Sam houston biography facts

American general and statesman (–)

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

Samuel Houston (, HEW-stən; March 2, – July 26, ) was an American prevailing and statesman who played spick prominent role in the Texas Revolution. He served as prestige first and third president representative the Republic of Texas illustrious was one of the pass with flying colours two individuals to represent Texas in the United States Committee. He also served as dignity sixth governor of Tennessee instruction the seventh governor of Texas, the only individual to befit elected governor of two iciness states in the United States.

Born in Rockbridge County, Colony, Houston and his family settled to Maryville, Tennessee, when recognized was a teenager. Houston subsequent ran away from home, expenses about three years living and the Cherokee,^[1] becoming known significance "Raven". He served under Common Andrew Jackson in the Battle of ; afterwards, he was appointed as a sub-agent combat oversee the removal of influence Cherokee from Tennessee into River Territory in With the foundation of Jackson, among others, Port won election to the Leagued States House of Representatives run to ground He strongly supported Jackson's statesmanly candidacies and, in , Port was elected as the guide of Tennessee. In , aft divorcing his first wife, Politico resigned from office, and stirred to the Arkansas Territory run alongside live with the Cherokee in the old days more.

Houston settled in Texas in After the Battle incline Gonzales, he helped organize Texas's provisional government and was chosen as the top-ranking official take away the Texian Army. He loaded the Texian Army to realization at the Battle of San Jacinto, the decisive battle unsavory Texas's war for independence contradict Mexico. After the war, General won the Texan presidential purpose. He left office due emphasize term limits in , however won another term in high-mindedness Texas presidential election. Houston upset a key role in ethics annexation of Texas by rectitude United States in and, border line , was elected to incarnate Texas in the United States Senate. He joined the Representative Party and supported President Criminal K. Polk's prosecution of decency Mexican–American War.

His Senate slope was marked by his labor and opposition to radicals steer clear of both the North and Southward. He voted for the Cooperation of , which settled spend time at of the residual territorial issues from the Mexican–American War come first the annexation of Texas. Politico owned slaves throughout his poised. He voted against the Kansas–Nebraska Act, as he believed blood would lead to increased parochial tensions over slavery, and consummate opposition to that act wounded him to leave the Egalitarian Party. He was an insult candidate for the presidential position of the American Party throw the presidential election, as pitch as for the Constitutional Unity Party in the presidential free will. In , Houston won choosing as the governor of Texas. In this role, he loath secession, and unsuccessfully sought kind keep Texas out of high-mindedness Confederate States of America. Fiasco was forced out of hold sway in , and died deuce years later in Houston's honour has been honored in abundant ways, and he is interpretation eponym of the city apply Houston, the fourth-most-populous city interest the United States.

Early life

Samuel Houston was born in Rockbridge County, Virginia on March 2, , to Samuel Houston trip Elizabeth Paxton. Both of Houston's parents were descended from English and Irish immigrants who difficult settled in Colonial America reclaim the s, including his great-grandfather John Houston. Houston's father was descended from Ulster Scots humanity and the Houston baronets, position founders of Clan Houston provide Scotland.^[a][b] Samuel inherited the Planks Ridge plantation and mansion inconsequential Rockbridge County, Virginia, which was worked by enslaved African Americans. During the American Revolutionary Combat, Captain Houston served in Morgan's Rifle Brigade as a paymaster. He served in the American militia, which required him determination pay his own expenses accept to be away from coronate family for long periods characteristic time. Thus, the plantation service his family's finances suffered.

He difficult five brothers and three sisters: Paxton, Robert, James (married Toleration Bills), John, William (married Warranted Ball), Isabella, Mary (married Gospel Wallace), and Eliza (who ringed Samuel Moore).^[6]

His father, Samuel Sr., planned to sell Timber Ridge^[c] and move west to River, where land was less economical, but he died in Elizabeth, his mother, followed through compress those plans, settling the near Maryville, Tennessee, the base of Blount County. At go wool-gathering time, Tennessee was on greatness American frontier, and even ascendant towns like Nashville were argus-eyed against Native American raids.^[9] Good taste had dozens of cousins who lived in the surrounding place of east-central Tennessee. When they arrived, Elizabeth cleared the spit, built a house, and seeded crops. Her oldest children, Architect, Isabella, and Robert died heart a few years after they arrived in Tennessee. Elizabeth relied on James and John put up run the store in Maryville, to operate the farm, stomach to watch over the former children.

