Horton

Researched and Compiled by:  Evelyn Vogt Horton
1985

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Horton, Page 2

John D. Horton 1814 - 1881                                             State Senator Amos Horton (born 9/16/1847 died 8/29/1918) with granddaughter Sally Horton Lay (born 1904) and his daughter
                                                                                           Marcia Horton Speir (born 1904).  Later Marcia Horton Speir willed most of her land to the Presbyterian
                                                                                           Church at Pleasant Ridge, AL

Before yet another generation is gone, it is time to tell the story of the Horton family.  During Sherman's dread "March to the Sea", his army destroyed most of the public records found in the Court House of the old Camden District of South Carolina, where the last proven ancestor, John Elvin Horton, was born in 1804, rendering it impossible to prove parentage for Elvin.

The Horton family came to this area of South Carolina in Colonial times from the tidewater area of Virginia where they had lived since the 1600's.

Amos Horton and his wife, Sarah, along with several sons, made the journey through North Carolina and finally settled in the Camden District of South Carolina, before the Revolution.  They were given much land by the King of England and settled in to stay.  Amos Horton's family all fought in the American Revolution, the older ones furnishing supplies, such as, wagons, teams, fodder, and food, and the younger one fought actively with Colonels Pinkney, Rutherford and General Francis Marion.

It is from this family of Patriots and John Elvin descends.  He reached manhood and witnessed the sale of property of one of his kinsmen, Claiborn Horton, in 1822, when that family sold their South Carolina land to migrate to greener pastures in middle Tennessee.

Family tradition says, Elvin, along with his sister, Amelia, "Milly Horton, who was born 1797, and her husband John Lockert Love, left the area for Pickens County, Alabama in 1825.  Several families made the journey together, where some of the men had received land for their service in the War of 1812.   Milly's husband, John, was in the 13th South Carolina Infantry, and was one of those who fought in the war but he died of his wounds before he could locate on his land.  The Goings, Hughes, Loves and Bradfords were some of the early settlers making the trip together to Pickens County.  Because of the loss of public records, Milly is the only one of Elvin's brothers and sisters who has been identified.

Elvin fell in love with Ann Bradford, daughter of Samuel, who was in the war of 1812.  It is not clear where they married for Elvin seems to have returned to Kershaw County, South Carolina, where in the year 1829, he bought 250 acres of land belonging to Hollis and his wife, Molcey Horton, at a Sheriff sale.   

In the year 1840, Elvin is found on the Federal Population Census in Pickens County, Alabama as follows:

      Males                                                                       Females
       2 under five years old                                             1 under 5 years old
       1 5 to 10 years old                                                  1 5 to 10 years old
       1 30 to 40 years old                                                1 20 to 30 years old
       1 male slave

Elvin was working in agriculture.

It is noted in the 1850 Federal Population Census, which follows, that the first two children  were born in South Carolina in 1832 and 1834, with the next child born in Alabama in 1830, indicating that the family returned to Pickens County, Alabama between the years 1834 and 1836.

In the 1850 census, Elvin is found on the Pickens County, Alabama Population Census as follows:

Head of Household

Elvin Horton, age 45, farmer, worth $560.00, born in South Carolina (1804)

Ann, age 38, wife, keeping house, born South Carolina (1811)

Children:

1.  John, age 18, farmer, born South Carolina (1821)
2.  Margaret Tabitha, age 16, born South Carolina (3 September 1834)
3.  Sarah Louise, age 14, born Alabama (1836)
4.  Samuel Henry, age 12, born Alabama (1838)
5.  James Wiley, age 10, born Alabama (1840)
6.  Thomas Irvin, age 8, born Alabama (1 July 1842)
7.  Alfred Marion, age 6, born Alabama (2 June 1844)
8.  Martha, age 4, born Alabama (29 June 1844)
9.  George, age 2, born Alabama (1848)
10.  Mary, infant, born Alabama (16 May 1850)

In the records of the Tuscaloosa Public Land Office on 7 September 1836, Elvin received the following:

Certificte No. 20552 and No. 20553, found in Tract
Book 341:  The SW 1/4 of NW 1/4 Section 34, Tenant
 21, Range 13 W, 159 and 89/100 acres, and E 1/2 of
NW 1/4 and SW 1/4 of NW 1/4, Section 34,  Tenant 21,
 Range 13W, and 119 85/100 acres.

