Notes |
- Born in Ireland in 1760 where his ancestors had fled from Scotland to escape persecution for their loyalty to Prince Charlie. The Houstons belonged to the Scotch-Irish nobility; but, having cast in their lot with the U.S. for which the youthful John had suffered wounds and imprisonment and all hardships incident to the life of a soldier for the whole period of the Revolutionary War, he and his father refused to return to assume the ancestral title. He was badly wounded in the war and taken prisoner by the Tories. He later received a land grant in Georgia for his military services.
Soldier and patriot.
He came to America between 1760 and 1765 - this and other history of the family was found in a book of the history of Coweta County in the Newnan Library in Newnan, Georgia.
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.
File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Nancy Poquette npoq@hotmail.com July 4, 2006, 3:34 am
Pension Application Of John Houston, Natl Archives Microseries M804, Roll 1337, Application #W3817
Coweta County, GA, October 11th, 1832:
John Houston, aged 72 years-?That he entered the service in March 1776 for one month as a substitute for his father who was drafted. This company was commanded by Captain Flood and was stationed in Charleston, SC. In June 1776, I again entered the service as a substitute for one month in the place of Henry Coon. We sailed from Charleston the first of June down to Hadrell?s Point in company with the Charleston
Grenadiers, Foresters. His company was commanded by Captain John Salley. He was one
of the guard that was stationed on the Lower Bridge between the Point and Sullivan?s
Island the day of the Battle on Sullivan?s Island. This company was attached to no
regiment. The whole of the men at the Point was commanded by George Armstrong.?
?In July, he again entered the service as a substitute in the place of Thomas
Pendarvis for one month. This company was commanded by Captain Fullington. The
battalion was commanded by Major Charles ?Limming? He marched us from where we was stationed on the Point to Sullivan?s Island. We remained there ten days and returned to Hadrell?s Point and served out the term of one month.?
?In March 1779, he entered the service as a volunteer in Captain Thomas Dugan?s company, to range the Indian frontier. He remained in service until July. In March
1780, he again entered the service for 2 months; was drafted and added to Captain
Thomas Dugan?s company. His major?s name was Lewis Gillum and the colonel?s name was John Purvis. He was stationed at Cupboard Creek about two miles from Augusta,
Georgia.
?In the month of September of the year 1780, he entered the service as a volunteer
in Captain Thomas Dugan?s company, serving in said company until discharged. In July
1781, he was ordered out upon an expedition under Captain Levy Caisey, fell in with
General Sumter and was placed in the march as his rear guard. Tarleton coming upon
us, attacked our rear guard, killed and took a good many prisoners. He was, himself,
dangerously wounded and taken prisoner. Remained a prisoner until near Christmas
when he was paroled. As soon as his wounds would admit, he joined the army under
Captain James Dugan and was at the Siege of Ninety Six.?
?In the month of March following, he again entered the service for three months as a
substitute in the place of Alexander Dunlap. His captain?s name was Henry Key. The
colonel?s name was J. Smith. It was a company of horse, headquarters at Orangeburg,
and was marched to Ashapo. The whole detachment when united was commanded by Colonel Leroy Hammond. Our detachment joined the main army under General Greene while he lay with his army at Bacon?s Bridge on Ashley River, where his term of service expired and he was discharged.?
?In June 1782, he again entered the service as a volunteer for four months. This
company was commanded by Lieutenant James Stark (having no captain). While in
service in this company he was in an engagement with the Tories at John Richardson?s
Plantation upon Bush River, South Carolina. He served with no continental or regular
troops, but when on Sullivan?s Island and under General Greene?that he knows of no
person whose testimony he can procure (except his brother James Houston, whose
affidavit is hereunto annexed, also the affidavit of William Malone (who is now
dead), who can testify to his service.?
December the 16, 1825, Clark County, Georgia:
?I hereby certify that in the month of November 1780, I was a prisoner under Colonel
Tarleton on the day of the action at Blackstock?s on Tyger River, between General
Sumter and Colonel Tarleton in the state of South Carolina. Some time in the day,
Mr. John Houston was brought by some of Tarleton?s dragoons (or horsemen) and
delivered into the same guard that I was in, very badly wounded. He at that time was
a volunteer under the then Captain Levi Casey, then in defense of the American
cause. William Malone?
