable hide out. Daniel Kaufman hid the runaway slaves here, fed and clothed them, allowing them to rest and gather their strength before leaving for the next station on their journey.  This is a photo of Island Grove where Daniel Kaufman hid slaves.  This is an actual 1846 Runaway Slave Advertisement from Cumberland County PA, the town of Middleton. Isaac Weakley was a neighbor of the Kaufman's. In 1847 Daniel was sued by Maryland slave-owner, Mary Oliver for reimbursement for her loss of 13 slaves, who were traced to Kaufman's barn. He was placed on trial for harboring runaway slaves. He lost that trial but the verdict was reversed in 1849 by the Supreme Court of PA. In 1849 he was sued again. This time he was assisted with attorney's fees by several abolition societies and that trial resulted in a hung jury. In 1852 he was tried again on the same charges, but in this verdict he was found guilty and forced to pay thousands of dollars in fines. In the Oct. 15, 1899 edition of the Philadelphia Press, in a story entitled "Agent of the Underground Railway" Daniel Kaufman related his life. In that story he stated that between 1837 and 1849 he assisted more than 60 runaway slaves and that to his knowledge none of those persons were ever caught or placed back into bondage. These adamant beliefs and convictions on the part of Daniel Kaufman are difficult to realize when they are presented that he was David Kaufman's brother. David had strong pro-slavery beliefs and married a woman whose father owned dozens of slaves in the Republic and during Texas' early statehood. This fact can only lead to thought as to whether Daniel and David actually corresponded during their lives. Records show that on 7 Jun 1848 Daniel sold to David a lot in the town of Boiling Springs for $100.00. This lot is located at the address of 111 Front Street, right next door to Daniel's infamous dwelling. Daniel married Catharine Fortenbaugh and they had only 2 children - a son who died as an adolescent and a daughter, Anna. On the side of Boiling Springs Lake, a historic marker directs visitors to the home built by Daniel Kaufman, who laid out the village, established its first schools and sold lots there for more than 50 years. Daniel built the home at the intersection of Front and Third streets in 1880 and lived there until his death in 1902. In irony his home sets across the lake from the home of Michael Ege, a man who owned many slaves during the times Daniel was helping in their flight to freedom. In 2002 The state of Pennsylvania placed a Historical Marker near the Daniel Kaufman home. It reads:
These adamant beliefs and convictions on the part of Daniel Kaufman are difficult to realize when they are presented that he was David Kaufman's brother. David had strong pro-slavery beliefs and married a woman whose father owned dozens of slaves in the Republic and during Texas' early statehood. This fact can only lead to thought as to whether Daniel and David actually coresponded during their lives. Records show that on 7 Jun 1848 Daniel sold to David a lot in the town of Boiling Springs for $100.00. This lot is located at the address of 111 Front Street, right next door to Daniel's infamous dwelling. The Mt Zion Cemetery in Monroe, Cumberland Co PA was the Kauffman family burial ground. Many of David's relatives are buried there. They include: David Kaufman's maternal grandfather, Joseph Spangler / Spengler** was a Major in the Pennsylvania Militia during the American Revolutionary War. **York Co PA Wills 1749-1819  Signature of David S. Kaufman ADDITIONAL INFORMATION on DAVID S KAUFMANThere are four Texas State Historical Markers that mention David S Kaufman. One is in Kaufman County and three are in Sabine County. Kaufman County MarkerOn the north side of the courthouse Kaufman County Sabine County MarkersHemphill Courthouse GroundsMarker Inscription: Marker Inscription: Marker Inscription: The Founding of the Philosophical Society of TexasWhen the Republic of Texas was but a few months old, a group of gentlemen met in the capitol at Houston to organize The Philosophical Society of Texas. Aware of the potential greatness of the new Republic, these men were eager to provide for the symmetrical progress of the nation and to disseminate accurate information regarding the region. An account of the first meeting was published in the Telegraph and Texas Register for January 13, 1838, and the original draft of the By-Laws, signed by the charter members, is in the San Jacinto Museum of History. The first meeting, on December 5, 1837, was attended by Mirabeau B. Lamar, Ashbel Smith, Thos. J. Rusk, Wm. H. Wharton, Joseph Rowe, Angus McNeill, A. C. Allen, G. W. Bonnell, Joseph Baker, Patrick C. Jack, W. Fairfax Gray, Jno. A. Wharton, D. S. Kaufman, Jas. Collinsworth, Anson Jones, Littleton Fowler, A. C. Horton, J. W. Bunton, Edward T. Branch, Henry Smith, Hugh McLeod, T. Jefferson Chambers, Sam Houston, and R. A. Irion.  Feb. 16th, 1847 In the US House of Representatives BIBLIOGRAPHY
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Coordinator of the Kaufman County, TXGenWeb Project site ALL RIGHTS RESERVED It was last updated . |