Again on 23 November 1854, Elvin received the following:

Certiicate No. 30608, W 1/2 of NE 1/4 and W 1/2 of SE 1/4,
Section 34, Tenant 21, R 13 W, containing 159 85/100 acres

His farm consisting of about 440 acres of land.

In 1968, Elvin's great grandson, Arthur Marion Horton, made a journey to Pickens County, Alabama trying to locate the Horton family land.  It was learned, at that time, from an interview with Mr. J. Beverly Daniels, who was 93 years of age, that the areas in which  the Horton home place was located is completely void of population.  The land is not owned by the Gulf States Paper Company and being solid wilderness.  Mr. Daniels remembered and knew, great Uncle Thomas, grandfather Alfred's brother.  Thomas had a cotton gin and grist mill along Box Creek of Sipsey River.

We hunted along the Old Ridge Road for the Horton Cemetery to no avail.  Mr. Buddy Pate was sure it was located there. Mr. Daniel's son guided us as there was no roads, just plowered fire breakis.  We recalled walking over the old Horton place when a young man, squirrel hunting, and seeing the name HORTON carved on a tree.  the house and out buildings were still standing at that time (about 1930's).  He also recalled passing several graves on the old home place.

In the 1850 Pickens County Agricultural Census, found in the official record book in the Archives and History Building in Montgomery,Alabama, located in May 1975 by Evelyn Horton:

Southern Division of Pickens County, Post Office of Raleigh, 2 1850:

No. 32:  Elvin Horton 40 acres of improved land, 240 acres of unimproved land, $1000.00 valuation of farm, $20.00 value of farm implements and machinery:  3 horses; 6 milk cows; 13 other cattle; 30 sheep; 33 swine; $400.00 valuation of live stock.  2 bushels wheat, 150 bushels indian corn; 2 bales ginned cotton - 400 pounds per bale; 4 pounds of wool; 5 bushels peas and beans; 5 bushels sweet potatoes; 12 pounds butter, $15.00 value of homemade manufacture; $30.00 value of slaughtered animals.

No. 41: Elvin's sister, Amelia Love, on 14 October 1850 had 40 acres of improved land - farm value $150.00; $5.00 value of farm implements and machinery; 1 horse; 3 milk cows; 2 working oxen; 3 other cattle; 20 swine - $150.00 value of live stock; 16 bushels wheat; 2 bushels rye; 200 bushels indian corn; 2 bales ginned cotton - 400 pounds per bale; 2 pounds wool; 2 bushels peas and beans; 2 bushels irish potatoes; 100 bushels sweet potatoes.

On the 1860 Pickens County, Alabama Population Census, Enumerated 1st August, Raleigh Post Office, Elvin is found as follows:

Head of Household

Elvin Horton, age 56, farmer, Personal Estate value $1000.00, Real Estate Value $1000.00, born South Carolina.

Ann M., age 49, wife, keeping house, born South Carolina

Children:

1.  Son John is not in the household.
2.  Margaret Tabitha, age 25
3.  Sarah Louise is not in the household
4.  Samuel Henry, age 23, overseer
5.  James Wiley, age 20, farmer
6.  Thomas Irvin, age 18 farmer
7.  Alfred Marion, age 16, farmer
8.  Martha M., age 14, student
9.  George, age 11, student
10.  Mary Ann, age 10 student

In John F. Clanahan's "History of Pickens County, Alabama"; and the book "Annuals of Northwest Alabama" by Elliot; and N. F. Smith's "History of Pickens County", it was recorded that Elvin Horton was the School Tax Collector for the County. 

