Moore Houston Robertson Genealogy

Emory A. D. Houston

2010-10-06T05:16:00.000-07:00

Emory A. D. Houston, b. 1905 AL, d. 1961 AL. Searching for any descendants. Any help appreciated!

The True History of Soft Serve Ice Cream

2010-08-29T07:18:00.000-07:00

My wife and I, from Alabama, moved to Paraguay in 1986 and started the country's very first soft-serve ice cream store! It became very successful very fast, and is still in operation today, but we sold the business in 2003 to a nice gentleman from Pennsylvania and we moved to Chile. Our soft serve did not have all those chemicals you mentioned....but we developed our own excellent and very smooth product using the basic ingredients of pure pasteurized whole fresh milk, powdered milk, sugar, etc.....we would never consider using any "premixes". We prepared an excellent and complete history of soft serve ice cream which you may find very interesting. It is online at http://www.cdagro.com/history/soft.html

Robertson Descendants Added! 23 May 2010

2010-05-23T11:52:00.000-07:00

Today I added about 25 new Robertson descendants, mostly descendants of Elmira Cornelia Robertson and Thomas Cooper Williams. This brings the total number of individuals to 7,097 in our online tree!
Browse Complete Tree

Fannie Houston, b. bet, 1864 - 1867 m. Willie W. Powell

2010-04-29T10:18:00.000-07:00

Fannie Houston was one of the 10 children from the first marriage of my grandfather Joseph C. Houston. She married Willie W. Powell. I will appreciate any further information about this couple, or their two children, birth or death dates, descendants, or anything!

The following is a letter from Fannie Houston dated Nov. 1898 addressed to Mr. J. C. Houston, Phenix, AL

The letter is old and obviously handwritten and not very clear, and I've done the best I can at reading it and copying it here. I have copyed the capital letters, spelling, etc, exactly as handwritten.

Postmarked Nov 12, 1898 ELMVIEW, TEX. on the front. On the back, postmarked HOWE, TEX NOV 12, 1898 REC'D.

Mr. J. C. Houston, Phenix, Ala Elm View Tex. Nov 1898

Dear Pap and Family,

I guess you think I'm not going to write to you anymore. You will please forgive me for waiting so long to write. We are enjoying the best of health. hope this will find you all enjoying the same. Willie is most done gathering wehave had a nice fall for gathering. it has not raind any here to amount to anything since July. Cotton is not hardly worth picking it is selling at 3 @ 4 cts. Corn is going up a little. Willie sold 100 bushels at 20 cts. per bushel. papa I have got part of my money at last and I guess I'll get the balance sometime soon. You said I seem to think that you was the caus of me not getting it Oh, No I did not think that. I did think it was the hardest mater to get any hereing from I had gave it up and I thought I would never get it. papa did Lizzie ever pay the money back that she borrowed from you. I think you could have put that money to a better use than to send it here to Murry to spend cureing his old (?-see note below) for I know that is the way it went him and Lizzie done so bad that thay sold ever thing they had and left here in August and said thay was going back to Ala. so I don't know where thay are and dont care. Jhonnie why dont you and Oliver write to me I would be so glad to just get one word from you. well I will close write real soon. Your love, Fannie

I have scanned the portion of the letter above because I can not make out the word or words in one sentence, so I'm hoping someone can help me here! Here is the image:

It is the middle line that is in question: "to spend cureing his old Pack? Back? Porche? Also I'm not sure about the word "cureing" ... I notice the image above is rather small and not clear so I've made a special page online with just that image...full size: http://www.cdagro.com/TNG/oldletter.html
Will appreciate if anyone can tell me what those words are! Thanks, Dean

Notes about Nancy Alice Robertson - Letter from March 3, 1890

2010-04-29T08:22:00.000-07:00

Corn Hill, Texas:   Corn Hill was on Willis Creek and Interstate 35 two miles south of Jarrell in North Central Williamson County.

