First Ladies and Gentlemen of Texas facts for kids

The first ladies and gentlemen of Texas are the spouses of the leaders of Texas. This includes both the time when Texas was its own country (the Republic of Texas) and after it joined the United States as a state. These people have been very different, each bringing their own personality and skills to the role.

For over 75 years, the first spouse's job has been shaped by what each person did and how they saw their role. Some really enjoyed being in this position and used the chance to help Texas history. Others were not as keen on the public spotlight.

Margaret Lea Houston is often called the first true First Lady of Texas. Before her husband, Sam Houston, became the official first president, Hannah Estey Burnet's husband, David G. Burnet, was the temporary president. During Sam Houston's first term, he was not married. The next president, Mirabeau B. Lamar, was a widower. Margaret campaigned with her husband when he ran for president a second time. She even rode in the presidential parade, even though she didn't like politics much. There was no official home for the president's family back then. The Houstons lived in their own homes. Margaret didn't have anyone to look up to for this role. She saw herself as a homemaker, focused on her family's health, happiness, and religious education. When Sam Houston became Governor of Texas, she became very private. She would only let her own family visit her at the Governor's Mansion. Interestingly, Margaret Lea Houston's great-great-granddaughter, Jean Houston Baldwin Daniel, also became a First Lady of Texas from 1957 to 1963.

Frances Cox Henderson, who was married to the state's first governor, James Pinckney Henderson, was very outgoing. She supported women's right to vote (called suffrage back then). She was also very good at languages and translated books before she met her husband.

Texas has only had one "first gentleman." This was James E. Ferguson. He was governor first but had to leave office in 1917. Later, his wife, Miriam A. Ferguson, became governor for two terms. When she was governor, James Ferguson became the state's only first gentleman.

Mildred Paxton Moody was a newspaper writer and a professor before she married Dan Moody. After being a first lady, she used her influence to help create the Board of Mansion Supervisors. This group helps manage the money for keeping up the official Governor's Mansion. Rita Crocker Clements not only helped fix up the Governor's Mansion but was also very active in politics for many years before marrying Bill Clements. Another former first lady, Anita Thigpen Perry, was a nurse. Two nursing education programs are named after her.

Leaders of Texas: Their Spouses

The people married to Texas's leaders have played an important part in the state's history. They supported their spouses and often worked on their own projects.

Spouses During the Republic of Texas

When Texas was its own country, the spouses of its presidents were called "First Ladies." Here are some of them:

• Hannah Burnet (1800–1858): She was the wife of David G. Burnet, who was the temporary president of the Republic of Texas from March to October 1836.
• Margaret Lea Houston (1819–1867): She was the wife of Sam Houston during his second term as president, from 1841 to 1844. She later became First Lady of the State of Texas when he was governor.
• Mary Smith Jones (1819–1907): She was the wife of Anson Jones, the last president of the Republic of Texas, from 1844 to 1846.

Spouses During the State of Texas

After Texas joined the United States, the spouses of the governors became known as "First Ladies" or "First Gentlemen." This role often involves hosting events and supporting causes.

Early State First Ladies

• Frances Cox Henderson (1820–1897): She was the first First Lady of the State of Texas, married to Governor James Pinckney Henderson (1846–1847). She was known for supporting women's rights.
• Lucadia Christiana Niles Pease (1813–1905): She was First Lady twice, married to Governor Elisha M. Pease (1853–1857 and 1867–1869).
• Margaret Lea Houston (1819–1867): She served again as First Lady when her husband, Sam Houston, became governor from 1859 to 1861.

Notable 20th Century First Ladies and Gentlemen

• Miriam A. Ferguson (1875–1961): She was First Lady from 1915 to 1917. Later, she became the first woman governor of Texas, serving two terms (1925–1927 and 1933–1935).
• James E. Ferguson (1871–1944): He was the only First Gentleman of Texas, serving when his wife, Miriam A. Ferguson, was governor (1925–1927 and 1933–1935).
• Mildred Paxton Moody (1897–1983): She was First Lady from 1927 to 1931. She helped create a board to manage the Governor's Mansion.
• Nellie Connally (1919–2006): She was First Lady from 1963 to 1969, married to Governor John Connally.
• Rita Crocker Clements (1931–2018): She was First Lady twice, married to Governor Bill Clements (1979–1983 and 1987–1991). She helped restore the Governor's Mansion.

Recent First Ladies

• Laura Bush (b. 1946): She was First Lady from 1995 to 2000, married to Governor George W. Bush. She later became the First Lady of the United States.
• Anita Thigpen Perry (b. 1952): She was First Lady from 2000 to 2015, married to Governor Rick Perry. She is known for her background in nursing.
• Cecilia Phalen Abbott (b. 1960): She is the current First Lady of Texas, married to Governor Greg Abbott, starting in 2015.

Images for kids

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  Margaret Lea Houston

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  Frances Cox Henderson

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  Sarah Ann Stinson Hogg

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  Sallie Harrison Culberson

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  Orline Walton Sayers

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  Sarah Beona Meng Lanham

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  Fannie Bruner Campbell

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  Alice Murrell Colquitt

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  Miriam A. Ferguson

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  Willie Cooper Hobby

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  James E. Ferguson

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  Nellie Connally

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  Rita Crocker Clements

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  Laura Bush

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  Anita Thigpen Perry

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  Cecilia Abbott