Person:James Houston (20)

Maj. James Houston
m. 1753
  1. Maj. James Houston1757 - 1840
  2. Robert Houston1760 - 1835
  3. John Houston
  4. William Houston1767 - 1815
  • HMaj. James Houston1757 - 1840
  • WEsther HoustonAbt 1758 - Bef 1796
m. Abt 1776
  1. Polly HoustonEst 1777 -
  2. Samuel F. HoustonEst 1779 -
  3. Martha G.'Patsy' Houston1783 - 1805
  4. Melinda Houston1786 - 1809
  5. Robert Houston1788 - 1815
  6. Esther Jane Gillespie "Jane" Houston1792 - 1859
Facts and Events
Name Maj. James Houston
Gender Male
Birth[1][2][4] 12 Nov 1757 Augusta County, Virginia
Census[3] 1776 enlisted and was in King's Mountain under Gen. Campbell
Marriage Abt 1776 to Esther Houston
Marriage 6 Oct 1796 Blount County, Tennesseeto Mary "Polly" Gillespie
Death[4] 22 Mar 1840 Blount County, Tennessee[was living there in 1832]
Burial[4] 1840 New Providence Cemetery, Maryville, Blount, Tennessee, United States

James Houston was one of the Early Settlers of Augusta County, Virginia

Contents


Return to Old Augusta|Explanation
……………………..The Tapestry
Families Old Chester OldAugusta Germanna
New River SWVP Cumberland Carolina Cradle
The Smokies Old Kentucky

Houston
Tapestry
Register
Analysis
Notebooks
Data
Graphics
Bibliography
Issues
YDNA
Index

__________________________


Sources

Source:Moss, 1990:128 provides Rev. War Service documentation.
Transcript:James Houston (1757-1840) Family Bible, Maryville, Blount County, TN

Notes

From:Clan Houston

James Houston, born November 12, 1757 in Augusta County, VA, died 1839 in Tennessee; married 1791 in Blount Co. TN to Pollie Gillespie, a second wife; born 1770; his first wife was Esther Houston. Patriot and served as Ensign. In January 1796, elected delegate from Blount County to Constitutional Convention which formed first constitution of TN. Also served as Senator and circuit court clerk. Called "Major" out of respect. Children: Esther Jane G., m. Sam'l Cowan; Hette, m. James Gallager; Phebe, m. Robert Tedford; Polly, m. Hilary Patrick; Sam'l F.; Patsey G., m. Wm. Woods; Betsey, m. James Tedford; Malinda, m. Ralph E. Tedford; Sydney, m. John S. Craig.

Posted by Teresa Topolewski on August 14, 1999 at 00:41:52:

Isobella b.1722 and Samuel b. 1728 were brother and sister - children of John Houston (b.1689?) and Margaret Cunningham (b. 1703) of Ireland. Looking for ancestors of their's. Also looking for info on Hettie Houston/ Cowan of TN who married Andrew Cowan. She was born ca. 1793 and was daughter of James Houston b.1757 and Pollie Gillespie b.1764. Appreciate any help!

FromHouston Message Board

James Houston, b. 1757 in Augusta Co, VA, d. 1839 in Tennessee;

m. 1stly Esther.
m.2dly 1791 in Blount Co. TN to Pollie Gillespie, b. 1770;
Houston. Patriot and served as Ensign.
In January 1796, elected delegate from Blount County to Constitutional Convention which formed first constitution of TN.
Also served as Senator and circuit court clerk.
Called "Major" out of respect.
Children: Esther Jane G., m. Sam'l Cowan;
Hette, m. James Gallager;
Phebe, m. Robert Tedford;
Polly, m. Hilary Patrick;
Sam'l F.;
Patsey G., m. Wm. Woods;
Betsey, m. James Tedford;
Malinda, m. Ralph E. Tedford;
Sydney, m. John S. Craig.
Image Gallery
References
  1. Clan Houston Web Page (http://clanhuston.com/husterly.htm).
  2. Katherine Keogh White. The King's Mountain Men, The Story of the Battle, with Sketches of the Amercian Soldiers who took part, by Katherine Keogh White. (Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1985)
    p. 239-240.

    James Houston, born in Augusta county, Virginia, 1757 was pensioned in Blount County, Tennessee, 1832. Enlisted 1776, was at King's Mountain under Campbell, moved to Tennessee, and was a member of its first constutitional convention. Built Houston Station on little river, six miles north of Maryville. Son of Samuel and Elizabeth (McCroskey) Houston. First wife, Esther, daughter of Matthew, an uncle. Second wife Polly Gillespie.

  3. Katherine Keogh White. The King's Mountain Men, The Story of the Battle, with Sketches of the Amercian Soldiers who took part, by Katherine Keogh White. (Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1985)
    p. 239-240.
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 Find A Grave.