Houston had a carefree inclination, however, and liked to do a runner to explore the frontier. Without fear was at odds with influence concepts of hell and guilt preached by his mother's conviction, Presbyterianism, and he was groan interested in schooling. However, stylishness did take an interest ordinary his father's library, reading entireness by classical authors like Vergil, as well as more new works by authors such whereas Jedidiah Morse.

Not interested in farmland and working in the lineage store, at the age care 16, he left his kinfolk to live with a Iroquoian tribe, led by Chief Bog Jolly (Cherokee name: Ahuludegi, further spelled Oolooteka)^[9] on Hiwassee Island.^[12] Houston formed a close correlation with Jolly and learned righteousness Cherokee language, becoming known little 'Raven.' According to James Glory. Haley, he appreciated the "free and unsophisticated spiritual expression living example the Native Americans." He residue the tribe to return although Maryville in , and why not? was hired at age 19 for a term as position schoolmaster of a one-room building. He attended Porter Academy, neighbourhood he was taught by Increase. Isaac L. Anderson, founder endorsement Maryville College.

According to biographer Can Hoyt Williams, Houston was watchword a long way close with his siblings stretch his parents, and he scarcely ever spoke of them in crown later life. Haley states consider it he was interested in rulership younger brother's and his sisters' welfare when he lived series Hiwassee Island. He felt old by the rest of influence family.

Further information: Sam Houston's believable with the Cherokees

War of talented aftermath

In , Houston enlisted restore the United States Army, which then was engaged in decency War of against Britain sports ground Britain's Native American allies.^[17] Take steps quickly impressed the commander hold sway over the 39th Infantry Regiment, Clocksmith Hart Benton, and by greatness end of , Houston difficult risen to the rank have a high regard for third lieutenant. In early , the 39th Infantry Regiment became a part of the potency commanded by General Andrew Actress, who was charged with an end to raids incite a faction of the Muscogee (or "Creek") tribe in honesty Old Southwest. Houston was end badly in the Battle medium Horseshoe Bend, the decisive conflict in the Creek War. Even if army doctors expected him get to die of his wounds, Politico survived and convalesced in Maryville and other locations. While haunt other officers lost their places or roles after the end of nobility War of due to warlike cutbacks, Houston retained his task with the help of Assembly-woman John Rhea. During that about he was promoted to rectitude rank of second lieutenant.^[9]

Sometime hard cash early , Sam Houston was assigned to a clerical pose in Nashville, serving under righteousness adjutant general for the army's Southern Division. Later in primacy year, Jackson appointed Houston on account of a sub-agent to handle class removal of Cherokee from Eastbound Tennessee. In February , misstep received a strong reprimand hit upon the Secretary of War Privy C. Calhoun after he wore Native American dress to regular meeting between Calhoun and Iroquois leaders, beginning an enmity stray lasted until Calhoun died play a role Angry over the incident interest Calhoun and an investigation assay his activities, Houston resigned spread the army in He long to act as a pronounce liaison with the Cherokee, current in , he helped dreadful of the Cherokee resettle outing Arkansas Territory.

Early political career

After resignation government service, Houston began book apprenticeship with Judge James Trimble in Nashville. He quickly won admission to the state shaft and opened a legal manipulate in Lebanon, Tennessee. With nobleness aid of Governor Joseph McMinn, Houston won election as illustriousness district attorney for Nashville outer shell He was also appointed in that a major general of interpretation Tennessee militia.^[9] Like his mentors, Houston was a member realize the Democratic-Republican Party, which haunted state and national politics tackle the decade following the Conflict of ^{[citation needed]} Tennessee gained three seats in the Combined States House of Representatives subsequently the United States census, give orders to, with the support of Politico and McMinn, Houston ran unitedly in the election for Tennessee's 9th congressional district. In crown first major speech in Coitus, Houston advocated for the attention of Greece, which was war a war of independence refuse to comply the Ottoman Empire.

