Reading Randy Seaver’s blog, Genea-Musings, I just discovered that March is Women’s History Month! Saturday his blog featured another genea blogger, Lisa Alzo’s post Fearless Females: 31 Blogging Prompts to Celebrate Women’s History Month. Lisa offer’s thirty-one ideas to honor our female ancestors and I absolutely love this idea. Thank you, Randy and Lisa!
In 1999 I took my mother, Helen Jean Horton Worley, to visit the Horton Point Lighthouse, in Southold,
Long Island Sound
Long Island. It’s named after my 9th great-grandfather (GGF), Barnabas Horton. The story is that he came from England to join Reverend John Youngs on Long Island, and was one of thirteen founding fathers of Southold in 1640.
I find that fascinating, but even more intriguing to me is my 9th GGM, Mary Horton. There is so little information about her, and I began wondering what she was like and how brave she must have been to leave her home and family to cross an ocean and live in what she had to have known would be harsh, difficult and dangerous conditions.
I began to research and read everything I could about the Hortons and Long Island, especially looking for any information about Mary.
When I read in Epher Whitaker’s History of Southold, L.I., It’s First Century, published in 1881, “a goodly number of women – daughters, wives and mothers – who have left no written record here, doubtless surpassed in patience, industry, virtue and piety many sons, husbands and fathers whose names are thus known. They shall in a future day and thenceforth and forever have their proper and honorable meed when the names, written in the Book of Life, become known to all mankind,” I knew I wanted to give Mary Horton, and the courageous women who came with her, a voice.
I believe God will reveal their names and stories someday. I wrote my novel, A PLACE IN HIS HEART, as a tribute to Mary until that day. I hope it gives her, and the women she represents, remembrance, honor and a voice.
In this month of March, and in honor of Women’s History Month, I celebrate Mary Langton Horton. She was born somewhere between 1602 and 1611 in Wigton, Cumbria, England. She married Barnabas Horton in Mowsley, England, somewhere between 1629 and 1631. He was a Puritan, a baker, and a recent widower and father of two young sons, Joseph and Benjamin. In the ensuing years, somewhere between 1633 and 1638, she followed her husband and his heart to the New World and found herself eventually living on the wild and beautiful Long Island.
Is there a female ancestor in your family tree you’d like to honor this month? Did she live a generation or two ago or several? How does she still impact your life?
Let the words of my mouth, and the meditations of mine heart be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord my strength and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14, Geneva Bible 1599.
Comments 13
Rebecca ~ What joy to just happen to have located you today with your Mary Langton Horton-related information. I hope all’s well with you. You are “write”-on. Have a saluting Veterans’ Day tomorrow {Thursday, November 11, 2021.} Thanks-for-giving me your usual attention Rebecca.
I am descended through Joshua’s daughter Zerviah who married Samuel Case, and their daughter Bethiah. My line slowly moved west. I see that you live in the PNW. I was born and raised in Spokane, Wa . I am now raising my family in California.
I came across your site trying to find out more about Mary. I am also a direct decendent of Barnabas and Mary thru Joshua. I am excited to read your book.
Frieda, thank you for your comment – would love to know more about your Horton line! I’m descended through Joshua’s son Ephraim. I hope we can stay in touch!
One of my antecedents and his two sons were read out of Quaker meeting in Philadelphia because of their participation in the patriot cause during the American Revolution. However his wife stayed in meeting. I often wished I could be a fly on the wall in that house to hear the conversations between husband and wife during that time. Since I can’t do that, I’m researching the era and writing a novel based on this nugget of family history.
I’m delighted to learn about your book and its history. Thank you for sharing.
Wow, Judith – that is so interesting! I am like you int that I’d love to be privy to those conversations!! i love that you are do your research with a story brewing! Keep me posted!
Thank you for the post. Story sounds interesting. Your Mary Langton Horton may have more history than you think. The key figure in penning the Magna Carta of 1215 was Stephen Langton. He was the Archbishop of Canterbury for the church in England during the 13th century. Your Mary may have a direct connection. Happy hunting if you choose to research it.
Thank you, Al! I’m thrilled to hear that there is more to Mary, though I have to admit I suspected as much!! I am definitely going to follow up on that lead! To me she is a huge part of my heritage! Thank you for stopping by!!
What a wonderful way to honor your ancestor! Am looking forward to your upcoming release! If I were to honor a woman ancestor (besides my mother!) it would be Susanna Rousch, wife of Johann Adam Rousch. Although quite a bit has been written about Johann, also known as John, with a SAR monument and a two volume set about him and his descendants, there seems little information about Susanna. She was the mother of 9 sons who served in the American Revolution.
Wow, Carrie – she really was what I like to call a “quiet hero”! I’m interested to read about Johann, and I’ll remember he had dear Susanna raising his nine boys who went on to serve in the American Revolution! Thanks for sharing!!
Wow! I just discovered this! I am a direct descendant of barnabas horton as well! We are kin! And I absolutely love reading, and historical fiction is my ultimate favorite! I am going to order your book (my book too in a way) right this minute! I can’t wait to tell my family about your book!
P.S. I’m also the genealogy keeper of our family so I know a lot about The Horton’s
What fun – we are cousins for sure!! Do you know which of Barnabas’s children you descend from? My family came down through Joshua, his fourth son (Mary’s second!) Would love to keep in touch with you! Thanks for writing!
We too are of Horton descent. I’m going to research more from the Barnabas line of who exactly. Are any of you familiar with George Washington Horton? Which line of Barnabas was he?
Thanks for your input.
Lanier