Y E A R S
I N
I N D E P E N D E N C E
WRITTEN BY NANCY SHOUP
One of Texas’ most celebrated forefathers,
Sam Houston loved a beautiful Baptist woman
and a Washington County community.
S
am Houston was most famous for leading Texas to
victory in the Battle of San Jacinto, thus winning
independence from Mexico. By 1839 he had also
completed a term as the first President of the
Republic of Texas. He was 49 years old and still deeply
immersed in Texas politics, serving in the Republic of Texas
House of Representatives.
It was during this time that Sam traveled to Mobile,
Alabama, to “seek capital for Texas enterprises and to
buy some blooded horses for myself”. There he visited the
stately country home of Martin Lea. A garden party was
being held for Martin’s sister, Margaret, and his mother,
Nancy Lea, who were visiting from Marion.
Margaret played the piano at the party. Sam
was immediately attracted to her, a talented,
slender girl with violet eyes and black wavy hair.
Although Sam was 28 years her senior, Margaret
was attracted to him as well. She had first
seen him years before, in Galveston, when he
was carried from a boat on a stretcher, with a
shattered ankle after the battle in San Jacinto.
In spite of his condition after San
Jacinto, Sam had made a rousing
speech to the crowd that had
gathered to see him. Among the
spectators was young Margaret
Lea, who later admitted she had a
premonition about meeting him in
the future.
INDEPENDENCE
Sam Houston’s
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The ceremony was planned for the nearest creek, and
it was the talk of the county during the days leading up
to the event. The night before, some mischievous school
boys filled the baptism pool with rocks and tree branches.
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What better joke than to
sabotage the county’s biggest
social gathering, and
scandalize all the church
ladies to boot?
Many spectators from neighboring communities came
to Independence to witness the event. Undaunted by
the pranksters, Reverend Burleson proceeded to another
creek 2 miles away, with Sam Houston and his audience
following.
As Sam rose from the water, Reverend Burleson
announced that his sins had been washed down the
river. Sam retorted, “Well, if that’s the case, I pity the poor
fish downstream!”
Margaret Lea Houston as a bride.
Courtesy of Frank Rogers Collection
When Sam and Margaret
were married in 1840,
Margaret’s family strongly
opposed the marriage despite
his fame and importance.
He was twice divorced, over twice her age, and had a
reputation as a drinker and a rake. His friends thought
the marriage would be short-lived due to Margaret’s
youth and religious nature, but it was quite successful.
Shortly after their marriage, Sam was elected in 1841 to
his second term as President of the Republic of Texas. His
next role was U.S Senator in 1845, for the newly annexed
State of Texas. During his long frequent absences from
home, Margaret wrote, often in verse, of her longing for
his return. She pleaded with him to abstain from liquor
and become more faithful to her Baptist convictions.
In 1853 Houston was reelected as U.S. Senator and
moved his growing family to Independence. He was
drawn to this center of education to take advantage
of the learning opportunities for his four boys and four
girls. The Houstons moved into a home across the road
from Academy Hill where Baylor University had recently
established its first campus.
Margaret and her mother, Nancy Lea, persuaded Sam
in 1854 to join the newly built Independence Baptist
Church. For years he had procrastinated, but eventually
presented himself as a candidate for baptism.
Houston’s baptism. Painting by Erwin Hearne is displayed at the
Texas Baptist Historical Museum in Independence.
Photo by Washington County Chamber of Commerce
Convention & Visitors Bureau
Like many church-goers, Sam had a favorite place to
sit in Sunday church services. Visitors today can sit in the
very spot he often occupied, and see the initials that he
carved into the back of the pew directly in front of his.
Margaret was frequently ill, and she was pregnant or
nursing a child for much of their marriage – the Houstons
In 1858 Sam and Margaret moved to Austin, as Sam was
serving as Governor of the State of Texas. The Governor’s
Mansion was built only two years earlier and it was
mostly unfurnished. Margaret and the children moved
into the private living quarters on the second floor while
their twelve slaves lived on the first floor. A governess was
hired to look after the children.
Never comfortable with her role as wife of an important
politician, Margaret often worried that some detail might
not be correct for Houston and his guests. As hostess,
she heavily depended on her slave and companion,
Eliza, who operated the kitchen and cooked the meals.
SAM HOUSTON WAS:
• Adopted by a Cherokee tribe at age 16
• Attorney General of Tennessee
• Colonel in the Tennessee State Militia
• Tennessee Delegate to U.S. House of
Representatives
• Governor of Tennessee
• Commander in Chief of all Texan Armies
• Governor of the State of Texas
• U.S. Senator for the State of Texas
• Two-time President of the Republic of Texas
• The only American to be governor of two states
1861 brought talks of secession from the Union and Sam
was against placing Texas in a Civil War. As a result, the
Texas Secession Convention removed him from office as
they joined the Confederacy.
Sam and Margaret retired to Huntsville. His health
deteriorated in 1863 and, in mid-July, he died of
pneumonia with Margaret by his side. They had remained
devoted to each other through the years, as shown by
the voluminous correspondence between them.
After Sam’s death Margaret moved back to their
Independence farmhouse, to be near her mother and
to educate her children at Baylor University. Her friend,
Eber Cave, helped her trade the farmhouse for the John
Bancroft Root house in 1864.
Houston attended Independence Baptist Church, which
now includes a museum with many Houston artifacts.
Photo by Scott Hill, Brenham Portrait Gallery
A few weeks after the family settled in their new home,
Margaret’s mother, Nancy Lea became ill and died with
yellow fever.
Nancy was buried in a vault
near Independence Baptist
Church, to be within earshot
of the bell she had donated in
honor of Sam’s death.
Depressed by her losses and increased responsibilities,
Margaret sought escape in her writing. At age 48, she
died during another yellow fever epidemic. She was
buried next to her mother near Independence Baptist
Church. Daughter Maggie Houston Williams lived in the
house until 1898 with her husband and children.
?
Did you know?
When Houston died, his mother-in-law Nancy Lea gave
this unique bell for the tower at Independence Baptist
Church. Visitors can see it today at the museum.
Photo by Washington County Chamber of Commerce
Convention & Visitors Bureau
Margaret’s house in Independence remained in the
Williams’ family until 1983 and is now being restored by
the present owners. “The Mrs. Sam Houston House” is
constructed of hand-hewn cedar with a rock foundation,
and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The site on Little Rocky Creek, where Sam Houston was
baptized, was marked by the Texas Historical Commission.
Visitors can see the plaque in Independence, on FM 50
at Sam Houston Road. D
Margaret Houston’s house in Independence.
Photo by Penny Bryant
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INDEPENDENCE
had eight children. Though she often wanted to
accompany Sam to Austin or Washington D.C. during his
terms of office, she found it easier to stay at home with
her mother and slaves.