Friday, August 17, 2018

52 Ancestors - Week 239: #364 John Horton (1696-1796) of Bristol County, Mass. and Providence County, Rhode Island

John Horton (1696-1796) is #364 on my Ahnentafel List, my 6th great-grandfather, who married #365 Mary Chase (1696-after 1734) in 1719 in Bristol County, Massachusetts.


I am descended through:

*  their son, #182 Nathaniel Horton (1730-1819) who married #183 Sarah Pray (1734-1820)  in about 1755.
*   their daughter #91 Phebe Horton (1772 - after 1820) who married #90 Simon Wade (1767-1857)  in 1790.
*  their daughter #45 Miranda Wade (1804-1850) , who married #44 Jonathan White (1803-1850) in 1824.
*  their son #22 Henry Arnold White (1824-1885) who married #23 Amy Oatley (1826-1864) in 1844.
*  their daughter #11 Julia E. White (1848-1913) who married #10 Thomas Richmond (1848-1917) in 1868.
*  their daughter #5 Alma Bessie Richmond (1882-1962) who married #4 Frederick Walton Seaver (1876-1942) in 1900.
*  their son #2 Frederick Walton Seaver (1911-1983) married #3 Betty Virginia Carringer (1919-2002) in 1942.
*  their son #1 Randall Jeffrey Seaver (1943-living)

=====================================================

1)  PERSON (with source citations as indicated in brackets):


*  Name:                         John Horton[1–9]    

*  Sex:                            Male    

*  Father:                       John Horton (1672-1752)    
*  Mother:                     Mehitable Garnsey (1673-1742)

2)  INDIVIDUAL EVENTS (with source citations as indicated in brackets):

  

*  Birth:                         21 March 1696, Swansea, Bristol, Massachusetts, United States[1-2,8]    


*  Deed:                        13 April 1728 (age 32), sold 30 acres in Rehoboth, Mass. to Jotham Carpenter for 115 pounds; Rehoboth, Bristol, Massachusetts, United States[1,4]    
*  Deed:                        9 March 1733/4 (age 37), sold land on eastern side of Palmer River to John Baker for 56 pounds; Rehoboth, Bristol, Massachusetts, United States[1,5]    
*  Deed:                        13 January 1779 (age 82), sold 60 acres of land in Scituate to Noah Miller for 900 pounds; Scituate, Providence, Rhode Island, United States[1,6]    

*  Death:                      10 January 1796 (age 99), Glocester, Providence, Rhode Island, United States[1,7–9]
*  Burial:                      after 10 January 1796 (after age 99), Jones-Hammon Lot, Foster, Providence, Rhode Island, United States[8]    
*  Probate:                    20 February 1796 (age 99), will proved; Foster, Providence, Rhode Island, United States[9]  

3)  SHARED EVENTS (with source citations as indicated in brackets):

*  Spouse 1.                  Mary Chase (1694-after 1734)    
*  Marriage 1:               9 July 1719 (age 23), Swansea, Bristol, Massachusetts, United States[3]    

*  Child 1:                    Ruth Horton (1720-    )    
*  Child 2:                    Mehitable Horton (1723-1806)    
*  Child 3:                    Mary Horton (1725-1827)    
*  Child 4:                    John Horton (1727-1776)    
*  Child 5:                    Nathaniel Horton (1730-1819)    

*  Spouse 2:                  Elizabeth --?--  (1705- after 1784)    
*  Marriage 2:               after 1733 (after about age 37), probably Rhode Island, United States  

4)  NOTES (with source citations as indicated in brackets):   

Information about the life of John Horton was published in a book:

Margaret R. Jenks and Frank C. Seymour, Thomas Horton of Milton and Rehoboth, Massachusetts (no place, Margaret R. Jenks, 1984)[1].

John Horton was born 21 March 1696 in Swansea, Bristol County, Massachusetts, the fourth child (of seven) of John and Mehitable (Garnsey) Horton of Swansea and Rehoboth[1-2].  

He married Mary Chase on 9 July 1719 in Swansea[3].  Mary was born 15 January 1694/5 in Newbury, Massachusetts, the daughter of Thomas and Rebecca (Follansbee) Chase.  The Chase family moved to Swansea before 1719.

