William Houston



William Churchill Houston (c. 1746 – August 12, 1788) was an American teacher, lawyer, and statesman. He was a delegate to both the Continental Congress and the Constitutional Convention for New Jersey. William's Religious affliction was presbyterian.

William was born in the Sumter District of central South Carolina. His parents, Archibald and Margaret Houston, were farmers who had immigrated from Ireland. After a basic education, he went to the College of New Jersey (later Princeton) and stayed for many years. He stayed as a tutor after his graduation in 1768. Then in 1771 he became Professor of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy (science). William did own slaves, although he did not believe in slavery.

The Revolution interrupted the otherwise quiet career of a professor. When British forces occupied Princeton in 1776 the college was closed and students returned home. Houston joined with the militia of nearby Somerset County and saw action in the area. He was later elected Captain of one of their companies. When the British withdrew from New Jersey in 1777 and the college reopened, he returned as well.

Houston’s experiences also changed the direction of his life. He was elected to represent Somerset County in the New Jersey state assembly in 1777. In 1778 he served on the state’s Committee of Safety. Then from 1779 to 1781 New Jersey sent him as a delegate to the Continental Congress. His work in Congress was largely directed to issues of finance and supply. But, he also used this time to study law.

He returned to the college, and was admitted to the bar in 1781. Houston also opened a law office in Trenton. Besides being active at the school, during these years he was also named as clerk of the New Jersey Supreme Court. Finally, in 1783, he resigned from the college to devote himself to his legal career. His state called for his services several more times. He was returned to the Continental Congress in 1784 and 1785.

In 1786 Houston was appointed to a commission to study the defects in the Articles of Confederation which joined the states. He went to the Annapolis Convention to discuss the problem. Instead of proposing changes to the articles, this Convention called for a full Constitutional Convention. When the United States Constitutional Convention assembled in 1788, he went to Philadelphia as a delegate.

Houston only remained at the convention for a week before his failing health caused him to withdraw. He died of tuberculosis the following year and was buried at the Second Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Philadelphia. Houston’s accomplishments were recognized in 1785 when the American Philosophical Society elected him a member.

External link

 * Biographic sketch at U.S. Congress website