In today’s episode, we’ll tell the full chronicle of The Houston Family, of Texa from the foggy Lowlands of Scotland, across the windswept waves of the Atlantic, all the way to the legendary creation of the great Lone Star State itself.
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The Top 5 Richest “Old Money” Families in the American South (Still Wealthy Today):
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The Top 5 Richest “Old Money” Families In America (Still Wealthy Today):
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TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 Introduction
1:29 Chapter 1: Crossing The Pond
8:07 Chapter 2: Don’t Mess With Texas
12:01 Chapter 3: The Next Generation
16:36 Chapter 4: The Modern Houstons
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Imagine yourself as a tourist in the quaint town of Johnstone in central-western Scotland. Amid the echoes of local life, you come across the remaining structure of Johnstone Castle.
Admiring its details, you uncover tales of a grand past, including its connection to the renowned Polish composer Frederic Chopin, who once graced its halls.
This castle is not just a relic; it’s a crucial chapter in the saga of the Houston family of Texas, whose lineage stretches back to Scotland and culminates in the founding of the city that shares their name: Houston.
Here at Johnstone Castle, you stand at one of the first known pieces of evidence of a family that would play a pivotal role in shaping Texan, and indeed, American history.
To understand the Houston family’s impact on Texas, we must start centuries before America’s establishment, amid the Wars of the Three Kingdoms.
During this tumultuous period, the Houston family, along with many other Scottish Presbyterians, migrated to Ulster in Ireland.
This era, known as the Ulster Plantation, laid the groundwork for the Scots-Irish influence on U.S. leadership, producing several presidents, including Andrew Jackson and Ulysses S. Grant. The Houston name, derived from ‘Hugh’s town’ after Sir Hugh de Paduinan, remains immortalized in Houston, Scotland, and Houston, Texas.
The American Houston lineage begins with the immigration of John Houston to the United States. His great-grandson, Sam Houston, was born in Virginia in 1793.
Known for his free-spirited nature and voracious reading, Sam Houston left home at 16 to live with a Cherokee tribe, forging a lifelong bond with Chief John Jolly. His experiences profoundly influenced his views on Native American culture.
Sam Houston’s military career began during the War of 1812, where he quickly climbed the ranks. By the end of 1813, he was a third lieutenant and served under General Andrew Jackson during the Creek War, where he was severely wounded.
Post-war, Houston’s military and political aspirations grew, leading to his unopposed election to Congress in 1823 and his tenure as Tennessee’s governor in 1827.
Houston’s life took a dramatic turn in 1829 after his marriage ended abruptly, leading him to rejoin the Cherokee in Arkansas Territory.
Despite controversies, including a public altercation with Congressman William Stanbery, Houston’s dedication to the Cherokee remained steadfast.
His journey took a decisive turn with the Texas Revolution, where he played a pivotal role in securing Texian independence at the Battle of San Jacinto in 1836.
As the first president of the Republic of Texas, Houston faced numerous challenges, including managing public debt and seeking international recognition.
His leadership eventually led Texas to join the United States in 1845, though this heightened tensions with Mexico, culminating in the Mexican-American War.
Houston’s private life contrasted with his public career. Married to Margaret Lea, they had eight children. His son, Temple Lea Houston, became a notable lawyer known for his eloquent defense of Minnie Stacey in the “Soiled Dove Plea.”
Sam Houston Junior served as a Confederate soldier and later pursued a career in medicine and writing.
Today, the Houston legacy continues through descendants like Sam Houston The Fourth, a passionate advocate for Texas history.
The family’s enduring impact on Texas and American history is a testament to their resilience and influence, stretching from the Scottish Lowlands to the heart of Texas.