Coweta County, GA, August 23rd, 1833:
John Houston, aged 73 years-?That he entered the service in the army of the United States the 1st day of March 1776 for one month, as a substitute for his father who
was drafted, and served out his tour of one month and was discharged. His captain?s
name was Flood and his company was stationed in Charleston, South Carolina.?
?On the 1st day of June 1776, he again entered the service as a substitute for one
month in the place of Henry Coon, and served out his tour of duty and was
discharged. This company was commanded by Captain John Salley. This company was
stationed on the Lower Bridge between the Point (Hadrell?s) and Sullivan?s Island.
The day of the battle on Sullivan?s Island, this company was attached to no
regiment, but the whole of the men at Hadrell?s Point was under the command of
General Armstrong.?
?On the 3rd of July, 1776, he again entered the service as a substitute in the place
of Thomas Pendarvis for one month. This company was commanded by Captain Fullington,
the battalion commanded by Major Charles ?Lining? He marched us from where we were
stationed on the Point to Sullivan?s Island, where we remained ten days, thence to
Haddrell?s Point, where he served out the tour of one month and was discharged.?
?On the 5th of March, 1779, he entered the service as a volunteer in Captain Dugan?s
company for six months to range the Indian frontier, but remained in service only
four months, and was discharged in July of the same year.?
?On the 1st of March, 1780, he again entered the service for three months, was
drafted and added to Captain Thomas Dugan?s company. His major?s name was Levi
Gillum and the colonel, John Purvis. The company was stationed at Cupboard Creek,
two miles from Augusta, Georgia, and he there served his tour of duty of 3 months
and was discharged on the 3rd of June of the same year.?
?On the 10th of September, 1780, he entered the service as a volunteer in Captain
Thomas Dugan?s company for eighteen months; served in said company until the 15th
December, 1781, about 16 months, and was discharged. While in this service or
campaign, was ordered out upon an expedition under Captain Levi Caisey, fell in with
General Sumter?s detachment, and was placed on the march as his rear guard.
Tarleton, coming upon us, attacked our rear guard, killed and took many prisoners.
He, this deponent, himself was dangerously wounded and was taken prisoner. He
remained a prisoner until near Christmas, when he was paroled. As his wounds would
admit, he joined the army under Captain James Dugan and was at the Siege of Ninety
Six.?
?On the 1st day of March 1782, he entered the service 3 months as a substitute in
the place of Alexander Dunlap. His captain?s name was Henry Key, the colonel?s name
was Smith. This was a company of horse, headquarters at Orangeburg, South Carolina,
and was marched to Ashapo. The whole detachment, when united, was commanded by
Colonel Leroy Hammond. Our detachment joined the main army under General Greene,
while he lay with his army at Bacon?s Bridge on Ashley River, until his term of
service of 3 months expired and he was discharged.?
?On the 6th of June, 1782, he again entered the service as a volunteer for four
months. This company was commanded by Lieutenant James Stark (having no captain).
While in service in this company, he was in an engagement with the Tories at John
Richardson?s Plantation on Bush River, South Carolina. He served out his tour and
was discharged??
Coweta County, GA, 15th November, 1833:
?He was living in Orangeburg District in the state of SC when his father was
drafted to serve a tour of one month for the protection of Charleston. He entered in
the month on March in the year 1776, as a substitute for him and served out the
tour??
?In the month of June of the same year, he again entered the service as a
substitute for Henry Coon, to serve a tour of one month, rendezvous at the city of
Charleston. He was under the command John Salley. About the first of the month,
sailed from Charleston in company with the Charleston Grenadiers and Foresters to
Hadrell?s Point. The Charleston Grenadiers were commanded by Captain ___ McCall [or
maybe McCaul], the Foresters by Captain ____ ?Lazing? On the day of the battle at
Sullivan?s Island, his company was placed as a guard at the Lower Bridge between the
Point and the Island. The day of the battle, his company was not attached to any
regiment. The whole of the men at the point was commanded by General ___
Armstrong.?
?At the expiration of this tour, which was about the first July, he was discharged
and immediately entered the service again for the term of one month as a substitute
for Thomas Pendarvis. He was commanded by Captain Fullington, his battalion by Major
Charles Livingston. He marched us from the Point to Sullivan?s Island and remained
there ten days, thence back to Hadrell?s Point at which place he remained in actual
service until his time of service expired, which was about the first of August, when
he was discharged.?
