Huckins, James, 1807-1863

James Huckins was one of the most influential Baptist ministers in Texas during the nineteenth century and fought vigorously to establish churches and schools along the frontier. James was born in Dorchester, New Hampshire, on 1807 April 8. He was orphaned at the age of six, but he was able to find comfort in his faith which he professed at age fourteen.

After completing a degree at Brown University and theological training at Andover, Massachusetts, Huckins volunteered to travel to Texas as a Baptist missionary. He established a number of churches including one of the first Baptist churches at Galveston in 1840. James was married to Rhoda Barton on 1832 September 18. They had four children: Caroline, Emiline, Sarah, and Mary. In addition to his pastoral obligations, Huckins was active in organizations such as the Union Association, the Texas Baptist Home Mission Society, and the Texas Baptist Educational Society. In 1841, Huckins built the First Baptist Church in Houston. Huckins, a slave-owner, resigned from the Home Mission Society in 1845 because of the divisiveness of the issue.

When Baylor University was created at Independence in February 1845, Huckins served as one of the first trustees and was influential in securing funds for the fledgling institution. He left Texas in 1859 to pastor Wentworth Street Baptist Church in Charleston, South Carolina. During the Civil War, Huckins was active in ministering to the wounded around Charleston and served as a Confederate Army chaplain. Significantly weakened by the burdens of war, James Huckins died in his sleep in 1863 August 6.