John and Mary (Chase) Horton had five children, all born in Rehoboth, Mass.[1]:

*  Ruth Horton (1720-????), married George Round (1781-1791) in 1738 in Rehoboth, Mass.
*  Mehitable Horton (1723-1806), married Amos Hammond (1734-1813) in 1756 in Rehoboth, Mass.
*  Mary Horton (1725-1827), married 1744 Joseph Round (1720-1791) in 1744 in Rehoboth, Mass.
*  John Horton (1728-1776), married about 1756 Sarah Hicks (1739-????), probably in Rhode Island.
*  Nathaniel Horton (1730-1819), married about 1755 Sarah Pray (1734-1820), probably in Rhode Island.

On 13 April 1728, John Horton Jr. of Rehoboth, yeoman, sold 30 acres of land in Rehoboth to Jotham Carpenter of Rehoboth, yeoman, for 115 pounds[1,4].  The land was in Rehoboth near Manwhague Swamp, bounded west and northerly by the highway. Signed by John Horton and Mary Horton, and was witnessed by Hannah Ganzey and Seth Ganzey.  The deed was recorded 16 October 1761.

On 9 March 1733/4, John Horton Jr. of Rehoboth, husbandman, sold a tract of land in Rehoboth for £56 to John Baker of Rehoboth[1,5].  The land was on the easterly side of Palmer River, and a part of his homestead farm. The deed was signed by John Horton and Mary Horton, and was witnessed by David Horton, Hannah Round, Gershom Wood and Stephen Lee. 

Mary (Chase) Horton died after 9 March 1733/4, when she signed a deed.  Her death date is not known.

John Horton married Elizabeth --?-- at some time after 1734, probably in Rhode Island.

John Horton probably bought land in Scituate, Rhode Island after his parents had died and several children had married in Rehoboth by 1756.  He resided there in 1779.

On 13 January 1779, John Horton, yeoman of Scituate, sold 60 acres of land in Scituate, Rhode Island to Noah Miller for 900 pounds[1,6].  The tract included the dwelling house and outhouses and was located on both sides of a highway, bounded by land of Nathaniel Horton, Joseph Round, Job Randall and George Wescot. John and Elizabeth Horton signed the deed.  Waight Wood and Caleb Arnold witnessed the deed.  The deed was recorded on 15 February 1779.

In about 1779, John Horton may have bought land in and moved to Glocester, Providence County, Rhode Island with his second wife, Elizabeth. 

On 7 April 1784, John Horton, yeoman of Glocester, wrote his last will and testament, which is in the Glocester, Rhode Island Town Council records.  The will says[9]:

"In the Name of God Amen I John Horton of Glocester in the County of Providence & in the State of Rhode Island yeoman being now an ancient Man but of sound mind & Memory (blessed be God) do this Seventh Day of April in the Eighth year of American Independence AD. 1784. Make and Publish this my Last Will and testament in manner following (that is to say)

"Imprimus I Give & bequeath unto Elisabeth My well beloved Wife all her wearing Apparel that she brought with her and what was made for herself since she Married me with all the Household goods she brought with her at the time of our Marriage.  Also I Give her Nine Pounds Lawful silver money to be Raised & Levied out of my Estate all Which I give unto my said Wife in Lieu of her Right of Dower and no otherwise;

"Item I Give to my Beloved Son Nathaniel Horton all My wearing apparel and farming Tools.

"Item I Give unto my three Beloved Daughters namely Ruth Round Mary Round & Mehitabel Hammon all the Remaining Part of my Household Goods that belongs to and Which I had in my said Daughters own Mothers lifetime Equally to be Divided between my said three Daughters.

"Item I Give unto my four Grandsons namely Nathan Hammon son of Amos Hammon John Round son of George Round Moses Round son of Joseph Round & Nathaniel Horton son of Nathaniel Horton the sum of one Pound and ten shillings Lawful [Silver lined out] Money a Piece to be raised out of my Estate.

"And I do hereby Constitute make & ordain William Ross & Jonathan Harris both of said Glocester yeoman my sole Executors of this my Last Will and testament and for the true Performance of this my said Will. I think it Proper that my farm be sold; therefore, I do hereby and Impower my said Executor to sell and give a Deed of sale of all my Homestead Farm Situate in Said Glocester as soon as they Conveniently Can after my Decease and that the Deed so Given by my Executors aforenamed shall be as Good and valid as though I had given a Deed of the same in my life time.  And that my said Executors shall pay all my Just Debts and Charges that shall be due for the Execution of this Will or otherwise, as also the aforesaid Legacies out of my Estate.

