Page:The Biographical Dictionary of America, vol. 05.djvu/393

 HOUSTON

HOUSTOUX

son was a soldier in the Confederate army. See Life of Sam Houston, by Charles Edwards Lester, published anonymously in 1855 ; revised, 1«T8. His name was in " Class E, Missionaries and Explorers," for a place in the Hall of Fame for Great Americans, New York university, in October, 1900, and received sixteen votes, which gave the name a place in the list for election in October, 1903. General Houston died at Hunts- ville. Walker county, Texas, July 26, 1863.

HOUSTON, WilUam Churchill, delegate, was born in 1746 ; son of Archibald and Margaret Houston. His father was a planter of distinction

rand proper- ty, and was

COAJORESS

fHILAPELPH/A

the north of Ireland, probably the former. He was a prominent member of the Presbyter- ian church, which fact probably influenced his son in his selection of a college after hav- ing received such education as the local school afforded. He entered the freshman class of the College of New Jersey, Princeton, serving as tutor in the grammar school connected with the col- lege, to pay his way ; was graduated, A.B., 1768 ; A.M., 1771, and was tutor there, 1767-71, and professor of mathematics and natural philosophy, 1771-83. He was admitted to the bar in 1781, and in 1783 resigned his professorship and practised law in Trenton, N.J. During his life at the col- lege he took part in the war of the American Revolution, commanding a scouting-party in the defence of Princeton and the neighborhood, and was commissioned captain in the 2d battalion, Somerset guards, Feb. 28, 1776. AVhen order was restored at the college he resumed his duties and with Dr. "Witherspoon constituted the entire faculty of the college till 1779. He was a mem- ber of the general assembly of New Jersey from Somerset county in 1777 ; a member of the coun- cil of safety in 1778 ; a delegate from the county of ^Middlesex to the Continental congress, 1779-82, and 1784-85, and receiver of Continental taxes, 1782-85. During his congressional career he took a prominent part in the debates and was asso- ciated with Monroe and King on the committee presenting the well-known report on foreign and domestic relations. He was elected a delegate from New Jersey to the convention of commission- ers at Annapolis, Sept. 11, 1786, which paved the way for the convention at Philadelphia that framed the Federal constitution. He attended

that convention, taking part in several debates, and it is related that at one time, being in very- delicate health, he was carried into the hall in order to make a quorum. While he does not appear as a signer, there is every reason for stat- ing that he heartily advocated its acceptance by the state of New Jersey, though his declining health prevented any very active participation. He was elected the first comptroller of the treas- ury, 1781, but declined to serve. He was clerk of the supreme court of New Jersey, 1784-88. He was married to Jane, daughter of Caleb Smith, and granddaughter of President Jonatlian Dick- inson, of the College of New Jersey, Princeton. He died of consumption, while on his way soutli in search of health, in Frankfort, Pa., Aug. 12, 1788, and was buried in the Presbyterian churchyard at Fourth and Pine streets, Philadelphia, Pa.

HOUSTOUN, John, governor of Georgia, was born in the parish of St. George, Ga., Aug. 81, 1744 ; son of Sir Patrick Houstoun, baronet, who came to America with Oglethorpe and was regis- ter of grants and receiver of quit rents. John received a liberal education and early identified himself as an advocate of independence, contrary to the sentiments of his father. In a great meas- ure he moulded the Revolutionary spirit of the state. In 1774 he was one of four patriots who met in Savanah and organized the Sons of Liberty. He was a delegate to the Continental congress, 1775 and 1776, and was absent from Philadelphia in July, 1776. having been called to Georgia to neutralize the efforts being made by the Rev. Dr. John J. Zubly, another delegate from Georgia who had left his seat in congress to work among his constituents in Georgia against the Declaration of Independence then before the congress for adoption. This enforced absence alone prevented Houstoun signing the document. He was made a member of the executive council of the state May 8, 1777, and elected governor, Jan. 8, 1778. As commander-in-chief of the Georgia militia he led the troops for the inva- sion of eastern Florida in co-operation with Maj.- Gen. Robert Howe, commander of the southern department. They reached St. Mary's river, when a dispute arose between Howe and Hous- toun as to the command of the Georgia troops, and Governor Houstoun, unwilling to yield the direc- tion of the expedition, held a council of war, which decided upon a retreat, resulting in the ultimate failure of the expedition. This disaster was followed by the fall of Savannah and the invasion of southern Georgia, and during these desperate times Governor Houstoun was invested by the council with almost dictatorial power. He was again elected governor in 1784. In 1787 he was appointed by the general assembly, with John Habersham and Lachlan Mcintosh, to settle