Sam Houston

After a work byAfter a work by Mead Brothers American, active 1852

PrinterPrinted by Elijah Chapman Kellogg American, 1811 - 1881

PublisherPublished by Elijah Chapman Kellogg American, 1811 - 1881

Date1852

MediumLithography; printer's ink and watercolor on wove paper

DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (image height x width): 11 1/4 x 8 5/8in. (28.6 x 21.9cm)
Sheet (height x width): 14 1/16 x 9 7/8in. (35.7 x 25.1cm)

ClassificationsGraphics

Credit LineConnecticut Museum of Culture and History collection

DescriptionFull-length portrait of an elderly man wearing a jacket, vest, shirt, tie, and trousers. He has a bald head and his arms are crossed. A cord with a tassle is wrapped around a fluted column on a high base at the left. A quill pen, an ink well, a sheet of paper, and two books are on a table with a tablecloth on the right. A patterned carpet is on the floor.

Object number1995.182.77

InscribedLithographed title in lower margin is a facsimile signature: "Sam Houston". Inscribed on stone beneath title: "'I wish no epitaph to be written to tell that I survived the ruin of this glorious Union. / 491." Inscribed on stone, beneath image: "Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1852 by E.C. Kellogg, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of Connecticut." Inscribed in pencil on verso, upper left: "F95 [crossed out] H21 [crossed out] / 28 / #5". Lower right: "Dwr 4" "CPC consv 1987". Accession number inscribed in pencil, lower left.NotesSubject Note: Samuel Houston (1793-1863) was one of the most famous figures in the history of Texas. Houston and his men defeated General Santa Anna at the decisive battle of San Jacinto on 21 April 1836, during Texas' fight for independence. This victory made Houston's name as one of Texas' greatest heroes. Known as "Old Sam Jacinto," Sam Houston became the first President of the Republic of Texas in 1836. He served two terms: 1836-1838 and 1841-1844. The city of Houston was founded in 1836 and named in his honor. After Texas became part of the United States, Houston served as a Senator from 1846-1859.

As the Civil War loomed closer, Houston came out as a staunch Unionist. He supported the Compromise of 1850, permanently alienating supporters of slavery. Although his position on the secession issue crippled his career, Sam Houston did manage to win election as Governor of Texas in 1859. He urged Texas not to secede after the election of Abraham Lincoln; they did, and after he refused to take the oath of allegiance to the Confederacy, he was removed from office. Houston and his family moved to Huntsville, Alabama. Sam Houston died there on 26 July 1863, at age 70.

Subject Terms