17. Lawson⁴ Henderson (James³, William², Thomas¹) was born March 22, 1774. Lawson died 21 Nov 1843 at 69 years of age.

He married Elizabeth Carruth in Tryon, Lincoln Co., NC, July 20, 1798. Elizabeth became the mother of Sen. James Pinckney Henderson in Lincolnton, Lincoln Co., NC, March 31, 1808. Elizabeth became the mother of Logan Henderson about 1819.

At 34 years of age Lawson became the father of Sen. James Pinckney Henderson in Lincolnton, Lincoln Co., NC, March 31, 1808. Lawson became the father of Logan Henderson about 1819. OCCU Sheriff of Lincoln Co, NC 1786-1801 EDUC 1807 Clerk of Superior Court resigned 1837 One time sheriff of Lincoln Co, and clerk , Superior Court, 1807-1835. Father of Gen. James Pinckney Henderson who figured notably in the early history of Texas.

Lawson Henderson and Elizabeth Carruth had the following children:

25 i. Charles Cotesworth⁵ Henderson (living status unknown).

26 ii. Wallace Alexander Irvin Henderson (living status unknown).

27 iii. Sen. James Pinckney Henderson was born in Lincolnton, Lincoln Co., NC March 31, 1808. James died June 4, 1858 in Washington, DC, at 50 years of age. His body was interred after June 4, 1858 in Washington, D.C., Congressional Cemetery. He married Frances E. Cox in London, England, October, 1839. Frances was born in Philadelphia, PA July 21, 1820. Frances was the daughter of John Cox and Martha Lyman. Frances died January 25, 1897 in East Orange, NJ, at 76 years of age. Her body was interred after January 25, 1897 in East Orange, NJ, Rosedale Cemetery.

James was elected November, 1845. James was elected in Austin, TX, November 9, 1857. EDUC later Gov of Texas; desc of Nathaniel Sr Henderson RELI admitted bar 1829; practiced in NC for a time Mov 1835 to Canton, Miss Arrived in Texas with Memucan Hunt just after Battle San Jacinto. He was commisioned as Brig General and he raised a company in North Carolina for Texas. Returned to be appoonted attorney General of the Republic. In Nv he was secretary of state and served until 1837, when President Houston made hime diplomatic agent of Texas to England and France. In 1838, he went to France from England after commercial trade agreement where he also made a similar agrrement. In France a treaty of Recognition was signed Sept 25, 1839 in France. In Paris Henderson met Frances E. Cox dau of John Cox and married here in London Oct 1839. Henderson returned to Texas in 1840 settling at San Antonio. In 1844 appointed special envoy to the United States. Later he was first Governor of Texas, 1845. For gallantry Congress voted him a sword.

James Pinckney Henderson, statesman, soldier, and first governor of the state of Texas, the son of Lawson and Elizabeth (Carruth) Henderson, was born in Lincolnton, North Carolina, on March 31, 1808. He attended Lincoln Academy and the University of North Carolina, studied law, and was admitted to the bar in 1829. After serving as aide-de-camp and major in the North Carolina militia in 1830, he was elected colonel of a regiment. He moved to Canton, Mississippi, in 1835, became interested in news of the Texas Revolution, and began enlistments for the Texas service. He arrived at Velasco, Texas, on June 3, 1836, and was commissioned by David G. Burnet as brigadier general and sent to the United States to recruit for the Texas army. Henderson organized a company in North Carolina and sent it to Texas, reputedly at his own expense. Upon his return to Texas in November 1836, he was appointed attorney general of the republic under Sam Houston and in December 1836 succeeded Stephen F. Austin as secretary of state.

Early in 1837 Henderson was appointed Texas minister to England and France and was commissioned particularly to secure recognition and treaties of amity and commerce. Largely through his efforts both England and France entered into trade agreements with the republic and ultimately recognized Texas independence. While in France, Henderson met Frances Cox of Philadelphia, whom he married in London in October 1839. He returned to Texas in 1840 and set up a law office at San Augustine. In 1844 he was sent to Washington, D.C., to work with Isaac Van Zandt in negotiating a treaty of annexation with the United States. The treaty was signed on April 12, 1844, but was rejected by the United States Senate on June 8, 1844, and Henderson, over his protest, was ordered home by President Houston.

Henderson was a member of the Convention of 1845, was elected governor of Texas in November 1845, and took office in February 1846. With the declaration of the Mexican War and the organization of Texas volunteers, the governor asked permission of the legislature to take personal command of the troops in the field. He led the Second Texas Regiment at the battle of Monterrey and was appointed a commissioner to negotiate for the surrender of that city. Later he served with the temporary rank of major general of Texas volunteers in United States service from July 1846 to October 1846. After the war he resumed his duties as governor but refused to run for a second term. He returned to his private law practice in 1847. After election by the Texas legislature to the United States Senate to succeed Thomas J. Rusk, Henderson served in the Senate from November 9, 1857, until his death, on June 4, 1858. He was buried in the Congressional Cemetery, Washington. In 1930 his remains were reinterred in the State Cemetery in Austin. Henderson County, established in 1846, was named in his honor.

28 iv. Logan Henderson was born about 1819. Logan died about 1838. He resided in Rutherford Co., NC 1837.

Send email to preparer: Bob@TennKin.com

Return to Table of Contents or Index

Go to Next Page

Go to Previous Page