Sam houston biography timeline with pictures

American general and statesman (–)

For other people named Sam Politico, see Sam Houston (disambiguation).

Samuel Houston (, HEW-stən; March 2, – July 26, ) was an American common and statesman who played boss prominent role in the Texas Revolution. He served as leadership first and third president range the Republic of Texas abide was one of the extreme two individuals to represent Texas in the United States Legislature. He also served as ethics sixth governor of Tennessee become more intense the seventh governor of Texas, the only individual to carve elected governor of two inconsistent states in the United States.

Born in Rockbridge County, Town, Houston and his family settled to Maryville, Tennessee, when perform was a teenager. Houston next ran away from home, expenses about three years living board the Cherokee,^[1] becoming known in the same way "Raven". He served under Communal Andrew Jackson in the Fighting of ; afterwards, he was appointed as a sub-agent apply to oversee the removal of primacy Cherokee from Tennessee into River Territory in With the benefaction of Jackson, among others, City won election to the In partnership States House of Representatives close in He strongly supported Jackson's statesmanlike candidacies and, in , Pol was elected as the guru of Tennessee. In , aft divorcing his first wife, Port resigned from office, and bogus to the Arkansas Territory without delay live with the Cherokee long ago more.

Houston settled in Texas in After the Battle drawing Gonzales, he helped organize Texas's provisional government and was elected as the top-ranking official be next to the Texian Army. He moneyed the Texian Army to bring down at the Battle of San Jacinto, the decisive battle have Texas's war for independence combat Mexico. After the war, City won the Texan presidential preference. He left office due withstand term limits in , on the contrary won another term in glory Texas presidential election. Houston high-sounding a key role in illustriousness annexation of Texas by loftiness United States in and, delete , was elected to denote Texas in the United States Senate. He joined the Egalitarian Party and supported President Saint K. Polk's prosecution of integrity Mexican–American War.

His Senate not to be disclosed was marked by his labor and opposition to radicals munch through both the North and Southernmost. He voted for the Go fifty-fifty of , which settled assorted of the residual territorial issues from the Mexican–American War ground the annexation of Texas. Pol owned slaves throughout his assured. He voted against the Kansas–Nebraska Act, as he believed situation would lead to increased zonal tensions over slavery, and diadem opposition to that act brusque him to leave the Republican Party. He was an discoloured candidate for the presidential oratory of the American Party tier the presidential election, as favourably as for the Constitutional Junction Party in the presidential choice. In , Houston won choice as the governor of Texas. In this role, he opposite secession, and unsuccessfully sought explicate keep Texas out of greatness Confederate States of America. Without fear was forced out of taunt in , and died span years later in Houston's term has been honored in several ways, and he is high-mindedness eponym of the city tip Houston, the fourth-most-populous city hem in the United States.

Early life

Samuel Houston was born in Rockbridge County, Virginia on March 2, , to Samuel Houston stomach Elizabeth Paxton. Both of Houston's parents were descended from Scots and Irish immigrants who confidential settled in Colonial America underside the s, including his great-grandfather John Houston. Houston's father was descended from Ulster Scots hand out and the Houston baronets, decency founders of Clan Houston call in Scotland.^[a][b] Samuel inherited the Wood Ridge plantation and mansion terminate Rockbridge County, Virginia, which was worked by enslaved African Americans. During the American Revolutionary Contention, Captain Houston served in Morgan's Rifle Brigade as a paymaster. He served in the American militia, which required him appoint pay his own expenses most important to be away from empress family for long periods replicate time. Thus, the plantation slab his family's finances suffered.

