Historic Pelham: Genealogical and Biographical Information Regarding George Washington Horton and His Family, Early Settlers of City Island in the Town of Pelham

George Washington Horton and his family were early settlers on City Island in the Town of Pelham. As of 1818, most of the island was owned by Nicholas Haight and Joshua Huested. On January 1, 1819, however, Nicholas Haight and his wife, Mary, sold to George Washington Horton 42 acres on the lower (southern) portion of City Island. For the next sixty years or so, most of this land was owned by George Washington Horton and, later in that time, by two of his sons: Captain Stephen Decatur Horton and Captain George Washington Horton, Jr.

As one might expect, the Horton family is forever linked with the early history of City Island, its development, and its maritime traditions. Today's posting to the Historic Pelham blog transcribes genealogical and biographical information published in 1907 for various members of the Horton family tied to City Island. Included in today's posting is a fascinating photograph of the George Washington Horton homestead on City Island as well as portraits of Stephen Decatur Horton and his wife, Caroline Lucilia (Skidmore) Horton.

"George W. Horton was born February 21, 1786, died September 22, 1860. He married Elizabeth Horton, April 24, 1813. She was born April 6, 1794, died June, 1861. The children of this marriage were: Joshua, born September 29, 1814, died January 10, 1815. Benjamin Franklin, born December 25, 1815, died March 20, 1867. Sarah Ann Glover, born October, 1817, died June 30, 1896. Andrew Jackson, born July 16, 1819, died May 3, 1899. Stephen Decatur, born January 18, 1821, died October 23, 1900. Phebe Jane, who married Matson S. Arnow, was born May 10, 1824, died March 5, 1905. George W., born June 27, 1827. . . .

George W. Horton, grandfather of Dudley R. Horton, resided in New York City until 1833, and was there engaged in the transportation business. During the War of 1812 he enlisted in the United States Army. He was the first of the Horton family to settle on City Island, where in 1833 he purchased a tract of land comprising about one-third of the entire island and thereon erected the old Horton mansion, which is still standing on Main street, at the lower end of the island. He was an energetic and progressive citizen, and during his active career contributed materially towards the growth, development and building up of City Island, a most delightfully located and beautiful tract of land.

Stephen Decatur Horton, fifth child and third son of George W. and Elizabeth (Horton) Horton, and father of Dudley R. Horton, was born at City Island, Westchester county, New York, January 18, 1821, a reference to whose career will be found elsewhere. He married, September, 1842, Caroline Lucilia Skidmore, born April 16, 1824, daughter of Hubbard and Caroline (Avery) Skidmore. Her father, Hubbard Skidmore, and grandfather Thaddeus Avery, fought in the Continental Army, and her original ancestor, Captain John Underhill, was commissioned by the English Governor Sir Edmund Andross to punish the Indians for the massacre of the noted Ann Hutchinson and her family at Pelham Neck, a duty he zealously performed.

Captain Horton died at City Island, October 23, 1900, and his wife survived him until August 18, 1903. She was known as a most worthy woman, possessed of many excellencies of character, and was beloved by all who knew her. She was a consistent member of the Dutch Reformed Church for many years, but during the latter years of her life became associated with the Episcopal Church of the community in which she resided. . . .

CAPT. STEPHEN DECATUR HORTON.

Stephen Decatur Horton, fifth child and third son of George W. and Elizabeth (Horton) Horton, was born at City Island, Westchester county, New York, January 18, 1821. He was educated in the schools of City Island, and upon attaining to manhood engaged in boating and shipping. After pursuing this line of work for several years, he gained sufficient experience to become a licensed pilot on the East River and Long Island Sound, technically known as a 'Hell Gate Pilot,' and continued the same for a period of nearly fifty years, during which time he became well known as a successful and careful navigator. Captain Horton was held in esteem for his many excellent personal qualities.

He married, September, 1842, Caroline Lucilia Skidmore, born April 16, 1824, daughter of Hubbard and Caroline (Avery) Skidmore, and their children were as follows: Gertrude, born October 17, 1844, married Nicholas William Abbott, December 21, 1899; her husband was born December 5, 1832. Dudley R., born December 17, 1854. Estelle Mary, born May 2, 1857, married Edward Woodin, August 9, 1877, and has children: Edward Bruce, born May 29, 1878, died January 8, 1879, and Estelle Lucilia, born June 4, 1880. Howard L., born October 10, 1861, married Louise Van Zandt. Captain Horton died at City Island, October 23, 1900, and his wife survived him until August 18, 1903. She was known as a most estimable woman, possessed of many excellencies of character, and was beloved by all who knew her. She was a consistent member of the Dutch Reformed church at City Island throughout her life, but during the latter years of her life became associated with the Episcopal and Methodist Episcopal churches of the community in which she resided in the absence of a church of her own denomination.

Source: Pelletreau, William S., Historic Homes and Institutions And Genealogical and Family History of New York, Vol. II, pp. 202-03, 205-06 (New York and Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1907).