Capt. Christopher Houston

https://www.ncpedia.org/biography/houston-christopher

Christopher Houston, farmer, soldier, and town planner, was born in Lancaster County, Pa., the fourth son of Robert Houston, a successful Scottish immigrant wheat farmer, and his wife Martha Worke of Philadelphia. Reared in Lancaster County, he was educated by private tutors and in schools in Philadelphia. In 1765 he joined the great wave of settlers migrating from Pennsylvania to the Carolinas and late in the year arrived at Fort Dobbs in Rowan County. Houston settled along the Catawba River and with his brother-in-law and his brother, James, established the first mill in the area at Hunting Creek.

Houston played an active role in the Revolutionary War, both as a civilian and as a soldier. As a civilian, he was responsible for procuring goods for the community from Virginia. As a soldier, he served from 1776 to 1782 in the North Carolina Rangers along with his brother James. Both fought in the Battle of Ramsour's Mill, near present-day Lincolnton, in which James was killed. Houston participated in the Battle of Kings Mountain and was one of a band of patriots assembled by General Nathanael Greene to fight in the Battle of Guilford Court House.

After the war Houston went back to Hunting Creek, where he founded a neighborhood school in his home and served as a town planner. The 1788 Act to Divide the County of Rowan into Rowan and Iredell counties stated that "George Davidson, Christopher Houston, Joseph Sharpe, Jeremiah Nielson, and John Nisbett are directed to agree and contract with workmen for the erecting and building of a courthouse, prison, and stocks for the use of the county of Iredell, at the place that they agree on." During the American Revolution John Oliphant of Rowan County had conveyed a land site of fifty acres to Fergus Sloan, also of Rowan County. Sloan deeded the fifty acres to the newly appointed town commission, and the new county seat, named Statesville, was established in 1789. Shortly after helping to establish Statesville, Houston recognized the need for a town on Hunting Creek, so he founded Houstonville, the second postal station in Iredell County. He served as the first postmaster of the new town.

In 1812 Houston and his wife, with their son James and twenty-seven slaves, moved to Maury County, Tenn. He helped James clear his land and in return James deeded some of the property to his father. Houston spent the rest of his life farming and working in James's marble and slate factory near Columbia, Tenn. He died in Maury County ten days after suffering a "stroke of palsy."

A staunch Presbyterian, Houston was well known for instructing his family and slaves in religious matters. He was considered a good master to his slaves, whom he freed in his will, stipulating that they were to be sent to Liberia. Whiggish in politics, he opposed the presidency of Andrew Jackson, favored the United States Bank, and spoke out against secession in the South Carolina Nullification Crisis of 1832.

Houston was married twice, first to Sarah Mitchell in 1767. She died in 1821, and he married Elizabeth Simpson in 1826. He had seven children: Martha, John, Lillias, James, Placebo, Samuel, and Sarah.

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Birth: Feb. 18, 1744 Lancaster County Pennsylvania, USA Death: May 17, 1837 Marshall County Tennessee, USA

Christopher Houston was born 18 February 1744 in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania to Robert and Martha Houston. He was the fifth of eight children. Little is know of his early years but he was well educated and was raised in a devout Presbyterian home. He traveled with others of his family settling near the Clinch River in VA before moving to North Carolina.

Christopher Houston and Sarah Mitchell married on 23 April 1767. Christopher built their home on Hunting Creek about 14 miles north of Statesville. By the onset of the Revolutionary War they had four children, Martha, John, Lillias and James. Their sons Placebo and Christopher were born before the end of the war. Samuel and Sarah were born afterwards. Education was very important to Christopher and his wife Sarah but as this was not Lancaster County, Pennsylvania where excellent tutors could be easily hired for educating the children, he built an additional room to the house that was used specifically as a school. Fortunately a fine young schoolteacher, Moses Waddell, moved to their area and accepted the position of schoolteacher. Other local children attended classes here as well.

