Continental Congressman. Houstoun, pronounced HOW-ston, was from a family active in Georgia's royal government. He was educated in England, including studying law at London's Inner Temple. At the start of the Revolution he supported independence, contrary to most of his family. Because Georgia was under British control, Houstoun maintained a low profile during the Revolution, though he may have been involved in unknown clandestine activities around Savannah. He served in the Continental Congress from 1784 to 1786. In 1787 Houstoun was a Delegate to the federal Constitutional Convention. He did not debate actively, largely because he perceived that the convention favored a stronger federal government than he advocated. He opposed the final draft of the new Constitution, was among the 16 Delegates who declined to sign it, and did not advocate for its ratification. Houstoun was one of the original trustees of the University of Georgia. In his later years he divided his time between Savannah and New York City. He was the brother of Governor and Continental Congressman John Houstoun (1744-1796). William Houstoun's wife Mary Bayard (died 1806) was from a prominent New York City family, and they are interred in St. Paul's Chapel, part of the Trinity Church complex. Despite the misspelling, New York City's Houston Street (also HOW-ston), the "Ho" in "SoHo" was named for him.
Continental Congressman. Houstoun, pronounced HOW-ston, was from a family active in Georgia's royal government. He was educated in England, including studying law at London's Inner Temple. At the start of the Revolution he supported independence, contrary to most of his family. Because Georgia was under British control, Houstoun maintained a low profile during the Revolution, though he may have been involved in unknown clandestine activities around Savannah. He served in the Continental Congress from 1784 to 1786. In 1787 Houstoun was a Delegate to the federal Constitutional Convention. He did not debate actively, largely because he perceived that the convention favored a stronger federal government than he advocated. He opposed the final draft of the new Constitution, was among the 16 Delegates who declined to sign it, and did not advocate for its ratification. Houstoun was one of the original trustees of the University of Georgia. In his later years he divided his time between Savannah and New York City. He was the brother of Governor and Continental Congressman John Houstoun (1744-1796). William Houstoun's wife Mary Bayard (died 1806) was from a prominent New York City family, and they are interred in St. Paul's Chapel, part of the Trinity Church complex. Despite the misspelling, New York City's Houston Street (also HOW-ston), the "Ho" in "SoHo" was named for him.
Bio by: Bill McKern
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