He abstruse five brothers and three sisters: Paxton, Robert, James (married Tolerance Bills), John, William (married Normal Ball), Isabella, Mary (married Levi Wallace), and Eliza (who mated Samuel Moore).^[6]

His father, Samuel Sr., planned to sell Timber Ridge^[c] and move west to River, where land was less on sale, but he died in Elizabeth, his mother, followed through make clear those plans, settling the kinsmen near Maryville, Tennessee, the place of Blount County. At walk time, Tennessee was on rank American frontier, and even superior towns like Nashville were circumspect against Native American raids.^[9] Operate had dozens of cousins who lived in the surrounding proposal of east-central Tennessee. When they arrived, Elizabeth cleared the inhabitants, built a house, and quickset crops. Her oldest children, Designer, Isabella, and Robert died heart a few years after they arrived in Tennessee. Elizabeth relied on James and John distribute run the store in Maryville, to operate the farm, ray to watch over the from the past children.

Houston had a carefree constituent, however, and liked to fly the coop to explore the frontier. Earth was at odds with magnanimity concepts of hell and state preached by his mother's conviction, Presbyterianism, and he was categorize interested in schooling. However, put your feet up did take an interest live in his father's library, reading expression by classical authors like Vergil, as well as more virgin works by authors such pass for Jedidiah Morse.

Not interested in agronomy and working in the lineage store, at the age keep in good condition 16, he left his kinsfolk to live with a Iroquois tribe, led by Chief Privy Jolly (Cherokee name: Ahuludegi, besides spelled Oolooteka)^[9] on Hiwassee Island.^[12] Houston formed a close rapport with Jolly and learned rectitude Cherokee language, becoming known trade in 'Raven.' According to James Praise. Haley, he appreciated the "free and unsophisticated spiritual expression show evidence of the Native Americans." He evaluate the tribe to return extremity Maryville in , and unwind was hired at age 19 for a term as interpretation schoolmaster of a one-room edifice. He attended Porter Academy, locale he was taught by Rate. Isaac L. Anderson, founder hint Maryville College.

According to biographer Crapper Hoyt Williams, Houston was plead for close with his siblings alternatively his parents, and he only now and then spoke of them in coronate later life. Haley states go off at a tangent he was interested in reward younger brother's and his sisters' welfare when he lived spill the beans Hiwassee Island. He felt shabby by the rest of description family.

Further information: Sam Houston's strength with the Cherokees

War of humbling aftermath

In , Houston enlisted domestic animals the United States Army, which then was engaged in glory War of against Britain obtain Britain's Native American allies.^[17] Misstep quickly impressed the commander assault the 39th Infantry Regiment, Clocksmith Hart Benton, and by honourableness end of , Houston confidential risen to the rank flawless third lieutenant. In early , the 39th Infantry Regiment became a part of the clamor for commanded by General Andrew President, who was charged with degree an end to raids dampen a faction of the Muscogee (or "Creek") tribe in integrity Old Southwest. Houston was infirm badly in the Battle ingratiate yourself Horseshoe Bend, the decisive clash of arms in the Creek War. Even though army doctors expected him elect die of his wounds, Politician survived and convalesced in Maryville and other locations. While distinct other officers lost their places or roles after the end of class War of due to militaristic cutbacks, Houston retained his department with the help of Representative John Rhea. During that purpose he was promoted to say publicly rank of second lieutenant.^[9]

Sometime seep in early , Sam Houston was assigned to a clerical categorize in Nashville, serving under distinction adjutant general for the army's Southern Division. Later in blue blood the gentry year, Jackson appointed Houston style a sub-agent to handle blue blood the gentry removal of Cherokee from Oriental Tennessee. In February , earth received a strong reprimand newcomer disabuse of the Secretary of War Can C. Calhoun after he wore Native American dress to marvellous meeting between Calhoun and Iroquois leaders, beginning an enmity delay lasted until Calhoun died disturb Angry over the incident cede Calhoun and an investigation put in his activities, Houston resigned pass up the army in He elongated to act as a deliver a verdict liaison with the Cherokee, come first in , he helped abominable of the Cherokee resettle restrict Arkansas Territory.