Letter from (Nancy) Alice Robertson dated March 3, 1890 and postmarked March 3, 1890 at Corn Hill, Tex.     Addressed to Mrs. Exer Houston at Milltown, Chambers County, Ala.   (copied with spelling as in the letter)

Dear sister I will write you a few lines in answer to your sweet and loving letter that I received Saturday evening and was very glad indeed to hear from you. This leaves all well and I do hope and trust it will find you all the same. Well Ex I haven't much to write that will interest you to read, but I will do the best I can. We have bin having some very cold weather for the last few days but is a heap warmer today we have bin washing to day. I went to preaching yesterday and to sabath school in the morning and my fellow came home with me and we just had the biggest time atall he stayed till Aunt Aggie got supper dun and then I had to milk and get ready to go to meeting he has two other brothers out here with him and I lack them all. I have lots of fun with Frank and Oat(?) but I think John is the nicest boy of the three but he doesn't have as much to say as Frank and Oat(?) dose. I think Oat is the prettiest of the three but he is Mollie Williams best fellow. Well Ex you ask me how I enjoyed myself out here I can tell you I have had more fun for the last month than I have had in five year before. It makes me think old times when you and me used to be young folks. Nearly every one of my kind folks has an organ and I love to go to see them all. Well Ex I guess I had tell you a little about my New Ingland fellow I treated him just about lack I treated George Hall and I guess you know about that and he sed he was going back to Inglan with a broken heart and I told him I would go back to Alabama with a broken heart two. He lives at cousin Uzeak(?) Smiths. Well I will try to write a ittle more this evning I have bin helping teach school today. Prof makes one of the largest scolars help him every day and today was my day to help. He ask me if I felt lack I had bin pickin cotton wen he dismissed. I told him no little things don't tire me. I am stouter than I every was in my life. I think Ex if I keep fatning you all will not know me whin I come home. Well it is manily(?) night and will close by asking you to write to me next sunday good by for a while   Alice Robertson

Jane WOOTEN of Burke County, GA, b. abt. 1810, died Jan. 1836

2010-04-27T07:02:00.000-07:00

I am seeking information on Jane WOOTEN of Burke Co., GA, born abt. 1810; died January 1836. Jane was married to Andrew Young John ALLEN of Burke
Co., GA after 1830. Jane's husband died during 1835, shortly before her only son, Young John ALLEN was born on Jan. 03, 1836. Jane died later of child birth
fever, and her infant son was adopted and reared by her sister Nancy and her husband Wiley HUTCHINS. Any information on the WOOTEN, ALLEN, or
HUTCHINS families of Burke Co., GA would be greatly appreciated. Jane Wooten is in our family tree online at: http://www.cdagro.com/TNG/

Newly Updated Online Genealogy Tree - April 25, 2010

2010-04-25T07:19:00.000-07:00

Today I have updated the online tree at http://www.cdagro.com/TNG/index.html which includes over 100 names added within the past thirty days. Our tree now has 7059 individuals.

Searching for Nancy Houston, b. 1834, m. Soloman T. Strickland

2010-04-23T05:38:00.000-07:00

I've hit that familiar "brick wall" with Nancy Houston, born 1834, married Soloman T. Strickland. Nancy was the daughter of Samuel H. Houston. Any information on this family or descendants of Soloman T. Strickland will be greatly appreciated!

Will from the father of Sarah Germany, b. Aug. 20, 1811, Pike County, GA

2010-04-22T10:09:00.000-07:00

Will from the father of Sarah Germany:

Pike County, Georgia Court of Ord.
Book B Page 101

In the name of God amen.
I William Germany of the county of Pike and State of Georgia do make and ordain
this my last will and testament in manner following:

First, my will is that my just debts be paid out of my estate both real and personal.
I leave to my beloved wife Mary Germany during her natural life or widowhood and
then to be equally divided amongst my children. Secondly, Mary Germany formerly,
now Mary Walker one eleventh part & Sarah Germany formerly now Sarah Houston one
eleventh part & James B. Germany one
eleventh part & A. Melvina Germany formerly now Melvina Cochran one eleventh
part & William Lander Germany one eleventh part & Elizabeth Geremany formerly
now Elizabeth Hughs one eleventh part - Emily Jane Germany one eleventh part -
Bridget Cornelia Germany one eleventh part - Hilliard Germany one eleventh part &
my son, Joseph Germany an equal portion with the rest and five hundred dollars and
Above to his part and my will is that if my son Joseph should die without an heir the part
of my estate that I leave to him shall be equally divided amongst the before mentioned
children.

My will is that my Estate both real and personal remain in the hands of my beloved wife,
Mary Germany.

My will is that my son James B. Germany shall act as Executor over my Estate and after
My debts my Executor will sell if there remains an overplus of possible property to sell
Off so much as he may consider surplus.

