Houston Family Ancestry Research

Houston Family Ancestry Research

**This is the Houston Family Ancestry Research that was shared during the 2019 Family Reunion.  The parts

of our history that are in italics have been added from the History of McCormick County, SC documented

by the McCormick County Chamber of Commerce.

On or around 1759, there were approximately twenty to thirty families, many of them Scots-Irish Presbyterian, that arrived and settled along the Long Cane Creek (Long Canes).  The majority of these families were originally living in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia and followed Patrick Calhoun and his family South.  Among those were Arthur Patton’s family, and the families Alexander, Anderson, Houston, Norris, and Pickens. 

Our family history begins in 1832 with a slave named Jack Houston.  According to the 1920 US Census, he was married to Nancy Devore and had a daughter, born later in his life named Bettie.

Jack Houston’s oldest son was also named Jack Houston II and he was born in 1853.  He worked as a Domestic Servant for Christian and Emaline Raml at the age of 17 in Beaufort, SC according to the 1870 US Census.

Jack Houston II married Lydia and had three children: Joseph, Georgiana, and Henry.  His son Henry Houston married Ella in 1897 and had two children Bettie and Thomas J.

His son Thomas J. Houston (also known as “Daddy Bulb”) married Carrie B. Marshall and had nine children: Henry, Hannibal, Fred, Clarence, Thelmon, Willie (“Jack”), Joseph, George, and Roberta.

And his son Hannibal Houston married Bessie Mae Williams and had seven children.

Although, our history begins in slavery - our story is based in love, sacrifice and faith in God.  Our mother, Bessie always said “Thank God for what it is” and these words will always resonate with each of us.  Our father, Hannibal had a quiet nature and easygoing attitude (truly, an identifiable true Houston trait).  We have yet to learn of the ancestry for the Rickersons’ side of the history, however, we know that they carry a zest for life and hope for all of our futures.

As you look around and greet and meet members of our family, remember that our ancestors paved the way for all of us to be here today.  We can only imagine the pain, suffering and sacrifices that were made to get us here to this time and place today.  If you have a story to tell - please get it written down for future generations and share your knowledge with the rest of us also.

Our history is one of

Love, Sacrifice & Faith in God.