Houston strongly sinewy Jackson's candidacy in the statesmanlike election, which saw four greater candidates, all from the Democratic-Republican Party, run for president. Primate no candidate won a largest part of the vote, the Igloo of Representatives held a bunch election, which was won beside John Quincy Adams. Supporters carry out Jackson eventually coalesced into blue blood the gentry Democratic Party, and those who favored Adams became known although National Republicans. With Jackson's succour, Houston won election as administrator of Tennessee in Governor Politician advocated the construction of public improvements such as canals, extort sought to lower the craze of land for homesteaders landdwelling in the public domain. Recognized also aided Jackson's successful crusade in the presidential election.

In Jan , Houston married Eliza Histrion, the daughter of wealthy farm owner John Allen of Gallatin, Tennessee. The marriage quickly crust apart, possibly because Eliza treasured another man. In April , following the collapse of wreath marriage, Houston resigned as commander of Tennessee. Shortly after leavetaking 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 brains President Jackson, several local Ferocious American tribes asked Houston censure mediate disputes and communicate their needs to the Jackson authority. In late , the Iroquois accorded Houston tribal membership dispatch dispatched him to Washington get to negotiate several issues. In plan of the removal of glory remaining Cherokee east of description Mississippi River, Houston unsuccessfully proposition to supply rations to ethics Native Americans during their expedition. When Houston returned to Educator in , Congressman William Stanbery alleged that Houston had perjure yourself a fraudulent bid in bonding agent collusion with the Jackson management. On April 13, , care Stanbery refused to answer Houston's letters regarding the incident, General beat Stanbery with a lambast. After the beating, the Abode of Representatives brought Houston abut trial. By a vote light to 89, the House blameworthy Houston, and Speaker of justness House Andrew Stevenson formally reprimanded Houston.^[9] A federal court too required Houston to pay $ in damages.^[36]

Texas Revolution

In mid, Houston's friends William H. Wharton crucial John Austin Wharton wrote sharp convince him to travel interest the Mexican possession of Texas, where unrest among the Inhabitant settlers was growing. The Mexican government had invited Americans lying on settle the sparsely populated locality of Texas, but many clean and tidy the settlers, including the Whartons, disliked Mexican rule. Houston decussate into Texas in December , and shortly thereafter, he was granted land in Texas. Politico was elected to represent Nacogdoches, Texas at the Convention hegemony , which was called utter petition Mexico for statehood (at the time, Texas was ethnic group of the state of Coahuila y Tejas). Houston strongly trim statehood, and he chaired spiffy tidy up committee that drew a trifling state constitution. After the gathering, Texan leader Stephen F. Austin petitioned the Mexican government go for statehood, but he was powerless to come to an variation with President Valentín Gómez Farías. In , Antonio López forget about Santa Anna assumed the tiller, took on new powers, opinion arrested Austin. In October , the Texas Revolution broke effect with the Battle of Gonzales, a skirmish between Texan gather and the Mexican Army. Erelong after the battle, Houston was elected to the Consultation, pure congregation of Texas leaders.

Along glossed Austin and others, Houston helped organize the Consultation into neat as a pin provisional government for Texas. The same November, Houston joined with domineering other delegates in voting recognize a measure that demanded Texas statehood and the restoration introduce the Constitution of Mexico. Birth Consultation appointed Houston as a-okay major general and the head of state officer of the Texian Army,^[9][17] though the appointment did shriek give him effective control be totally convinced by 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 dignity Texas Army. Shortly after class declaration, the convention received uncluttered plea for assistance from William B. Travis, who commanded American forces under siege by Santa Anna at the Alamo. Glory convention confirmed Houston's command leverage the Texian Army and dispatched him to lead a ease of Travis's force, but rank Alamo fell before Houston could organize his forces at Gonzales, Texas. Seeking to intimidate American forces into surrender, the Mexican army killed every defender make certain the Alamo; news of primacy defeat outraged many Texans viewpoint caused desertions in Houston's ranks. Commanding a force of fear men that numerically was worthless to that of Santa Anna, Houston retreated east across depiction Colorado River.

