Margaret's life

History of Margaret Lea

Early Life: 1819-1838

April 11 - Margaret Lea, sixth child and second daughter of Temple and Nancy Lea, is born. In 1838, Margaret enrolled at The Judson Female Institute

Mrs. Houston: 1839-1842

Margaret Lea meets Sam Houston at a garden party in 1839. He proposed later that year, despite her mother's vehement opposition. The couple married the following year. The couple goes to Texas in 1840 where Sam makes political speeches.

Motherhood: 1843-1860

The couple's first child, Sam Houston Jr,. is born in Washington-on-the-Brazos in 1843. Nancy Elixabeth is born in 1846. In 1847, Margaret has a breast tumor removed, using only a silver coin between her teeth as a painkiller. That year, Virginia Thorne, an orphan, becomes the ward of the Houstons, she left the Houston's three years later. In 1848, Margaret Lea is born two day's after Margaret's 29th birthday. Antoinette Power is born in 1852. The Houstons move to a home in Independence, Texas, where the children will be able to attend Baylor University. Andrew Jackson Houston is born in Independence, Texas in 1854. The Houstons move to Huntsville in 1854 where William Rogers was born in 1858. Temple Lea Houston is born at The Governor's Mansion in Austin. He is the fourth son and last child born to Margaret and Sam.

Later Years: 1861

In 1861, Sam Houston refuses to sign the Oath of Loyalty to the Confederacy and is removed from office. The Houston family move out of Austin and back to Independence. In 1862, Margaret, Sam and the younger children move to Huntsville, where they rent The Steamboat House. Sam Houston dies here in 1863. Later that year, Margaret moves back to Independence where she moves in with her mother. In 1867, Margaret becomes a grandmother when Nannie Houston Morrow has her first child, a daughter named Margaret.She died of yellow fever at the end of the year.

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History of Margaret Lea

Early Life: 1819-1838

Mrs. Houston: 1839-1842

Motherhood: 1843-1860

Later Years: 1861