    Maj James Houston

    Birth: Nov. 11, 1757
    Rockbridge County [note: was then Augusta County]
    Virginia, USA
    Death: Mar. 22, 1840
    Maryville
    Blount County
    Tennessee, USA

    Ensign in Virginia Militia and a Major in Tennessee Militia. Served in Revolution as Ensign and private, Virginia and Tennessee. Pensioned with # S-1914.
    In January 1796, he was elected a delegate from Blount County to the Tennessee Constitutional Convention. Subsequently elected state senator. Served as Clerk of Court, Blount County TN 1796-1817.
    A copy of James' will of March 7, 1839 is in the James Houston file at the DAR Library, Washington DC.
    Included in it is the gift of one tenth of the proceeds of sale of his lands to" James Gallaher and his heirs"
    http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=HOU&GSpartial=1&GSbyrel=all&GSst=45&GScntry=4&GSsr=2761&GRid=50147285&

  5.   Lyle, Oscar K. Lyle family : the ancestry and posterity of Matthew John, Daniel and Samuel Lyle, pioneer settlers in Virginia. (New York: Lecouver Press, 1912)
    Page 189.

    Esther Houston, ex 1578, b ab’t 1773, m Major James Houston, a cousin. Issue:

    1. Patsey. (see 1797)
    2. Betsey. (see 1803)
    3. Robert died unmarried.
    4. Malinda, b 1786 d 1809

    By a second wife (Gillespie), James Houston had nine issue, all girls. Six of these girls married Presbyterian Preachers.

  6.   Graves, William T. Southern Campaign Revolutionary War Pension Statements & Rosters.

    Pension application of James Houston S1914 f47VA
    Transcribed by Will Graves rev'd 6/13/11 rev'd 5/1/14

    State of Tennessee Blount County Second Judicial Circuit
    On this 10th day of August 1832 personally appeared in Open Court, being a Circuit Court in
    and for said County before the Honorable Edward Scott one of the Circuit Judges of the State of Tennessee now presiding in said Court in said County of Blount James Houston a resident of said County of Blount in the State aforesaid aged nearly seventy-five years having been born on the 12th day of November 1757 who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832. That he entered the service in the spring season as well as recollected in the year 1776 under Captain William Buchanan as a volunteer in a patrolling Company, – that Declarant resided in the County of Augusta in the State of Virginia at the time he entered the service, that he does not recollect the Lieutenant and – Ensign in said company. – Declarant cannot recollect the precise time he served as a volunteer in said Company, but supposes it to be not more than one month, when he was discharged and returned home. Declarant has certificate of discharge, – Said Company during said time patrolled in the County of Augusta as a company of discovery to protect the frontiers and guard against the incursions of the hostile Indians. Declarant removed from Augusta County where he was born & had before always resided to Washington County in Western Virginia in the month of September 1777 [?], and in the month of February 1778 again entered the Service in said County of Washington, Virginia as a volunteer in a volunteer Company commanded by Captain Aaron Lewis whose subaltern officers in said Company were Lieutenant Robert Edmonson1 [sic, Robert Edmondson] and Ensign not recollected. Said Company belonged to a Regiment of Infantry who embodied at Long Island on Holston River commanded by Colonel Evan Shelby – from Long Island on Holston the Army proceeded in canoes down Holston River to its junction with the Tennessee, then down the Tennessee River to the Mouth of Chickamauga Creek, where we proceeded to destroy the encampments and provisions of a party of the Cherokee Indians, called Chickamaugas, but had no encounter with the Indians – The Infantry then separated from a Company or Regiment of Regulars by whom they had been accompanied under the command of Colonel Montgomery destined for the Illinois Country, and returned home. Declarant was discharged in the month of May of the said year of 1778, but obtained no certificate of discharge. Declarant about the first day of October 1778 again entered the service as a volunteer in the Company commanded by Captain Nathaniel Williams being a Company of Guards to reconnoiter the frontiers, and marched to Powels Valley [Powell's Valley]in Kentucky and continued in service on the frontiers of Kentucky protecting the interior from the incursions of the hostile Indians until the month of January 1779 when the Company returned home to Washington County Virginia and in the latter part of said months, having been discharged as Declarant believes in Powell's Valley – Declarant again about the first of April 1779 entered the service in Washington County Virginia as an Ensign in the Volunteer Company commanded by Captain William Edmondson, Robert Edmondson was Lieutenant and Declarant Ensign now the subaltern officers of said company who held themselves ready & equipped as mounted Riflemen and volunteers to march at a minute's warning wherever their services might be required, that from the time Declarant entered the service as aforesaid in the month of April 1779 until the month of October of the same year, said company reconnoitered as a company of discovery and guards on the frontiers of Washington, Virginia and on the head of New River, for the purpose of suppressing the disaffected and Tories.
    In the month of October 1779 [sic, 1780],2 said Company joined the Regiment of volunteers commanded by Colonel William Campbell at Watauga River in what is now Carter or Sullivan County in the State of Tennessee – then North Carolina – from thence the Army were marched under the command of Colonel Campbell into the State of South Carolina. That Declarant commanded as an Ensign of Captain Edmondson's company at the defeat of the British and Tories at King's Mountain under the command of Colonel Furgason [sic, Patrick Ferguson]. In the Battle Captain Edmondson & Lieutenant Edmondson were both killed, when the command of the Company devolved on the 2nd Lieutenant Patrick Campbell – from King's Mountain said Regiment returned home to Washington County and were discharged about the first of December 1779 [sic, 1780], having been in service from the month of April preceding as aforesaid. Declarant states that he has no documentary evidence, and that he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his service – declarant removed from the County of Washington, Virginia in the year 1782, to Green County, then North Carolina now Tennessee, where he resided three or four years when he removed to what is now Blount County in the State of Tennessee where he at present resides and was a member of the Convention from the County of Blount in 1796 which formed the Constitution of the State of Tennessee, and was also a member of the first General Assembly of the State of Tennessee.
    Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
    S/ James Houston

