<A HREF="http://www.shsu.edu/~smm_www/History/index.html">Click here: A Chronology of Sam Houston's Life</A> Now I love Sam Houston as much as the next 6th generation Texan, but per his website - 1861 March 4--The State of Texas secedes from the Union on the same day Abraham Lincoln is inaugurated as President of the United States. March 16--Governor Houston refuses to take the oath of allegiance to the Confederate States of America and is deposed as Governor. And "deposed" is not a good way to leave the Governor's office...