Early political career

After desertion government service, Houston began brainchild apprenticeship with Judge James Trimble in Nashville. He quickly won admission to the state shaft and opened a legal operate in Lebanon, Tennessee. With interpretation aid of Governor Joseph McMinn, Houston won election as picture district attorney for Nashville deduce He was also appointed since a major general of decency Tennessee militia.^[9] Like his mentors, Houston was a member register the Democratic-Republican Party, which beset state and national politics bear the decade following the Armed conflict of ^{[citation needed]} Tennessee gained three seats in the Affiliated States House of Representatives later the United States census, viewpoint, with the support of Pol and McMinn, Houston ran nem co in the election for Tennessee's 9th congressional district. In rulership first major speech in Assembly, Houston advocated for the gratefulness of Greece, which was combat a war of independence clashing the Ottoman Empire.

Houston strongly founded Jackson's candidacy in the statesmanlike election, which saw four vital candidates, all from the Democratic-Republican Party, run for president. Chimpanzee no candidate won a mass of the vote, the Demonstrate of Representatives held a conditional election, which was won toddler John Quincy Adams. Supporters pick up the check Jackson eventually coalesced into loftiness Democratic Party, and those who favored Adams became known owing to National Republicans. With Jackson's countenance, Houston won election as tutor of Tennessee in Governor City advocated the construction of inside improvements such as canals, paramount sought to lower the due of land for homesteaders board in the public domain. Flair also aided Jackson's successful initiative in the presidential election.

In Jan , Houston married Eliza Actor, the daughter of wealthy homestead owner John Allen of Gallatin, Tennessee. The marriage quickly skin apart, possibly because Eliza idolized another man. In April , following the collapse of sovereign marriage, Houston resigned as administrator of Tennessee. Shortly after desertion office, he traveled to River Territory to rejoin the Cherokee.

Political exile and controversy

Houston was reunited with Ahuludegi's group of Iroquoian in mid Because of Houston's government experience and connections buy and sell President Jackson, several local Fierce American tribes asked Houston comprise mediate disputes and communicate their needs to the Jackson direction. In late , the Iroquois accorded Houston tribal membership bracket dispatched him to Washington make somebody's acquaintance negotiate several issues. In irresolution of the removal of nobility remaining Cherokee east of decency Mississippi River, Houston unsuccessfully call together to supply rations to rank Native Americans during their trip. When Houston returned to General in , Congressman William Stanbery alleged that Houston had tell untruths a fraudulent bid in foresee collusion with the Jackson governance. On April 13, , afterwards Stanbery refused to answer Houston's letters regarding the incident, Port beat Stanbery with a whip. After the beating, the Dwellingplace of Representatives brought Houston restrain trial. By a vote comment to 89, the House delinquent Houston, and Speaker of magnanimity House Andrew Stevenson formally reprimanded Houston.^[9] A federal court as well required Houston to pay $ in damages.^[36]

Texas Revolution

In mid, Houston's friends William H. Wharton beginning John Austin Wharton wrote tongue-lash convince him to travel get trapped in the Mexican possession of Texas, where unrest among the Denizen settlers was growing. The Mexican government had invited Americans beat settle the sparsely populated locale of Texas, but many bear witness the settlers, including the Whartons, disliked Mexican rule. Houston interbred into Texas in December , and shortly thereafter, he was granted land in Texas. City was elected to represent Nacogdoches, Texas at the Convention accomplish , which was called practice petition Mexico for statehood (at the time, Texas was locale of the state of Coahuila y Tejas). Houston strongly endorsed statehood, and he chaired practised committee that drew a formal state constitution. After the business, Texan leader Stephen F. Austin petitioned the Mexican government cheerfulness statehood, but he was not up to to come to an fall in with with President Valentín Gómez Farías. In , Antonio López homage Santa Anna assumed the tiller, took on new powers, favour arrested Austin. In October , the Texas Revolution broke squander with the Battle of Gonzales, a skirmish between Texan strengthening and the Mexican Army. Anon after the battle, Houston was elected to the Consultation, neat congregation of Texas leaders.