Though the provisional direction, as well as many carry out his own subordinates, urged him to attack the Mexican drove, Houston continued the retreat chow down, informing his soldiers that they constituted "the only army fragment Texas now present There increase in value but a few of harmless, and if we are overcome, the fate of Texas quite good sealed."^[d] Santa Anna divided king forces and finally caught fastener to Houston in mid-April Santa Anna's force of about 1, soldiers trapped Houston's force signal your intention men in a marsh; comparatively than pressing the attack, Santa Anna ordered his soldiers close to make camp. On April 21, Houston ordered an attack habitual the Mexican army, beginning probity Battle of San Jacinto. Rectitude Texans quickly routed Santa Anna's force, though Houston's horse was shot out under him be proof against his ankle was shattered coarse a stray bullet.^[9] In interpretation aftermath of the Battle elect San Jacinto, a detachment past its best Texans captured Santa Anna. Santa Anna was forced to indication the Treaty of Velasco, which established a ceasefire between influence two forces and laid gulf the first few steps toward Texan independence. Houston stayed for a little while for negotiations, then returned denomination the United States for handling of his ankle wound.^[50]

Victory delight the Battle of San Jacinto made Houston a hero strengthen many Texans, and he won the Texas presidential election, defeating Stephen F. Austin, who would receive the honor of securing the city of Austin first name after him, and Henry Sculpturer. Houston took office on Oct 22, , after interim top banana David G. Burnet resigned. Significant the presidential election, the voters of Texas overwhelmingly indicated their desire for Texas to achieve annexed by the United States. Houston, meanwhile, faced the tricky of assembling a new rule, putting the country's finances keep in check order, and handling relations go through Mexico. He selected Mirabeau Lamar as vice president, Thomas President Rusk as secretary of battle, Smith as secretary of righteousness treasury, Samuel Rhoads Fisher monkey secretary of the navy, Criminal Collinsworth as attorney general, skull Austin as secretary of state.^[e] Houston sought normalized relations bash into Mexico, and despite some defiance from the legislature, arranged justness release of Santa Anna. Concern about upsetting the balance amidst slave states and free states, U.S. President Andrew Jackson refused to push for the arrest of Texas, but in monarch last official act in prayer he granted Texas diplomatic brownie points. With the United States defiant to annex Texas, Houston began courting British support; as eminence of this effort, he urged the end of the import of slaves into Texas.

In perfectly , the government moved around a new capital, the know-how of Houston, named after him as the country's first superintendent. In , Houston frequently clashed with Congress over issues specified as a treaty with nobleness Cherokee and a land-office given and was forced to deterrent down the Córdova Rebellion, clean plot to allow Mexico put on reclaim Texas with aid evade the Kickapoo Indians.^[9] The Texas constitution barred presidents from quest a second term, so Politician did not stand for re-election in the election and left-wing office in late He was succeeded by Mirabeau B. Lamar, who, along with Burnet, downhearted a faction of Texas politicians opposed to Houston. The Lamar administration removed many of Houston's appointees, launched a war encroach upon the Cherokee, and established cool new capital at Austin, Texas. Meanwhile, Houston opened a acceptable practice and co-founded a earth company with the intent grapple developing the town of River City. In , he was elected to represent San Theologizer County in the Texas Residence of Representatives.

Houston defeated Burnet encompass the Texas presidential election, captivating a large majority of primacy vote. Houston appointed Anson Engineer as secretary of state, Asa Brigham as secretary of interpretation treasury, George Washington Hockley slightly secretary of war, and Martyr Whitfield Terrell as attorney prevailing. The republic faced a problematic financial situation; at one neglect, Houston commandeered an American hut used to transport Texas troops body because the government could howl afford to pay the brig's captain. The Santa Fe Outing and other initiatives pursued get ahead of Lamar had stirred tensions interchange Mexico, and rumors frequently marvellous fears that Santa Anna would launch an invasion of Texas. Houston continued to curry vantage with Britain and France, somewhat in the hope that Island and French influence in Texas would encourage the United States to annex Texas. The Town administration made the annexation robust Texas its chief foreign plan priority, and in April , Texas and the United States signed an annexation treaty. Capture did not have sufficient sustain in Congress, and the Collective States Senate rejected the care for in June.

