Houston Family Scrapbook

                      
Section I - Letters and Documents

---

Our "Houston Heritage" is rich and colorful. I have traced our "roots" in this line back to Dr. William Houston born about 1710, County Antrim, Ireland. He is our Houston line's original immigrant. The family name Houston, pronounced "House-ton" (the English pronunciation) was used by our line, rather than the Irish pronunciation of "Hugh's Town shortened to Hugh's-ton".  Some of the descendants in our line have adopted or gone back to the original Irish pronunciation.

Dr. William Houston, although he has not been officially recognized as a Patriot by DAR, was in fact a Patriot. His son Edward Houston my family's direct line ancestor has been recognized as a Patriot. I have joined DAR through him.  If any of you would like to join DAR through Edward, please let me know. I can send you information to assist you.  I am going to have Dr. William Houston recognized as a Patriot and added as a supplement to my membership, which will open membership to all our Houston cousins who are interested and not direct descendants of Edward. 

Although our ancestors believed they were related to General Sam Houston's family,  we have found through DNA testing that we in fact are not.  I think some of the letters donated to the Sam Houston Museum in Huntsville, TX that burned held the key as to why they believed this. We lost many Houston Family artifacts in that fire.  Great Great Grandmother Jane Houston's wedding band and Spinning Wheel were among those items. I remember playing on that Spinning Wheel as a child and getting into trouble for it. I can visualize my Dad, Grandmother and Great Grandfather as children probably doing the same thing I did and also being scolded. What a loss, not to ever be able to spin that wheel again or show it to my Grandchildren.

Our Houston DNA tests show that we are of Viking descent.  (A Viking in our genetic woodpile)  Apparently Vikings controlled much of Ireland and Scotland from 800 - 1100 A.D.  This was prior to the common use of surnames. This is why we have a Scot/Irish surname rather than a Scandinavian surname for our Houston line.  I am continuing with other family members, researching to find documented proof of Dr. William Houston's ancestry.

The following are letters which helped prove our ancestry and will help you get to know our ancestors on a more personal level:

Letter from James Houston to his nephew Edward "Ned" Houston, dated March 27, 1843 from Duplin County, NC - James Houston was the son of Edward and Grandson of Dr William, brother of Edward E Houston (father to Edward "Ned" Houston). This letter gives info on the family still in Duplin Co., NC. It also gives birth dates for his brother, Edward E and James Houston the letters author.  (This can be confusing - there are 3 generations of Edwards in our line - many cousins named Edward also. In this line we have the original Edward son of Dr. William, Edward's son Edward E. and his son Edward "Ned")

Letter from John B "J. B." Houston to his [half] brother Edward "Ned" Houston, dated January 3, 1853 from Barbour County, AL - This letter states baptism dates for his Father and Mother, Edward E, and Sarah Johnston Houston and his brothers, George Washington and William S Houston.  J B was almost 23 when he wrote this - still a young man. His humor and youth are evident in this letter.

Letter from Samuel T Player to his cousin, Edward "Ned" Houston, dated August 1, 1853 from New Hanover County, NC - Edward E Houston had 3 wives. His first wife, Hannah Player was the mother of Edward "Ned" and James Lafayette Houston. (They may have had an older brother by the name of Stephen that was deceased by the time this and James Houston's  letter was written.)  This letter was the key to her identity. 

Letter from Edward E Houston to his son, Edward "Ned" Houston, dated November 6, 1859 from Barbour County, AL - This is by far one of my favorite letters.  Did you know that Edward E and 3 of his sons were accused and tried for murder??? The story gets even better. Nancy Amanda Bush married James Lafayette Houston.  James Orr the murdered man was her brother-in law, David Bush her brother and Harold Reeves also her brother-in-law. Family lore has it that this was a scheme by the Bush's to steal or confiscate the Houston land that adjoined Bush property. In checking the ownership maps for the time the proximity of ownership turns out to be true.

Letter from Ezekiel Washington Houston to his father, Edward "Ned" Houston, dated August 28, 1861 from [Confederate] Camp 1, Union City, Obion County, Tennessee -   The letter is written on stationery known as the Southerner's Banner, which was provided to the Confederate Soldiers.  Also notice he borrowed ink from several different ink wells - some blue, some black. Ezekiel turned 19 July 5, 1861 at Camp Moore. He died a paroled prisoner June 16, 1864 of Typhoid Fever at a Hospital in West Point, Georgia. His final resting place is unknown.

Transcription of Ezekiel's Letter and Notes by R. Hugh Simmons - I met Hugh Simmons on line while trying to get more info on the 12th LA Infantry. He happens to be an expert and is writing a book on the 12th. He was happy to get a copy of Ezekiel's letter to add to his collection. He transcribed the letter and added many interesting facts about the other men or boys, Ezekiel mentions in his letter. He also gives a brief history of the unit and its role in various battles. Many thanks to Hugh!

Oath of Allegiance - Edward "Ned" Houston, dated October 22, 1868, Bienville Parish, Louisiana - This Oath was administered and had to be signed by all residents of former Confederate States. They were not allowed to vote or recognized as United States citizens without it.


Section II - Photographs