Notes:

NOTE 1./ James first appears in census records in 1810. The 1810 Duplin Co., NC Census shows James to be between 26 - 44 yrs old, 1 female under 10 and 1 female 16-25, no slaves.

Letter from James Houston to Edward "Ned" Houston in Barbour Co., Alabama

State of North Carolina, Duplin County, March 27, 1843
Dear Nephew,
I received your kind letter dated the fifth of February last which was very congratulating to me to hear from you and all our connection in that country and That you all are a plenty of support. I have the happynefs of informing you that we are all well at this time. Hoping that this few l ines will find you and your family Injoying good health and all our friends in that country. Your Aunt Rebecca and Winneford and the children has bin very sick with the measles they have overed it and is tolerable well at this time we have raised very good crops here the last year past and produce is cheap and navel stoars is low - terpentine one dollar ninety nine cents prem barrel bacon from Six to Seven Dollars per the hundred corn sixty cents per bushel. I believe that to be abought the common prices at this time. I don't no that I have anything more to inform you of at present only that I have had to give the best man said to be in the County a flogging in my old age. His name is Isaac Butts. I gave him his hire the seventh of this month, March and paid him off well. Your cousin Ezzas neck gits no better but keeps about the same thing, her husband and children are well at present. I was born the eighteenth day of August in the year 1782 which makes me 61 next August and your father was born May the thirty first day, 1788 which makes him fifty five this May coming. I will send you a lock of heare in this letter that you may see the change that has taken place on my head. The Stoakes family is all well at this time. Your Aunt Ezza sends some of her hair too that you may see it. No more at present but remain your affectionate Uncle until Death
James Houston

Note: Ezza was his nick name for his wife and daughter - both of them were named Isabella. This is how I came up with the birth dates for Edward E. and James Houston. Edward E. was in Alabama when James wrote this letter to "Ned".

James married Isabella JOHNSTON on 24 Feb 1806 in Duplin County, North Carolina. Isabella was born about 1790; died after 1830 in Duplin County, North Carolina. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Isabella married George M. MCGOWAN on 18 Nov 1833 in Duplin County, North Carolina. George was born in 1811 in Duplin County, North Carolina. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Robert married Caroline UNKNOWN after 1850 in Duplin County, North Carolina. Caroline was born in 1838; died after 1860 in Duplin County, North Carolina. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]