Sam Houston Birthplace Site - South River

Sam Houston's birthplace site is located on Sam Houston Way, just south of N Lee Highway, in South River, Virginia.  The land was developed by Sir John Houston, a Scots-Irish immigrant, who came to America in 1735 and initially settled in Pennsylvania.  He made his way south, to the Shenandoah Valley and settled the land here in Rockbridge County.  The land passed down to John's son, Robert, then Robert's son, Samuel.  Sam Houston was born in a nearby log cabin, at Timber Ridge Plantation, March 2, 1793, the fifth son of Samuel Houston and Elizabeth Paxton.  In 1807 the Houston family moved to Maryville to escape debts incurred by Samuel, who died earlier in 1807.  Sam ran away from home in 1809 and began a career which eventually included the U.S. House of Representatives, Governor of Tennessee, President of Texas, U.S. Senator from Texas, and Governor of Texas.  He was removed from office in 1861 when he opposed Texas supporting the Confederate States during the Civil War.  He died in 1863.  There is a memorial located on Sam Houston Way, west of the original location of the log cabin.   

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