Oakwood Cemetery

Joshua Houston

 

    Joshua was born in 1822 in Marion, Alabama as a slave of Temple Lea, the father of Sam Houston’s future wife Margaret Lea. When Sam Houston and Margaret Lea married on May 9, 1840 Joshua’s life changed dramatically. Sam Houston had uncommon policies toward slaves and was said to frequently have allowed his slaves to keep a portion of their earnings when they were hired out and even encouraged Joshua to read which was illegal. Joshua learned skilled trades that aided him after emancipation such as blacksmithing and construction when he helped build Sam Houston’s home on Raven Hill.

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    After Juneteenth on June 19, 1865, Joshua adopted his former master’s last name and began work on improving the opportunities available for newly freed slaves. In religious affairs Joshua helped in the formation of the first black church in Huntsville, the Union Church which provided education as well as religious services. The Baptist members of Union Church including Joshua created the First Baptist Church in 1869 where Joshua served as a deacon. Joshua Houston’s political career began when Governor E.M. Pease appointed Joshua city alderman for Huntsville in 1867 and was reelected in 1870. Joshua Houston also was elected county commissioner in 1878 and 1882. In 1888 Joshua was elected as a delegate to the National Republican Convention in Austin. Joshua Houston’s passion for education led him to aiding the founding of the Bishop Ward Normal and Collegiate Institute in 1883. The college was short lived but represented Joshua’s dedication to provide opportunities for African-Americans in Walker County.

 

   Joshua Houston was a devoted father and husband throughout his life. Joshua had been married to a slave named Anneliza who provided him with a son Joe and two daughters Lucy and Julie. Mary Green bore him a daughter Ellen and a son Joshua Jr. Sylvester Baker gave him a son Samuel Walker and a daughter Minnie. Joshua Houston died on January 8, 1902 at the age of eighty and left behind a legacy of civic service.