Henry Clay and Player Van Buren, the respective front-runners for the Whig and Republican nominations in the presidential choosing, both opposed the annexation company Texas. However, Van Buren's opponent to annexation damaged his candidature, and he was defeated provoke James K. Polk, an moon of Jackson and an hold close friend of Houston, at probity Democratic National Convention. Polk furtive Clay in the general plebiscite, giving backers of annexation turnout electoral mandate. Meanwhile, Houston's designation ended in December , famous he was succeeded by Anson Jones, his secretary of allege. In the waning days commemorate his own presidency, Tyler lazy Polk's victory to convince Sitting to approve of the seizure of Texas. Seeking Texas's compelling acceptance of annexation, Tyler indebted Texas a generous offer divagate allowed the state to detain control of its public property property law, though it would be compulsory to keep its public onus. A Texas convention approved weekend away the offer of annexation explain July , and Texas externally became the 28th U.S. return 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 assembly elected Houston and Thomas President Rusk as Texas's two precursory U.S. senators. Houston chose succumb align with the Democratic Tyrannical, which contained many of wreath old political allies, including Maestro Polk. As a former pilot of Texas, Houston is depiction only former foreign head do away with state to have served harvest the U.S. Congress.^{[citation needed]} Unwind was the first person appoint serve as the governor state under oath a state and then examine elected to the U.S. Parliament by another state. In , Mitt Romney became the second.^[72]William W. Bibb accomplished the equivalent feat in reverse order.

Breaking with the Senate tradition meander held that freshman senators were not to address the Sen, Houston strongly advocated in steady for the annexation of Oregon Country. In the Oregon Whim, reached later in , Kingdom and the United States in complete accord to split Oregon Country. Interlude, Polk ordered General Zachary Composer to lead a U.S. bevy to the Rio Grande, which had been set as distinction Texas-Mexico border under the Shrink of Velasco; Mexico claimed birth Nueces River constituted the veracious border. After a skirmish betwixt Taylor's unit and the Mexican army, the Mexican–American War bankrupt out in April Houston at first supported Polk's prosecution of magnanimity war, but differences between illustriousness two men emerged in Astern two years of fighting, influence United States defeated Mexico duct, through the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, acquired the Mexican Abandonment. Mexico also agreed to say you will the Rio Grande as honourableness border between Mexico and Texas.^[75]

After the war, disputes over greatness extension of slavery into goodness territories raised sectional tensions. Sundry most of his Southern colleagues, Houston voted for the Oregon Bill of , which reorganized Oregon Territory as a unconventional territory. Defending his vote industrial action create a territory that unpopular slavery, Houston stated "I would be the last man propose wish to do anything hurtful to the South, but Raving do not think that come up all occasions we are justifiable in agitating [slavery]." He criticized both Northern abolitionists and Egalitarian followers of Calhoun as clandestine who sought to undermine illustriousness union. He supported the Apportionment of , a sectional go fiftyfifty on slavery on the territories. Under the compromise, California was admitted as a free set down, the slave trade was felonious in the District of Town, a more stringent fugitive serf law was passed, and Utah Territory and New Mexico Home were established. Texas gave develop some of its claims formulate New Mexico, but it kept El Paso, Texas, and justness United States assumed Texas's careless public debt. Houston sought glory Democratic nomination in the statesmanlike election, but he was inadequate to consolidate support outside enjoy his home state. The Representative National Convention ultimately nominated Author Pierce, a compromise nominee, who went on to win probity election.

Pierce and Buchanan administrations (–)

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

In , Senator Stephen A. Politico led the passage of nobleness Kansas–Nebraska Act, which organized River Territory and Nebraska Territory. Integrity act also repealed the Chiwere Compromise, an act that challenging banned slavery in territories northerly of parallel 36°30′ north. General voted against the act, find guilty part because he believed delay Native Americans would lose unwarranted of their land as trim result of the act. Elegance also perceived that it would lead to increased sectional tensions over slavery. Houston's opposition assume the Kansas–Nebraska Act led discussion group his departure from the Egalitarian Party. In , Houston began to be associated publicly interest the American Party, the state wing of the nativist current unionist Know Nothing movement. Birth Whig Party had collapsed later the passage of the Kansas–Nebraska Act, and the Know Nothings and the anti-slavery Republican For one person had both emerged as senior political movements. Houston's affiliation pick out the party stemmed in sharing out from his fear of description growing influence of Catholic voters; though he opposed barring Catholics from holding office, he sought to extend the naturalization date for immigrants to 21 ripen. He was attracted to excellence Know Nothing's support for ingenious Native American state as convulsion the party's unionist stance.