In May 1975, Evelyn Horton abstracted the few existing newspapers of the county found in the Civil archives in Montgomery, from the "Pickens Republican", Carrollton, Alabama, Volume 16, No. 4, 26 January 1860.

List of tax receipts, etc. for the county in Treasury - received from Elvin Horton, Tax Collector for 1856, $211.73.

In short order, this family was to be torn apart by the Civil War.  Five of Elvin's sons, out of the six, were to go off to war.  Only the oldest son, John, did not go as he was needed at home as an overseer.  Of these five, only two survived, grandfather, Alfred Marion, and his older brother, Thomas Irvin. 

The records of the five brothers that served in the Civil War are as follows:

1.  Samuel Henry served in Company D of the 8th Alabama Regiment Cavalry, "Mccaa Rangers", were mustered into service on 14 November 1861.  The exploits of this group of Pickens County can be found in the history of General Joseph Wheeler, greatest cavalry general who ever carried a sword.  they especially distinguished themselves in the Battle of Shiloh and other campaigns in Tennessee and northern Georgia.  Great Uncle Samuel Henry was killed in one of these battles.

From the "Confederate Military History" by  Evans, Extracts from Official War Records: They were ordered by General Polk from Tuscaloosa, March 1864 on a scouting expedition to the northern part of Alabama.  They are mentioned in General Rousseau's report of fighting at Ten Mile Island, Tennessee, August 1864.  In his report of 24 June 1864, General Pillow reported engagements at Lafayette, Georgia, where the 8th cavalry Regiment book part. 

They were in thirty six battles in 1863 and well as many in 1864.

For many years, Granny Horton kept Uncle H's cavalry hat and gloves in her trunk as she was betrothed to him before he went off to war and was killed.

2.  The next youngest son, James Wiley was in Company B, 40th Alabama Infantry.  From the National Archives in Washington, D.C.

He  appears on a company Muster Roll, 1 July 1 - 31 October 1862 and showing he enlisted 13 March 1862 in Pickens County, Alabama for three years.  He was last paid 30 June 1862 by Captain McVay; he was absent, sick at home November 1862; he was still absent, sick at home March and April 1863; he was present and paid last 31 December 1862 by Captain Lake.  For 1 July to 31 December 1863 he was present and last paid by Captain Lake 30 April 1863.  He appeared on a Roll of Prisoners of War, parolled at Vicksburg, Mississippi, captured 4 July 1863.  He appears on a receipt roll for clothing 16 February 1863 and again 10 March 1864, and again 26 June 1864, again 22 April, and 22 June 1864 on a roll for clothing. 

In the "Alabama Historical Quarterly", Volume 17, 1955 appears:

Roll Company B, 40th Alabama Regiment CSA, the company known as "Pickens Planters" was organized 16 March 1862 at Speeds Mills, Pickens County, Alaama.  J. Wiley Horton was 2nd Corporal.

In the same publication is a published diary kept by John H. Curry, a member of James Wiley's Company.  He reported in his diary on 9 December 1863 that J. W. Horton, who had been sick at home returned to his command.  On 19 March 1865, Battle of Bentonville (North Carolina) was fought in which Confederates were victorious.  A considerable portion of the day, our men were wading water from knee to hip deep.  Captain James A. Latham was killed and his body left on ground occupies by the Federals.  Our lines changed position during the battle leaving the body behind.  David Morrow, Wiley Horton, Thomas Cameron and Sasdine Hildreth were wounded.  David Morrow died in an ambulance while being carried to field hospital.  Wiley Horton had his leg amputated and died in hospital at Charlotte.

