Master Surname Index



Sam Houston

Ancestry of
Sam Houston

1st President of the Republic of Texas


Who was Sam Houston?

Sam Houston was an American politician and soldier who was instrumental in securing Texas independence from Mexico. He was the 7th Governor of Tennessee and he resigned from the office after his wife left him amid rumors of alcoholism and infidelity. In 1832 Sam Houston headed to Texas which was still a part of the Mexican state of Coahuila and quickly became embroiled in the politics of the area.

On March 2, 1836, Sam Houston signed the Texas Declaraton of Independence and was selected as the Commander-in-Chief of the Texas Army. Four days later Mexican forces led by Gen. Santa Anna massacred the defenders of the Alamo. Less than two months later, Texas forces led by Sam Houston would defeat Santa Anna's forces at the Battle of San Jacinto. The defeated Santa Anna was forced to sign the Treaty of Velasco granting Texas Independence.

Sam Houston served as the first and third Presidents of the Republic of Texas. In 1845 the United States annexed Texas into the Union as the 28th state. Sam Houston was elected as a U.S. Senator from Texas. Just before the start of the Civil War he was also the 7th Governor of Texas.

Famous Kin

Sam Houston's mother was Betsy Paxton. So it is no surprise to find that Sam Houston is related to a few famous Paxtons. These include Confederate Army General Elisha F. Paxton, actress Sara Paxton, and actor Bill Paxton. Ironically Sam Houston is portrayed by his cousin Bill Paxton in the History Channel's miniseries Texas Rising that aired in 2015.


Some of the most recently added connections of famous kin for Sam Houston

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Bill Paxton

TV and Movie Actor

2nd cousin 4 times removed
via John Paxton

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General Elisha F. Paxton

Confederate Army - U.S. Civil War

2nd cousin
via John Paxton

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Sara Paxton

TV and Movie Actress

3rd cousin 4 times removed
via Samuel Paxton

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Ed Helms

TV and Movie Actor

2nd cousin 5 times removed
via John Paxton

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J. K. Simmons

TV and Movie Actor

1st cousin 5 times removed
via John Paxton

View entire list of famous kin for Sam Houston

Please note: The ancestor reports on this website have been compiled from thousands of different sources, many over 100 years old. These sources are attached to each ancestor so that you can personally judge their reliability. As with any good genealogical research, if you discover a link to your own family tree, consider it a starting point for further research. It is always preferable to locate primary records where possible. FamousKin.com cannot and does not guarantee the accuracy and reliability of these sources.