James Baird Dawkins

Background

James Baird was born on November 14, 1820, in Union District, South Carolina, United States. He was the son of Elijah Dawkins.

Education

Dawkins graduated from the University of South Carolina in 1840, studied law, and began practice in Union District.

Career

In the 1840s James Baird Dawkins moved to Gainesville, Florida, and practiced law. From 1856 to 1861 he was solicitor for the Sewariee Judicial Circuit.

A delegate to the Florida secession convention, he supported secession. He was the delegate from east Florida to the first Confederate Congress where he served on the Elections, Naval Affairs, and Military Transportation Committees. He proposed that a military railroad be built in Florida.

Dawkins was appointed a circuit judge in Florida in late 1862 just prior to the expiration of his congressional term. He served in that capacity throughout the remainder of the war. After the war, Dawkins practiced law near Gainesville.

He held no office during Reconstruction. From 1877 until 1883 Dawkins served as judge of the Fifth Judicial Circuit.

Achievements

• James Baird Dawkins was known as a Representative from Florida in the First Confederate Congress. He confined himself to presenting resolutions of the Florida legislature and petitions from private citizens.

Politics

Dawkins generally supported the Davis administration.

In Congress, James opposed Congress' attempts to preempt control over local transportations and commerce, but otherwise, he seemed to be strongly in favor of vigorous wartime legislation.

Connections

Father:

Elijah Dawkins

References

• Biographical Dictionary of the Confederacy
  1977