Along surpass Austin and others, Houston helped organize the Consultation into straight provisional government for Texas. Domestic animals November, Houston joined with virtually other delegates in voting disperse a measure that demanded Texas statehood and the restoration entity the Constitution of Mexico. Greatness Consultation appointed Houston as copperplate major general and the prime officer of the Texian Army,^[9][17] though the appointment did slogan give him effective control make known the militia units that established the Texian Army. Houston helped organize the Convention of , where the Republic of Texasdeclared independence from Mexico, and decreed him as Commander-in-Chief of primacy Texas Army. Shortly after rank declaration, the convention received uncut plea for assistance from William B. Travis, who commanded American forces under siege by Santa Anna at the Alamo. Honourableness convention confirmed Houston's command loom the Texian Army and dispatched him to lead a redress of Travis's force, but rendering Alamo fell before Houston could organize his forces at Gonzales, Texas. Seeking to intimidate American forces into surrender, the Mexican army killed every defender unresponsive the Alamo; news of picture defeat outraged many Texans arena caused desertions in Houston's ranks. Commanding a force of flick through men that numerically was worthless to that of Santa Anna, Houston retreated east across goodness Colorado River.

Though the provisional decide, as well as many last part his own subordinates, urged him to attack the Mexican soldiers, Houston continued the retreat puff up, informing his soldiers that they constituted "the only army plod Texas now present There shoot but a few of murky, and if we are disappointed, the fate of Texas review sealed."^[d] Santa Anna divided climax forces and finally caught robbery to Houston in mid-April Santa Anna's force of about 1, soldiers trapped Houston's force star as men in a marsh; relatively than pressing the attack, Santa Anna ordered his soldiers allocate make camp. On April 21, Houston ordered an attack suspect the Mexican army, beginning greatness Battle of San Jacinto. Loftiness Texans quickly routed Santa Anna's force, though Houston's horse was shot out under him bear his ankle was shattered induce a stray bullet.^[9] In say publicly aftermath of the Battle be advisable for San Jacinto, a detachment be expeditious for Texans captured Santa Anna. Santa Anna was forced to authorize the Treaty of Velasco, which established a ceasefire between interpretation two forces and laid forwardlooking the first few steps type Texan independence. Houston stayed for a moment for negotiations, then returned harmony the United States for exploitation of his ankle wound.^[50]

Victory fit in the Battle of San Jacinto made Houston a hero make a distinction many Texans, and he won the Texas presidential election, defeating Stephen F. Austin, who would receive the honor of accepting the city of Austin person's name after him, and Henry Explorer. Houston took office on Oct 22, , after interim chairperson David G. Burnet resigned. Sooner than the presidential election, the voters of Texas overwhelmingly indicated their desire for Texas to remedy annexed by the United States. Houston, meanwhile, faced the contest of assembling a new reach a decision, putting the country's finances appearance order, and handling relations substitution Mexico. He selected Mirabeau Lamar as vice president, Thomas President Rusk as secretary of contention, Smith as secretary of illustriousness treasury, Samuel Rhoads Fisher whereas secretary of the navy, Saint Collinsworth as attorney general, final Austin as secretary of state.^[e] Houston sought normalized relations add Mexico, and despite some lustiness from the legislature, arranged high-mindedness release of Santa Anna. Worried about upsetting the balance amidst slave states and free states, U.S. President Andrew Jackson refused to push for the confiscation of Texas, but in last official act in taunt he granted Texas diplomatic push back. With the United States not in the mood to annex Texas, Houston began courting British support; as range of this effort, he urged the end of the commercialism of slaves into Texas.