Christopher had become well respected in the area and by the onset of hostilities between the Colonies and England, he held the rank of Captain of the militia. He was a Captain in the North Carolina Rangers throughout the Revolutionary War. He wrote in one of his letters that his horse suffered an injury so he sent it home with another man and briefly rejoined another group of Patriots as a Private.

He was at the battle of Ramseur's Mill where his brother, James, was killed. There was another James Houston at Ramseur's Mill (believed to be a cousin) who was injured in the leg. Christopher is also reported to have been at the battle of Guilford Courthouse. Some accounts have Christopher Houston guarding captured Tories to prevent them from joining the troops gathered at Kings Mountain where the Patriots gained a great victory against Major Patrick Ferguson, which caused a turning point in the war. Christopher lost most of his hearing during the war.

In spite of his handicap, after the Revolutionary War, Christopher was prominent in the affairs of the area, both public and private. He was often called upon to help resolve disputes between others. He was instrumental in organizing the town and was first Postmaster of Houstonville. This was the second post office in Iredell County. Christopher and his descendants held this office for over 100 years.

Christopher Houston's son, James, had moved to Tennessee and urged his father to move there as well. By 1814 James had convinced him and at the age of 71, Christopher made the move from his long-time home on Hunting Creek, North Carolina to Tennessee where he purchased a piece of land from his son James. According to a letter written by Christopher and addressed to his son-in-law, Samuel Young, they settled on their new place, west of what is now Lewisburg in Marshall County, Tennessee on 17 April 1815.

Christopher lost his precious Sarah on 18 May 1821. Sarah disliked Tennessee and never ceased urging her husband to move back to their place on Hunting Creek. Christopher writes in a letter to his daughter, Sarah Young, that his wife's last words to him were urging him to give their land back to Jamey. Her illness was brief and she went quietly. She was 79.

Christopher remained a widower for a few years and did not feel people should marry in (his own words) "the eleventh hour" and had a "prejudice against old people's folly in marrying again." He admitted to receiving many "hints" to take another wife but not making "any attempt toward it, though the constitution of my affairs require a woman's care." He continues in his letter to ask for God's care and guidance in that and all matters.

In 1825, at the age of 81, Christopher married Elizabeth Simpson. She was in her 50's, well respected, "exceedingly well spoken of," and had never been married.

Christopher Houston died of a stroke at his home on 17 May 1837 and is buried in the Houston Cemetery, which is on James Houston's farm. He was 93 years old. - written by his 6th great-grandson, Dan Woodruff

Husband of Sarah Mitchell -m- 23 April 1767

Son of Robert Houston and Martha Work.

Father of: Martha "Patsy" Houston Duval London John Houston Lillias Houston Bills James "Jamey" Houston Placebo Houston Christopher Houston Samuel Houston Sarah "Sally" Houston Young

Family links: Spouse: Sarah Mitchell Houston (1742 - 1821)

Children: Martha Houston London (1770 - 1837)* Lillias Houston Bills (1773 - 1850)* James Houston (1775 - 1840)* Placebo Houston (1779 - 1859)* Sarah Houston Young (1784 - 1853)*

• Calculated relationship

Inscription: Original Stone: In Memory of CHRISTOPHER HOUSTON BORN 18 FEB. 1744. DIED 17 MAY 1837

Sarah Houston who died May 18 A.D. 1821 in the 79th year of her age.

Now the God of peace be with you.

New Stone: Capt CHRISTOPHER HOUSTON NC RANGERS REV WAR FEB 18 1744 MAY 17 1837

Note: The original stone is wearing smooth and is difficult to read.

Burial: Houston Cemetery Marshall County Tennessee, USA

Edit Virtual Cemetery info [?]