"Item I Give unto my beloved Grand Daughter Mary Horton the Daughter and only child of my son John Horton late of Scituate Deceased all my Estate whether Real or Personal that shall Remain after the Paying my Debts and Legacies as aforesaid.  And I hereby order my aforesaid Executors to take Care of all the said remainder of my Estate And after the Sale of my Farm as aforesaid they shall Let out the money to Interest in the Best and safest accountable for the bad Debts for the use of my said Grandaughter Mary Horton and in Six months after her Marriage shall Pay her the aforesaid Legacy and Whether my said Grand Daughter Mary be married or not I order my said Executors to pay to her, her aforesaid Legacy when she shall arrive to the age of twenty one years and in Case she Die unmarried & under that age then her said Legacy to be paid to her Right heirs.

"In Witness Whereof I the said John Horton have hereunto Set my hand & Seal the Day and year first above Written.

"Signed sealed Published & Pronounced
by the said John Horton as and for his
Last Will & Testament in the Presence of us
Who at his Request in his Presence and in
the Presence of each other have subscribed
our names as Witnesses hereto --- John Horton 
John Howland
George Brown
Willard Eddy"

John Horton died 10 January 1796 in Glocester[7-9], according to an article in the United States Chronicle newspaper and included in Volume 15 of the "Rhode Island Vital Records Extracts, 1635-1899" collection on Ancestry.com.  The extract says:

"HORTON John, at Glocester, aged 99 years, 9 months and 20 days, Jan. 10, 1796"

He was buried in the Jones - Hammon lot in Foster, Rhode Island[8].  His rough-hewn gravestone inscription is:

"John Horton
Born 21 March 
AD 1696
Died January 10
AD 1796"

After John Horton's death, the will was proved on 20 February 1796 by the Glocester Town Council[9].  The record says:

"At a Town Council held at Glocester on the 20th day of February AD 1796
this Will presented to this Council by the Executors for Probate and John Howland and George Brown two of the above Witnesses Declared on solemn Engagement that they Saw the testator John Horton Sign and seal this Paper and heard him Declare the same to be his Last Will and testament and that they together with Capt. Willard Eddy in his Presence & in the presence of each other Subscribed their names as Witnesses hereto.  And he then appeared to be of sound mind & memory. Wherefore it is voted and Resolved that this Will be proved approved & hereby is allowed of as a Good and Lawful Will and that the same be Recorded.
Witness Richard Steere Junr, Assist. Court Clk.

Recvd the 20th of February AD 1796 and Recorded per Richard Steere Junr Assist. Court Clerk."

An inventory of the estate of John Horton was taken on 9 February 1796, and was accepted by the Council on 21 May 1796.  The record says:

"A true Inventory of the Personal Estate of John Horton Who Departed this Life at Glocester on the 10th day of January AD. 1796.  Taken by us the Subscribers the 9th day of February AD. 1796.

Imprimus to his Wearing Apparel ................................................................ 2-04-0
to Pewter .....................................................................................................  0-10-7
to Iron Ware ................................................................................................. 0-03-6
to old Wooden Ware ...................................................................................  0-02-6
to one bed & bedstead and other furniture ................................................... 2-07-6
to one old Chest and old box ......................................................................  0-04-0
to an old Coverled and an old tea Kittle & Chest ........................................ 0-12-0
to one Staff with an Ivery head .................................................................... 0-01-0
to articles in the Possession of Arnon Hammon of Foster .........................  1-12-0
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                                                          .........................             L-s-d             7-17-7
Whole amount 26 Doll. 26 Cts
Timothy Dean
George Brown
appraisers."

[In margin on page: Further addition of this inventory on page 325.]

"Glocester May ye 21st 1796 In Town Council it is voted and Resolved that this Inventory be accepted & hereby is ordered Recorded Voted & Post as Per order.
Richard Steere Junr Assist. Court Clerk.