"Confederate Military History", Volume XII, Edited by General Clement A. Evans of Georgia, Published 1899:

The 40th Alabama Regiment was organized at Mobile in May 1862.  It went to Vicksburg, Mississippi by way of Columbus, Mississippi and was brigaded with the 37th and 42nd under General Moore; was in Featherstons command in the Steeles Bayou Expedition, March 16-22; was transferred to Bragg's army and appears to have served in detachment as sharpshooters for the greater part of the time of its service.  At Vicksburg, it suffered severally, and a large portion was captured. Being parolled, it joined its command in Tennessee in time to take part in the Battle of Chickamauga, September 18-19, when it lost heavily; next fighting at Lookout Mountain November 24th and at Missionary Ridge, November 25th.  General Alpheus Baker became its brigadier and it wintered in Dalton. It took a prominent part in the Atlanta Campaign.  At Rocky face, May 9 & 10, 1864.  Resaca, May 14 and 15 and at New Hope Church, May 25th, making gallant charges and earning a fine record.  In mid summer 1864, the brigade was transferred to Mobile, and under General Maury, took part in the defense of Mobile, but Hood, who knew well the gallantry of these troops, clamored for their return,  and in January 1865, they were sent back to the Army of Tennessee and after skirmishing and fighting, last of all at Bentonville, North Carolina, March 18th.  The regiment consolidated with the 19th and 46th, was surrendered at Yadkin Bridge, where they were performing picket duty.

3.  Thomas Irvin Horton enlisted in Company C, 24th Alabama regiment, Infantry, in Mobile, Alabama on 8 November 1861 for twelve months service by Captain Ketchem.

From National Archives Records:

He was sick and in interior hospital, June 1862, paid last October 31, ;1862 by Lt. Cuthbert.  On Muster Roll November and December 1862, paid last 31 December 1862.  On Muster Roll January and February 1863.  He was parolled at Greensboro, North Carolina, 1 May 1865.

4. Grandfather, Alfred Marion Horton was in the 24th Alabama Infantry, as was his brother, Thomas Irvin, both in Company C.

In the Magazine "Confederate Veteran", Volume XVIII, February 1910, Number 2:

Concerning the flag of the 24th Alabama Infantry, W. N. Coleman of Allen, Alabama, writes that the flag of the 24th Alabama Regiment was lost at Chickamauga in the first charge on Sunday morning, the color bearer deserting and carrying the flag to the enemy.  It was the flag that Captain Oliver's wife presented to the regiment. Commander Coleman does not remember the name of the deserter, who it is asserted, did the disgraceful thing of carrying the flag to the enemy.  Let us hope that the ensigne was captured.  It is hard to believe that a Confederate soldier, honored as he was, would do such a thing. 

Taken from the James F. Clanahan's "History of Pickens County":

The Pickens County "Dixie Boys" were first mustered into Confederate service at Navy Cove one and one half miles east of Fort Morgan, Alabama.  After twelve months, in April 1862, the company was reorganized in the Hitchcock warehouse in Mobile, Alabama.  After the reorganization, N. N. Davis was reelected Captain.  Privates listed in the 24th Alabama Regiment were A.M. Horton - Thomas I. Horton.

From "Confederate Military History":

The 24th Alabama Regiment was organized at Mobile, Alabama, August 1861.  In April 1862, it was ordered to Corinth and was under fire at Farmington 9th of May and Blackland the 4th of June 1862.  It was in the Kentucky Campaign but did not become engaged, lost heavily at Murfreesboro and was distinguished at Chickamauga, when it lost over thirty percent of its number and at Missionary Ridge it was with Johnston in the Campaign of 64 and fought in most battles from Dalton to Jonesboro.  It was at Columbia, Tennessee 29 November, at Franklin 30 November and at Nashville, December 15 & 16.

From National Archives Records: Confederate Records

In Regimental Return, 10 June 1862, near Tupelo, Mississippi, A. M. Horton was transferred to Captain Meyers Sharpshooters.

He appears o a company Muster Roll for 2nd Rattalion Georgia Sharpshooters, Captain Mayers Company on 12 June 1862.  He is absent at hospital in Gainsville, Georgia.  On a company Muster Roll November and December 1862 he was present.  January and February 1863 present, paid last December 31, 1862.

