Thomas Davis (Rhode Island politician)

Thomas Davis
Thomas Davis
Member of the Rhode Island House of Representatives
	In office; 1887–1890
Member of the Rhode Island Senate
	In office; 1845 – 1853; 1877–1878
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives; from Rhode Island's 1st district
	In office; March 4, 1853 – March 3, 1855
Preceded by	George Gordon King
Succeeded by	Nathan B. Durfee
Personal details
Born	December 18, 1806; Dublin, Ireland
Died	July 26, 1895 (aged 88); Providence, Rhode Island, USA
Resting place	Swan Point Cemetery
Nationality	Irish-American
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Paulina Kellogg Wright Davis (1849-1876)
Occupation	Politician
Committees	Providence school committee

Thomas Davis (December 18, 1806 – July 26, 1895) was a U.S. Representative from Rhode Island.

Early life and education

Thomas Davis was born in Dublin, Ireland, where he attended private schools. His family emigrated to the United States and located in Providence, Rhode Island, in 1817. His first jobs saw him engaged in jewelry manufacturing.

Political career

Davis served as member of the State senate 1845-1853.

He was elected as a Democrat to the 33rd Congress, March 4, 1853 to March 3, 1855, but was not re-elected in the election of 1854. He resumed his former manufacturing pursuits.

He did not give up politics. He was an unsuccessful candidate for election to the 36th, 42nd, 43rd and 46th Congresses.

He again served in the State senate in 1877 and 1878, also serving as member of the State house of representatives 1887-1890.

He served as member of the Providence school committee.

Personal life and death

Davis married Paulina Kellogg Wright Davis in 1849 and the couple remained together until Paulina's death in 1876. The couple adopted two daughters together. Davis himself died in Providence, Rhode Island, July 26, 1895 and was interred in Swan Point Cemetery.