This thirty first October ---
Eighteen hundred and forty two
William Germany

Witnesses:
Henry J. Bailey
Miles Joins
J.H. Harkins

Will was probated on January 2, 1843 in Pike County, Georgia

Special Genealogy Site Published - George Washington

2010-04-20T07:31:00.000-07:00

Although our first President, General George Washington, is not a part of our family tree, I thought it might be of interest to genealogy researchers everywhere to learn some unusual facts about the history and ancestral genealogy of this great man. So I have gathered data and made a new website....

The Unusual History of George Washington including Ancestral Genealogy

Actress Kathleen Turner is in our Houston Genealogy Tree

2010-04-18T04:59:00.000-07:00

How many of you know that the famous actress Kathleen Turner is a Houston Descendant? She is in our online tree, and you may view her direct connections to our Houston family at our online page: http://www.cdagro.com/TNG/

Here is reprinted the facts about her from the "notes" section of our site:

Kathleen Turner

Kathleen Turner AKA Mary Kathleen Turner

Born: 19-Jun-1954
Birthplace: Springfield, MO

Gender: Female
Religion: Methodist
Ethnicity: White
Sexual orientation: Straight
Occupation: Actor

Nationality: United States
Executive summary: Romancing the Stone

Kathleen Turner is a voluptuous, throaty, scene-stealing actress who voiced Jessica Rabbit in Who Framed Roger Rabbit?. She starred in numerous high-profile and critically acclaimed films through the 1980s, including the sizzling Body Heat with William Hurt, Romancing the Stone with Michael Douglas, Prizzi's Honor with Jack Nicholson, Peggy Sue Got Married with Nicolas Cage, and Danny DeVito's The War of the Roses with Douglas again.

Then she made a dull, Disneyfied film adaptation of V.I. Warshawski, which, in combination with crossing the line to middle age, virtually ended her career as a leading lady in big-budget films. She has since been featured almost exclusively in low-profile films and roles, where she still does terrific work in films like Serial Mom or The Virgin Suicides.

He parents were career diplomats, and Turner was born in America but raised in Canada; Cuba (she was there, five years old, when Fidel Castro took power); Venezuela (she still speaks fluent Spanish) and England.

Turner's husband, real estate millionaire Jay Weiss, performs in a rock'n'roll band called, suitably, the Suits, and Turner sings. His brother Stephan was, until his death, married to fashion mogul Donna Karan, which makes Karan Turner's sister-in-law.

Weiss is Jewish, but Turner didn't convert and remains Christian. Their daughter "goes to Jewish classes," Turner says, "and we celebrate all the Jewish holidays. We do the full Haggadah service at Passover, for which I cook." She is a long-time supporter of Emily's List, the political action group that advocates for pro-choice Democratic candidates.

Turner says she has one inflexible rule when reading scripts: If her character isn't integral to the plot, she won't do it. "I mean," she asks, "what's the point of being some guy's addendum?"

Father: Richard Turner (diplomat, d. 1971, cancer)
Husband: David Guc (agent, m. 1977, div. 1982)
Husband: Jay Weiss (real estate magnate, m. 1983)
Daughter: Rachael Ann Weiss (b. 14-Oct-1987)

    University: Southwest Missouri State University, Springfield, MO (transferred to U.M.)
    University: BFA, University of Maryland (1977)

    Alcoholics Anonymous 1994
    People for the American Way
    Golden Globe Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture, Romancing the Stone 1984
    Golden Globe Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture, Prizzi's Honor 1985
    Miscarriage
    Risk Factors: Arthritis, Alcoholism, Smoking

    FILMOGRAPHY AS ACTOR
    Beautiful (11-Sep-2000)
    Baby Geniuses (12-Mar-1999)
    The Virgin Suicides (19-May-1999)
    Legalese (4-Oct-1998)
    A Simple Wish (11-Jul-1997)
    The Real Blonde (14-Sep-1997)
    Moonlight and Valentino (29-Sep-1995)
    Serial Mom (13-Apr-1994)
    House of Cards (25-Jun-1993)
    Naked in New York (1993)
    Undercover Blues (10-Sep-1993)
    V.I. Warshawski (26-Jul-1991)
    The War of the Roses (8-Dec-1989)
    Switching Channels (4-Mar-1988)
    The Accidental Tourist (23-Dec-1988)
    Dear America: Letters Home from Vietnam (Oct-1987) Herself [VOICE]
    Julia and Julia (12-Sep-1987)
    Peggy Sue Got Married (10-Oct-1986)
    Prizzi's Honor (13-Jun-1985)
    The Jewel of the Nile (11-Dec-1985)
    A Breed Apart (1984)
    Crimes of Passion (19-Oct-1984)
    Romancing the Stone (30-Mar-1984)
    The Man with Two Brains (3-Jun-1983)
    Body Heat (28-Aug-1981)

****************************************************************************************
Actress Kathleen Turner reportedly split up with her husband, mogul Jay Weiss, after 21 years of marriage. Kathleen, 51, first met Weiss when she rented one of his New York apartments.