In the month of January in the year of 1779, he removed from Orangeburg to Ninety Sixth District, SC and settled in Colonel James Williams? regiment. About the first
of March of the year 1779, he entered the service as a volunteer under Captain
Thomas Dugan, rendezvous two miles above the Tumbling Shoals on Reedy River, then on the Indian line, at which station he remained in actual service till sometime of the
month of July, when he was discharged.?
?In the month of February or March of the year 1780 he was drafted and added to Captain Thomas Dugan?s company, rendezvous at a place called Chalk Hills in South Carolina near Augusta, GA. The battalion was commanded by Major Lewis Gillum. We remained at this place two or three weeks when we were marched across the Savannah River to Cupboard Creek near Augusta, GA and we fell in with other troops, at which place we remained till our term of service expired, which was three months. At
Cupboard Creek the whole of the troops were under the command of Colonel John
Purvis.?
?In the fall of the year 1780 (the month not now recollected), he turned out as a volunteer under Captain Thomas Dugan with fixed resolution to retake his country
____. He immediately thereafter joined General Sumter and the troops under his
command at Indian ___ now in Newberry District. We were marched to Broad River, the
whole under the command of General Sumter and down said river to Shira?s Ferry at
which place we had a small skirmish with the British across the river. From thence
we were marched back again to Dunkin?s Creek. Immediately upon our arrival at this
place, we were informed of the approach of Tarleton and his troops. By order of
General Sumter, Captain Levi Caisey chose twelve men of the main body of the army to
rencontre, of which twelve he was one of the number thus chosen. On our excursion
that night we fell in with three Tories and took them prisoners. The next morning
whilst we were endeavoring to return to the main army, we were observed and
overtaken by Tarleton and his legion at a place then called Cross Roads, between
Dunkin Creek and Enoree River.?
?In this skirmish he was dangerously wounded and taken prisoner and carried to Blackstock, at which place he remained about a week; then placed in the hands of
Major McCarthy and his battalion, taken by them to Sherrill?s Ferry on Broad River,
at which place he remained about ten days; from thence removed to the widow ____
Woodward on Little River where Tarleton and his legion lay,; at which place he
remained about two weeks, when he was removed to Winnsborough (Cornwallis?
headquarters). At this place he remained a few days, when he was paroled. He
returned home to his father?s where he remained a short time, till General Greene
came on with his army.?
?He then broke his parole and joined the troops under General Greene, was attached
to the company commanded by his old captain Thomas Dugan, and remained with him
until the siege of Ninety Six was raised, at which time Captain Thomas Dugan
resigned. His brother James Dugan took the command of the company. They retreated
with the main army to ?Hemillons? on Tyger River, at which place his captain and his
company left the main army to scour the country of Tories; remained under him till
he was killed by the Tories; after which this company was commanded by Captain John
Virgin and Lieutenant James Stark. The whole of the troops under the command of
Colonel Joseph Hayes.?
?Rendezvoused at Carr?s [?Kerr?s?] Mills, Bush River, thence to a place called Dutch
Fork. Then fell in with Captain Philemon Waters and his company of state troops,
thence marched in company with him and his forces to Faust?s Ford on Broad River,
then down to Ancrum Big House on the Congaree River. There we remained till Greene?s
army marched from the High Hills of Santee near us, when we furnished them with some
beef cattle.?
?About this time, our colonel was informed that the Tories were numerous in our part
of the country, which caused him to return, after which we were closely employed two
or three weeks in driving the Tories off (about which time the Battle of the Eutaw
Springs was fought). Shortly thereafter, Governor Rutledge issued his proclamation
for removing of the wives and children of the Tories to the city lines, in which
occupation Colonel Hayes and his forces, to which he himself attached, were engaged
five or six weeks, after which the Tories attacked Colonel Hayes and his company,
and being too strong for him, overpowered and murdered him, together with seventeen
of his men in cold blood after he had surrendered to them. At the time of this
engagement he was sent off into his own settlement by order of his colonel.?
