WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1837
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On the 14th of June, I am told that you are to have a wedding in the dear Old Town of Nacogdoches! It would be a matter of gratification to me to be there on the occasion. I cou'd play the part of a God Father, you know, and this among other mat- ters wou'd eke out a scanty tradition, and tell to other times that I had once existed. You know that men love fame ! It is half past two in the morning, and this is Sunday! Shou'd I remain longer from repose, I cou'd not look well at church tomorrow, so you must trust me for another ·Epistle. In the meantime, be so kind as to write to me-no matter what you write; it will commend the image of "Miss Barker." My friend, Major Allen,2 says that in consideration of your charms and your kind consideration of his capacity, that the most splendid Lot in Houston is Deeded to you! "I guess" some day he may get it back, most elegantly improved! It must be so if Miss Raguet shou'd adorn the premises. Salute your parents, kiss the little ones, send love to the boys, and regard me as your friend truly, Sam Houston Miss A. Raguet. 1 The original letter is the property of Mrs. J. R. Irion, Dallas, Texas. This copy was made from the Dallas News, March 21, 1915. 2 John Kirby Allen (1819-August 15, 1838), son of Roland and Sarah (Chapman) Allen, was born in the town of Orrville, near Syracuse, New York. He had the advantages of the common schools of his native village, but never went to college. He took his first remunerative job-call boy in a hotel at Orrville-when he was only seven years old; three years later he became a clerk in a store, and at the age of sixteen went into partnership with a young friend, named Kittredge, in a hat store at Chittenango, New York. The young men prospered in business, but in 1829, John K. Allen sold out his interest to his partner, in order to join his brother Augustus C. Allen in the mercantile house of H. & H. Canfield, New York City. In 1832, the Allen brothers withdrew their interest from this establishment, in order to go to Texas. They settled at Nacogdoches in 1833, became interested in a variety of enterprises, and in a few years amassed a con- siderable fortune. During the Texas revolution he did not join the Texan army, but was actively engaged in gathering supplies for the Texas government (See J. K. Allen to Thomas J. Rusk, May 20, 1836, Houston Public Library; also William C. Binkley (ed.), Official Correspondence of the Texan Revol11tion, 1885-1836, 8, 49, 121, 130, 138, 139, 759). In September, 1836, he was elected a representative from Nacogdoches to the Texas Congress. It was while serving in this capacity that he and his brother, A. C. Allen, decided to found the town of Houston. At this time, also, he was serving on the Governor's staff with the rank of major, and was in partnership with J. Pinckney Henderson in the shipping business
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