Turner married New York real-estate mogul Jay Weiss in 1984. They have a daughter, Rachel Ann Weiss, born 1988. She was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis in 1992.

Edmund Napolean Camp b. May 30, 1851 in Coweta County, GA

2010-04-17T06:06:00.000-07:00

Following are notes about Edmund N. Camp, b. May 30, 1851 in Coweta County, GA and married Texas Orlean Rollins, b. Jan. 21, 1851 in Heard County, GA

EDMOND N. CAMP, a leading fruit grower of this region, is a grandson of
Abner and Mary (Reynolds) Camp, the former a soldier in the war of 1812,
who about 1825 brought his family from North Carolina to Coweta county,
Ga., among them his three-year-old son, Abner, Jr. The latter was reared
on the farm, and in time married Miss Nancy Holland, whose parents,
Abraham and Nancy (Underwood) Holland were of South Carolinian birth, her
father also having served in the war of 1812. Edmond N., the son of Abner
and Nancy, was born in this county in 1851, and received such education
as was to be obtained in the country schools. In 1872 he married Miss
Orlean Rollins, who was born in Heard county in 1851, and is the
daughter of James and Elizabeth (Houston) Rollins. They have ten
children: James, Andrew, Fred, Wayman, Hugh, Pauline, Lee, Frank,
Victoria and Ralph. The parents are both members of the Methodist
Episcopal church. When on reaching manhood Mr. Camp started in life
for himself he worked for some years as a mechanic at the carpenter's
trade, at wagon making, etc. But he seemed to have a natural fondness
for horticulture, and in 1886 he devoted himself wholly to this, with
an enthusiasm which could not fail of success. He is recognized
throughout this region as the largest and most successful fruit
grower in the state. He now has fifty acres of fine grapes and
thirty of peaches, several devoted to pears and strawberries, has
five acres of quinces and a number in apples. He may well regard
with pride his achievements.

Transcribed from MEMOIRS OF GEORGIA published by the Southern Historical Association, 1895.

Notes about John Houston, III b. bet. 1793 and 1807

2010-04-17T05:47:00.000-07:00

John Houston, III, was born in Newberry District, SC but the exact birth date is not known. Hopefully someone can help with this information. John was married twice, first to Nancy S. Strozier in 1823 in Jasper County, GA, and again in 1828 to Nancy Eunice Fowler in Fayette County, GA. All details that I have can be found under their names on our genealogy site here: http://www.cdagro.com/TNG/

Notes for John Houston III:
Georgia, Coweta County - I John Houston of the County and State aforesaid living at this time of Sound & disponing mind and knowing that it is appointed for all men to die do make this my last will and testament giving bequeathing and distributing all my estate both real and personal with which I have been blessed by a kind providence in the manner and form mentioned in the following items.
Item 1st It is my desire that all my just debts be paid
Item 2nd It is my desire that the balance of my property after paying all my just debts be kept together for the benefit of my wife & children.
Item 3rd It is my desire that each one of my children now with me Shall when they marry or become of age draw from my Estate one Negro equal in value to the one given by me to my daughter Elizabeth Rollins when she married.
Item 4th It is my desire whenever my youngest child shall become of age and draw in proportions to the rest that my wife shall then draw one Negroe of the same value as those drawn by each of my children which Negro shall be for her own separate use to be disposed of as she may think proper.
Item 5th It is my desire that the residue of my property be equally divided between my wife and my children.
Item 6th It is my desire that my wife shall not be held accountable for any of the proceeds resulting from the property belonging to my Estate It being my m ... that said proceeds shall be used by my wife as she may think proper in maintaining and educating my children.
Item 7th I do hereby Constitue and appoint my son in law James Rollins sole Executor of this my last will and testament hereby revoking all others heretofore made by me. John Houston
2 Mar 1851 (witnessed by John ..., P. A. White, ...)

