Young Sam Houston

houston early life

Sam Houston’s early life was marked by a diverse range of experiences and influences that shaped his character and future endeavors. Born to Major Samuel Houston and Elizabeth Houston in a rustic log cabin on March 2, 1793, in Timber Ridge, Virginia, Sam Houston was the fifth child among nine siblings in a family of modest means. Despite limited formal education, he displayed a strong intellectual curiosity, immersing himself in his father’s library and dedicating his time to reading the classics.

Tragedy struck the Houston family when Sam’s father, Major Samuel Houston, passed away in 1807. As a result, the family relocated to a farm in Maryville, Tennessee, situated near the scenic Great Smoky Mountains. They cultivated a 419-acre farm and operated a local store. However, young Sam did not resonate with the pursuits of farming or store management.

His adventurous spirit led him to run away from home at 16 and spend three years living with a Cherokee tribe, who adopted him during his time with them. During this period, he became close to Chief Oolooteka, known among settlers as John Jolly, who later adopted Sam and gifted him his Cherokee name, “Colonneh,” meaning “the Raven.” This exposure to Native American culture left a lasting impact on Houston’s life.

Returning to his family in Maryville from his time spent among the Cherokees, Sam engaged in various jobs before successfully establishing a one-room schoolhouse. His life took a significant turn when he decided to join the military and got involved in the War of 1812. During the fierce Battle of Horseshoe Bend against the Red Stick Creek Indians on March 27, 1814, Sam demonstrated extraordinary courage and endurance.

houston arrow wound

An arrow struck him near his groin during the brutal conflict, causing a deep, painful wound. Despite the intense pain, he demanded the arrow be extracted and his wound bandaged, refusing to be sidelined. Ignoring the severity of his injury, he rejoined the battle. However, his determination came at a cost. He was hit again, this time by bullets, in his shoulder and arm. These injuries were severe, causing intense pain and severely limiting his mobility. But Houston’s relentless spirit in the face of such adversity caught the attention of General Andrew Jackson, who became his mentor thereafter.

Post-war, in 1818, Sam relocated to Nashville, Tennessee, to study law under the tutelage of Judge James Trimble. After passing the bar exam, he inaugurated his own legal practice in Lebanon, Tennessee, also serving as the local prosecutor and being appointed a command in the state militia.

Backed by Andrew Jackson’s Democratic Party, Sam Houston ran for the U.S. House of Representatives, winning the election and holding the position as a Congressman from 1823 to 1827. Later, he was elected as Governor of Tennessee in 1827.

However, his short-lived, unsuccessful marriage in 1829, while seeking reelection, led to scandal and his resignation from the governor’s post. He then moved to the Arkansas territory to join the Hiwassee Cherokees, a tribe he had supported a decade earlier.

In 1832, Sam embarked on a journey to Texas and was elected to represent Nacogdoches at the Convention of 1833, an assembly to request statehood from Mexico. In 1836, Sam signed the Texas Declaration of Independence from Mexico and was appointed as the army’s commander in chief.

In summary, Sam Houston’s early life was characterized by an early passion for learning, his time with the Cherokee tribe, his military service, and his pursuit of a legal and political career. These experiences laid the foundation for the remarkable achievements and leadership roles of his later life.