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"Joseph Horton was born in Hartford England in 1759 and came to America after the commencement of the American Revolution. He came over in 1776 on a ship called the Potomac and landed at Fortress Monroe. He settled in Virginia and served with the Virginia troops in the Revolution. His family were all born in Virginia. The family name of his first wife is not definitely known. Some of the older members of the family think she was a Huges (Nancy Huges). People of that name have claimed relationship with the family. Why an Englishman should come to America after the beginning of a revolt and take sides against England, is difficult to account for. But, no doubt, many other men did the same. The English people generally sympathized with the American cause.

There is a story that comes down through the family, with good reason for its belief, that Joseph Horton had a brother in the British army in America and that in one of the skirmishes they met face to face on the battlefield. They did not fire on each other but contented themselves with a battle of words. Another story says that he (Joseph) had a brother who was impressed into service by the British to help bring a ship to America. This could have been Joseph himself and might account for his entry into the American service.

He had two or three brothers who came to America at about the same time and probably settled in Baltimore and New York. He is reported as saying that he never heard from any of his brothers after they came to America."

Joseph Horton served in the Revolutionary War 1779-1783:
Enlisted in 1779 (at the age of 20) and served 2 months as a private under Captain James Tate & Major George Marford of Virginia.
Re-enlisted in March of 1781 serving under Captain Alexander Telford & Colonel Samuel McDowell and was taken prisoner at the "Battle of Guilford". He escaped and returned home July 8, 1781.
He re-enlisted in July 1781 and then served another 20 days of service under Captain Samuel McCutcheon & Colonel Bowyers, and served in the "Battle of Hot Water."

He enlisted in the spring of 1782 and served another 17 months under Captain Lebrun and under Colonel Armand.
Date of application for service pension was September 18, 1832. It was approved: W7777.

Excerpts from a loose-leave book on the family history called "Joseph Horton History":

Picture and text courtesy of Marta Hurst Horton reseacher.

She can be reached at: marthurst@hotmail.com

HORTON