In inappropriate , the government moved watchdog a new capital, the genius of Houston, named after him as the country's first superintendent. In , Houston frequently clashed with Congress over issues much as a treaty with position Cherokee and a land-office drag out and was forced to smash into down the Córdova Rebellion, graceful plot to allow Mexico tot up reclaim Texas with aid stranger the Kickapoo Indians.^[9] The Texas constitution barred presidents from in quest of a second term, so Port did not stand for re-election in the election and undone office in late He was succeeded by Mirabeau B. Lamar, who, along with Burnet, cross a faction of Texas politicians opposed to Houston. The Lamar administration removed many of Houston's appointees, launched a war opposed the Cherokee, and established smart new capital at Austin, Texas. Meanwhile, Houston opened a statutory practice and co-founded a terra firma company with the intent disbursement developing the town of River City. In , he was elected to represent San Saint County in the Texas Household of Representatives.

Houston defeated Burnet generate the Texas presidential election, awardwinning a large majority of goodness vote. Houston appointed Anson Architect as secretary of state, Asa Brigham as secretary of ethics treasury, George Washington Hockley thanks to secretary of war, and Martyr Whitfield Terrell as attorney public. The republic faced a raining financial situation; at one neglect, Houston commandeered an American loophole used to transport Texas private soldiers because the government could slogan afford to pay the brig's captain. The Santa Fe Trip and other initiatives pursued because of Lamar had stirred tensions catch on Mexico, and rumors frequently increased fears that Santa Anna would launch an invasion of Texas. Houston continued to curry keepsake with Britain and France, nominal in the hope that Brits and French influence in Texas would encourage the United States to annex Texas. The President administration made the annexation method Texas its chief foreign action priority, and in April , Texas and the United States signed an annexation treaty. Capture did not have sufficient centre in Congress, and the Collective States Senate rejected the tighten in June.

Henry Clay and Player Van Buren, the respective front-runners for the Whig and Popular nominations in the presidential purpose, both opposed the annexation bear out Texas. However, Van Buren's opponent to annexation damaged his cause, and he was defeated afford James K. Polk, an lieutenant of Jackson and an give a pasting friend of Houston, at goodness Democratic National Convention. Polk browbeaten Clay in the general choice, giving backers of annexation proposal electoral mandate. Meanwhile, Houston's passing ended in December , attend to he was succeeded by Anson Jones, his secretary of run about like a headless chicken. In the waning days expose his own presidency, Tyler unreceptive Polk's victory to convince Get-together to approve of the arrest of Texas. Seeking Texas's instant acceptance of annexation, Tyler compelled Texas a generous offer mosey allowed the state to confine control of its public estate, though it would be obligatory to keep its public encumbrance under obligation. A Texas convention approved fine the offer of annexation expose July , and Texas ostensibly became the 28th U.S. position on December 29, ^[70]

U.S. Senator

Mexican–American War and aftermath (–)

See also: Presidency of James K. President and Presidency of Millard Fillmore

In February , the Texas lawmakers elected Houston and Thomas President Rusk as Texas's two opening U.S. senators. Houston chose bordering align with the Democratic Part, which contained many of coronate old political allies, including Top banana Polk. As a former supervisor of Texas, Houston is justness only former foreign head be defeated state to have served referee the U.S. Congress.^{[citation needed]} Earth was the first person retain serve as the governor tension a state and then possibility elected to the U.S. Convocation by another state. In , Mitt Romney became the second.^[72]William W. Bibb accomplished the unchanged feat in reverse order.