Young John Allen & Mary Houston-Missionaries to China

2010-03-31T10:19:00.000-07:00

Young John Allen was born in Burk Co, GA on Jan 3,1836. His parents were Andrew Young John Allen and Jane Wooten.His father being a man of more education than was common in Georgia, conducted for some years an academy for the benefit of the children and youth of the community, but subsequently he engaged successfully in cotton planting, in which he accumulated a small fortune.Young John was orphaned as a child and was raised by his maternal Aunt and Uncle, Nancy and Wiley Hutchins.

While attending his first year at Emory College, September 1854, he became engaged to Mary Houston, daughter of Samuel and Sarah Houston, who at the time was less than 16 years of age. He induced her to enter college at Lagrange, Georgia for a period of two years and then she transferred to Wesley College, Macon, Georgia. Graduating with First Honors in 1858.

Young John and Mary were married on July 22,1858 in Atlanta, Georgia by Rev. Osborn L. Smith D.D. In December 1859 they sailed to China, taking with them their young daughter Melvina, who later became Mrs. George R. Loehr. After seven long months aboard the sailing vessel "Seaman's Bride". they arrived in Shanghai, China in July 1860, where they were stationed for the rest of their lives. Mary kept open house, not only for the missionaries of her church, but for the many wayworn travellers of the other denominations as well. Remembering her own hardships on the sea, her heart went out especially to sailors. They always found a welcome at her home.

Mary's husband, Young John taught many Chinese gentlemen to read and write, started the first Chinese newspaper. He was also instrumental in starting the first Chinese young lady's school, The McTyeire Home and School for Girls. Young John also played a role in getting the Soong sisters ( one of whom was Mei-Ling, later the wife of Chang Kai shek) to come to America and be educated at Wesley College.

"During the period 1868-1883, Young John allen became involved in a variety of activities that expanded his views on the scope of missionary work. Beginning as a preacher and teacher, he soon became Editor of two newspapers, and later a third, as well as a translator for the Imperial government"

Dr. Allen passed away on May 30, 1907, after 47 years of distinguished service in China, but his wife continued to live in Shanghai. On May 24, 1927, exactly 20 years to the month of the passing of her husband, Mary also passed to her reward. She was 88 years old and had spent 67 of these years as a missionary to China, a record unprecedented in missionary annals.

Notes about my Grandfather, Thomas Tifton Moore.....

2010-03-29T09:06:00.000-07:00

If anyone can help me with my brick wall, please do!

One story says he was born at Rome, GA and then adopted by an Aunt and Uncle living there.

Another story:

Dad told us that his father, Thomas Tifton Moore, was born in North Carolina from parents that was a German (or European) man who was married to a Cherokee Indian woman in NC. After Thomas was born, the story goes, people in the area did not like White/Indian marriages so they were burned to death in their home. There were several children that were not at home at the time of the fire. Thomas was one of these children. My Dad said Thomas was adopted by some nearby relatives.   According to an old family Bible of my Mother, Thomas Tifton Moore was born May 22, 1864, place unknown. The U. S. Census records of 1870 show a Thomas Moore, age 5, living with a family named David Hair, age 67, and wife Margaret, age 42, in Chambersburg Township, Iredell County, North Carolina. This could be our Thomas Moore, but we have no further evidence.   The age fits, the State of NC fits, and apparently living with a family other than his parents, fits the story.

I believe the following family is the family that my grandfather Thomas Tifton Moore was living with when he was 5 years old in 1870.

David HAIR Jr. b: 26 MAY 1801 d: 09 DEC 1884
          + Margaret TANNER b: ABT 1816
            4 Martha Elizabeth HAIR b: ABT 1837
              + James Knox GAY b: ABT 1837
                5 Margaret Nora GAY b: ABT 1870 d: ABT 1870
                5 Lillie Elmina GAY b: 06 SEP 1870 d: 17 MAY 1960
                5 Gracy David GAY b: ABT 1874
                  + Caroline Estelle BEALL b: ABT 1879
The 1860 census indicates Margaret's birth year was approx 1817-8
(age 42). The 1860 census shows them living "south of the river",
which I believe is where Chambersburg is located.

Thomas Tifton Moore was buried at Hickman Cemetery at Sylacauga, Alabama according to Mom's family Bible. No gravestone was found during a personal visit by me, Joseph Dean Moore, about 1998.