Maintained by: Dan Woodruff Originally Created by: James Houston Record added: Sep 15, 2002 Find A Grave Memorial# 6779539

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=6779539

Parents: Robert Houston b 1712 and Martha Work b 1715

5. CHRISTOPHER3 HOUSTON (ROBERT2, CHRISTOPHER1) was born February 18, 1744/45 in Lancaster Co., Pa. (on the Susquehanna River), and died May 17, 1837 in Maury Co., Tenn.. He married (1) SARAH MITCHELL April 23, 1767 in Bethany Church, later Fourth Creek Church, Rowan, later Iredell Co., N.C., daughter of JOHN MITCHELL. She was born 1742, and died May 18, 1821 in Maury Co., Tenn..He married (2) ELIZABETH SIMPSON in 1825.

Notes for CHRISTOPHER HOUSTON: Christopher Houston manumitted his slaves at his death in 1837. He was said to be a strong Presbyterian, and a Whig in politics.

More About CHRISTOPHER HOUSTON: Burial: Houston Cemetery, Lewisburg, Marshall Co., Tenn. Census: 1790, Caswell Dist., Caswell Co., N.C. Census: 1790, Iredell Co., N.C. - 2-3-4-0-6 Migration: 1765, To Rowan Co., N.C., moved to Catawba River, Buffalo Shoals, about 1772

More About SARAH MITCHELL: Burial: Houston Cemetery, Lewisburg, Marshall Co., Tenn.

Children of CHRISTOPHER HOUSTON and SARAH MITCHELL are:

1. MARTHA4 HOUSTON, b. August 15, 1770. i# JOHN HOUSTON, b. Abt. 1772; d. 1798.

Lillias Houston b. 6 Nov 1774; d. 26 Feb 1850

James Houston b. 1775; d. 26 May 1840

Placebo Houston b. 28 Mar 1779; d. 2 Jan 1859

Christopher Houston b. 1781; d. bef. 1835

Samuel Houston b. abt. 1782; d. 1807

Sarah "Sally" Houston b. 28 Jul 1784; d. 28 Dec 1853

Links

• http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=houston&GSfn=...
• http://familypedia.wikia.com/wiki/Christopher_Houston_(c1743-1837)
• http://boards.ancestry.myfamily.com/surnames.houston/947/mb.ashx

There is no evidence of this Christopher Houston ever having a middle name or initial. The "C." comes from an erroneous genealogy done by one of the descendants of his grandson, Dr. Christopher Columbus Houston. In Christopher Houston's own handwriting he says in a letter to one of his children that he feels that middle names are "fanciful" and indicates that he did not necessarily approve of the practice. None of his children had middle names.

Christopher Houston was born 18 February 1744 in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania to Robert and Martha Houston. He was the fifth of eight children. Little is know of his early years but he was well educated and was raised in a devout Presbyterian home. He traveled with others of his family settling near the Clinch River in VA before moving to North Carolina.

Christopher Houston and Sarah Mitchell married on 23 April 1767. Christopher built their home on Hunting Creek about 14 miles north of Statesville. By the onset of the Revolutionary War they had four children, Martha, John, Lillias and James. Their sons Placebo and Christopher were born before the end of the war. Samuel and Sarah were born afterwards. Education was very important to Christopher and his wife Sarah but as this was not Lancaster County, Pennsylvania where excellent tutors could be easily hired for educating the children, he built an additional room to the house that was used specifically as a school. Fortunately a fine young schoolteacher, Moses Waddell, moved to their area and accepted the position of schoolteacher. Other local children attended classes here as well.

Christopher had become well respected in the area and by the onset of hostilities between the Colonies and England, he held the rank of Captain of the militia. He was a Captain in the North Carolina Rangers throughout the Revolutionary War. He wrote in one of his letters that his horse suffered an injury so he sent it home with another man and briefly rejoined another group of Patriots as a Private.

He was at the battle of Ramseur's Mill where his brother, James, was killed. There was another James Houston at Ramseur's Mill (believed to be a cousin) who was injured in the leg. Christopher is also reported to have been at the battle of Guilford Courthouse. Some accounts have Christopher Houston guarding captured Tories to prevent them from joining the troops gathered at Kings Mountain where the Patriots gained a great victory against Major Patrick Ferguson, which caused a turning point in the war. Christopher lost most of his hearing during the war.

