Page:Dictionary of National Biography volume 27.djvu/398

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Horton
3952
Horton

ists upon Horton and his brigade (Commons' Journals, v. 556–7). Henry (afterwards Sir Henry) Lingen [q. v.], on his way to North Wales, was defeated and taken by Horton soon afterwards (Cal. Clarendon State Papers, i. 425, 440). On being appointed a commissioner of the high court of justice, Horton attended every day, and signed the warrant for the execution of the king. For a few months he acted as a commissioner for South Wales (Cal. State Papers, Dom. 1649–50), but in July 1649 was ordered to accompany Cromwell to Ireland. According to Whitelocke (Memorials, p. 418), part of his regiment refused to go, and disbanded themselves. Horton, who had been long in failing health, died in Ireland in the autumn of 1649 (Probate Act Book, P. C. C. 1651), leaving an only son, Thomas. His will, dated at Cardiff on 3 July 1649, was proved on 16 Jan. 1650–1 (P. C. C. 5, Grey). He gave to Cromwell ‘the majer Gen. my horse called Haselrigg.’ At the Restoration his name was excepted out of the bill of pardon and oblivion, and his estate was ordered to be confiscated (Commons' Journals, viii. 61, 286).

Thomas Horton must be distinguished from Jeremy Horton, who was lieutenant-colonel of Lord Wharton's regiment, and is described as adjutant-general to Major-general Browne. He attempted unsuccessfully to reduce Donnington Castle (Money, Battles of Newbury, 2nd edit. p. 147).

[S. W.'s Exceeding Good Newes from South-Wales; I. L.'s His Maiesties Demands to Collonel Hammond, &c.; A great Fight in Wales between Collonell Horton and Collonell Powel; A Fuller Relation of a great Victory obtained against the Welsh Forces by Col. T. Horton; Colonell Poyer's Forces in Wales totally routed by Collonel Horton; Commons' Journals, vols. iii. v. vi. vii. viii.; Lords' Journals, vol. x.; Cal. State Papers, Dom. 1649–50, 1654; Noble's Lives of the English Regicides, i. 362–3.]

G. G.

HORTON, THOMAS, D.D. (d. 1673), president of Queens' College, Cambridge, a native of London, was son of Laurence Horton, merchant, and a member of the Mercers' Company. He was admitted a pensioner of Emmanuel College, Cambridge, 8 July 1623, proceeding B.A. in 1626, was elected a fellow of his college, and commenced M.A. in 1630. In 1637 he took the degree of B.D., and was appointed one of the twelve university preachers. In 1638 he was chosen president, or head, of Queens' College. From 12 July 1638 till 28 Nov. 1640 he was minister of St. Mary Colechurch, London, a donative of the Mercers' Company. He was elected professor of divinity in Gresham College, London, 26 Oct. 1641.

In 1644 Horton was one of the association of divines appointed by the parliament to ordain ministers in and near the city of London, and in the year following he subscribed the petition of the ministers of the province of London to the parliament, in which they prayed for the speedy establishment of the presbyterian government in congregational, classical, and national assemblies. He was a member of Gray's Inn, and from 18 May 1647 till 1657 was preacher there. In 1649 he was created D.D. at Cambridge. In 1649 he was chosen vice-chancellor, and with the heads of houses carried new regulations for the government of the presses and printers of the university. About 1651 he married, and although he procured from the committee of parliament for reforming the universities an order that his marriage should not disqualify him for his professorship, the Gresham committee, acting in accordance with the founder's will, declared the place vacant. The committee did not proceed to a new election till 19 May 1656, when George Gifford was chosen, but Horton obtained a new dispensation from Cromwell, and remained in possession till the Restoration. Charles II granted him a temporary respite in 1660, but in 1661 Gifford took his place. On 9 Aug. 1652 Horton was incorporated D.D. at Oxford, and in 1658 he was nominated one of the triers or commissioners for the approbation of young ministers. In 1654 he was appointed by the Protector one of the visitors of the university of Cambridge. On 5 Nov. in that year he preached at St. Paul's before the lord mayor and court of aldermen, and his sermon was printed.

On 2 Aug. 1660 he was removed from the presidency of Queens' College, Cambridge, to make room for Dr. Martin, who had been ejected in 1644. Horton withdrew with good grace. When the Savoy conference was appointed, Horton was nominated an assistant on the side of the presbyterians, though, according to Baxter, he never joined in the deliberations. He was one of the divines who were silenced by the Bartholomew Act in 1662, but he conformed soon afterwards, On 13 June 1666 he was admitted to the vicarage of Great St. Helen's in Bishopsgate Street, London, and held it till his death. He was buried in the chancel of that church on 29 March 1673 (Smyth, Obituary, p. 98), leaving a widow, but no children.

His biographer. Dr. John Wallis, who had been under his tuition at Cambridge, says he was 'a pious and learned man, an hard student, a sound divine, a good textuary, very well skilled in the oriental languages, very well accomplished for the work of the