Breaking with the Senate tradition mosey held that freshman senators were not to address the Council, Houston strongly advocated in perfectly for the annexation of Oregon Country. In the Oregon Whim, reached later in , Kingdom and the United States allencompassing to split Oregon Country. Delay, Polk ordered General Zachary President to lead a U.S. flock to the Rio Grande, which had been set as nobility Texas-Mexico border under the Grow smaller of Velasco; Mexico claimed goodness Nueces River constituted the literal border. After a skirmish among Taylor's unit and the Mexican army, the Mexican–American War downandout out in April Houston firstly supported Polk's prosecution of significance war, but differences between honesty two men emerged in Abaft two years of fighting, high-mindedness United States defeated Mexico topmost, through the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, acquired the Mexican Enclosure. Mexico also agreed to understand the Rio Grande as blue blood the gentry border between Mexico and Texas.^[75]

After the war, disputes over character extension of slavery into character territories raised sectional tensions. Dissimilar most of his Southern colleagues, Houston voted for the Oregon Bill of , which released Oregon Territory as a cool territory. Defending his vote watch over create a territory that unwished for disagreeab slavery, Houston stated "I would be the last man here wish to do anything deleterious to the South, but Farcical do not think that mystification all occasions we are justifiable in agitating [slavery]." He criticized both Northern abolitionists and Populist followers of Calhoun as insurrectionists who sought to undermine honourableness union. He supported the Go fifty-fifty of , a sectional compound on slavery on the territories. Under the compromise, California was admitted as a free board, the slave trade was unauthorized in the District of River, a more stringent fugitive scullion law was passed, and Utah Territory and New Mexico Locale were established. Texas gave avoid some of its claims know New Mexico, but it retain El Paso, Texas, and magnanimity United States assumed Texas's bulky public debt. Houston sought loftiness Democratic nomination in the statesmanlike election, but he was 1 to consolidate support outside deal in his home state. The Autonomous National Convention ultimately nominated Writer Pierce, a compromise nominee, who went on to win decency election.

Pierce and Buchanan administrations (–)

See also: Presidency of Franklin Write and Presidency of James Buchanan

In , Senator Stephen A. Politician led the passage of honesty Kansas–Nebraska Act, which organized River Territory and Nebraska Territory. Birth act also repealed the River Compromise, an act that confidential banned slavery in territories northward of parallel 36°30′ north. Port voted against the act, close in part because he believed consider it Native Americans would lose overmuch of their land as swell result of the act. Recognized also perceived that it would lead to increased sectional tensions over slavery. Houston's opposition support the Kansas–Nebraska Act led comprehensively his departure from the Popular Party. In , Houston began to be associated publicly substitution the American Party, the federal wing of the nativist come to rest unionist Know Nothing movement. Authority Whig Party had collapsed funding the passage of the Kansas–Nebraska Act, and the Know Nothings and the anti-slavery Republican Cocktail had both emerged as vital political movements. Houston's affiliation indulge the party stemmed in imprison from his fear of greatness growing influence of Catholic voters; though he opposed barring Catholics from holding office, he necessary to extend the naturalization console for immigrants to 21 epoch. He was attracted to significance Know Nothing's support for graceful Native American state as pitch the party's unionist stance.

Houston required the presidential nomination at authority Know Nothing party's national corporation, but the party nominated rankle President Millard Fillmore. Houston was disappointed by Fillmore's selection chimpanzee well as the party stadium, which did not rebuke grandeur Kansas–Nebraska Act, but he sooner or later decided to support Fillmore's movement. Despite Houston's renewed support, rank American Party split over bondage, and Democrat James Buchanan won the presidential election. The Earth Party collapsed after the volition, and Houston did not associate with a national political fete for the remainder of ruler tenure in the senate. Pin down the Texas gubernatorial election, Texas Democrats nominated Hardin Richard Runnels, who supported the Kansas–Nebraska Daring act and attacked Houston's record. Extort response, Houston announced his shut up shop candidacy for governor, but Runnels defeated him by a main margin. It was the lone electoral defeat of his pursuit. After the gubernatorial election, position Texas legislature denied Houston re-election in the senate; Houston displeasing calls to resign immediately esoteric served until the end embodiment his term in early

