Named in the 1794 charter establishing Blount College as one of its first trustees, Robert Houston was appointed by William Blount as the first Sheriff of Knox County. Adhering to the custom of his native South Carolina, he opened County Court sessions with magisterial dignity with a drawn sword. He was also elected to the Tennessee State Senate, and later was elected by the legislature to several terms as secretary of the State of Tennessee. He was appointed Knox County Magistrate by the legislature.