    We, Davis Hart a Clergyman residing in Maryville and the County of month in the State of Tennessee, and Jacob F. Forte, Jesse Wallace, Alexander McNutt, Robert Houston, Andrew Early residing in the County and State aforesaid hereby certify that we are well acquainted with James Houston who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration, that we believe him to be seventy-five years of age, that he is reputed and believed to have been a soldier and officer of the Revolution in the neighborhood in which he resides and that we concur in that opinion.

    State of Tennessee Blount County: SS: Amended Declaration
    On this 25th day of December 1832 personally appeared in open Court being the County Court
    about County aforesaid, and being a Court of record, before the justices thereof presiding in said Court, James Houston a resident of said County of Blount in the State of Tennessee aforesaid aged seventy-five years on the 12th day of November last past having been born in Augusta County in the State of Virginia on the 12th day of November 1757, who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following Amended declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed the 7th day of June 1832, – That he entered the service in the County of Augusta in the State of Virginia as a volunteer Soldier under Captain William Buchanan in a patrolling company of volunteers in the spring of the year 1776 (but being aged, from defect of memory cannot be more precise as to the time) – Declarant cannot recollect the names of the subaltern Officers of said Company nor the precise time he served in said company, but believes it was not less than 25 days, when he was discharged in said County of Augusta, and returned home. – Declarant received no certificate of discharge, – Said Company during said time patrolled in said County of Augusta, as a company of discovery to protect the frontiers, and guard against the incursion of the hostile Indians. Declarant removed from Augusta County Virginia where he was born, and had always before resided to Washington County in Western Virginia in the month of September 1778 and in the month of February, as near declarant can recollect on the 15th day of the month 1778 he again entered the service in the County of Washington Virginia as a volunteer soldier in a volunteer Company commanded by Captain Aaron Lewis, Robert Edmondson Lieutenant, the name of the other subaltern officers not recollected. Said Company belonged to a Regiment of Infantry commanded by Colonel Evan Shelby, which embodied at Long Island on Holston River. From Long Island on Holston River, the Army proceeded in canoes down the River to its junction with the Tennessee, then down the Tennessee River to the mouth of Chickamauga Creek, and then proceeded to destroy the encampments and provisions of a hospital party of the Cherokee Indians, called Chickamaugas, but had no rencounter with the Indians, – The Infantry then separated from a company or Regiment of Regulars by whom they had been accompanied, under the command of Colonel Montgomery, and destined for the Illinois country, and returned home. Declarant was discharged as near as declarant can recollect on the 14th or 15th of May 1779 having been 3 months in service. Declarant received no certificate of discharge. On the first day of October 1779 as near as recollected declarant again entered the service in Washington County Virginia as a volunteer in the company commanded by Captain Nathaniel Henderson (instead of Williams as stated by mistake in the original declaration) – the names of the subaltern officers in said company not recollected being a Company of guards to reconnoiter on the frontiers, and marched to Powells Valley in Kentucky, and continued on the frontiers of Kentucky protecting the frontiers from the incursion of the hostile Indians until the first of January 1780 as well as declarant can recollect, when declarant was discharged, as he believes in Powells Valley, and returned home having been 3 months at least in service. Declarant received no certificate of discharge. Declarant again as near as he can recollect on the first of April 1780 entered the service in Washington County Virginia as an Ensign in a volunteer Company commanded by Captain William Edmondson, Robert Edmondson Lieutenant, with declarant Ensign were subaltern officers of said Company, who held themselves ready and equipped as mounted volunteer rifleman to march at a minute's warning wheresoever their services might be required – that from the said declarant entering the service as an Ensign as aforesaid on the first of April 1780 until the month of October in the same year, said Company reconnoitered as a company of discovery and guards on the frontiers of Washington County Virginia and on the head of the New River for the purpose of suppressing the disaffected and Tories. In the month of October (declarant cannot recollect the day of the month) 1780 said company joined a volunteer Regiment commanded by Colonel William Campbell at Watauga River in what is now Carter or Sullivan County in the State of Tennessee – then North Carolina. From thence the Army was marched under the command of Colonel Campbell into the State of South Carolina. That declarant commanded as an Ensign in Captain Edmonson's Company, at the defeat of the British and Tories commanded by Colonel Ferguson at Kings Mountain. In the battle Captain Edmondson and Lieutenant Edmondson were both killed, when the command of the Company devolved on Patrick Campbell the 2nd Lieutenant of said company. From Kings Mountain said Regiment returned home to Washington County Virginia and were discharged, as well as declarant can recollect on the first of December 1780, having been in service as an Ensign as aforesaid 8 months.
    Declarant received no certificate of discharge. Declarant further states, that he was elected Ensign by the company in which he served, as was then the custom in volunteer Companies, and never was commissioned as an Ensign, but held his appointment, and acted as such under and by virtue of his election by said Company. Declarant has no documentary evidence of his services aforesaid, and that he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure to testify to his service except John Houston, whose affidavit is hereto annexed. The only record evidence declarant has of his age is an entry thereof in an old family Bible now in his possession & reentered in a new Bible. Declarant removed from the County of Washington Virginia in the year 1782 to Green County, then North Carolina now Tennessee where he resided 3 or 4 years, after which time he removed to what is now Blount County in the State of Tennessee, where he at present resides. He was a member of the convention from the County of Blount, which framed the Constitution of the State of Tennessee in 1796, and was also a member of the first General Assembly of the State of Tennessee. Declarant hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or an annuity except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any Agency in any State or Territory. Declarant further states that by reason of old age and consequent loss of memory he cannot swear positively to the precise length of his service but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned in this his amended declaration being 6 months and 25 days as a private soldier and 8 months as an Ensign, and for such service he claims a pension. Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid in Open Court.
    S/ Jac. F. Foute, Clerk
    S/ J. Houston

