Jekyll Island in Glynn County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
Major William Horton
Photographed By Mike Stroud, 2009
1. Major William Horton Marker
Came to Georgia in 1736
Died at Savannah in 1748
These are the remains of Horton's tabby house. Major Horton of Oglethorpe's Regiment, the first English resident of Jekyll Island, erected on the north end of Jekyll a two-story dwelling and large barn. He cleared fields here for cultivation of crops which supplied the settlers at Frederica on St. Simons Island, a neighboring island, who would have suffered except for this assistance. Major Horton cut a road across the north end of Jekyll, running east and west, from this tabby house to the beach. This road is still known as the Horton Road.
Major Horton was a trusted officer chosen by James Oglethorpe for important missions. Upon Oglethorpe's final return to England in 1743, Major Horton succeeded him as commander of the military forces of the Colony of Georgia.
Poulain du Bignon, owner of Jekyll Island after the Revolutionary War, repaired the Horton tabby house and made it his home. As the du Bignon family grew, wooden wings were added to the house.
Erected 1956 by Georgia Historical Commission. (Marker Number 063-15.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Landmarks
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Location. 31° 6.103′ N, 81° 24.876′ W. Marker is on Jekyll Island, Georgia, in Glynn County. Marker is on Riverview Drive near Major Horton Drive, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Jekyll Island GA 31527, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Tabby (here, next to this marker); Horton House Historic Site (here, next to this marker); Poulain du Bignon and du Bignon Burying Ground (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Horton House Historic Site (within shouting distance of this marker); Horton House (within shouting distance of this marker); Horton House Harvest (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Horton House Historic Site (within shouting distance of this marker); Le Sieur Christophe Anne Poulain du Bignon (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Jekyll Island.
Photographed By Mike Stroud, March 18, 2009
2. Major William Horton Marker looking south along Riverview Drive
Photographed By Mike Stroud, March 18, 2009
3. Major William Horton Marker at the ruins
Photographed By Mike Stroud, March 18, 2009
4. Major William Horton House ruins
Credits. This page was last revised on November 20, 2020. It was originally submitted on April 2, 2009, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,957 times since then and 43 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on April 2, 2009, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 3, 2009, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