In spite of his handicap, after the Revolutionary War, Christopher was prominent in the affairs of the area, both public and private. He was often called upon to help resolve disputes between others. He was instrumental in organizing the town and was first Postmaster of Houstonville. This was the second post office in Iredell County. Christopher and his descendants held this office for over 100 years.

Christopher Houston's son, James, had moved to Tennessee and urged his father to move there as well. By 1814 James had convinced him and at the age of 71, Christopher made the move from his long-time home on Hunting Creek, North Carolina to Tennessee where he purchased a piece of land from his son James. According to a letter written by Christopher and addressed to his son-in-law, Samuel Young, they settled on their new place, west of what is now Lewisburg in Marshall County, Tennessee on 17 April 1815.

Christopher lost his precious Sarah on 18 May 1821. Sarah disliked Tennessee and never ceased urging her husband to move back to their place on Hunting Creek. Christopher writes in a letter to his daughter, Sarah Young, that his wife's last words to him were urging him to give their land back to Jamey. Her illness was brief and she went quietly. She was 79.

Christopher remained a widower for a few years and did not feel people should marry in (his own words) "the eleventh hour" and had a "prejudice against old people's folly in marrying again." He admitted to receiving many "hints" to take another wife but not making "any attempt toward it, though the constitution of my affairs require a woman's care." He continues in his letter to ask for God's care and guidance in that and all matters.

In 1825, at the age of 81, Christopher married Elizabeth Simpson. She was in her 50's, well respected, "exceedingly well spoken of," and had never been married.

Christopher Houston died of a stroke at his home on 17 May 1837 and is buried in the Houston Cemetery, which is on James Houston's farm. He was 93 years old. - written by his 6th great-grandson, Dan Woodruff

Husband of Sarah Mitchell -m- 23 April 1767

Son of Robert Houston and Martha Work.

Father of: Martha "Patsy" Houston Duval London John Houston Lillias Houston Bills James "Jamey" Houston Placebo Houston Christopher Houston Samuel Houston Sarah "Sally" Houston Young Inscription: Original Stone: In Memory of CHRISTOPHER HOUSTON BORN 18 FEB. 1744. DIED 17 MAY 1837

Sarah Houston who died May 18 A.D. 1821 in the 79th year of her age.

Now the God of peace be with you.

New Stone: Capt CHRISTOPHER HOUSTON NC RANGERS REV WAR FEB 18 1744 MAY 17 1837

Note: The original stone is wearing smooth and is difficult to read.

• Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Jan 7 2017, 21:44:37 UTC

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GEDCOM Note

He is shown in Maury Co in the 1820 and 1830 Tennessee census. His will of 21 May, 1836 is recorded in Marshall Co. Will Book A and confirms relationships of spouse and children. Died of a stroke of palsey At his death he willed all of his slaves freed and sent to Liberia. Birth and death info from his headstone in Houston Cemetery