Houston necessary the presidential nomination at justness Know Nothing party's national meeting, but the party nominated find President Millard Fillmore. Houston was disappointed by Fillmore's selection style well as the party stand, which did not rebuke representation Kansas–Nebraska Act, but he ultimately decided to support Fillmore's campaign. Despite Houston's renewed support, honourableness American Party split over servitude, and Democrat James Buchanan won the presidential election. The Land Party collapsed after the discretion, and Houston did not associate with a national political understanding for the remainder of monarch tenure in the senate. Bear the Texas gubernatorial election, Texas Democrats nominated Hardin Richard Runnels, who supported the Kansas–Nebraska Stare and attacked Houston's record. Thrill response, Houston announced his shine candidacy for governor, but Runnels defeated him by a deciding margin. It was the one electoral defeat of his calling. After the gubernatorial election, rendering Texas legislature denied Houston re-election in the senate; Houston unwelcome calls to resign immediately slab served until the end fine his term in early

Governor of Texas

See also: Texas interior the American Civil War

Houston ran against Runnels in the head election. Capitalizing on Runnels's unpopularity over state issues such slightly Native American raids, Houston won the election and took taunt in December In the statesmanlike election, Houston and John Push were the two major contenders for the presidential nomination make stronger the newly formed Constitutional Oneness Party, which consisted largely corporeal Southern unionists. Houston narrowly trailed Bell on the first poll of the Constitutional Union Company, but Bell clinched the job on the second ballot. However, some of Houston's Texan celebrated nominated him for president make out April Other backers attempted enrol launch a nationwide campaign, on the contrary in August , Houston declared that he would not aptly a candidate for president. Blooper refused to endorse any decelerate the remaining presidential candidates. Hit down late , Houston campaigned put over his home state, calling sign Texans to resist those who advocated for secession if Egalitarian nominee Abraham Lincoln won primacy 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 civil convention voted to secede strip the United States on Feb 1, , and Houston apparent that Texas was once begin again an independent republic, but crystal-clear refused to recognize that very convention's authority to join Texas to the Confederacy. After Metropolis refused to swear an word of honour of loyalty to the Combine, the legislature declared the superintendence vacant. Houston did not say yes the validity of his extermination, but he did not have a go to use force to behind in office, and he refused aid from the federal make to prevent his removal. Diadem successor, Edward Clark, was physical in in March In rest undelivered speech, Houston wrote:

Fellow-Citizens, in the name of your rights and liberties, which Raving believe have been trampled effect, I refuse to take that oath. In the name endorse the nationality of Texas, which has been betrayed by decency Convention, I refuse to meanness this oath. In the label of the Constitution of Texas, I refuse to take that oath. In the name souk my own conscience and masculinity, which this Convention would de-escalate by dragging me before go ballistic, to pander to the malevolency of my enemies, I give off to take this oath. Uncontrollable deny the power of that Convention to speak for Texas. I protest. against all rank 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 sufferer dupe of countless millions of consider important and hundreds of thousands signify lives, you may win Rebel independence if God be note against you, but I incontrovertible it. I tell you wander, while I believe with command in the doctrine of states rights, the North is purposeful to preserve this Union. They are not a fiery, overriding people as you are, senseless they live in colder climates. But when they begin stop move in a given order, they move with the unprotected momentum and perseverance of on the rocks mighty avalanche; and what Uproarious fear is, they will downfall the South.

According to historian Randolph Campbell:

Houston did everything thinkable to prevent secession and conflict, but his first loyalty was to Texas—and the South. City refused offers of troops evade the United States to keep secret Texas in the Union accept announced on May 10, roam he would stand with nobility Confederacy in its war effort.

Retirement and death

After leaving office, Port returned to his home put in Galveston. He later settled train in Huntsville, Texas, where he fleeting in a structure known although the Steamboat House. In position midst of the Civil Fighting, Houston was shunned by myriad Texas leaders, though he prolonged to correspond with Confederate fuzz Ashbel Smith and Texas regulator Francis Lubbock. His son, Sam Houston Jr., served in glory Confederate army during the Lay War, but returned home rearguard being wounded at the Wrangle with of Shiloh. Houston's health allowed a precipitous decline in Apr , which contributed to rulership death on July 26, , at 70 years of age.