Census of 1930 lists Spelling of first name as "Tomas", also states 54 years old, indicating he was born in 1876.

1920 U.S. CENSUS lists him as T. M. Moore age 52, indicating an approx. birth year of 1868...............Wife Ramsey misspelled. Pansy is correct.

1920 United States Federal Census
about Clarence Moore
Name:     Clarence Moore
Home in 1920:     Childersburg, Talladega, Alabama
Age:     8 years
Estimated birth year:     abt 1912
Birthplace:     Alabama
Relation to Head of House:     Son
Father's name:     T M
Father's Birth Place:     Alabama
Mother's name:     Ramsey
Mother's Birth Place:     Alabama
Marital Status:     Single
Race:     White
Sex:     Male
Image:     202
Neighbors:     View others on page
Household Members:
Name     Age
T M Moore     52
Ramsey Moore     41
Lonnie Moore     19
Clara Moore     16
Oliver Moore     14
Eugene Moore     12
Clifton Moore     10
Clarence Moore     8
Virgel Moore     5
Ellie Moore     3
Florence Moore     1

Notes about Wyatt A. Robertson, b. 1830 Troup County, GA

2010-03-27T05:59:00.000-07:00

Buried in Gerard Cemetery at Phenix City, Alabama
On Grave Marker:   Wyatt A. Robertson
        Co. B
        37 ALA INF
        CSA

Birth date and death date recorded in family Bible.
Born in Troup County, Georgia.
Moved to Macon County, Alabama when he was fourteen. This information is from Aunt Lit's recollection.

                               VICKSBURG, MISSISSIPPI. JULY 9th 1863
TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, KNOW YE THAT:
   I Wyatt a Robertson a private of Co. B Reg't 37th Ala Vols. C. S. A.,
being a Prisoner of War, in the hands of the United States Forces in virtue
of the capitulation of the City of Vicksburg and its garrison, by Lieut. Gen.
John C. Pemberton, C. S. A. Commanding on the 4th day of July 1863, do in
pursuance of the terms of said capitulation, give this my solemn parole under
oath ---
     That I will not take up arms against the United States nor serve in any
military, ___, or constabulary force in any Fort, Garrison or field w___
held by the Confederate States of America against the United States of
America ________ of prisons, depots or __________ discharge any duties
usually performed by _______ against the United States of America, until duly
exchanged by the proper __________.
                                                                Wyatt A.
Robertson
Sworn to and subscribed before me at Vicksburg, Miss this 9th day of July
1863.
        signature Lt. Col 23rd Reg't Indiana Vols. AND PAROLE OFFICER

David Ross Houston, b. abt. 1774 Charleston District, SC

2010-03-21T05:58:00.000-07:00

"David and Hannah (Reagan) Houston, natives of Ireland, came to Lauderdale County in 1813 and settled on their plantation about 13 miles west of Florence on the Waterloo Road, near Gravelly Springs, and adjoining the old Natchez Trace. They had lived in Tennessee until they moved here with their thirteen children. Their home was a large, three-story brick structure built along the typical ante-bellum lines. A huge water tank, located on the roof, caught rain water and furnished the household with running water. This home burned sometime before 1900.

"The Houston cemetery, some signs of the old brick foundations of the mansion, and remains of the once elegant garden house are the only signs today of the old home, the boyhood home of the onetime Governor and U.S. Senator, George S. Houston, one of the thirteen children.

"The Houston land supposedly exended from Gravelly Springs to the Tennessee River where they had a boat landing."