!About 1764, Christopher Houston and others of his family moved to North Carolina, settling on the Catawba River in Rowan County. During the Revolutionary War he surved as a Minute Man and private in Captain Richard Pearson's Company in the North Carolina militia. He fought at Ramsour's mill where his brother James was killed. The day of the Battle of King's Mountain, October 7, 1780, he was guarding the Tories in the fork of the Yadkin River to keep them from joining other British troops in the area. After several of his children had settled in Middle Tennessee, he was persuaded to move to Maury County (now Marshall) Tennessee, when he was 70 years old. He lived to 93. In his will, one of the earliest made in the newly organized county of Marshall, he stated, "It is my will that my slaves, as soon as may be practicable be sent to Liberia in Africa, there to be emancipated." He made arrangements for his executors to return all of his negroes to Liberia, except for four who were to serve his wife during her lifetime. He and his wife were members of the Presbyterian faith, and felt strongly concerning the question of abolition. He is buried in the Houston Cemetery on the Globe Road. west of Lewisburg, Tennessee. Tombstones inscription reads as follows: In Memory of Christopher Houston Born 19th February 1744 Died 17th May 1837 Sarah Houston who died in the 79th year of her age "Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen" This information is from "Revolutionary War Patriots of Marshall County, Tennessee". !Christopher had an excellent education and expressed himself in writing very well. During the Revolutionary War both Christopher and James were Captains in the NC Rangers, 1776-1782. In the early days of the War they engaged in keeping down hostile movements of Tories in the region. In 1780 the War spilled over into the western North Carolina country. The Houston brothers were engaged in the Battle of Ramsour's Mill. Though the patriots won the battle nearly everyone engaged was wounded in some way, and Capt. James Houston was killed. His sword remains in the hands of Christopher's descendents. Christopher's next action was 7 Oct 1780, when the Battle of King's Mountain was fought. He was with a group holding in check 100 Tories in Surry Co. on the north of Shallow Ford, south side of the Yadkin River, when they reached the Shallow Ford Road the battle was over. On 13 Mar 1781, he was engaged in the Battle of Guliford Courthouse. During the war, Christopher was sent home with a severe case of sciatic rheumatism. It took him a year to recover. Sleeping on the ground in all kinds of weather, also caused a loss of hearing from which he never recovered and in the last of his 93 years, he was totally deaf. Christopher acquired a large tract of land on Hunting Creek of the Yadkin River, founded the village of Houstonville in a corner of his farm, established a post office there and was its first postmaster. When he moved to Tennessee in 1814, his son, Placebo, became postmaster. Christopher prospered in all his business dealings and by 1814 owned about 30 slaves. When he arrived in Tennessee in 1814, at the urging of his son James, he ringed about 6 acres of trees and planted a corn crop on 57 1/2 acres James gave him for the use of his slaves in clearing his own land. Sarah Houston was bitterly dissatisfied with their new home and until her death would have gladly returned "home" to North Carolina. Christopher continually wrote letters to their son Placebo and their daughter Sarah urging them to move to Tennessee. In Christopher Houston's letters - 6 Aug 1818, "Billy (William London) has sold out at last as we want him near us. The improvements on Kennedy's land is nearly worth the money he asks. There is the hansomest apple orchard I have seen in the country and a fine peach orchard, a good large new house, plenty of cleared ground under good fence." 22 Dec 1818, "Billy had the wife and children are at Isaac's for the first time. He got his family into Jammy's old house and will not go to his place till Mr. Kennedy moves away next fall." !Around 1826 Christopher married (2) Elizabeth Simpson who survived him. In his will he returned the 57.5 acres to his son James, and gave his daughter, Lillias Bills, 63 acres on top of Elk Ridge. He gave Placebo the land he lived on in North Carolina, and his daughter sarah received money. He provided for the release of his slaves and provided funds for their passage to Liberia. William London stated in a letter to Samuel and Saray Young, "He had a stroke of palsy some 8 to 10 days previous to his decease. He was insensible to all passing objects until his death. He was buried at James Houston's." !About 1764, Christopher Houston and others of his family moved to North Carolina, settling on the Catawba River in Rowan County. During the Revolutionary War he surved as a Minute Man and private in Captain Richard Pearson's Company in the North