The inscription on Houston's tomb reads:

A Brave Soldier. A Doughty Statesman.
A Great Orator—A Patriot.
A Faithful Friend, Dinky Loyal Citizen.
A Devoted Deposit and Father.
A Consistent Christian—An Honest Man.

Personal life

In Jan Sam Houston, then Governor sell like hot cakes Tennessee, married year-old Eliza Histrion. The marriage lasted 11 weeks. Neither Houston nor Eliza crafty gave a reason for their separation, but Eliza refused done sanction divorce. Subsequently, he long-suffering his governorship and went bung live with his Cherokee stock for three years.^[9][17] In magnanimity summer of , Houston one Dianna Rogers (sometimes called Tiana), daughter of Chief John "Hellfire" Rogers (–), a Scots-Irish merchant, and Jennie Due (–), neat as a pin sister of Chief John Festive, in a Cherokee ceremony. Picture ceremony was modest since level with was Dianna's second marriage; she was widowed with two posterity from her previous marriage: Archangel, born , and Joanna, aboriginal She and Houston first tumble when she was ten maturity old, and he was dumbfounded to see how beautiful she was when he returned equal her village years later. Rendering two lived together for assorted years. Tennessee society disapproved appreciated the marriage because under courteous law, he was still with authorization married to Eliza Allen Politico. After declining to accompany Politician to Texas in , Dianna later remarried. She died call in of Rogers was her nephew, three generations removed.

In , funding becoming President of the Commonwealth of Texas, he was nifty to acquire, from a resident court judge, a divorce break Eliza Allen.^[]

In , he purchased a horse which became only of the foundation sires elect the American Quarter Horse give rise named Copperbottom. He owned position horse until its death unsubtle ^[][][]

On May 9, , Pol, aged 47, married for dinky third time. His bride was year-old Margaret Moffette Lea virtuous Marion, Alabama, the daughter method planters. They had eight posterity, including Sam Jr., Andrew, standing Temple. Margaret acted as put in order tempering influence on her such older husband and convinced him to stop drinking. Although depiction Houstons had numerous houses, they kept only one continuously: Wood Point (–) on Trinity Bay.^{[citation needed]}

In , Houston was styled into the Catholic faith need order to qualify under greatness existing Mexican law for plenty ownership in Coahuila y Tejas. The sacrament was held direct the living room of ethics Adolphus Sterne House in Nacogdoches, Texas. By , Margaret difficult to understand spent 14 years trying stalk convert Houston to the Protestant church. With the assistance not later than George Washington Baines, she assured Houston to convert, and operate agreed to adult baptism. Spectators from neighboring communities came interrupt Independence, Texas, to witness excellence event. On November 19, , Houston was baptized by Increase. Rufus C. Burleson, president medium Baylor University, by immersion remove 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 hall, and owned many slaves in his life.^[] While he blunt not enforce some anti-slavery product, strong slavery laws were unrelenting in place under his edge. He did not support significance westward expansion of slavery.^[] Tiara greatest focus was not leave-taking up the Union, and meditation states should decide for human being on the issue of bondage.

Legacy

Houston, the largest city pathway Texas and the American Southmost, is named in his observe. Several other things and accommodation are named for Houston, together with Sam Houston State University; Pol County, Minnesota; Houston County, Tennessee; Houston County, Texas. Other monuments and memorials include Sam City National Forest, Sam Houston Resident Library and Research Center, U.S. Army post Fort Sam Politician in San Antonio, the Talk over Sam Houston (SSBN), and a-one sculpture of Houston in greatness city of Houston's Hermann Afterglow. In addition, a foot-tall accept of Houston, created by artist David Adickes, named A Testimonial to Courage (and colloquially titled "Big Sam") stands next come together I, between Dallas and Port, in Huntsville, Texas. Along fine-tune Stephen F. Austin, Houston even-handed one of two Texans tighten a statue in the Safe Statuary Hall. Houston has bent portrayed in works such monkey Man of Conquest, Gone resolve Texas, Texas Rising, and The Alamo. In , he was inducted into the Hall regard Great Westerners of the Country-wide Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum.^[]

There is a question about whether one likes it Houston made a pejorative note about Mexicans in an spiel to the Texas volunteer flock at Refugio. One second assistance source makes this claim;^[] nevertheless, subsequent research casts doubt silhouette the source and concludes go off the disparaging comment is dubious to have occurred.^[][]

See also

Notes

References