Horton Genealogy / or Chronicles of the Descendants of Barnabas Horton, of Southold, L. I., 1640.

My Dear Friend: Your very kind and interesting letter of the 18th inst., came duly to hand some days since. I have often heard it said that the Hortons of this country sprung from two brothers, who emigrated from England at an early day, and that one of them settled in Massachusetts, and the other on Long Island. My ancestor, Stephen Horton, I think, was a descendant of Thomas Horton, who settled in Springfield, Mass., perhaps a son of Thomas. My brother, John Horton, many years since obtained from Dr. Horton, of Hartford, Ct., the genealogy that I send you. There was many years since a Dr. Horton who resided at Springfield, whom my eldest sister visited, and who was a relative of ours. He had a son who was also a doctor in New York City, and also engaged in the grocery and provision business. I think he is dead. I am satisfied that Barnabas Horton was a brother of Thomas.

Stephen Horton settled in West Springfield, Mass. He had two sons, Benjamin and Stephen. Benjamin, born in 1720; died at Brandon, Vermont, 13 Jan., 1803. He left two sons, Gideon and Moses, also a daughter, who married a Mr. Underwood.

Gideon Horton was born in 1744, in West Springfield, Mass.; married Sarah Douglass, great aunt to the Hon. Stephen A. Douglass. He died at Brandon, Vt., 16 Dec., 1801. His sons were Hiram, Gideon, Jr., and John. Hiram, born 5 March, 1764, at West Springfield; married Sarah Drury, 16 June, 1785, at Pittsford, Vt.; moved to Malone, Franklin Co., N. Y., in 1808. He was one of the leading men of the county, holding the office of County Treasurer, and first Judge of the Courts for several years. He died 5 Oct., 1824.

He owned a large quantity of land, also mill-property, and several mercantile stores. He belonged to the Presbyterian Church, and was active and consistent in its duties. He had three sons and seven daughters. Sons were: Harry, John, and Hiram, Jr. (myself), all born in Brandon, Vt. Harry, born 22 July, 1796; died in Constable, N. Y., 22 August, 1840. He was a farmer, a merchant, and a manufacturer of flour and lumber. He belonged to the Congregational Church. He had two children, Hiram Safford Horton (married and settled in Wisconsin, and has a large family), and Delia A. Horton, who married Howard E. King, Esq., merchant at Malone. John, son of Hiram. Sen., born 22 Dec., 1797; died at Madrid, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., 14 Oct., 1859, without issue. He was also a member of the Congregational Church, and followed farming, milling, and lumbering. Hiram, Jr., born 22 April, 1799; resides in Malone, N. Y.; married 20 Jan., 1822, Adaline Wead. Has three children, all born at Malone, N. Y. I. William L. Horton, born 28 Oct., 1822; died 19 Sept., 1861. He was a lawyer; left two children: George F. and Anna M. Horton. II. Adeline Mead Horton, born 21 Jan., 1834; married in Oct., 1864, Myron G. Horton, grandson of Dr. John Horton, who was the son of Gideon Horton, Sen., being her 3d cousin. They reside at Malone, N. Y., and have two children. III. Frederick, born 22 August, 1838, and died 13 April, 1867, childless. I have now named the male members of my branch of the family, and for the family of Gideon Horton Jr., I refer you to Dr. Charles W. Horton, of Brattleborough, Vt., one of his sons, and for the family of Dr. John Horton, I refer you to his son, Dr. Geo. Horton, Winauskie Falls, Vt. The Hortons seem to have been given largely to the medical profession. When your work is accomplished, I shall be glad to have you send me one copy.

Mr. Horton, the writer of the foregoing letter, was a highly-respected member and Elder of the Presbyterian Church of Malone. He died 31 August, 1873. He was a dealer in flour, lumber, and dry-goods, real-estate, and merchandising of various kinds. Mrs. Myron G. Horton, informing me of his death, remarks that she is now (1874) the only one of his children living.

Dear Sir: While at Pomeroy a few weeks since on a visit, my father showed me your letter, requesting information in regard to our descent, and asked me to answer your questions. I am not really in a condition to give you any particular information, for the reason that the notes I once made on the subject, when, in 1864, I graduated at Dana College, are out of my reach. A sketch of our genealogy and history had to be recorded in our "Class Book," and I there broke ground in this to me until then, unattractive field, in obedience to that necessity. The main facts that I recall are, however, these: I did not get very far in tracing my descent. My father, Valentine B. Horton, was the son of Zenas Horton, who was the son of David Horton—David was born near the beginning of the last century; no! in the 2d or 3d decade, and fought in the old French war, and was also a soldier in the Revolution, and was killed at Saratoga. He lived in Braintree, Mass. Zenas Horton moved thence to Windsor, Vt., where my father was born. Beyond David I did not spend labor enough to penetrate; but I was rendered nearly certain, I remember, that he was a grand-son and great-grand-son, respectively, of two certain Thomas Hortons, one of Springfield, and the other of Charlestown, Mass., the elder of whom landed in Dorchester, from the schooner Mary and John, in 1633. Barnabas, of Southold, I remember coming across, but I was obliged, after following that track for some time, to give him up, and settle upon Thomas, the ancestor of David.... I shall be glad to communicate with you further on this subject. My address I have already given at my office (law), as above, and believe most sincerely yours,