?After the murder of Colonel Hayes, Colonel Levi Caisey commanded the regiment,
rendezvous, the house of John Cunningham, where he was placed under the command of
Lieutenant Arthur McCracken together with five other men to guard the Tories and
make them break hemp to send to Petersburg, Virginia to purchase salt, at which time
the legislature convened at Jacksonboro, SC, where all the volunteers were
discharged, he thinks in the latter part of December 1781.?
?In the month of March of the year following, he again entered the service for three
months in a company of horse as a substitute in the place of Alexander Dunlap. His
captain?s name was Henry Key, his colonel?s name was Jared Smith, who commanded the
regiment (headquarters were at Orangeburg) and the whole under the command of Leroy Hammond. Our detachment joined the main army under General Greene while he lay with his main army at Bacon?s Bridge on Ashley River, at which place he remained a short time when his term of service expired, when he was discharged.?
?In June 1782, he again entered the service as a volunteer for a tour of four
months. This company was commanded by Lieutenant James Stark, having no captain
while in service in this company. He was in an engagement with the Tories at John
Richardson?s Plantation on Bush River, SC. This company of Tories was commanded by
William Cunningham, the noted Tory. And the deponent saith that the following
contains the periods he served, all of which he served as a private for which he now
claims a pension:
March 1776-1 month under Captain Flood, substitute.
June 1776-1 ditto under Captain Salley, ditto.
July 1776-1 ditto under Captain Fullington, ditto.
March till July 1779-4 ditto, volunteered under Captain Dugan.
July 1780-3 ditto, drafted, Captain Dugan
Fall 1780 to Dec. 1781-He was not less than 12 months actual service that he
actually received pay for the whole of the term, and that during this time he served
under such officers as set forth in the foregoing.
March till June 1782-3 months as a substitute under Captain Henry Key.
June till October 1782-4 months volunteer under Lieutenant Stark.
Coweta County, GA, March 1st, 1834:
?John Houston, who being duly sworn, deposeth and saith that he did serve as stated in his amended declaration, as is returned unsatisfactory, twelve months constant service (to wit, from November 1780 to December 1781) as follows: That he entered the service in November 1780 in Captain Dugan?s company as a volunteer for no
settled period, but to serve as circumstances might require.?
?That in ten days after this deponent had joined his company, he was in a battle
with the British under the command of Tarleton. That this deponent was dangerously
wounded and taken prisoner and retained in close confinement for six weeks, and was
then liberated on parole until exchanged, and remained under parole about six weeks
more. Having recovered from his wounds, he broke his parole by joining the army
under General Greene in the early part of the year 1781, in Captain Dugan?s company
and served three months under General Greene at the Siege of Ninety Six.?
?Immediately after the siege, this deponent rendezvoused at Carr?s Mills on Bush River and remained in this service or tour about one month, and returned back to his regiment under the command of Colonel Joseph Hays. Colonel Hays received orders from Governor Rutledge immediately after this deponent had joined the regiment, to remove all the women and children of the Tories out of the limits of his command over to
the British, which service we were about two months in performing. The balance of
the year, for self preservation, we were compelled to remain in service and under
arms to keep from being butchered up by the Tories foe they killed every Whig they
could get hold of??
File at: http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/ga/coweta/military/revw
ar/pensions/houston266gmt.txt
Thi s file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/gafiles/
File size: 17.9 Kb
John Houston (often called Jr. but not during his life) 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. The name Ross is used for descendants of both families.
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 company, Colonel 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 June 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.
I John Houston of the County of Coweta and State of Georgia being at this time of a very advanced age and at this time much afflicted with bodily infirmities and well Knowing the mortality of Man that we are sooner or later to die and being of sound mind and memory blessed be God. Have concluded to dispose of my wordly goods which it has pleased God to bestow on my in the following manner, viz
Item the 1st I give unto my wife Mary Houston to her and her heirs for ever the East half of lot of land on which I now reside being lot no. 143 in Second District Coweta also three negros viz Prissy, Jacob and Siller to her and her use for ever I also give to my wife Mary Houston one black mare and colt three choice cows thirty head of hogs ten head of Sheep house hold and kitchen furniture &tc.
Item 2nd I give and bequeath unto my son Hugh W. Houston one lot of land lying in the county of Carroll no. 201 Sixth District said county to him & his heirs for ever I also give and bequeath unto my son Hugh W. Houston one Black mare two years old to him and his heirs forever &tc.