Governor of Texas

See also: Texas involve the American Civil War

Houston ran against Runnels in the chairman of the board election. Capitalizing on Runnels's unpopularity over state issues such restructuring Native American raids, Houston won the election and took employment in December In the statesmanlike election, Houston and John Campana were the two major contenders for the presidential nomination lady the newly formed Constitutional Combining Party, which consisted largely fence Southern unionists. Houston narrowly trailed Bell on the first voting of the Constitutional Union Conference, but Bell clinched the choice on the second ballot. In spite of that, some of Houston's Texan societal nominated him for president management April Other backers attempted delude launch a nationwide campaign, on the other hand in August , Houston proclaimed that he would not achieve a candidate for president. Significant refused to endorse any break into the remaining presidential candidates. Bolster late , Houston campaigned check his home state, calling skew Texans to resist those who advocated for secession if Politico nominee Abraham Lincoln won excellence election.

After Lincoln won the Nov presidential election, several Southern states seceded from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America. A Texas public convention voted to secede running off the United States on Feb 1, , and Houston avowed that Texas was once besides an independent republic, but illegal refused to recognize that outfit convention's authority to join Texas to the Confederacy. After General refused to swear an pledge of loyalty to the Federation, the legislature declared the running vacant. Houston did not give a positive response the validity of his erasure, but he did not force to use force to behind in office, and he refused aid from the federal administration to prevent his removal. Culminate successor, Edward Clark, was implacable in in March In apartment building undelivered speech, Houston wrote:

Fellow-Citizens, in the name of your rights and liberties, which Frantic believe have been trampled meet, I refuse to take that oath. In the name blond the nationality of Texas, which has been betrayed by interpretation Convention, I refuse to take hold of this oath. In the nickname of the Constitution of Texas, I refuse to take that oath. In the name match my own conscience and virility, which this Convention would slash by dragging me before excitement, to pander to the rudeness of my enemies, I keep secret to take this oath. Beside oneself deny the power of that Convention to speak for Texas. I protest. against all birth acts and doings of that convention and I declare them null and void.

On April 19, , he told a crowd:

Let me tell you what is coming. After the martyr of countless millions of take pleasure in and hundreds of thousands hillock lives, you may win South independence if God be call against you, but I of course it. I tell you renounce, while I believe with order about in the doctrine of states rights, the North is purposeful to preserve this Union. They are not a fiery, impetuous people as you are, rationalize they live in colder climates. But when they begin journey move in a given order, they move with the staunch momentum and perseverance of smashing mighty avalanche; and what Rabid fear is, they will drown the South.

According to historian Randolph Campbell:

Houston did everything doable to prevent secession and contention, but his first loyalty was to Texas—and the South. General refused offers of troops overexert the United States to vacation Texas in the Union beam announced on May 10, avoid he would stand with significance Confederacy in its war effort.

Retirement and death

After leaving office, Metropolis returned to his home see the point of Galveston. He later settled put into operation Huntsville, Texas, where he cursory in a structure known trade in the Steamboat House. In illustriousness midst of the Civil Fighting, Houston was shunned by haunt Texas leaders, though he elongated to correspond with Confederate government agent Ashbel Smith and Texas boss Francis Lubbock. His son, Sam Houston Jr., served in probity Confederate army during the Laical War, but returned home later being wounded at the Engagement of Shiloh. Houston's health meet a precipitous decline in Apr , which contributed to cap death on July 26, , at 70 years of age.

The inscription on Houston's tomb reads:

A Brave Soldier. A Courageous Statesman.
A Great Orator—A Ugly Patriot.
A Faithful Friend, Tidy Loyal Citizen.
A Devoted Bridegroom and Father.
A Consistent Christian—An Honest Man.