Companies A, B and C of the 2nd Battalion Georgia Sharpshooters were formed by the transfer of Companies M, L. and N.  respectively, of the 5th Regiment Georgia Infantry and Company D.  of the battalion was formed by the transfer of men from various organizations. 

He appears in Company D, Battalion sharpshooters April through December 1863.  In June 1863, he drew $20.83 for clothes not drawn.  January through July 1864, he is present on company Muster Rolls.  In August 1864, he was reported, absent, sick at hospital.

A. M. Horton appears on a Roll of Prisoner of War dated June 30, 1865, Gainesville, Alabama, parolled, surrended at Citronella, Alabama.

From the book "Reminisences of the Boys in Gray 1861 - 1865", compiled by Mis Maimie Yearby, McGregor, Texas 1912:

Granny Horton reported: Alfred M. Horton (deceased), Athens, Texas, born near Pleasant Grove, Alabama, 2 June 1844.  Enlisted in Confederate Army 1861 at Carrollton, Alabama as private in Company C, 24th Alabama Infantry, Army of Tennessee.  His first Captain was McCracken and first Colonel Davis.  Two men from each company were detailed as sharpshooters and placed under CaptainMeyers.  They were supposed to be the best marksmen in the regiment.  He was one of this number.  At Franklin,  Tennessee, he was wounded in the wrist and thigh; the ball ranging around the bone but not coming out.  this was the cause of continual inflamation.  Was in the Battle of Shiloh, Iuka, Chickamauga, Seige of Atlanta, battle.  Died 5 June 1908.  Franklin, Tennessee was the last engagement in which my husband book part.  He was wounded and left the field.  Soon after, he began his trip home without sufficient clothing in the cold of winter, and while his wounds had not yet healed, he started back to his command, but the Yankees cut him off both times.  (The above was given by Mrs. Horton).

5.  George H. Horton, the youngest son of Elvin.

From Clanahans "History of Pickens County":

George was in the "Pickensville Blues".  This company was originally mustered into service for twelve months.  May 6, 1861 was the day for the company to answer muster roll at Pickensville. 

With the river boat "Marengo" tied up and boys preparing to board her, a memorial event took place.  Captain Ferguson was requested to have the men lined up.  This done, they were approached by Mr. James Nance, one of Pickens County's earliest settlers.  To each man he gave a one dollar gold piece, then turned to his carriage ad called two negro slaves to him and in the presence of the company, boat crew, and large crowd, he presented them to the company, to serve them as cooks and waiters.  Their value was $1500.00 each.

After the company reached Mobile, Alabama, they were ordered to Pensacola and there organized into the 5th Alabama Regiment, and sent to serve with the army in Northern Virginia.  These men were at Gettysburg on July 1st, 2nd and 3rd, 1863 when the Confederate troops probably reached the highest point of the Confederacy.  All historians have read of Pickett's daring courage and knew of the bravery shown by Lee's army.

The following is found in the National Archives:

Great Uncle George H. Horton enlisted 20 April 1861 at Pickensville, Alabama by S. N. Ferguson for a period of one Army of northern Virginia.  He appears on company Muster Roll as Private, dated 13 May to 30 June, 1861, present.  Company Muster Roll July and August 1861, last paid by J. D. Webb to 1 July 1861, was absent sick at Union Mills, Virginia.

Appears on register of CSA General Hospital, Charlottesville, Virginia, 12 August 1861.

Appears on a list of men at General Hospital at Charlottesville, Virginia, 12 September 1861.

No accounting for October 1861.

Company Muster Roll for November and December 1861 - Present.  Appears on a register of Chimborazo Hospital No. 5, Richmond, Virginia.  Disease, diarrhea.  Admitted 3 May 1862, transferred to Lynchburg, 22 May, also appears on a register of Chimborazo Hospital No. 5, May 22nd.  Remarks:  transferred to Lynchburg.  Appears on a register of General Hospital, Farmersville, Virginia, Compliant:  diarrhea, admitted 23 May 1862.  Returned to duty 27 May 1862.

Horton, Page 2