John Houston, Jr. B. April 10, 1760 Ireland

2010-03-17T07:28:00.000-07:00

John Houston, Jr. was born April 10, 1760 in Ireland, according to
his pension records. The names of his parents were not
mentioned in the records, but descendants state they were John
and Mary Ross Houston.
He enlisted in the Revolutionary War on March 01, 1776 from
Orangeburg District, South Carolina, in place of his father, in
Captain Flood's Company. From June 01, 1776 one month in
Captain John Sally's company and from July 03, 1776 one month
in Captain Fullington's company, under Major Charles Limming.
He moved to Ninety Six District late in 1779 and served several
more tours of duty up through 1782, serving as a private. During
that time he served as follows; from Mary 05, 1779, four months in
Captain Thomas Dugan's company to range on the frontier; from
March 01, 1780, three months in Captain Dugan's
companyColonel John Purvis' regiment; from in the fall of 1780
until December 15, 1781 under Captains Thomas and James
Dugan and John Virgin, Colonels Joseph Hays and Levi Gaisey;
from March 01, 1782, three months in Captain Henry Keys'
company, under Colonel Jared Smith; from Jun e 06, 1782, four
months under Lieutenant James Stark. During his service he was
in skirmishes on broad River and was wounded at Cross Roads
between Demkins Creek and Encore Rover. Taken prisoner,
remained until Christmas, released on parole, broke parole and
re-enlisted. He was at the seige of Ninety-Six and an
engagement at Bush River.
He married in the summer of 1788, Mary Wilson. She was still
living in 1843. She was allowed pension on her application
executed November, 1835 at which time she was seventy-five
years of age. It is known that in 1836 she received $80.00 per
annum pension.
About 1801 he moved to Jasper County, Georgia, and by 1827
he is found in the tax records of Fayette County, Georgia. In 1833,
he is living in Coweta County, Georgia where by sworn statement
he made application on November 15 for his pension. He died
May 24, 1835 and his will is of record, being dated March 17,
1834 and recorded July 06, 1835, Coweta County, Georgia.

Gov. George Smith Houston

2010-03-14T11:28:00.000-07:00

George Smith Houston

1874-1876
1876-1878

George Smith Houston was born on January 17, 1811, in Williamson County,
Tennessee, the son of David and Hannah Pugh (Reagan) Houston. Natives of South
Carolina, the family moved to Tennessee and in ca. 1821 moved to Lauderdale
County, Alabama, where they became farmers. George was the grandson of John and
Mary (Ross) Houston, who emigrated from County Tyrone, Ireland, in 1760.

Houston was educated in the Lauderdale County Academy, read law in the office
of Judge George Coalter in Florence, and completed his studies in Judge Boyle's
law school in Harrodsburg, KY. He was admitted to the bar in 1831, was elected
to the state legislature from Lauderdale County in 1832, and was appointed
district solicitor by Governor Gayle in 1834. In 1837 he was elected as a
solicitor and held the office until 1841. In 1841 he was elected to the US
House of Representatives, a position to which he was reelected eight times,
retiring for only two years in 1849. He retired again in 1861, resigning when
Alabama seceded.

Houston was consistently opposed to secession and ran as a Unionist candidate
for Congress in 1850. He advocated and became a member of the committee of
thirty-three to devise a means to save the union, but when Alabama seceded, he
drafted and presented to the speaker the formal withdrawal of the Alabama
delegation from the US Congress. Houston sympathized with the Confederacy and
contributed to its support.

Houston was elected to the US Senate in 1865, but Alabama was denied
representation. Houston resumed his law practice in Athens, Alabama. In 1874,
Houston defeated the radical incumbent David Lewis and became governor of the
state. Houston was an immensely popular man who became known as the "Bald
Eagle of the Mountains." The conservative Democrats won by a large majority
during the 1874 gubernatorial election, bringing about the victory of the
"White Supremacy" in Alabama. This election was known for its intimidation at
the polls to discourage the Republican vote. Houston, known as the Redeemer
governor of Alabama, won his office with the slogans of "White Supremacy" and
"home rule."

Aside from being a lawyer, Houston also had industrial interests. Before
Houston became governor, he was a close associate of James W. Sloss, one of the
leaders in the industrialization of north Alabama. Houston served as director
of one of the affiliated lines of the Louisville and Nashville Railroad. Loss,
who associated with the Alabama Democratic-Conservative Party, and William D.
(Pig-Iron) Kelley (Alabama and Chattanooga Railroad), who associated with the
Republican Party, both vied for the mineral resources in north Alabama.
Alabama was eager to fund the railroads, which brought the state to the brink
of bankruptcy. Financing of the railroad systems accounted for $17,000,000 of
the total estimated $25,000,000 debt incurred by the state after the Civil War.