    We, Isaac Anderson a clergyman residing in Maryville in the County of Blount in the State of
    Tennessee states that I verily believe the facts set forth in the foregoing declaration and we, Jesse Thompson, Andrew Cowan, P. H. Fitzgerald & Samuel Gold residing in the County and State aforesaid hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with James Houston, who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration, that we believe him to be upwards of 74 years of age as he states; that he is reputed and believed to have been a soldier and officer of the revolution in the neighborhood in which he resides and that we concur in that opinion. Sworn to and subscribed the 25th day of December 1832.
    S/ Jesse Thompson
    S/ And Cowan
    S/ Pat. H. Fitzgerald
    S/ Samuel Goule [sic]
    Sworn to & subscribed in Open Court the 25th December 1832
    S/ Jac F Foute [?], Clerk

    [p 14]
    John Houston3 makes oath that he has been acquainted with the foregoing declarant, James Houston, from his infancy, that he believes the facts set forth in the foregoing declaration of his services during the revolution are true – that affiant knows that said declarant served some time in Augusta County Georgia as a Ranger, but cannot recollect the precise time, but believes it was at the time & during the period stated by declarant. Affiant lived at declarant's fathers (the uncle of affiant) at the time declarant returned home from his expedition down the River against the Chickamauga in the month of May 1779 having as affiant understood and believes been in service three months. Affiant was with declarant & served with him in the campaign to Powell's Valley from the first of October 1779 until the first of January 1780. Affiant was in the neighborhood at the time on or about the first of December 1780 when Declarant returned home from the battle at King's Mountain having been in service as an Ensign in Captain Edmondson's company eight months as affiant believes, it being so understood & believed in the neighborhood at the time and also understood & believed in the neighborhood that Declarant had been in the battle at King's Mountain & served as an Ensign in that engagement. Sworn to & subscribed the 25th day of December 1832.
    S/ John Houston
    Sworn to & subscribed in open Court 25 December 1832
    S/Jac F. Forte, clerk

    [Veteran was pensioned at the rate of $102.66 per annum commencing March 4th, 1831, for 14 months and 25 days service as a private & Ensign in the Virginia militia.]
    __________
    1 This name is spelled in several variations including: Edminston, Edmundson, Edmondson. I have adopted the spelling
    “Edmondson” since that appears to be the most commonly used variant of the name.
    2 Sic, declarant is clearly referring here to events that occurred in 1780, not 1779.
    3 John Houston S1832

    https://revwarapps.org/s1914.pdf