"Whereas Mr. John Horton of Glocester in the County of Providence &c Husbandman Who Departed this life on the tenth Day of January AD. 1796 Did in & by his last Will & testament name and appoint William Ross yeoman and Jonathan Harris Esqr both of said Glocester Sole Executors of his said will and the said William & Jonathan having since proved said Will by and before the Town Council of said Glocester on the 21st Day of May AD 1796.  These are therefore in the Name of the Governor & Company of the State of Rhode Island &c to order and fully Impower you the said William Ross and Jonathan Harris to take into your Case Custody and Possession all and singular the Personal Estate of him the said John Horton that did belong to him at the time of his death and on the Same fully to administer by paying all his Just Debts and Legacies and to act and do in all matters & things Relating the aforesaid Premises as you by law and the aforesaid Will are Required & Directed to do.  And be ready at all times to render a Just and true account of your doings Relating the aforesaid Premises Whenever you shall be Legally called thereunto unto the said Town Council or their successors in said office, Given by order of the said Town Council aforesaid the said 21st Day of May and sealed With their seal by their order.  Per Richard Steere Junr Assist. Court Clerk, and Recorded by Richard Steere Junr Assist. Court Clerk."

On 12 December 1796, the executors added items to the inventory:

"Added by William Ross & Jonathan Harris Executors to the Personal Estate of John Horton late of Glocester Deceased as follows (viz.)

"To one Note Signed by Daniel & Elisha Sayles in Company Dated April.14.1795 on Interest from Date for one hundred and fifty Dollars

"To one other Note Dated April 14th.1795 on Interest from Date signed by Daniel & Elisha Sayles in Company for one Hundred & fifty Dollars.

"To one other Note Dated April 14th 1795 on Interest from date Signed by Daniel & Elisha Sayles in Company for one Hundred and sixty Dollars.

"Glocester Decemr 12th 1796
N.B. this addition Refers to John Horton's Inventory Which is Recorded in the 327 page of this book.  Recvd Jany 4th 1797 and Recorded by Richard Steere Junr Assist. court Clerk."

There is no estate distribution or account in the estate papers.  
 
5)  SOURCES

1. Margaret R. Jenks and Frank C. Seymour, Thomas Horton of Milton and Rehoboth, Massachusetts (no place, Margaret R. Jenks, 1984), John Horton (1696-1796) sketch.

2. H. L. Peter Rounds, Jane Fletcher Fiske, and Margaret F Costello, Vital records of Swansea, Massachusetts to 1850 ( Boston, Mass. : New England Historic Genealogical Society, 1992), John Horton birth entry.

3. H. L. Peter Rounds, Jane Fletcher Fiske, and Margaret F Costello, Vital records of Swansea, Massachusetts to 1850, John Horton and Mary Chase marriage entry.

4. "Massachusetts, Land Records, 1620-1986," digital images, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org), Bristol County, "Deeds 1761-1762, Vol. 45," page 320-1 (images 168-169 of 295), John Horton Jr. to Jotham Carpenter, dated 9 February 1731/2, recorded 16 October 1761.

5. "Massachusetts, Land Records, 1620-1986," digital images, FamilySearch, Bristol County, "Deeds 1765, Vol. 48," page 375 (image 203 of 302), John Horton Jr. to John Baker, dated 9 March 1733/4, recorded 17 October 1765.

6. "Land evidence records 1731-1879, indexes to records 1731-1930 [Scituate, R.I.], Family History Library (Salt Lake City, Utah), on 23 microfilm reels, Volume 6, page 515, John Horton deed to Noah Miller, dated 13 January 1779, recorded 15 February 1779 (accessed on FHL US/CAN Microfilm 0,941,136).

7. "Rhode Island, Vital Records Extracts, 1636-1899," indexed database and digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com), Volume 15, "Newspaper Marriages and Deaths," page 517 (image 574 of 634), John Horton death notice.

8. Jim Tipton, indexed database, Find A Grave (http://www.findagrave.com), Jones-Hammon Lot (Foster, R.I.), John Horton memorial #20723516.

9. "Probate Records, 1731-1915 (Glocester, Rhode Island)," on 6 FHL Microfilm reels,  Volume 2, Pages 324-328, John Horton estate papers, on FHL Microfilm US/CAN 0,941,847.

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NOTE:  In 2014, Amy Johnson Crow suggested a weekly blog theme of "52 Ancestors" in her blog post  52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks on the No Story Too Small blog.  I have extended this theme in 2018 to 260 Ancestors in 260 Weeks.

Copyright (c) 2018, Randall J. Seaver

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