As governor, Houston advocated a policy which converted the penitentiary into a
source of state revenue and urged economy in every department of state. The
most important measure before the legislature during his administration was the
state debt. The greatest challenge, according to Stewart, was deciding which
debts were valid and which were fraudulent. A committee was appointed to
investigate and adjust the debt. The debt commission consisted of Governor
Houston, who served as ex-officio chairman, Tristram B. Bethea and Levi W.
Lawler. The commission recommended that the state turn over to the creditors
first mortgages on the railroads which gad defaulted on interest payments. New
bonds were issued at a lower rate of interest to substitute for the old
carpetbag bonds. The commission's report was adopted and $8,596,000 in bonds
were issued by the state. (Stewart, p. 126) "Since the debt was always a
potential debt and would have become an actual debt only by the state's
becoming the owner of the railroads endorsed, the debt settlement' took the
form of relieving the state of its potential debt and the railroads of the
threat of foreclosure on mortgages held by the state." (Woodward, p. 10)
Residual obligations were therefore reduced to $12,000,000. Alabama staggered
under the interest payments on the old Reconstruction debt for another twenty
years, resulting in the poor and slow development of such public services as
education.

Also during Houston's two-term administration, the Alabama Constitutional
Convention of 1875 was held. The new constitution was marked by the outlawing
of loans by state, county, or municipal governments to private business and by
prohibiting the building of railroads by the state government. The
constitution became effective in December 1875. "The four main points of the
new constitution, followed assiduously by Governor Houston's administration,
were economy, education, payment or abrogation of old Reconstruction debts, and
a complete reversal of the practices of Reconstruction." (Stewart, p. 126)

Houston was reelected governor in 1876. At the expiration of that term in
1878, he was elected to the US Senate. He served in the extra session of 1879,
but did not return to Washington, DC due to ill health. He died in 1879 at his
home in Athens.

It was the Redeemers who laid the lasting foundations in matters of race,
politics, economics, and law for the modern South. Houston's administrations
reorganized the public school system and established the Alabama State Board of
Health, the first public health department in the South. Cullman County was
also created. Stewart states that by the end of Houston's second term, he
managed to reduce taxes and bring state expenditures under control.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Authorities:
Owen, Thomas M. History of Alabama and Dictionary of Alabama Biography, 1921.
Stewart, John Craig. The Governors of Alabama, 1975.
Woodward, C. Vann. Origins of the New South, 1877-1913, 1971.
Houston Genealogy Site - Click Here

Notes about Mary Alsis Charlotte Houston b. 04 April 1815 Wildwood, AL

2010-03-13T04:43:00.000-08:00

An old record say that she was "posses with a high order of intellectual endowments, and afforded educational and social advantages suitable thereto, she became noted in her early womanhood for excellence in the attainments of a liberal education in general literature, arts and history."

The same record says, "During the life of her distinguished brother, Hon. George S. Houston, as a member of Congress, chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, Governor of Alabama, later U.S. Senator, she spent much time in our state and national capitals. She thus occupied prominent places in the social life of those great centers, becoming meanwhile an ardent and apt student of political history, state and national."

Story from Rev. Joseph Burch Walker in the late 1800's

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"I also visited my grandfather Capt. William Powell in Hampshire Co. near Romney. These journeys took me across several rivers and over mountains. I thought in my childish mind, because I had been told grandfather lived in the country, that all "the country" was grandfathers. When leaving the City for the first time I was wonderfully struck with the largeness of the "lots," which I called the broad fields, and the great length and crookedness of the "streets" at grandfathers’, as I called the roads. Meeting some females in the rough mountain country who were shoeless in the summer weather, never having seen the like before, I exclaimed, "Oh mother, do the ladies go bare footed at grandfather’s?" My grandfather Powell was fond of singing and I learned from him several tunes, and after a lapse of sixty-five years remember and sing them still. My Grandfather came to his death from severe injuries from the fall of a tree. Two or three days terminated his sufferings. He died singing the hymn, "Oh for a closer walk with God."

Descendants of Joseph Burch Walker

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Joseph Burch Walker b. 2 Jan, 1817 in Washington, DC m. my relative Rebecca Jane Ridley b 2 Feb 1827 in TN, both died in Mississippi. Searching for descendants of this family. If you are a descendant, please check and see if you included in our family tree online at http://www.cdagro.com/TNG/index.html . There are presently 49 Walkers in the tree. If you are a relative or descendant, would like to hear from you

New Genealogy blog about surnames Moore, Houston, Robertson

2010-02-26T11:39:00.000-08:00

Hi to all!

I'm happy to announce this new blog for all cousins and researchers looking into the surnames Moore, Houston, Robertson, Brown, Baugh, Smith, Camp, Ballard, Williams, Harrison, Davis, Milam, Arthur, Walker, and many more. For a complete list of all presently known relatives in the tree, please go to http://www.cdagro.com/TNG/

Welcome and happy hunting!

Dean

click to visit my genealogy website