Houston, Eliza Allen, ca. 1810-1861

Born to Colonel John and Laetitia Allen, in Gallatin, Tennessee, Eliza Allen (ca. 1810-1861) married Governor Sam Houston on January 22, 1829. The couple settled in Nashville while Houston prepared for his gubernatorial reelection campaign. Eleven weeks later, however, the marriage abruptly ended and Eliza returned to her parents’ home in Gallatin. Houston then resigned from office and traveled west, where he resided among the Cherokee tribe in the Oklahoma Territory. The reason for the separation remained unknown, and they officially divorced in 1837. Three years later, Eliza married Elmore Douglass, a physician in Gallatin. The couple had four children, two of whom survived into adulthood.

Sources:

Eliza Allen. Sam Houston, the volunteer exile. Accessed June 15, 2011. http://www.wnpt.org/productions/samhouston/people/eliza.html .

Kreneck, Thomas H. Houston, Samuel. Handbook of Texas Online . Accessed June 15, 2011. http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/fho73 .

From the guide to the Houston, Eliza, Narrative 63-067; 63-120., 1962, undated, (Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, The University of Texas at Austin)

Born to Colonel John and Laetitia Allen, in Gallatin, Tennessee, Eliza Allen (ca. 1810-1861) married Governor Sam Houston on January 22, 1829.

The couple settled in Nashville while Houston prepared for his gubernatorial reelection campaign. Eleven weeks later, however, the marriage abruptly ended and Eliza returned to her parents' home in Gallatin. Houston then resigned from office and traveled west, where he resided among the Cherokee tribe in the Oklahoma Territory. The reason for the separation remained unknown, and they officially divorced in 1837. Three years later, Eliza married Elmore Douglass, a physician in Gallatin. The couple had four children, two of whom survived into adulthood.

From the description of Houston, Eliza, Narrative, 1962, undated (University of Texas Libraries). WorldCat record id: 756870164