Conditions Governing Use

The materials from Washington and Lee University Special Collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used should be fully credited with the source.

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research use.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], Samuel Houston Correspondence (WLU Coll. 0065), Special Collections and Archives, James G. Leyburn Library, Washington and Lee University, Lexington, VA.

Biographical Note

The Reverend Samuel Houston was born on January 1, 1758. He served as a member of the Board of Trustees at what is now Washington and Lee University from 1791-1826. He died on January 20, 1839.

Scope and Contents

The February 5, 1821 letter was written by Matthew Stephenson in Leesburg, Va. to his uncle, Samuel Houston in Natural Bridge, Va. Stephenson writes about the winter weather, Doctor Chapman and his preaching locally and in Jonesborough and Elizabethton, Tn.

The June 20, 1836 letter was written by Houston in Rural Valley to George A. Baker, J. W. Jordan, J. M. Ruff, J. M. D. Taylor, and William White in Lexington, Va. concerning their invitation to him to celebrate American Independence Day in Lexington. He declines to attend. He says, "I have been sorry to learn too often they [July 4th celebrations] have been Bacchanalian entertainments rather than temperate hilarity. I have no willingness to attend provided you will exclude distilled liquor and close before night comes on having explicity honored God in proper ways..."

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Baker , George A.
• Correspondence
• Fourth of July
• Virginia -- Lexington