No attempt has been made to compile the roll of gallant men of the Revolution on the female side of the Houston line. These no doubt would be equal in numbers and in heroic service to those who bear the Houston name. Probably the most distinguished of these was Gen. Richard Montgomery, descendant of a daughter of one of the Houston barons who married Sir Hugh Montgomery of Hessliheid back in the 16th century. (See Chapter 14.)

Born in Ireland in 1736, Richard Montgomery’s first trip to America was with British soldiers fighting the French in "King George’s War" 1745-48. Through distinguished service in America and elsewhere, he rose to the rank of captain in the British Army. After resigning. his commission, he emigrated to America in 1773, and when war broke out, cast his lot with the American patriots. He became a very popular figure after leading the American Army in the capture of Montreal. However, at the beginning of the assault on Quebec, leading his troops, he was mortally wounded and died in British hands. His death was mourned in America, and even in England, where Edmund Burke rose in Parliament to praise the skill and bravery of Gen. Richard Montgomery, the American hero.

An interesting sidelight is that Capt. Aaron Burr, who later was to become vice president of the United States and one of the controversial figures in early American politics, was on Montgomery’s staff and dragged the wounded general back from the British lines. However, the British captured the house to which Montgomery was taken before he died.

The "Index of Revolutionary War Pension Applications," compiled by the National Genealogical Society, Washington, D. C., lists the following Houstons and Hustons, some of whom already have been listed in preceding sketches:

Archibald Houston, served in North Carolina, born in Penn., pension application made by widow, Rosanna.

David Houston, served in Massachusetts, application by widow, Martha.