Item 3rd I give and bequeath unto my grand son John Houston one Sorrel mare two years old to him and his heirs for ever
Item 4th My desire is that 2 1/2 lots land no. 146 144 and half lot no. 143 in the Second district Coweta County be divided according to quantity and quality between my sons Oliver Houston Samuel Houston John Houston Hugh W. Houston and my grandson James Houston
Item 5th I desire that my Negroes Thebe, Wesly, Joe, Hartwell, Scott, Edmund, Adaline, Suesa, Gra ...
... my son in law James G. Stewart and my grandson James Houston
Item 6th I desire that one Sorrel mare 30 head cattle 20 head sheep all my money and crop be equally divided between my sons Oliver Samuel John Hugh W. Houston and my son in law James G. Stewart to them and their heirs forever.
Item 7th I desire that I may at death be buried in a decent manner without great expense and that my sons Samuel Houston & John Houston before named who has been an obedient & faithful children to me shall be and is here by of me appointed my Executors to carry into effect this my last will & testament ratifying and confirming the same here by in Testimony where of I have here unto set my hand and affirmed by Seal this 17th day March 1834 John Houston
wit: Joseph Bohannon, William Watkins, John Edwards
Memo: 3 generations
Notes for Mary Wilson:
also described as Mary Hughey.
Children of John Houston and Mary Wilson are:
+ 2 i. Oliver2 Houston, born 1788 in Coweta Co., GA; died 1853 in Coweta Co., GA.
3 ii. Elizabeth Houston, born Abt. 1797; died 18 Sep 1850 in Coweta Co., GA. She married James G. Stewart 27 Jan 1829 in Fayette Co., GA.
+ 4 iii. Samuel H. Houston, born 03 Nov 1789 in SC; died 05 Sep 1850 in Newnan, Coweta Co., GA.
+ 5 iv. John Houston III, born Abt. 1793 in Newberry Dist., SC; died 1851 in Coweta Co., GA.
6 v. Hugh W. Houston, born 1791 in SC; died 1839 in on Sandy Creek, by lightning.
Notes for Hugh W. Houston:
served during Florida and Creek Wars
7 vi. Mary Houston, born Abt. 1795 in SC. She married Elijah Dennis 12 Dec 1848 in Coweta Co., GA.
Generation No. 2
2. Oliver2 Houston (John1) was born 1788 in Coweta Co., GA, and died 1853 in Coweta Co., GA. He married (1) Cynthia Flournoy 18 May 1815 in Jasper Co., GA. She was born 1795 in of Jasper Co., GA, and died Bet. 1833 - 1840. He married (2) Martha Ann Adams 18 Sep 1840 in Coweta Co., GA. She was born 1817 in of Coweta Co., GA.
Notes for Oliver Houston:
or Oliver Huston
Children of Oliver Houston and Cynthia Flournoy are:
+ 8 i. James B.3 Houston, born 08 Oct 1812 in GA; died 09 Oct 1864 in Franklin, CSA, Heard, GA.
+ 9 ii. John Houston, born 1816 in Jasper Co., GA.
+ 10 iii. David R. Houston, born 1821 in Jasper Co., GA.
+ 11 iv. Frances Houston, born Abt. 1823.
12 v. Mary Ann Houston, born 21 May 1823; died 13 Nov 1894 in Coweta Co., GA.
+ 13 vi. William H. Houston, born 30 Mar 1828 in GA; died 13 Mar 1912 in Whitesburg, Carroll, GA.
+ 14 vii. Oliver Ross Houston, born Abt. 1831 in Coweta Co., GA.
15 viii. Cynthia Ann Houston, born Bef. 1832. She married James Sandford 02 Sep 1848 in Coweta Co., GA.
16 ix. Sarah Houston, born 1833 in Coweta Co., GA. She married William Chambers.
Children of Oliver Houston and Martha Adams are:
+ 17 i. Joseph Cincinnati3 Houston, born 02 Jun 1843 in Newnan, GA; died 28 Dec 1917 in Stanton, AL.
18 ii. Newton B. Houston, born 14 Jul 1845. He married Susan C. Moore 09 Jan 1890 in Coweta Co., GA.
+ 19 iii. Emma C. Houston, born 1848; died 09 May 1910.
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