Carolina militia. He fought at Ramsour's mill where his brother James was killed. The day of the Battle of King's Mountain, October 7, 1780, he was guarding the Tories in the fork of the Yadkin River to keep them from joining other British troops in the area. After several of his children had settled in Middle Tennessee, he was persuaded to move to Maury County (now Marshall) Tennessee, when he was 70 years old. He lived to 93. In his will, one of the earliest made in the newly organized county of Marshall, he stated, "It is my will that my slaves, as soon as may be practicable be sent to Liberia in Africa, there to be emancipated." He made arrangements for his executors to return all of his negroes to Liberia, except for four who were to serve his wife during her lifetime. He and his wife were members of the Presbyterian faith, and felt strongly concerning the question of abolition. He is buried in the Houston Cemetery on the Globe Road. west of Lewisburg, Tennessee. Tombstone s inscription reads as follows: In Memory of Christopher Houston Born 19th February 1744 Died 17th May 1837 Sarah Houston who died in the 79th year of her age "Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen" This information is from "Revolutionary War Patriots of Marshall County, Tennessee". !Christopher had an excellent education and expressed himself in writing very well. During the Revolutionary War both Christopher and James were Captains in the NC Rangers, 1776-1782. In the early days of the War they engaged in keeping down hostile movements of Tories in the region. In 1780 the War spilled over into the western North Carolina country. The Houston brothers were engaged in the Battle of Ramsour's Mill. Though the patriots won the battle nearly everyone engaged was wounded in some way, and Capt. James Houston was killed. His sword remains in the hands of Christopher's descendents. Christopher's next action was 7 Oct 1780, when the Battle of King's Mountain was fought. He was with a group holding in check 100 Tories in Surry Co. on the north of Shallow Ford, south side of the Yadkin River, when they reached the Shallow Ford Road the battle was over. On 13 Mar 1781, he was engaged in the Battle of Guliford Courthouse. During the war, Christopher was sent home with a severe case of sciatic rheumatism. It took him a year to recover. Sleeping on the ground in all kinds of weather, also caused a loss of hearing from which he never recovered and in the last of his 93 years, he was totally deaf. Christopher acquired a large tract of land on Hunting Creek of the Yadkin River, founded the village of Houstonville in a corner of his farm, established a post office there and was its first postmaster. When he moved to Tennessee in 1814, his son, Placebo, became postmaster. Christopher prospered in all his business dealings and by 1814 owned about 30 slaves. When he arrived in Tennessee in 1814, at the urging of his son James, he ringed about 6 acres of trees and plan ted a corn crop on 57 1/2 acres James gave him for the use of his slaves in clearing his own land. Sarah Houston was bitterly dissatisfied with their new home and until her death would have gladly returned "home" to North Carolina. Christopher continually wrote letters to their son Placebo and their daughter Sarah urging them to move to Tennessee. In Christopher Houston's letters - 6 Aug 1818, "Billy (William London) has sold out at last as we want him near us. The improvements on Kennedy's land is nearly worth the money he asks. There is the hansomest apple orchard I have seen in the country and a fine peach orchard, a good large new house, plenty of cleared ground under good fence." 22 Dec 1818, "Billy nad the wife and children are at Isaac's for the first time. He got his family into Jammy's old house and will not go to his place till Mr. Kennedy moves away next fall." source: Marshall County Historical Quarterly, Spring 1991, Vol XXII, No 1, "Houston Family" compiled by Donald C. Jeter from records collected by Miss Mollie D. McConnell !Around 1826 Christopher married (2) Elizabeth Simpson who survived him. Hi his will he returned the 57.5 acres to his son James, and gave his daughter, Lillias Bills, 63 acres on top of Elk Ridge. He gave Placebo the land he lived on in North Carolina, and his daughter sarah received money. He provided for the release of his slaves and provided funds for their passage to Liberia. William London stated in a letter to Samuel and Saray Young, "He had a stroke of palsy some 8 to 10 days previous to his decease. He was insensible to all passing objects until his death. He was buried at James Houston's." (MCHQ, Vol. XXII, No. 1) Martha died. ...source: Marshall County Historical Quarterly, Spring 1991, Vol XXII, No. 1 "Houston Family" compiled by Donald C. Jeter from records collected by Miss Mollie D. McConnell !About 1764, Christopher Houston and others of his family moved to North Carolina, settling on the Catawba R