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- Source: http://www.joepayne.org/houston.htm
THIRD GENERATION
(5) James3 HOUSTON, (John2 HOUSTON, Samuel1) was born Apr 18, 1715 at North Ireland, and on Jun 17, 1749 at Staunton, Augusta Co., Va, married (13) Agnes WILSON, daughter of Mr. WILSON, who was born about 1716. James died on Apr 18, 1820 at Houston'S Valley, Greene Co. and was buried at Houston'S Valley, Greene Co.. Agnes died in 1765 at Staunton, Augusta Co., Va.
Notes for James HOUSTON: THERE ARE MANY DISCREPENCIES FOR JAMES HOUSTON, Most Houston researchers seem to think he remained in Ireland where he died. I will leave all this information with that in mind. Joe Payne
The following is from Houston Valley, family of James Houston by Johnson.
James Houston's name appears in Augusta County, Virginia court records soon after its establishment December 9, 1745, and frequently thereafter through 1778. There he married Agnes Wilson, sister of George Wilson, June 17, 1749. James and Agnes Houston recorded acquiring land on Back Creek of Roanoke at "Turkey Botton", and in forks of James River through March 1765. Agnes is not found in records afterwards and probably deceased before James Houston began disposing of the above property in 1765 and became actively engaged in a real estate business with his brother-in-law George Wilson in and near Stauntion continuing through 1773.
James Houston listed in Eckenrodes Soldiers of Virginia, Augusta County, was in French and Indian Wars, was listed as Armorer Captain Blagg's Co., Col. Byrd's Command, and was discharged 1761 or 1764.
James Houston was in Greene Co., Tennessee, as early as 1778-1779. A James Houston of Washington Co, NC was in the Battle of Kings Mountain in 1778.
When Greene Co. was established by NC in 1783, the first court held at Greeneville in April of that year, James Houston was a memeberof the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions. On June 12, 1783, James Houston purchased from the State of NC 200 acres of land Grant Number 3375 on the north side of Nolachucky river.
Later that year North Carolina passed an act known as the "Land Grab Act," opening for settlement all of the land lying south of the French Broad and Big Pigeon rivers. Soon afterwards James Houston sold to a Mr. Posey his 200 acre grant mentioned above.
On November 19, 1788, James Houston purchased another grant Number 800 from the state of NC for 640 acres of land on south side of Nolachucky River. On this property at a spring-head of several large springs at the head of a large creek, now known as Brush Creek, he built a large two story log home and a small log church. the original Pine Springs Missionary Baptist Chruch, and gave his name to the Valley.
Originally this grant was in Greene County. In 1848 the line between Greene and Cocke Counties was so altered to include Pine Springs and a portion of the grant eastward into Cocke County.
James Houston was active in the establishment of the government of the self styled fourteenth state of the Union, the "Lost State of Franklin" 1785-1789. James Houston was appointed Sheriff by Gov. John Sevier and served rwo consecutive terms. He was also appointed Major of the State Militia. He was one of the organizing members of Flay Branch Church in Greene County in 1803 The name of thes Church was changed in 1885 to Mountain View Baptist Chruch. Jame Houston died in late spring of 1820.
Hi, Thanks for your response. I also have a copy of the material you sent. Unfortunately, it contains several errors.
First and foremost, William, the son of James who died in 1820 did not marry Hannah Sherrill. The William who married Hannah Sherrill moved to Roane County and remained there along with several of the Sherrills. William, the Rev. Patriot and the one who died in 1841 married Susannah Long. It took me quite a while to prove it, but I am now satisfied that there in no question. Aside from the fact that the signatures on the Rev. Pension App match the signature on the original Bond of the marriage with Susannah and also match the signature on a legislative petition submitted by William and his partners in the turnpike, there is the evidence provided by the will of William Cravens who states that he "raised William Houston." The executor of the will of this William Cravens was Evan Evans, the man who was the security on the marriage of Wm Houston and Hannah Sherrill. Wm and Hannah had a son Adam Sherrill Houston who is also in the records in Roane County. I first became suspicious when I noticed that the person who was the security on the bastardy bond for William Houston as the father of the illigetimate child of Susannah Long was Isaac Baker, brother-in-law of William. (He married Susannah a year later.) Then I noticed that all five of my William's children had daughters named Susan and none named Hannah. So after many months of collecting evidence and a trip to Greene Co. I think I can say that the proof is overwhelming.
As to James, I have just about concluded that he is not the one who married Agnes Wilson. First, James Houston who had a brother-in-law named George Wilson was still in Augusta County long after our James was in Greene Co. (according to a deposition he made in Augusta County dated 1803) Second, all of James Houston's children were married in the 1790s(except Hannah whose marriage date is unknown). James Houston would have been in his 70's, and about 50 years after his marriage. It seems a long time for his children to wait to marry. I could understand one or two, but all? Also, the James Houston who was on the court in Greene County in 1783 was the James Houston who moved to Blount County and served there as rep. in the Tennessee Assembly from that county. His Rev. Pension App gives the dates when he moved to Greene County, and when he moved to Blount Co. He is the one who was sheriff of Greene County.
Much of the information on James and William that you sent was sent to me by by Bernie Houston with whom I corresponded some years back. I know that we can compare notes for this extensively, but this just gives you an idea of the errors I have found so far.
Janelle Swearingen B-JSwearingen@worldnet.att.com
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RNT Family History
1726 - Aft 1798 (> 71 years)