_Dear Sir_: While at Pomeroy a few weeks since on a visit, my father showed me your letter, requesting information in regard to our descent, and asked me to answer your questions. I am not really in a condition to give you any particular information, for the reason that the notes I once made on the subject, when, in 1864, I graduated at Dana College, are out of my reach. A sketch of our genealogy and history had to be recorded in our "Class Book," and I there broke ground in this to me until then, unattractive field, in obedience to that necessity. The main facts that I recall are, however, these: I did not get very far in tracing my descent. My father, Valentine B. Horton, was the son of Zenas Horton, who was the son of David Horton--David was born near the beginning of the last century; no! in the 2d or 3d decade, and fought in the old French war, and was also a soldier in the Revolution, and was killed at Saratoga. He lived in Braintree, Mass. Zenas Horton moved thence to Windsor, Vt., where my father was born. Beyond David I did not spend labor enough to penetrate; but I was rendered nearly certain, I remember, that he was a grand-son and great-grand-son, respectively, of two certain Thomas Hortons, one of Springfield, and the other of Charlestown, Mass., the elder of whom landed in Dorchester, from the schooner _Mary and John_, in 1633. Barnabas, of Southold, I remember coming across, but I was obliged, after following that track for some time, to give him up, and settle upon Thomas, the ancestor of David.... I shall be glad to communicate with you further on this subject. My address I have already given at my office (law), as above, and believe most sincerely yours, S. DANA HORTON. I have had some correspondence with this gentleman since the date of the above letter, but he has given no further information as to his lineage. The above would run thus: 6. S. Dana; 5. Valentine B.; 4. Zenas; 3. David; 2. Thomas; 1. Thomas. Some links are missing, for certainly, counting from the first Thomas, S. Dana Horton must be in the 8th or 9th generation. S. Dana wields the pen of a ready writer, and he has achieved considerable notoriety in the political reform literature of the day, especially in favor of so using the elective franchise as to give increased representation to minorities. Several of his articles have appeared in the _Penn Magazine_, of Philadelphia. * * * * * BARRINGTON, R. I., _March 27th, 1871_. DR. GEO. F. HORTON: