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My great-great grandfather, Nathaniel H. "Than" Horton was born October 15, 1831, in Wayne County, Tennessee, the son of Nathaniel Horton and Malinda Atkinson. (Note:Both census and family records indicate that Than was born in 1831. His tombstone reads 1833. His brother, Peter Gales Horton, was born in 1833, as indicated by census, family records and his own tombstone. We believe the date of birth shown on Than's headstone is incorrect.)
Than grew up along the banks of Indian Creek in Wayne County. His father, Nathaniel, died in 1848, when Than was about 17 years old.
Than married my great-great grandmother, Mary Margaret "Peggy" Berry, about April 1850. Peggy Berry was born in 1828, in Tennessee, the daughter of William Berry and Sarah Weatherford.
Than appears on the 1860 Wayne County census with Peggy and four children. His real property is valued at $1200 and his personal property at $700. Than was a farmer, as was his father Nathaniel.
Than fought in the Civil War. He served as a Private in Co. B, 2nd Tennessee Mounted Infantry.
Than died in May 1870, at the age of 39 years. He left a widow and eight children. Than is buried in the Isaac Horton Cemetery. A tombstone marks his grave near the feet of his parents, Nathaniel and Malinda.
A Letter of Administration was issued to Joseph G. Berry in July 1870, in Wayne County. It is recorded in Wayne County Court Minutes Book for 1870-1876, page 29.
Margaret appears on the 1870 Wayne County census, a widow. The youngest child, one year old, Sarah, for some reason is listed with their neighbor, Mrs. R. C. Murphy and her family.
The 1880 Wayne County census shows Margaret and five of her children living in the 7th Civil District of the county. The other three children had married and settled near Margaret. The John J. Woody family was living next door to Margaret in 1880. John Woody's daughter, Sarah Jane, married Than and Margaret's son, John.
Margaret applied for Than's Civil War pension. The pension was granted on July 25, 1890, in Wayne County.
Margaret died November 21, 1897, in Wayne County. She is buried beside her husband in the Isaac Horton Cemetery. A tombstone with almost illegible writing marks her grave.
Children of Than Horton and Peggy Berry
1. Emiline Paralee Horton, b. 1851, Wayne Co, TN
2. William J. Horton, b. abt 1854, Wayne Co, TN
3. Joseph Griffin Horton, b. 1856, Wayne Co, TN
4. John Ellison Horton, b. 1858, Wayne Co, TN (my line)
5. Margaret Martha Malinda Horton, b. 1861, Wayne Co, TN
6. David Wilson Horton, b. 1863, Wayne Co, TN
7. Peter A. Horton, b. 1866, Wayne Co, TN
8. Sarah L. E. Horton, b. 1869, Wayne Co, TN