Antoinette Power Houston Bringhurst facts for kids
Antoinette "Nettie" Power Houston Bringhurst (1852–1932) was a talented poet from Texas. She was the youngest daughter of Sam Houston, a very important leader in Texas history, and his third wife, Margaret Lea Houston. Nettie was born at her family's home called Woodland, near Huntsville, Texas.
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A Famous Family's Daughter
As a child, Nettie lived in the Texas Governor's Mansion. This was when her father served as the Governor of Texas. Her youngest brother, Temple Lea Houston, was also born there. Nettie received a good education. She studied at Baylor Female College in Independence, Texas. She also attended Austin Female College in Huntsville.
Life After Her Father
Nettie's father, Sam Houston, passed away in 1863. Years later, on February 28, 1876, Nettie returned to the Texas Governor's Mansion. This time, it was for her wedding! She married William L. Bringhurst. He was a professor at Texas Military Institute in Austin. Later, he taught at the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas (now Texas A&M University).
Governor Richard B. Hubbard stood in for Nettie's father at the wedding. William Bringhurst had served in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War. He was even a prisoner of war in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Nettie's Family Life
Nettie and William had five children together. Their names were Sam Houston Bringhurst (born 1874), Charles Raguet Bringhurst (1880–1882), William Stuart Bringhurst (born 1885), Nettie Houston Bringhurst (1887–1935), and Anna Katherine Bringhurst (1890–1895). Sadly, only their daughter Nettie lived to be an adult.
Antoinette's Poetic Talents
Antoinette loved poetry from a young age. She was also very good at writing it. Her poems were published in famous magazines like Scribner's. Her work also appeared in the New York Evening Post.
In 1904, she won first prize from Bohemian magazine. This was for the best poem about the Alamo.
Honored for Her Work
From 1906 to 1908, Nettie was the state historian for the Daughters of the Republic of Texas. This group honored her greatly. They named her "Poet Laureate for Life." This means she was recognized as their official poet forever.
Some of her well-known poems include:
- "The Lone Star Flag of Texas"
- "A Garnered Memory"
- "My Father's Picture"
- "The Veterans' Reunion"
Remembering Her Father
In 1925, Nettie and her granddaughter, also named Nettie, unveiled a special monument. This was the Sam Houston Monument at Hermann Park in Houston. It was a way to honor her famous father.
Antoinette died on December 5, 1932, after a car accident. Her funeral services were held at the Alamo. She was buried in Mission Burial Park South in San Antonio.
