William Horton (military aide) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
William Horton
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| Born | c. 1708 Herefordshire, England
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| Died | 1749 |
William Horton (born around 1708, died 1749) was an important person in the early history of the American colony of Georgia. He worked closely with James Oglethorpe, who helped start the colony. Horton was also a landowner and built the famous Horton House.
Contents
Early Life and Education
William Horton was born in Herefordshire, England, around the year 1708. We don't know much about his very early childhood.
School Days
Horton went to school at John Roysse's Free School in a town called Abingdon. This school is now known as Abingdon School. In those days, a "free school" often meant a grammar school that taught subjects like Latin and Greek.
Life in the Georgia Colony
William Horton played a big part in the early days of the Georgia colony. He was a trusted helper to General James Oglethorpe. Oglethorpe was a leader who helped establish Georgia as one of the first British colonies in America.
Military Role
Horton was a military aide, which means he was a high-ranking assistant to General Oglethorpe. He was in charge of the soldiers stationed at Fort Frederica. This fort was on St. Simons Island, near Jekyll Island. He started as a Captain in 1740 and became a Major in 1742.
Jekyll Island and Horton House
In 1735, the people in charge of the Georgia colony gave William Horton Jekyll Island. This island became his home and the location of his plantation.
He also started Georgia's first brewery on his land. A brewery is a place where beer is made.
Building Horton House
In 1743, William Horton built Horton House on Jekyll Island. This house is a very old and important building. It is one of the oldest "tabby" buildings in Georgia.
Tabby is a special kind of concrete. It's made from oyster shells, sand, and water. This mix was used to build strong structures in coastal areas.
Today, Horton House is a historic site. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which means it's recognized as an important part of history.
