Georgia Biographies File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Barbara Winge barbarawinge@yahoo.com http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm Georgia Table of Contents: Georgia Biographies John Houston File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Barbara Winge barbarawinge@yahoo.com http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm Georgia Table of Contents: JOHN HOUSTON Hon. John Houston was one of the five individuals who called the first meeting of the friends of liberty in Savannah in 1774. He was a member of Congress in 1775 and Governor of Georgia from ’87 to ’85. Died at Savannah, in 1796. Ref: Sherwood, Adiel, A GAZETTEER OF THE STATE OF GEORGIA, 1837, Printed by P. Force, Washington City, p. 286. THE BRITISH INNVADE GEORGIA Georgia was in a very critical position. Of all the colonies, no other was so poorly prepared to wage war with the mother country. On the south the British threatened invasion from Florida; on the coast the enemy’s vessels had hardly any oppositon; on the north and west countless tribes of savages hovered around the borders, ready at any moment, in spite of their promises of peace, to descend upon the white settlements. When the legislature me, January 17, 1778, John Houston was elected governor, as the successor of Governor Treutlen. Governor Houston was very anxious to drive the British from East Florida. Major-General Robert Howe, commander of the American army in the Southern States, had his headquarters at Savannah. He was won over to Governor Houston’s plans and organized an expedition to capture East Florida. He marched the Georgia brigade to the St. Marys River and waited for other troops to arrive by sea. Hearing that a force of British were within fourteen miles of his camp, General Howe resolved to attack them without waiting for the other forces . The attack failed, however, and nothing came of the expedition. Ref: Evans, Lawton B., A. M., FIRST LESSONS IN GEORGIA HISTORY, 1913, American Book Co., New York, p. 136. HOUSTON COUNTY, GEORGIA This county was organized in 1821. A part set off to Bibb and Crawford in 1822; a part to Pulaski in 1828; and a part to Crawford in 1830. Named after John Houston, formerly Governor of Georgia. PERRY is the county town, situated upon the waters of Big Indian Creek, sixty-seven miles from Milledgeville. Among the first settlers in this county were, Abner Wimberly, James and David Clark, Allen Sutton, Allen Williams, Meredith Joiner, Thos. Gilbert, J. M. Kelly, Colonel Howell Cobb, Lewis Hunt, Daniel Dupree, Jacob Little, James Everitt, Rev. Daniel McKenzie, Thomas Scott, David W. Mann, Henry W. Kaly, Jesse Pollock, Amos Wingate, James Duncan and F. Patillo. Ref: White, Rev. George, M. A., HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS OF GEORGIA, 1854, Pudney & Russell, Publishers, New York, pp. 496-498. (Reprinted 1968, Heritage Papers, Danielsville, GA) (Contributed by Barbara Walker Winge, barbarawinge@yahoo.com) Note: Adiel Sherwood, A GAZETTEER OF THE STATE OF GEORGIA, Washington City, Printed by P. Force, 1837, pp. 255-256. APPENDIX: BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES "The author conceived that a short biographical sketch of the individuals after whom the several counties were named, would furnish an instructive and pleasing appendage to his topographical work... Acquainted with the intimate friends of some of the 'venerable dead,' he has been furnished with sufficient materials to enlarge on their character... There are in the State ninety counties (book printed in 1837, presently in 2001, there are 159 counties)..." ======================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be freely used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format for profit or other presentation. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for FREE access. ============== Note: Adiel Sherwood, A GAZETTEER OF THE STATE OF GEORGIA, Washington City, Printed by P. Force, 1837, pp. 255-256. APPENDIX: BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES "The author conceived that a short biographical sketch of the individuals after whom the several counties were named, would furnish an instructive and pleasing appendage to his topographical work... Acquainted with the intimate friends of some of the 'venerable dead,' he has been furnished with sufficient materials to enlarge on their character... There are in the State ninety counties (book printed in 1837, presently in 2001, there are 159 counties)..." ======================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be freely used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format for profit or other presentation. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for FREE access. ==============