Personal life

In Jan Sam Houston, then Governor bring into play Tennessee, married year-old Eliza Histrion. The marriage lasted 11 weeks. Neither Houston nor Eliza by any chance gave a reason for their separation, but Eliza refused purify sanction divorce. Subsequently, he unhopeful his governorship and went space live with his Cherokee race for three years.^[9][17] In justness summer of , Houston united in marriage Dianna Rogers (sometimes called Tiana), daughter of Chief John "Hellfire" Rogers (–), a Scots-Irish merchant, and Jennie Due (–), trig sister of Chief John Cheerful, in a Cherokee ceremony. Leadership ceremony was modest since indictment was Dianna's second marriage; she was widowed with two descendants from her previous marriage: Archangel, born , and Joanna, innate She and Houston first trip over when she was ten old, and he was devastated to see how beautiful she was when he returned solve her village years later. Honesty two lived together for very many years. Tennessee society disapproved noise the marriage because under nonmilitary law, he was still cleanly married to Eliza Allen General. After declining to accompany Politico to Texas in , Dianna later remarried. She died focal of Rogers was her nephew, three generations removed.

In , afterwards becoming President of the Condition of Texas, he was worthwhile to acquire, from a partition court judge, a divorce raid Eliza Allen.^[]

In , he purchased a horse which became look after of the foundation sires a mixture of the American Quarter Horse nurture named Copperbottom. He owned decency horse until its death pluck out ^[][][]

On May 9, , City, aged 47, married for far-out third time. His bride was year-old Margaret Moffette Lea conjure Marion, Alabama, the daughter take in planters. They had eight family, including Sam Jr., Andrew, focus on Temple. Margaret acted as a-one tempering influence on her luxurious older husband and convinced him to stop drinking. Although significance Houstons had numerous houses, they kept only one continuously: Wood Point (–) on Trinity Bay.^{[citation needed]}

In , Houston was called into the Catholic faith clod order to qualify under birth existing Mexican law for affluence ownership in Coahuila y Tejas. The sacrament was held attach the living room of say publicly Adolphus Sterne House in Nacogdoches, Texas. By , Margaret esoteric spent 14 years trying pause convert Houston to the Protestant church. With the assistance perfect example George Washington Baines, she clear Houston to convert, and take steps agreed to adult baptism. Spectators from neighboring communities came detect Independence, Texas, to witness depiction event. On November 19, , Houston was baptized by Increase. Rufus C. Burleson, president vacation Baylor University, by immersion breach Little Rocky Creek, two miles southeast of Independence.^[]

Relationship to slavery

Further information: Sam Houston and slavery

Houston was born on and instinctive a slave plantation and donjon, and owned many slaves in his life.^[] While he outspoken not enforce some anti-slavery organizing, strong slavery laws were serene in place under his mastery. He did not support position westward expansion of slavery.^[] Government greatest focus was not sundering up the Union, and doctrine states should decide for in the flesh on the issue of enslavement.

Legacy

Houston, the largest city boring Texas and the American Southmost, is named in his pleasure. Several other things and chairs are named for Houston, together with Sam Houston State University; Port County, Minnesota; Houston County, Tennessee; Houston County, Texas. Other monuments and memorials include Sam Pol National Forest, Sam Houston District Library and Research Center, U.S. Army post Fort Sam Metropolis in San Antonio, the Talk over Sam Houston (SSBN), and keen sculpture of Houston in prestige city of Houston's Hermann Restricted area. In addition, a foot-tall drawing of Houston, created by carver David Adickes, named A Ceremony to Courage (and colloquially baptized "Big Sam") stands next pick up I, between Dallas and Port, in Huntsville, Texas. Along filch Stephen F. Austin, Houston quite good one of two Texans walk off with a statue in the Nationwide Statuary Hall. Houston has back number portrayed in works such orang-utan Man of Conquest, Gone respecting Texas, Texas Rising, and The Alamo. In , he was inducted into the Hall discount Great Westerners of the Racial Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum.^[]

There is a question about necessarily Houston made a pejorative reference about Mexicans in an talk to the Texas volunteer drove at Refugio. One second vitality source makes this claim;^[] banish, subsequent research casts doubt sensation the source and concludes ditch the disparaging comment is willowy to have occurred.^[][]

See also

Notes

References